The Wanted Girl

Serena's POV-
Niall sat on the floor of his flat, aimlessly strumming his guitar. I could tell he was really sad, rightfully so. His band was slowly falling apart at the seams.

"Are.. you okay?" I asked quietly.

His eyes shot up at me and he smiled before getting up and sitting next to me, pulling my legs onto his lap.

"Yeah babe, I'm good. It's all just crazy. I mean I love Sophia, but this is a lot to take in."

I nodded, "They never fought like this before?"

He laughed a little, "Not even close. We've never even had a crush on the same girl before. It was awesome. We all had similar but very different taste in girls. No one ever crossed a line because they had no reason to. I guess we're seeing how much bro code actually matters now that there IS a girl to fight over. You know?"

I knew. I just felt so bad for him. And Liam too. They mind their own business and do the right thing while the other three go gallivanting around messing up friendships.

"But forget them. They'll work it all out. I'm more worried about you." He said, rubbing my knee.

His openness and honesty kind of freaked me out. I didn't like talking about it because I thought it was weird but apparently Niall wasn't bothered by it.

"I'm fine!" I said, smiling.

"You haven't taken anything today, right?" He asked, worried.

I had. But Niall had enough on his plate to worry about me. I was tough. I could handle it.

"No of course not. I'm doing much better." I said, smiling.

Lie.

Niall kissed me softly and melted my heart, "I'm sorry if I'm being nosey. I just want to know that you're okay."

I wasn't. But I wasn't his problem anyway.

Louis' POV-
I let Holly fix my lip as I told her the story. The entire story. How I proposed to Sophia, thinking it would make her more serious about our relationship. How Zayn had gotten everything he'd ever wanted with Perrie, until she passed away. How I was slightly jealous of their relationship. She just nodded, listening intently. She didn't judge me, she just listened and smiled when appropriate.


"And not to mention her brother's in The Wanted." I said, rolling my eyes.

She laughed, "Wait a second, Max George's sister, Sophie?"

"The very same."

She burst out laughing, "You're engaged to Sophia George?"

So she knew Sophia, but not me? What the hell is going on?

"I am? Why is that strange?"

Her expression changed immediately, "I'm sorry! It's not that Sophia's a bad girl. I just never thought she'd settle down. I mean, no one did."

"How do you know her?" I asked, puzzled.

"I went to school with her. Since we were kids. Never were really close, but when you're from a smaller town like we were, you knew everyone. I dated her bestfriend throughout highschool, so we saw quite a bit of eachother."

I scoffed, "Please tell me you didn't date Connor Archibald."

She laughed again, "The very same."


Sophia's POV-
I sat at a booth with Zayn for hours, talking about everything. My biggest fear was that his feelings for me were an attempt to hold onto Perrie. I didn't want that. I wanted him to heal and really move on, not find someone who reminder him of her. I would be that. The worst realization was that these boys have made me the dividing line of friendships and I was supposed to be leaving to go on tour with them in four days.

"It's not about Perrie. I can say her name now without getting upset. Honestly, in all of the time I've had to think about her I've realized that maybe we weren't meant to be together. I mean we were best friends. I loved her. But the way I look at you.. it's not the same."

My head was spinning. I couldn't bare hearing that I made him think that he and Perrie weren't meant for eachother. Of course they were! Perrie was the definition of perfect, so was Zayn. They were soulmates. Right?

"I just... don't know what to say. I really can't believe he hit you. I'm sorry." I said, looking down at my lap.

"Sophia, it's not your fault. He just treats you like an object that no one else should see and that's not fair. You deserve better." He reached over the table and touched my hand.

I jolted back and felt my stomach turning, "He treats me fine Zayn. I don't know what's going on with you but Louis is your bestfriend and whether you like it or not, Perrie will always be mine. We need to save our friendships before it's too late."


"Perrie always said if I were to be with anyone else it would be you." he whispered, just loud enough that I heard him.

"Shut up!" I screamed.

His eyes got wide, "I.. I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. I have to go." I got up and left him there. Alone.



Out of everyone I could talk to right then, I needed someone outside of the situation. Someone who wouldn't judge based off of their relationship with them. Someone like... Connor.

I called him from outside of the bar and on the second ring, he answered.

"SoRi! How's my girl?"

I smiled, "Dazed and confused. You out?"

"Yup! Finals are over and were celebrating."

"We?"

"Me and my two buds from workouts. What about you?"

"I'm on my way to oxford now. Text me the address."

Before he could even dispute me, I hung up. The cab ride to Oxford was full of reevaluations about my life. All of which I planned to go over with Connor. He knew me too well to tell me not to come. He also knew that if I was leaving London, it had to be bad. We pulled up to the pub and I paid the cab driver the ridiculous amount of money.

I walked in to see tons of student, all staring at me with the same look. The 'you-totally-don't-go-here' look. Well fuck them. I saw Connor in the corner with his two friends and smiled. He was in his element. A bunch of girls walked over to the table in a clear attempt to look hot. They looked like rich, prepubescent, ivy leaguers who had no idea how to flirt. Let alone how to flirt without seeming like you're flirting. I waltzed over to the table and covered his eyes with my hands, whispering in his ear.

"Guess who."

He smiled, "You came!"

He wrapped me into a hug and I felt the tears well up in my eyes.This is what I needed. Time away from everything. Time with someone who's known me forever. Away from the drama. Away from the celebrities. Away from everything that's slowly killing me.

He patted on the seat next to him and I sat down introducing myself to his friends, "Sophia."

The blonde shook my hand and grinned, "Louis Mackerd."

Of course his name would be Louis.

"But everyone calls me Mack."

"Hi Mack." I said giggling.

The next boy smiled timidly, "I'm uh.."

Mack hit him playfully, "This is Theo. He's not used to being around pretty girls. Forgive him."

"Okay lads, stop hitting on Soph. You'll just embarrass yourself. I have a feeling she's got enough boy problems right now." Connor said.

I smacked him playfully, but he was right. He ordered us a round of beers and I gladly chugged it.

"Okay, now that you're buzzed. Let's talk. Who did what and to whom?"

I wanted to smack him again, for thinking he knew what I was upset about. But as per usual, he was right.

"Louis proposed. I said yes. Nathan got drunk and nearly killed him and Max. Then he told me with pretty much his last breath not to marry Louis. Then Siva and Tom told me that they pretty much agreed with him. Not because they hated Lou, but because he isn't right for me. Then I went out drinking with Tom. Then Zayn showed up with a messed up face. He told me that Louis did it and they fought over me. Then he dropped the bomb that he's in love with me and told me not to marry him. Then I got a cab and came here." I said it all so quickly I was out of breath by the time I finished speaking.

Connor nodded, as if it were normal. His friends on the other hand, looked stunned.

"So do you want to marry Louis?" He asked.

"I think so." I responded, not sure.

"Okay let me rephrase this. Do you want to spend every waking moment with that man for the rest of your life. Do you think he's the end all be all of guys. Is he the only one who makes your heart flutter?" This seemed like an all together different question.

"I.. I don't know… No." I whispered, shocked.

"Do you have feelings for Zayn?" He asked.

"No!" I screamed.

"Okay. Do you have feelings for Nathan?"

"Not anymore."

"Do you think you'll ever feel the way you do about Louis that you should in order to marry him?"

This one hit home, "I'm not sure. Connor what do I do?"

He put his arm around me protectively and pulled me into his chest, "You tell him the truth. You tell him whatever you're feeling. You're a complex girl. He knows that. So he should be able to handle whatever you have to say."

"What if he doesn't?!" I asked, panicked.

"Then it never would have worked out anyway."

Notes