*Liam’s POV*

“Wow, mate, never thought you’d have it in you.” I heard Zayn say as I was walked past the archway in the kitchen and into the hallway.

“What?” I asked, puzzled.

“Oh, please, I’m not an idiot.” Zayn said. “Me and the lads have been seeing this for the longest time, but now, I don’t think I can hold back anymore.”

“Zayn, what are you talking about-“

“You know damn well what I’m talking about, Liam.” He interrupted me. I blinked, hearing the annoyance in his voice. Zayn clenched his jaw as he just shook his head. “Think about it. You’ve been there with her since the start of all of this. Because of everything that happened to her, you wanted her to come here to London. You didn’t even mention the idea to the boys, you wanted her to come back, because of the same reason why you wouldn’t come home the first time. You don’t want her to be alone. You want to be right next to her.”

He was getting angrier and angrier with each word he said. I could tell because whenever he got mad, his voice would get deeper, get lower. Zayn was a quiet guy, it wasn’t often you’d hear him yell. “You’re not the only one who cares for her, Liam. We all do. I see her as my younger sister, because what I see in her is similar to what I see in my baby sisters. Just like you, we want to protect her. You two get along great, yes, we all know this. You bickered like an old married couple not two hours ago over a kitchen! And what you did in there. Liam, I saw it. She thought you were going to kiss her…”

He stopped talking, letting the news sink in. It was. He grabbed my shoulders, leaning his head toward me, looking straight into my eyes. “The way you touch her, every single hug you two share… do you not see it, mate? The way you look at her? Can you not recognize the feelings you hold inside?”

I was searching his face. Searching for the answer. His hands squeezed my shoulders tightly. “Admit it, mate! You love her!” His voice became slower, more specific. “You are in love with Hazel, Liam. Tell me if I’m lying. Look me straight in the eyes and tell me I’m wrong.”

I couldn’t. I couldn’t even open my mouth to bring out the words to say anything. “Zayn…” I whispered.

He let go of my shoulders, bringing his arms to his side. “Listen, sorry if I came off like I was angry at you. I’m not. But I want to say something though. Don’t… just don’t play with your feelings, especially hers. I know you’ve been through a few rough patches, but Hazel… she’s been through everything no person deserves. Don’t tease her, mate. She’s going through an emotional time. Don’t tease her into thinking she’s falling in love with you. Unless…” We locked eyes again. “Unless you mean it. If you really do love her, and you want her to love you, by all means, make her the happiest girl in the world. I know I’m not the most perfect person in the world when it comes to relationships, but the last thing I want to see is either you or Hazel getting hurt.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I got it, lad. I know where you’re coming from. I’ll keep what you said in mind.”
Zayn nodded, drawing a lip up as he patted my shoulder. “I’m going to join the other lads, uh, yeah…”

He took a step back before leaving me alone in the hallway. I leaned against the wall, feeling myself slide down until I sat on the floor, everything that Zayn said running through my mind. Did she honestly think I was going to kiss her? I’ll admit I was teasing her a little bit, but only to get her mind off other things. I could feel my heartbeat ram against my chest. “Admit it.” I whispered to myself. “Everything you’ve done up until now. You only did it not just because of the guilt, but because you’re in love with her.”

Ever since I met her the first time backstage at the concert hall. Way before the accident. Why? Because, I knew from the look in her eyes, she was different. The pictures she’s drawn. Pandora said it herself. Hazel’s impression laid behind her memory, that click in her mind that would make her remember a person forever. The lads, it was their voice, but me… it was my smile. The drawing proved as much.

I was in love with Hazel.

This was the feeling I’ve never held with any other girl. Not my cheating ex-girlfriend before X Factor, not Danielle, who I thought was the one. Nobody. Hazel made me forget everything. She made me want to be a better person toward her, myself, and others.

I pressed my hands to my head, running my hands through my buzzed hair. Why now? Why did it take so long for me to realize it? I knew I’ve cared for her before, but this? The lads caught onto it before I did! I looked over at the archway, hearing clashes of plates and silverware. How did she feel about me? I wanted to know, but I knew I couldn’t bring that kind of topic up.

Zayn was right about what he said. She was going through an emotional crisis with her mother, with the memories she’s lost, and the mystery about how her father has died. I couldn’t bring thoughts of… love onto her. It would be too much. Even I knew there was a line to everything. Hazel had a breaking point, and I didn’t want to be that.

I would just have to keep doing what I have been doing. Even with these feelings I held for her, I knew I couldn’t bring it onto myself to distract her. Even if I did love her, even if the thoughts of wanting to be closer with her, to be a person she could always turn to. I knew I couldn’t do it. At least, not right now.

I let out a long breath, standing up from where I was sitting. I stared at the archway entrance one last time. Yeah, I’ll keep my feelings hidden for now, but I couldn’t promise anything. Hazel may have had a breaking point, but so did I.

So, we’ll just have to wait and see. Until then, well, guess I’ll just have to play it cool.

Notes

Yay, finally this story is getting somewhere :D