"Zayn's a very protective guy. Especially when it comes to Niall" - Harry

Previous Chapters:
http://www.polyvore.com/story_afraid_falling/collection?id=2313934
 
A/N: ANOTHER CHAPTER! this one is sort of a filler, sorry!
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“There I’m done!” Zayn exclaimed throwing his towel in the air as he walked out in jeans and a white t-shirt with his hair disheveled. He smiled brightly at me. “Now you can smell me and swoon, like always” he winked.
I rolled my eyes at him and shook my head. “I’m probably the only girl who doesn’t swoon over you Zayn” I lied. If anything, I think I was the biggest.
“Don’t lie babe” He waved off. He plopped down on the couch and sighed. “I feel better now” He smiled.
“Well get ready for some lecturing” I placed my hands on my hips. “You might be older than me but I don’t care” I stated. He gave me a weird look. “I thought you quit smoking” I raised an eyebrow.
His eyebrows shot up as he realized his mistake. “I – I was a mess!” He defended. “It in a moment of weakness, you can’t hold that against me”
I sighed. “Fine. Whatever” I dropped the subject. I finished cleaning up and plopped down next to him. “All done”
“You shouldn’t have done that. You know I can clean”
“You know I can’t stand a messy flat” He rolled his eyes but smiled at me.
We stayed in silence for a couple of minutes, just enjoying each other’s company but it was cut short when we heard the door click open. “Zayn, mate, we know you’re still upset and don’t want to see anyone but c’mon. This isn’t good for you. You – “ he stopped short. I turned around and saw them standing in the living room, all of them with shocked expressions. “Yasmina?”
“Hi guys” I greeted with a soft smile.
Their surprised expressions turned into happy ones as they all ran straight for me. Harry was the first to get me and pulled me into a tight hug. “We missed you so much!”
“Don’t hog her!” Louis complained. Harry pulled away from me and soon Louis arms were around me, choking me in his hug. “I missed you Yas! Don’t ever leave!”
“My turn!” Niall shouted. He yanked me away from Louis and kissed my cheek as he hugged me. “If you ever leave, we’ll kidnap you and hide you away from society”
I chuckled and pulled away. The only one left was Liam who was waiting fidgety for his turn. He smiled at me and I immediately threw my arms around him and hugged him. He chuckled as he hugged me back. “We’re glad you’re back Yas”
“But you have a lot of explaining to do young lady!” Louis exclaimed.
I pulled away from Liam and grimaced. “Do I have to tell you now?”
“YES!” They all yelled, for the exception of Zayn, who already knew.
I sighed and took a seat next to Zayn who wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Promise you won’t get mad” Zayn said looking at them.
“Promise” Liam and Niall said in unison.
“I make no promise!” Louis said. “I have the right to get mad if it’s about something I don’t agree with”
I sighed. “What about you Harry?”
“I’m with Louis” He replied.
I let out another sigh and got ready to explain the whole situation for the third time being here.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US?!” Louis was the first to burst.
I flinched at his outburst. “Because I didn’t want to put you guys in danger” I said quietly.
“Boys calm down. She’s safe now” Liam intervened. Niall had surprisingly gone mad when I told in the middle of the story and Harry was biting his lip so he wouldn’t burst while Louis couldn’t care less and yelled either way. Liam and Zayn were the only calm one. I was happy I got to tell Zayn first and privately instead of telling them all together.
They all sighed and sunk back. “If you’re ever in danger you have to tell us Yasi. We want you safe” Harry commented. “We love you”
“I love you guys too” I said.
“HA! She didn’t complain about being called Yasi!” Niall exclaimed, changing the subject. I rolled my eyes at him but was grateful he was back to his old self again.
“Ni, shut up” I playfully glared but relaxed as everything went back to the way they were before.
“You had us all worried and scared” Louis said while pulling me to his once again. “Don’t do that ever again”
“I won’t” I promised.
“Good” Niall said. We went through another round of hugs until I settled in between Niall and Zayn. “What should we do now?”
I shrugged. “Can we just stay inside and watch movies?” I asked. “I’ll let my grandma know I’m staying over with Zayn”
“YES!” Louis shouted as he shot up from his seat and rushed over to the stacks of DVDs Zayn had.
“Wait, didn’t you say Chelsea was here too?” Zayn asked.
“Yeah…”
“And she’s home probably bored”
“Okay, I’ll invite her”
“But she doesn’t know how to get here” Liam jumped in.
“Do I have to do everything?!” I groaned. They chuckled. I stood up and sighed. “I’ll go pick up Chelsea so you can all meet her and gush over how cute she is because I know you’ve done it when we finished our Skype” I smirked. They all argued against but they knew I was right. I knew these better than they realized. I giggled and shook my head. “Anyone wants to come with me?”
“I’ll go!” Zayn said standing up. “I haven’t seen Grandma Sonia in a long time” He smiled brightly. He stood in front of me and held out his arm to me. “Shall we go bestie?”
Having him call me bestie should make me happy but suddenly it wasn’t enough. I wanted him to be mine and I wanted to be his. All these feelings came at me all at once that I even had to shake my head.
“You okay Yas?” Harry asked.
I nodded and smiled before linking my arm with Zayn. “We shall Mr. Malik” I smiled at him before walking out of his flat.

