I tensed up.

I distrust this guy: Zayn, the ‘bad boy’ of the school. Well, everyone knew he wasn’t like that, but his appearance doesn’t help him. Neither the rumors. And I rather believe them instead of this prick.

‘’Oh, hey Zayn!’’ Perrie greeted.

I looked for Hailie’s reaction. She backed up one step as her eyes focused on Zayn’s steps. We looked at each other, concerned and worried written all over our faces.

‘’At what time you want me to come over?’’ Zayn asked Perrie.

Hailie’s head snapped back at the conversation.

‘’He’s one of the guy you invited?’’

‘’I’m not welcome?’’ Zayn smirked.

‘’We just don’t want any trouble.’’ I said a little rough.

‘’I won’t bring trouble, mate.’’

‘’I’m not sure, mate.’’

That guy bugged me. A lot. I clenched my fist, holding it back from Zayn’s hideous smirk.

‘’Okay, please. No fight.’’ Perrie interfered, pushing me gently. I didn’t even realise a stepped forward her.

‘’Don’t worry about me, Perrie; just watch out this one.’’ I said, not breaking eyes contact with Zayn.

‘’My house is opening at six. Come whenever you’re ready. Now go.’’

‘’See ya.’’

When Zayn was out of sight, Hailie liberated a huge sigh she was holding back.

‘’The hell Perrie? You really invited him?’’

‘’Guys, he’s not what you think!’’ Perrie defended.

‘’Oh, I’m pretty sure he’s what everybody thinks!’’ I said, laughing darkly.

‘’Let’s make a deal: I’ll kick him out if he’s not behaving, alright?’’

We nodded.

‘’But you two have to know him better than the rumors try to tell you. He’s a sweet guy.’’

‘’How long are you ‘friend’ with him?’’ Hailie asked.

‘’Well… I guess we’re not friends yet, more acquaintance. We have chemistry together.’’ Perrie explained.

‘’Can we go eat?’’ I groaned.

They glared at me, like I’ve stopped the world biggest conversation ever.

‘’Ni, you’re really impolite: we are talking over here.’’ Hailie said, pointing her and Perrie.

‘’Just go if you’re not interested in our beautiful subject.’’ Perrie added and returned to Hailie. ‘’Talking about beautiful subject, his hot, don’t you think?’’

‘’If you want to discuss about him, I’m not going to talk about his supposed ‘hotness’.’’

‘’Pff, it’s not a ‘supposed hotness’. Jesus, Hailie. Go to your optometrist; I think you’re still blind!’’

I skipped through the hall shouting ‘Food, food, food!’, leaving the girls and their uninteresting debate. When I arrived at my locker, Louis was rested on the others beside mine.

‘’Oy.’’ I greeted him.

‘’Hey, Ni. Mind telling me what took you so long?’’

I resumed shortly what happened.

‘’You’re kidding me!’’ Louis said, getting angry like I was in front of Zayn.

‘’I wish I was. We have to watch out for the girls.’’

‘’Indeed. Does Perrie have a sort of ‘trouble magnet’? Jeez, the stories she tells us! I can’t get it sometimes!’’

I laughed, taking my lunch box and closing my locker. Perrie is good looking. That’s mean she’s popular with the guys.

The wrong guys, especially.

Hailie told me one time that Perrie had dated someone in a gang. When she ended there relation, the guy was so pissed off he tracked down Jonnie, Perrie’s brother. He threatened to brutalize him if she wasn’t getting back with him. I don’t know how Perrie managed it, but her ex didn’t lift one finger on Jonnie and he disappeared from the map.

Of course, Jonnie never heard about that.

That's kind of scary, though.

When we showed up at our table, Perrie and Hailie weren’t there yet. I sat down beside Will and in front of Harry. I opened my lunch box and took out the plastic container, which contained my meal. I raised an eyebrow, septic.

Chicken nuggets. Really?

‘’Sam, are you coming after all?’’ Will asked.

He shook his head. ‘’I tried, trust me, to convince my parents that it wasn’t a big deal if I was not present at the ‘family gathering’ thing at my grandparents’, but they don’t want to hear a thing. I’m sorry.’’

‘’Aw, it’s alright.’’ I said my mouth full.

‘’Someone needs a ride?’’ Will asked to the group.

Jayden and Louis raised their hands.

‘’Oy, Harry. I’m taking you.’’ I said.

‘’I’ll be fine, thanks.’’ He replied.

‘’It wasn’t a question. If you had in mind that Hailie could do the lift, well I’m sorry to announce you she’s preparing herself with the girls at Perrie’s. Don’t even think about walking, you’ll die of exhaustion. Plus, you don’t know where it is.’’ I explained.

‘’I guess I don’t have the choice!’’ Harry chuckled.

Notes

hey hey hey!
Dear Hailie, I think you should listen to Perrie's recommendation and get an appointment with your optometrist. Did you look carefully at Zayn? Let me help you:

Do you understand now?
Questions time!
-Why Niall hates Zayn? Hailie and Louis don't seem to love him either...
-Perrie's previous relationships aren't the best on the planet. Could Zayn just be another wrong guy? Or she's trying to be friend with him?
-WHY DOES EVERYONE HATE ZAYN!?