Your Nickel Ain't Worth My Dime

It had been a few days since Louis had broken up with him and Harry had basically baracaded himself in his room. Other than school, he didn't go out, he didn't talk to anyone, not even his best friend Zayn who was going a little overboard on the check up calls and texts since he'd heard the news from everyone else but him. It was hard to inform Zayn of anything anyways since the boy was a senior and he was a junior. They didn't really have anything together but lunch and he was trying to avoid Zayn punching Louis in the face, so he didn't tell him.

He had nine missed calls and thirteen text messages by the time he got home from school that day, consisting of 'Why didn't you tell me that asshole dumped you?', 'Are you ok?', 'I will slap the shit out of you if you don't answer me soon.' Harry had answered that last text message with 'I'm okay, calm down. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'll see you tomorrow night .xx' since he figured if Zayn was resorting to threats, he was probably really worried and he should give him peace of mind. He was just really glad it was Friday because he didn't feel like roaming the same halls as Louis for another day.

He dumped his bag on the floor of his room next to his desk and he turned off the bedside lamp, covering the room in darkness. He laid down on his bed, sighing heavily, and staring up at the ceiling. He couldn't understand why Louis would just dump him over sex. He knew that Louis had a reputation for sleeping around but if he was giving that up for him, he must have meant something to the older boy then, right? Zayn always constantly reminded him that as soon as Louis got what he wanted he was going to leave but Harry had more faith in him but since he could dump him so easily over sex, maybe Zayn was right after all. It was hard to get over that since Harry had actually thought that he was starting to fall in love with Louis.

As the thoughts wirred around in his head, he felt his eyes grow heavier and heavier and finally he gave in as sleep took over him at last.

~~~

Zayn and Harry have been friends since they were young. They have a tradition every Saturday since they'd become friends. Pizza and movies, staying up late, talking about random shit and sometimes sneaking drinks from the liquor cabinet. Harry had never lied to or withheld information from him once but the fact that he didn't tell him that Louis had dumped him was a shock. Honestly, Zayn got the point that he was probably trying to avoid a painfully obvious "I told you so" that possibly would have slipped past his lips but it sort of hurt that he had to find out from other people.

Zayn had never liked Louis. Ever. And its not because of Louis' slutty reputation. He got that Louis liked to sleep around and he didn't care at all. Honestly, he never cared about or acknowledged Louis' presence at all until he was making moves on Harry. His life was a living hell from then on and just seeing how easily Harry let himself fall into the trap, it was maddening. Sparking some insane jealousy. He might have had a tiny crush on his best friend. Or it could be huge.. with love involved. It wouldn't even matter because he's suffering the worst, most torturing case of friendzoning ever. He knew Harry didn't see him like that. But Harry is just perfect and beautiful and he couldn't help it. After years.. it just happened. It always just happens.

Louis fucking with the person he loves most didn't sit well with him and he let Harry know that he wouldn't ever accept Louis. Always reminding him of Louis' rep, telling him that people don't just change overnight. Harry would always shoot back with "If that person is worth it to them, change is possible." He was just so wide eyed, innocent, and niave and Zayn didn't want this to happen. The heartbreak he knew would come to his best friend. Someone who didn't even deserve it. He literally wanted to strangle Louis so much for misleading and fucking over his boy but he needed to pull himself together. Put back the jealousy and get ready to comfort his broken heart because Harry should be here soon.

Like clockwork, the doorbell rang and Zayn sprang up and ran to the door. When he opened it, he saw Harry standing there timidly staring at him. The older boy knew that he probably thought he was still mad. Zayn shot forward, picking up Harry and hugging him tight, making Harry giggle. "I guess you're not still mad then?" he asked as Zayn set him down. "I'm still a little mad but I can't seem to show it around you. Its the dimples, they do me in." Zayn pinched his cheek and Harry slapped his hand away, pouting. "I told you to stop doing that."

The older boy chuckled and pulled Harry into the living room and they both plopped down on the couch. Zayn's parents were away on a trip so he knew they could talk freely and he intended to get things straight. "Haz, why didn't you tell me?" Harry sighed, staring down at his hands, messing about with his bracelets. "I just needed time. I still need time. I just don't understand." The sadness in Harry's voice made his blood boil. He wanted to kill Louis again. 'Okay calm.' he thought. "I told you he's not worth it. He broke up with you over sex, Harry. Obviously that proves he didn't give a shit about anything but stealing your virginity and then getting the hell out." "I loved him." the boy replied, weakly. And okay, that was a bit of a stab in the heart but this was about Harry.

Zayn noticed tears dripping from his jade eyes, going down his smooth pale cheeks and dripping to the couch. He moved closer, grabbing the boy and pulling him onto his lap, holding him close. "You deserve so much better than that, Haz. So much more. You can do better than some asshole who just wanted to fuck you and leave. You're more than that. You deserve someone who will treat you like you're everything they'd never want to lose." he whispered. Harry wiped the tears from his face, sniffling. "You look beautiful even when you cry." Zayn wiped a tear away from Harry's cheek with his thumb. Then he froze, mid-cheek stroke. Did he really just say that out loud? That was supposed to be a thought. He really hoped that Harry didn't freak out and think he was making a move. "Really?" asked Harry, a faint blush tinting his cheeks. Okay so not freaked out.. maybe he should just go with it. "Yeah. Really. So beautiful. Its his loss. He'll regret it."