Previous Chapters:
http://www.polyvore.com/story_afraid_falling/collection?id=2313934
 
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My heart was racing and it felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. I was internally debating whether to run away or knock on his door. I was sort of soothed with the thought that he might not be home but then it vanished with the thought that my best friend wouldn't be home in the time I needed him. I took a deep breath and shook my head slightly and balled my hand in a fist before lifting it and knocking on his door.
My heart was hammering. I wanted to turn around and run down the stairs and just call him when I get home. I was about to turn around when the door flew open. “Yasmina?” He asked. His eyes shot open with the obvious surprise expression on his face.
The sight of him was heartbreaking. He looked like he hasn't shaved in ages and looked all pale and had bags under his eyes from the lack of sleep. He also looked a bit thinner – if that was even possible. His hair was all over the place, not that I minded – I always liked his hair all messed up. His clothing looked all ragged and dirty. And to top it all off, his flat stank of cigarettes.
“Hi” I breathed, my heart was still hammering and I had the urge to just jump on him and hug him and never let him go but I resisted.
But I guess I wasn't the only one who felt this because his next move surprised me. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close while burying his face in the crook of me neck. I instantly wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest, breathing in the familiar scent. I missed him so much.
“Wh – What are you doing here?” He asked
“I’m staying” I whispered.
He pulled away from the hug and held me arm length. “What?”
“I’m staying. In London” I said.
He smiled and brought me for another hug. “I missed you so much. So, so, so much” He whispered before kissing my cheek. “Wait – I thought you didn't want anything to do with me” He pulled away.
I took a deep breath and swallowed hard when I felt a knot forming in my throat. “I – uh – I have to talk to you” I looked down at the ground.
“C’mon inside and we can talk” He pulled me inside before shutting the door. His flat was a mess, empty beer bottles everywhere, cigarette dubs scattered; it was a disaster. We walked into his living room and I sighed not knowing how to start. He looked at me with concern in his eyes. “Pebs just tell me” He said quietly.
I tried to swallow the lump in my throat again but it just wouldn't budge. I felt my eyes water and his concern grew more at the site. He hugged me and brought us down to the couch. He shushed me and comforted me even though I still hadn't broken down. I pulled away and took a deep breath. I quickly placed strands of hair behind my ears and closed my eyes. I could feel his gaze on me but I couldn't look into his eyes. I opened my mouth and threw the words into the air before I could swallow them up and just never tell him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He was mad. He was mad I didn't tell him sooner. I just sat there on his couch with him pacing back and forth letting out grunts of frustration. I stared down at my hands waiting for him to finish whatever he was doing. After a while he sighed and I felt him sit down next to me.
I took in a deep breath and clasped my hands together. But he didn't say anything. I looked up at him and saw him with his hands in his hair and his elbows propped up on his knees. He wasn't looking at me; he was looking at the floor. “I’m so stupid” He muttered.
I frowned in confusion. “What?”
“I should’ve known they were doing something to you”
I sighed, “You’re not stupid Zayn”
“Yes I am” He said louder. “I knew they didn't treat you right. I should’ve known your mother wasn't gonna stay without doing something when she found out your plans about leaving them. I should’ve known they were gonna try to do something. I should’ve just flown out to America and figured it out for myself” He stood up again and started pacing back and forth. “Just… why didn't you tell me?” Hurt was evident in his tone as he looked at me with teary eyes.
“I – I just – I didn't want you in danger” I replied. “You’re famous now Zayn, I couldn't risk putting you in danger with everyone knowing and then blaming myself for what my parents could’ve done to you” I stood up. Why couldn't he just understand I was trying to protect him?! “I wouldn't be able to live if they did something to you” I said quietly.
“I could’ve helped you” He argued.
I sighed and threw my hands in the air. “How Zayn?! How?! You wouldn't be able to do crap without everyone knowing. My father has gone psycho, okay? He could’ve – He could’ve killed you and then your fans would hate me for letting you die and – and – and I would hate myself for putting you in danger. Why can’t you just understand that I did it because I care about you too much?!”
“And why can’t you just understand that I wouldn't care about my safety if you’re in danger?! I don’t care if the whole world found out that I was in a scandal. If you’re in danger I would do anything – that’s the only reason I need”
I sighed. I hate having a best friend who is as equally as stubborn as you. He just couldn't drop it and neither could I. “Well it’s all over. I’m safe now. I live with Grandma Sonia. You don’t have to risk your life anymore” I muttered before slumping on the couch.
He sighed. “I just – I can’t believe you didn't tell me” He sounded hurt
I sighed. “I can’t believe you’re too hard headed to understand why I didn't tell you”
“But – But you know I would –“
“I know, Zayn. I know” I turned to look at him. “But you have to understand that I would do the same. That’s why I didn't tell you. Because I would do anything to have you safe, even if it means risking myself”
He pulled me into a hug and buried his face in the crook of my neck. I wrapped my arms around him and let myself melt into his embrace; once again feeling safe. I felt back at home, knowing I had him back. He pulled away and cupped my face in his hands. He smiled and kissed my forehead. “I’m so happy to have my Pebbles back”
I smiled at him. “I’m happy to have my Waffles back” I took a deep breath and pulled away from him when I felt awkwardness fill up the flat and stood up. “Now please go take a shower cause you stink. And I’ll get started on picking up after you – like always”
He rolled his eyes at me but obliged before pinching my cheek. “You still love me” He exclaimed with his back to me as he walked off to the bathroom.
 
He has absolutely no idea.