Painted Black *punk niall horan

Chapter 16

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Nobody said it was easy
Oh it's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm going back to the start

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I felt paralyzed. As if someone had glued my feet to the ground. I could feel Liam pulling on my arm and talking to me, but I couldn't hear him. 

Stacey.

And Niall. 

I wanted to laugh at myself. The signs were all there. Then why am I so surprised?  Suddenly I felt my feet leave the ground. Liam had picked me up. He walked back to the hallway and set me down. 

"Gene?" He asked.

"I'm fine." I managed to say. 

"You just literally froze." 

"Yah I know. I'm just shocked. That's all." 

"You didn't know Niall got a girlfriend?"

"No. I did, but.....she's my roommate, Liam. Or was." 

Liam sighed, and rubbed my arm reassuringly.

"We can leave if you want?" 

"No. I did this for Zayn." I wanted to slap myself. I just made a fool out of myself. "I'm fine, Liam, I promise."

"No you're not, but you're stubborn." He shook his head. 

"Damn right I am." 

Liam laughed at my poor attempt at confidence. 

"Alright, Gene, but say the word and we're out of here." 

I linked my arm with his as we re-entered the living room. Louis immediatley stood up and approached us.

"Gene. I've missed you so much." He pulled me into a hug and I happily leaned into him.

"You too, Louis."

"Hey! What about me?" James came up and pulled me into a tight hug right after Louis. 

I laughed. 

"Actually guys, I wanted to introduce my best friend, Liam. He studies here, as well." 

I waited as they introduced themselves. 

"Well c'mon over and sit with us." James said, guiding us over to where Niall and Stacey sat. I carefully sat down on a couch, Liam right next to me. 

"Hey Gene." Stacey said. 

I felt everyone's eyes on me, but I refused to look at anyone. I swallowed before replying.

"Hi Stacey." 

She shifted uncomfortably under Niall's arm and I felt a pang of jealousy stab me.

"So how long have you two been together?" I asked, trying to clear the air. 

"Three weeks." Niall answered, his eyes never leaving my face. I nodded. So they had gotten together right after Niall and I had "broken up". 

"How long have you and Zayn been together?" Stacey asked. I could see she was trying to make conversation. Niall's jaw clenched.

"Three weeks." I said. 

We sat in awkward silence for a few more minutes until I couldn't take it anymore.

"I need to find Zayn. It's been fun." I got up and tried not to run out of the room. I felt bad leaving Liam there, but I couldn't stay there for another second. I walked in and out of several rooms, failing to find any trace of Zayn.