Second Chance - Chapter 3

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

ZAYN...

When I got Holly’s text message, I was beyond excited. I haven’t seen her since she left which was about a month after Uncle Simon signed us to Syco as recording artists. She came to see me the day before she left and when I asked her the reason for leaving she said she had fallen in love with someone. I didn’t understand it. I thought she had something going on with Louis because the two of them were inseparable during those X-Factor days. They didn’t say anything to anyone but even a blind man could see how they looked at each other, how they touched and the secret smiles and glances they exchanged when they thought nobody was looking.

They had never been obvious but I knew Holly. I had known her since forever. She was one of the most cherished friends that I had. I didn’t have many due to my mix heritage. She never cared about that. She liked me for who I was. She loved me. She adored my family. We spent a lot of time at my house playing, doing schoolwork, or just chilling and listening to music. We used to pretend that we were superstars and we used to sing together on top of our voice. While I was very passionate about singing, Holly did not see it as a career.

There was a knock on the door and I sprinted towards it, grabbed the door knob and jerked the door open. I didn’t even care about putting my shoes or shirt on. I just want to see her. She stood outside the door looking .......awesome! I stepped out and pulled her close in my arms. I hugged her tightly for a long time as if to make up for the time we had been apart. I missed her.

When Liam, Harry and Louis find us embracing in the corridor, I had to explain who Holly was. They remembered her. Louis’s thunderous expression, however, somehow confirm my suspicion that they had something going on before. Louis was usually a vivacious person. He always makes everyone laugh and when he meets other people, he usually greeted them warmly, but when he realised it was Holly that I was holding in my arms, he glowered at her.

Was he still bitter about Holly leaving without even saying a word? He was her friend too. Yet, the only people that knew she was leaving were me and her parents. Louis must have pretty deep feelings for her for him to react the way he did.

After she left, he continuously asked about her when she did not turned up at my flat like she promised and he could not get hold of her on the phone. I told him what had happened, that Holly left to be with the guy she loved. He looked really shocked and then his face turned expressionless. He NEVER asked or mentioned her name again after that.

The boys - Liam and Harry, that was - said goodbye and promised to meet up for lunch later. For the moment, I had Holly all to myself.

“Do you want to go out or stay in and order room service?” I enquired. I was so happy. I could not get over the fact that she was here with me.

“Why don’t we stay in and order room service. I don’t think I could handle your fans today.” She suggested with a sweet smile.

After I ordered a continental breakfast; coffee and tea, orange juice, scrambled eggs, toast, sausages, black puddings, pancakes with buttermilk, chocolate chip and spice muffins, fruit platter, bagel and cream cheese; a feast enough to feed an army, we sat down opposite each other in the only two chairs in the room.

“So, how have you been? Where have you been? It’s like you drop off from the face of the earth.” I smiled at her, scratching my head.

“I’m good... I’m good and yeah, I’ve been here and there.” She smiled broadly, avoiding answering my question. Her eyes were searching my face. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“Really?” She was sceptical. 

“Yes, really.”

“You’re too slim.”

 “I am always this slim, princess. You know that.” I was amused by the observation. “We haven’t seen each other in years and that is what you want to tell me?”

“Are you eating right, sunshine?” She was using the nickname that only she and my mum used.

I laugh out loud with pure amusement. “Been talking to my mum, I see. Don’t worry, princess. I’m fine.”

“It’s not only your mum. I saw your photos on the media recently. You look too slim to be healthy.” Her eyes were full of concern for my well-being and I loved her for it.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.” I assured her. “You know that I’ve always been a picky eater. And lately, the tour demands a lot from us. I’ve been a bit tired but I’m okay.” I took her hand and squeezed it.

“Are you sure?”

I chuckled. “Of course I’m sure. Now tell me what this was really about?”

She exhaled audibly. “I’m glad you were okay. But you should eat more.”

“What’s wrong, princess?” I looked at her intently.

She shook her head slowly and gave me a sad smile. “I have lost a few people that I really care about in my life. I just don’t want to lose you too. You had been like a ray of sunshine in my life. You are the brother that I never had. You are my family.”

“I know, princess. Now, tell me what happened.”

She stood up and shook her head again. “I will but not today. Today is a celebration. Today, I only want to be happy.”

“And you’ll tell me about Louis too?” I have to know what happened between them because both were my friends. Good friends. All the hostility was not good for my digestion. I was quite sure that it was not good for theirs either.

She froze and looked up at me in surprise. “How did you know? Did he say anything?”

“Like you, not a word.” I sighed. “But princess, the two of you were not good actors like you think you were.”

She took a deep breath and fixed her gaze at something outside the window. “I didn’t think anyone noticed.” Her voice was shaky and barely audible.

“Well, I did.”

She gave me a sad smile and said. “Let’s not talk about that today, okay. I’ll explain that some other day, I promise.”

I nodded my head in agreement, hating to see that anguished look on her face. I wanted to know what had happened to her really bad but if she was not ready to talk, it’s okay. I would wait until she was ready.

“So, where did you go after you left?” I looked at her searchingly.

“I came here.” So, she had been in the States this whole time. “I worked for a bit and wrote when I have nothing to do.”

“And the guy you left with?” I asked bluntly.

She smiled but I thought the smile was kind of sad. She casted her eyes downwards, looking at her hands on her lap. “He’s here.”

“Here in New York?” I was mildly surprised. Did she come here with the guy?

She nodded slowly. “Yeah, in New York.”

“Are you still with him?” I was really curious about this mysterious guy. I did not know anything about him. I never knew she was dating him.

“Umm... yeah, kind of.”

“Kind of? What does that mean?” I scowled at her.

She chucked. “Well, we are still in some sort of relationship, if that is what you are asking. We just don’t live together anymore.”

When she saw my frown got darker, she continued, “No, we did not fight. There was no argument or fighting involved. He just wanted me to go out and live my own life. To decide what I wanted to do. Basically, he wanted me to have the chance to meet other people and think about what I want to do with my life. We don’t live together anymore but I’m still with him.”

“Sounds wise. I hope he’s treating you right.” I said empathically.

Her eyes soften at the concern she heard in my voice. She looked at me tenderly. “Don’t worry, sunshine. He’s a really nice guy.”

“Where did you meet this guy? How come you never told me about him?” I was still trying to fill in the missing pieces about the unknown man.

“I knew you broke up with Jason. Then, during X-Factor, you and Louis...” I shrugged. Whenever I talked about Louis, I could sense the unhappiness in her.

“Remember how I used to help out at WW Children’s Home? I met Ryan there. He used to have a recording studio in London. He’s a very nice chap. Maybe, you’ll want to meet him one day?” I questioned.

“Yeah, maybe I’ll do just that.”

The doorbell rang and breakfast finally arrived and we spent the whole morning talking about what we missed in the last two and a half years.