My Light

Zayn's POV

I could have went back to the bar last night. I could have gotten piss drunk and done a few things I regret, but I didn't. I took my time walking down the steps from Nora's, thinking about how beautiful she was. I could have taken the taxi back to the bar, but I went to the hotel instead. I only went to the bar to be with Nora, no need to go back, I figure Louis and Azli will be fine on their own. Louis stopping by was a surprise, I haven't talked to him in a while, so when he called saying he was in town, it was like the next thing I knew, he was staying in the hotel room right next to me.

It's not that I didn't want him here, because I do. I miss all the fun times that the guys and I would have together. I wasn't quite prepared for it to all end, I just wanted my space, wanted things to be private again and then when it did happen, it's like I wasn't prepared for it. What I had always wanted all the sudden happened and it's like it's not what I wanted.

I shake the thoughts out of my head as we arrive to my hotel, generously paying the driver, he's driven all around the city for me it seems like. It's crazy how it's close to two am and there are people everywhere. It's like its the middle of the day all over again. This really is the place that doesn't sleep. I reach my room and pull my Mac out, opening up tabs and searching for real estate. I need to make a list, things I want to have in a flat. I'd love some roof access like Nora describes.

What if one day she lives with me? I smile at the thought. I can't believe that I've been infatuated with someone this quickly. After a little over a week and I'm already thinking about living together? That's a little much, right?

I pull out the note pad from the nightstand and start making a list of my requirements, searching for real estate agents. I've gotten the name of a few good ones from friends, I just need to call them tomorrow and set things up for me to look next week. The more I think about a flat the more I just want to be out of here, these hotel room walls are closing in on me.

Wiggling my toes, I decide to just shut the computer and get ready for bed. It's already after three, I told Nora I'd call her tomorrow, I'm sure she'll be nursing a headache, and I'm sure Louis will want to chat in the am. He got in later, mainly just an hour before we left and Azli was already here so we couldn't really have a proper conversation. I strip my cloths off, plug in my phone and climb into bed, how I long for a proper bed. And maybe Nora to cuddle with.

God, I just can't get her off my mind.

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I wake up to my phone ringing loudly. I'm groggy with what feels like lack of sleep, I toss my arm to the side, blindly searching for my phone. I see Louis' terrible picture before I slide to answer.

“What the hell.” I grumble.

“I could say the same thing. I've been calling for for ten minutes.” I rub my eyes, I still haven't decided to officially open them.

“What do you want?” I ask.

“I've got breakfast, it's eleven, open the damn door.” I hear a noise at the door and assume that Louis has kicked it.

“Just a minute.” I flip the covers over, suddenly pissed with the cold. I slept for close to eight hours and it's still not enough. I hear the noise again and shake my head. Seriously? I said I would answer. I pull the door with force, seeing Louis showered, dressed, and holding what I can assume is coffee and breakfast in a bag.

“Morning asshole.” He brushes past me, handing me coffee. “Blended iced mocha for the prince.” He winks and plops on the bed, tearing open the bag.

“Thanks.” I rub my eyes and return to my spot in the bed, under the covers. I don't like being woken up. I spent too many years being forced to wake up before I wanted to. I'll spend the rest of my life making up for it, sleeping in as much as possible. I notice Louis looking around in the bag before he hands me what looks like a wrapped breakfast sandwich. Times have changed but at least he still remembers what I prefer. “So to what do I owe the pleasure?” I mutter between bites.

“Well considering you ditched Azli and I with a bunch of girls last night to take your little vixen home, I'd say I let you sleep in quite a bit today to make up for it.” He smiles, I know he's teasing.

“Nora isn't a vixen.” I crumble my sandwich wrapper and throw it at him.

“Yes she is. Nothing wrong with it. She's pretty, got a nice body, you're normal pull.” He finishes his sandwich. For some reason, this talk is not something I appreciate at all. I normally just don't care but I don't like how he's talking about Nora like that.

“It's not funny mate.” I cross my arms and look away.

“Relax. I'm just kidding.” He kicks off his shoes and scoots back on the bed, it's a king sized so plenty of space.

“What are you doing in New York?” I ask, he never really told me.

“What? I can't come see you when I want?” I turn my head to him and stare as he shrugs his shoulders and looks away. “I just wanted to go somewhere. Get out of London for a while. Haven't seen you in ages, thought we could get together and be like the old days.” He smiles and pulls a bag out of his pocket.

“I don't do that anymore mate.” I cross my legs under the covers.

“Oh come on, it's no going to kill you. Nora won't find out if that's what you're worried about.” He fiddles with some papers, just watching him brings back the memories. I know what paper he picks, of course it's the wheat. His stuff is already loose as he just lets whatever is in the bag on the paper, pushing it together with his fingers. I'm sure he's mixed with tobacco, making it more of a spliff than anything. I look away, watching him is really making me want to smoke with him. I decided a long time ago to leave that life. When I hear the lighter I turn back to him.

“You're really going to smoke it here?” He rolls his eyes and stands from the bed, walking towards the window to open it a little.

“It's fine. See the window is open, no one will know.” He looks pushes it open as far as it can go and lights up. “Why won't you smoke?” He asks.

“Because you know I gave it up. I don't want it anymore.” Deep down inside I know I want it but I can't. It's not something I need in my life anymore. I got too invested with it before, it got me no where.

“Whatever.” He shrugs and continues to smoke, exhaling as much of it as possible through the small crack in the window.

“What's your deal?” I ask, I'm tired of trying to guess, I just want to know what's the reason why he's here.

“I'm good.” He shrugs and looks back out at the window. I know he's lying. I've known Louis for years, seen him at his darkest moments so I know when he's lying. I stare at him, not speaking, waiting for him to change his mind. “Maybe I'm just jealous.” He says.

“Jealous of what?” I search my brain, we've all had ups and downs since we split, no one has had a perfect life.

“I don't know, you're life. Niall. Harry. Liam.” He finishes his spliff and sets it down in the window frame, turning back to me.

“Why? Because of my failed marriage? That's something to be insanely jealous of.” I let out a chuckle. I can joke about it now, it still hurts to be honest. I thought we would have made it but just goes to show you, you never know.

“Just forget it.” He shrugs and pulls out the desk chair to sit down, spinning it around.

“No man, tell me.” I insist.

“I don't want to talk about it. Lets get out of here.” He doesn't give me an option as he stands abruptly from the chair and starts to walk to the door. “I'll be back in a half an hour, be ready.” He leaves abruptly. You would think this is strange Louis behavior but it's really not. He's all about being nebulous and not giving you real information. I squeeze my temples, not excited for today's events. I am, I want to see him and hang out with him but at the same time I just want Nora.

I pull my phone out and send her a text.

To Nora: Hope you're alive today. Hanging out with Louis today.

I set my phone on the counter to take a shower, I feel like I'm in desperate need of one when my phone dings.

From Nora: Dying today. My funeral will be tomorrow, please attend. Ug, why did I drink so much? Flower smell is overwhelming.

I laugh at her text, she can be quite the character sometimes.

To Nora: Get over it, woman up, come on.

I'm sure she'll know I'm joking as I set my phone down and hop in to the steaming hot water. I just need to get through today and I'll be seeing her tomorrow.

Notes

Ah, the day after a night of drinking. :) We'll figure out whats going with Louis in a bit, no rush. This was a little "darker" I suppose then the previous chapter but not everything in life is rainbows and sunshine! Let me know what you think.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments, always nice to post a chapter after a while and come back to such nice things! Also, thank you for all the votes, subscriptions, and reads!! Keep it up. :)

Happy Tuesday!

xoxoxox