~~~~~
Harry was upset and confused. He was upset becase he finally realized that Louis in fact never cared for him at all and he was upset that he was stupid enough to think he was special to Louis. He was stupid enough to fall for the games. Confused because Zayn had just called him beautiful and stroked his cheek and it had caused all kinds of stirrings he wasn't used to feeling with Zayn in his stomach. In this situation naturally, he would kiss him but this was Zayn. His best friend Zayn and he wasn't even sure that Zayn felt that way for him. All he was doing was comforting him and he didn't want to make it seem like he was on the rebound. Whatever happened in his life, he could never hurt Zayn.

"Yeah. Really. So beautiful. Its his loss. He'll regret it." Harry smiled shyly, looking down at his lap again. Harry had confidence issues when it came to flirting, dating, compliments, etc. and it seemed to be a problem. He never really outright agreed to it. He always thought there was some logical explanation like he's just being nice. "Thanks I guess." "So what do you want to do tonight? Maybe we should change it up? The traditions are getting old." asked Zayn, putting some distance between them. Good thing, it made the urge to kiss a little weaker. "Well I don't know. I was quite content just staying here and watching movies, i'm sorry if the traditions bore you now." Harry stated dramatically. "There's a party tonight, do you wanna go?" "Zayn, I don't think so." He really didn't feel like seeing Louis and watching him pick up another victim to conquer. "Hey, i'll be there with you and I will distract you, I promise."

Harry contemplated it for another moment before agreeing. Which sent Zayn into a fit and hoots and hollers, making him giggle again and bounce around the couch but Harry was still in his lap so it got awkward real fast. Zayn cleared his throat, trying to control the lower half of his body from feeling Harry bouncing in his lap. He wouldn't mind experiencing that in other circumstances but now's not the time. "Sorry." he said, voice strained when Harry wiggled a little to get off his lap. Harry's face was red as a tomato because he'd felt the beginnings of a hard on while on Zayn's lap but he played it off on the friction or something else. Zayn would never be interested in him. Harry never really accepted the fact that someone might just want to be with him ever, why would someone want a weird, awkward, shy, clumsy kid like him?

"We should probably get ready. Well at least I should. If you want to change, you can borrow my clothes." Zayn said, snapping him out of his thoughts. Harry grinned and nodded and Zayn made his way up to his room to change. Something was happening. Or about to happen and he wasn't sure what or if it was good but he was sure things were going to change.

Notes

The title of the story, the chapter names, they're all from or will be from Sleeping With Sirens songs. With the exception of the first chapter name. They're my second love. I wrote this at like 4-5 in the morning! Usually when my creativity strikes. Curse of a creative mind that never sleeps. But I hope you enjoy. (: