Target

“What’s on your mind?” Alysha asks. “You,” I smile. She flushes. “What do you want to do today?” “Well, I have to go to the studio quickly and after that we can do what you want. She pouts. “You really have to go?” “You can come as well. It can’t take longer than half an hour and besides, it’s time you meet the others. Ask Gwenn if she comes as well.” “You’re sure that is a good idea?” “What are you afraid of? They don’t bite,” I joke. “And besides, they’re dying to meet you.” “If they bite, I bite back.”

We made our way to the studio. We were late, but not the last. “Where’s Zayn?” I ask. No answer. Louis and Niall jump up. “Hey, it’s great to finally meet you, now we know who Liam is talking about if he can’t shut up about you. It took him far too long to introduce you to us, don’t you think?” Niall says. Well, it’s more a waterfall of words that comes out of his mouth. I flush. “Anyway, I am Niall and this is Louis.” Alysha doesn’t know how to react to them, but sees Gwenn, and relaxes a little. Before somebody can say anything else, Simon and Paul enter the room with dark faces. “What happened?” Louis asks. “Zayn is in the hospital,” Simon says. I freeze. No, I still had a month left. They wouldn’t… “What?” Gwenn says. “Some people broke into his house last night and when they noticed he was home, they assaulted him.” “We’re going to the hospital now. If you want to, we can take you,” Paul adds.

“Two at a time,” the nurse tells us. “How is he doing?” I ask. “He will be fine, but lost a lot of blood and has a lot of bruises.” “What do you mean, he lost a lot of blood?” Niall asks. “He has a stab wound in his abdomen, so be careful.” We nod. Nobody makes a move. Finally Louis walks to Zayn’s room. I follow him. “Hey guys.” Zayn is happy to see us. “Hey,” Louis says. I don’t say anything. I can’t stop thinking this is somehow my fault. “Alive, at least.” He sighs. “Dude, you look awful. What happened?” Zayn shrugs. “I heard something in the living room, so I went to take a look. There were three random guys and they went crazy when they saw me… Liam, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he adds. “You make it sound like nothing,” I say. “Doctor says there is no permanent damage apart from the scar, so it is actually nothing.” “When is Perrie coming?” Louis changed the subject. “Tomorrow.” “If we don’t see her, tell her we said hi,” I say. “But I think the others also want to see you. So… maybe we should give them a chance.” Louis nods agreeing. “Wait, can you bring me something to sketch, I am bored,” Zayn says. “We’ll see what we can do,” Louis says.

While Harry and Niall are with Zayn, I go to the gift shop with Alysha to see if they have a sketchbook and pencils. We’re both quiet and I wonder what see is thinking about. I look out the window and see some paps outside. Great, just what we need. “Don’t worry about them,” Alysha says when she sees them too. “I know, it’s just annoying.” I sigh. My phone vibrates. “Excuse me,” I say when I see who it is. I leave her at the gift shop and answer the phone. “What?” I snap. “That is not the proper tone to talk to me Liam,” Conrad says.

Notes

Xxx.