Always In My Heart

Chapter 15- Impossible

I stand like a statue, gaping at this man in front of me. He looks extremely uncomfortable standing there in just his boxers. He shifts his weight from leg to leg nervously.

Zayn? What kind of name is that?

I've only been standing here in front of him for a good 20 seconds, but it feels like an eternity. The whole situation is really awkward. We both stare at each other in silence until a voice is heard from upstairs.

"Zayn? Where are you baby?" Nikki shouts from upstairs. I cringe and swallow hard, now knowing that the two of them have something going on. My eyes are burning with anger as I scowl at Zayn.

How dare he make himself comfortable in my apartment! All while he is sleeping with my best friend!

"Zayn?" Nikki calls again, now beginning to walk down the steps. He looks up to watch her come into view as she hops down the stairs. She's only in a robe; the probable reason behind her attire, making me sick. I take a deep breath and look at her sadly. Nikki looks at Zayn and smiles.

"There you ar-" she stops abruptly when she sees me. Her eyes widen in panic and her mouth falls open, her cheeks becoming flushed. I just stare blankly at her as she tries to find the words to say.

"Louis... I... I..." she stutters, obviously very embarrassed and panicked about this situation. My eyes shift to the floor and I blink slowly, feeling extremely hurt that she's been hiding this from me. She has never mentioned a word about him to me. I thought we were way closer than that.

I am so angry. I am angry at her, angry with him, angry with myself, just basically furious at everything right now. I'm mostly angry with myself, over the fact that I am furious that she has a "boyfriend." I thought I was over this!

Maybe I should go call Harry...

Stop it, Louis.

Nikki tries to compose herself and clears her throat a little.

"Louis, this is Zayn. Remember? The guy I saw in the art store?" I nod and eye him suspiciously. Nikki glares at me angrily over my impolite attitude.

"And Zayn, this is Louis, not only my roommate, but my best friend," she says politely to him. He smiles softly and holds out his hand to shake mine. I grab his hand tightly, squeezing a little harder than necessary, and smile wide, obviously faking it. Before letting go of his hand, I pause and look over at Nikki.

"You know, maybe we should do this another time," I start to say, "Another time when maybe I am worthy to receive a formal, appropriate introduction to your great friend, Zayn here," I snap at her sarcastically. She narrows her eyes at me and puts her hands on her hips.

"Maybe the type of introduction when you both have clothes on and don't look recently fucked," I spit the sarcastic words at them confidently, Nikki's eyes widening in shock. Zayn looks so uncomfortable. Good. I smile sarcastically again.

"Now, you two go have your fun. I might be back, you know, at some point," I say with a shrug, before glaring furiously at Nikki. She flushes and looks down at her feet. Good.

I really need to get away from this. It feels so wrong standing here. I look at the both of them once more before darting back into the kitchen. I quickly slip my shoes back on and throw on my jacket.

"Louis! Wait! Please!" I cringe hearing those words. This reminds me all too much of running from Harry in Paris. I basically have spent my whole life running from my problems.

I dart out the door and to the elevators, tears stinging my eyes. I press the down button frantically and step into the elevator when it arrives. I stand in the corner, hugging myself tightly. I look up and into the mirrored walls surrounding the elevator, instantly being reminded of the hotel elevator in Paris. I hug myself tighter, imagining Harry standing next to me, his eyes on me. The feeling is slightly comforting.