I awoke screaming, gasping and sweaty, strangled in my sheets. Zayn came running in.
"Cass? You okay?" He asked, worried.

i nodded and gulped.
"you've been asleep for 3 days. my flight back to London leaves at 3 pm." He says.

I fumble for my phone on my nightstand.
8:32 am.

"Wow. I've been reliving the same dream where I-" I begin to say, but I choke on my words.

"Shhh. It's okay. How about some breakfast? American style?" He says while he pulls away from our hug.

"I'm gonna shower. Okay?" I whisper. My voice feels raw and stiff.

I peel off my clothes and step into the warm spray of the shower. I stand there for a good ten minutes. I think of Harry and Niall and the baby. I turn off the water. I turn to the mirror. There stands a girl with puffy cheeks and circles under her eyes. She seems sad. Lonely. "This is me." I whisper.

---

I grab some jewelry to match my outfit, and follow Zayn to the elevator. We don't talk as we stroll through Central Park. We take a cab to a small diner to grab a bite.
No paparazzi. Good.
I order a small coffee. He orders a tea.
We quietly eat our toast.
"Zayn? Can you um.. Not tell the boys you came? I-I- I just need to be far from you guys. It hurts too much." I whisper.

"Cassia, but-" Zayn begins to say, but I cut him off.

"Don't visit when you come on tour. Or when Perrie is." I say.
I watch as a tear rolls off my cheek and splatters the table.

Zayn looks up at me. His eyes are teary. I look away and out the window facing a busy NYC street. He grabs my hands.

"But.. You're my best friend. I can't just drop you. You really matter to me." He whispers.

I check the time. 12:38 pm.

"We better go. You're flight is leaving at three." I say. He peers at me curiously, but wipes the almost slipping out tears away. He slides out of the the booth and pulls me up. I zip up my black leather hoodie. We hail a cab to the airport.
i pretend Fall asleep on the way there to avoid conversation, but then I eventually do. Zayn nudges ms.

"We're here." He whispers. He pays the cabbie and steps out.

Together we walk towards British Airlines. We stop when we reach security.

"Cassia. We love you very very much. You've been my best friend for years. Perrie will miss you a lot. God. What am I supposed to say to them?" He whispers.

"Just give this to them. Okay?" I hoarsely whisper.

With one hand he grabs the envelopes and pits them in his pocket. His other hand is on my cheek, my hand resting on top. Usually, this would be considered an intimate moment. He let the tears fall and I do too. He leans his forehead against mine.

"Flight 36B to London. Final call for boarding." The PA booms.

"Goodbye Cassia. Love you lots. Never forget about us? Okay?" He says.

I sob. "Never."

. He presses a kiss to my forehead and let's go of my hand. He walks away up the stairs.

The last time I'd ever see him.

I wipe my my tears and turn around.

I've lost all the important people in my life.

What am I to do now?

Notes

Cassia's outfit because it wouldn't work in the story. blubbering like a whale while writing this. Follow my Instagram @zaynosaurus_ ! bye loves.