14

                                    

                                          
"So before you tell me why you were a little freaked out earlier when you called me, please tell me what happened with Liam? What did you decide on doing?"
                          
Zayn had just arrived at Lauren and Normani's house and immediately was dragged inside by an eager Normani and interrogated by Lauren. He guesses he deserves it though since he never did tell them what exactly had happened.
                          
"Yeah Zee, you really do leave us out sometimes" Normani said, shaking her head.
                          
Zayn sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.
                          
"You okay Zayn?" Lauren asks, worriedly.
                          
"Yeah I'm good. I just don't think you'll like what I have to tell you"
                          
"Zayn, you know Mani and I will always be here no matter what kind of stupid shit you do. We'll always have your back so please tell us what's going on" Lauren said, taking a seat next to Zayn and wrapping her arm around his shoulders. 
                          
"I took him back" Zayn said hurriedly.
                          
The mood in the room shifted and the silence after that was long and awkward, until Normani spoke up, "Excuse me? Wait, what? Say that again Zee, please tell me that I'm not hearing right"
                          
"I took him back. He asked me to forgive him and I forgave him." Zayn said quietly. He's starting to feel disappointed in himself, something he wasn't feeling before. 
                          
"So he cheats on you, cries for 20 minutes, and you take him back?" Lauren says in an annoyed tone.
                          
"You guys don't fuckin' understand" Zayn says and unexpectedly shocks Lauren and Normani. 
                          
"Look, I'm sorry. It's just you guys won't ever understand how I feel. Liam is my everything and I love him too much to even consider letting him go. I forgave him so I could move on and not feel the heavy weight of his guilt on my shoulders. We're starting a new chapter and I know we'll be fine."
                          
Lauren purses her lips and Normani stays silent..
                          
Zayn feels red hot and knows he sounds ridiculous as if he can't live without Liam, but at this point it's the truth.
                          
Liam has been with him for six years and has never left his side since then. Liam's cheating was just a minor bump in the road of their story. It was a kiss and that's it.
                          
"Did you at least ask him why he cheated?" Normani speaks up after a couple minutes of awkward silence.
                          
"No, no I didn't." Zayn says, clearing his throat.
                          
"Zayn, you know I love you. But you just made the dumbest decision based on your infatuation and love for him. Sure, I may not know what you're going through and how devastated you must still feel. But what I do know is that you should never let anyone walk all over you and play with your feelings."
                          
Lauren's word cut deep, and Zayn could do nothing else except state at the floor. Oh how'd he wish the ground would open up and swallow him whole.
                          
Lauren felt bad for her friend and started to tear up. She leaned her head against his shoulder as he leaned his head against hers.
                          
"I just don't wanna see you hurt Zee. I hate it. But if you know what you're doing then I support you 100%"
                          
"Me too" Normani says, "although I'd support you more if you can hook me up with that Drake meet and greet"
                          
Zayn and Lauren burst out laughing shake their head at Normani. 
                          
"I'll be sure to let him know that his number one fan is harassing his artist for a meet and greet" Zayn says teasingly.