ASHLEY 

The party was over. Well, not really. People were still inside, just having a casual conversation. Some of us were staggering on the massive front yard. I decided to stay with Zayn, so we walk together while holding a wine glass. Although, my mind wanders off for a brief moment, wondering where Harry might be right now. I'm pretty sure he's pissed that I haven't spoken to him throughout the party. Well. I have an intention. 

'Hello?' Zayn calls me and snaps his fingers softly in front of my eyes, bringing me back from my thoughts. 

'Where are you?' he asks me and I sip my drink from my glass. I haven't told him yet...

"Nothing, I'm just thinking about...stuff" I tell him, debating with myself. Should I?

''Well, what were you thinking about? I bet they are worth to know..." he says and my palms become slightly sweaty. No. Not right now. I can't tell anybody, not even Zayn. I need Harry's consent, because he's with me in this. 

'Yeah, but this ain't right timing, you know? So I'll just keep it to myself, for now...' I stress on "for now" so that Zayn doesn't perceive that I'll hide it from him forever. One day, everybody will know about mine and Harry's relationship...

"Hey, do you wanna come over to my place someday? Like hang out?' Zayn interrupts my thoughts again, and I am glad he did. I need to stop thinking about the outcomes now. 

'Yeah, sure. When?' I tell him casually, without even thinking. But...I am worried about what Harry might think of this...

'Um, I'll let you know. When my schedule isn't booked..." he tells me and I chortle. Speaking of schedules, I quickly run through mine in my head and realize I have 2 upcoming events. God, these past events really took me off from reality. Harry's impact.

'Oh yeah, I am getting admitted to a Performing Arts school soon and...I have an appointment with my doctor." I tell Zayn and he cocks eyebrows at me. 

'You're going to college? That's splendid! When do you start? Wait, so are you going back to Toronto in that case?' he asks me further.

"I start in two months and I haven't  prepared shit. And no, I am going to attend college here. That's one of the reasons why I moved into New York, with Shawn.' I reply back and he lets out a sigh.

"Alright then. And why do you need the doctor?' he asks me, as if he perceived that my past problems were permanently gone.

'Well, I dream every night and they're not always good. Mostly all of them are bad. My doctor suspects it's a nightmare disorder, so I have to have checkups every month. It's a requirement, for me to improve' I inform him about my problem. He looks at me surprisingly and raises his brows.

"Ash...I have the same problem as you...'' he tells me and my mouth drops.

''Seriously? Damn, then I'll seek advise from you then.'' I tell him and he laughs.

''Nah, not from me. I won't be as good.' he says and I roll my eyes, sipping my wine.

"Shut up, your face says something else.' I add and he cocks his brows again, pursing his lips.

'Okay, okay, I admit. I do know how to deal with it tactfully, but still, refer to your doctor, alright? Don't rely on me mainly...' he warns me with a firm look, and I nod in a playful manner. We talked for a few more minutes before Zayn's phone started ringing and that's when I knew he had to leave.

'Hey, I'm sorry I gotta go...' he tells me after hanging up.

'I figured. You're a busy man,after all...' I say and get closer to him. A waiter walks by, and we put our empty wine glasses on the tray. After the waiter leaves, we look at each other again. Zayn opens his arms for me, which forms a huge smile on my face. I go into them and he wraps them around my body. The mild evening breeze hits us, with petals and leaves falling from the nearby trees. It isn't a long hug as we let each other go shortly afterwards. He places a soft kiss on my cheek, making me blush. We bid farewell to each other before he begins to walk away, soon out of sight. 

I turn around and instantly make up my mind for what I should do next.

Even if Harry doesn't like the idea of me being with Zayn, I am sure he'll understand one day. After all, he doesn't need to feel...insecure. We are together now, and there'll be nothing to rip us apart.

You sure about that?

A raspy, deep voice talks in my head. It's like my other half is speaking to me.
Of course I am sure, I convince myself.

I am currently looking for Harry, who is not catching my sight at the moment. Strange. Why is he not around when I need it?
After strolling for nearly 15 minutes, I finally spot him in the most weirdest place possible: behind two lofty cocount trees, standing solitary. He is drinking, supposedly whiskey, and on his phone.
There was no human presence around us. I see why he chose this place.

I pinch a spot on his forearm from the side to seek his attention. He notices, but doesn't look. I narrow my eyes, and stand in front him now. He still has his eyes glued to the phone screen. I sigh in frustration and think about stepping up my game.

I swing my arms around his neck and he almost drops his phone to the grass. He finally looks at me in the eye. I know he can't resist this.

He holds the back of my neck slowly, making me close my eyes. In a swift second, he pushes me abruptly to the bark of the tree, my back leaning against it now. His eyes are completely fixed on me as if he is  monitoring all my movements.

'I am not doing this out of fond.' he says bluntly and I frown my eyebrows. He lets me go and turns around, leaving me leaning against the bark. I cross my arms, and stand beside him.

'What's up with the cold attitude?' I ask, bluntly as well. He faces me, his intense gaze locking with mine. He steps forward and forward, until I am leaning against the tree bark. Again.

'What were you doing, hanging out with Zayn?' his voice comes out dangerously low and raspy, his accent thicker than usual. I swallow a lump that I just realized formed in my throat. I square my shoulders, and cross my arms.

'We were only talking. He invited me to hang out at his place sometime.' I answer him with confidence, and his eyebrows shoot up. He runs a frustrated hand through his hair.

'You should maintain your distance, Ash. Zayn can be....bad news at times.' he speaks, and I just look at him. Was he saying this out of jealously, or because I actually need to be careful with Zayn? I don't know, and I certainly didn't know how to answer that. I simply nod, and reach for his hands. Silence passes through as neither of us speak. In order to diffuse the tension, I finally speak up, my tiredness from the night overwhelming me.

'Can you take me home?' I ask him with a low tone, and he flashes those smiles that melt me entirely. 

'You don't have to ask twice. Let's get you home...'