(Elizabeth's POV)

"How do I put this. Well, I have decided to leave the band."

He's what?! He's leaving the band? But why? These questions were circulating through my mind and I guess Zayn saw my confused expression.

"I never really wanted to be in a band. You know, how we auditioned for X Factor as solo artists and we never knew that it would lead to One Direction. All of this was really unexpected and don't get me wrong, I'm glad I spent 5 years of my life with the boys, but I just couldn't find the inner happiness I longed for. I thought I would give it a try and leave if I didn't want to continue, but I'm too much of a coward; I was afraid of what people would think of me if I did. And so, I was too scared of letting go of all this for the past 5 years. Management never agrees to me writing songs or singing the way I like; they've labeled it 'different and not something people want to hear.' I couldn't be who I was in front of the fans, the press or anyone, because I was supposed to be the 'mysterious' one of the group. For the past years, I've been doing something that didn't make my heart happy; I wasn't satisfied with myself and I was never a fan of most of the songs anyway. I just want to be normal, ya know. Out of the spotlight for a while so that I can do my own thing. To be the real me. And not the image that has been created of me. But I just don't know how the boys would react, I've already yelled at them for no reason. I don't think they can handle me saying this to them." he explained, tears in his eyes.

I reached out and grabbed his hand. He looked up to face me. This is the first of him I actually saw since the morning. His eyes were red and puffy from crying.

"There's no need to worry, alright? You want to do what you want to do; wherever your heart feels happy, your soul feels free, you should go there. You should do what makes you satisfied. You've been carrying a burden for so many years and yet you never told anyone. I get it. It's getting heavier on you and you're can't balance it for too long either. And I bet the boys would understand that. You just give it a try. And remember, I'm always here for you; I'll back you up as much as I can. But seriously, don't worry. You guys have known each other for so long, and they'll feel better if you told them how you felt." I replied.

"You really think so?" Zayn muttered. "Yep." I nodded, pulling him up. I wiped away his tears and we went back to the hotel.

I still couldn't believe that he was leaving the band. And to think that he shared his feelings with me before anyone else means that I've gained his trust. He trusted me and I trusted him. I had to be a good friend and support his decision no matter what the others say.

He has every right to be happy, but what about Liam, Louis, Niall and Harry? What would happen to them? I know they're really brave, but how would they react?

One thing I know is that they'll definitely be upset for multiple reasons and him deciding to leave in the middle of the OTRA tour, well that's just going to add fuel to the fire which hasn't even started.

"Where have you been, Liz? You wondered off in Tokyo without informing anyone!" Alexia scoffed as I entered the boys' suite.

"Come on! I'm a grown adult. And I was visiting the park." I said. Oh, wow. Visiting the park. The dumbest thing I've ever said.

"Yeah Zayn's been out and about too. Did you happen to see him?" Niall walked out of the kitchen.

"Uh, well, I... I saw him sitting on a bench in the park and so I decided to talk to him." I informed.

"What? He talked?!" Liam exclaimed, rushing into the room. I nodded.

Niall and Liam exchanged relieved glances and turned back to me.

"So where is he?" Niall asked. "He's uh, oh look! He's here." I answered, moving out of the way to let Zayn enter.

"Uh, guys, we need to talk. Right now." he said. Liam nodded, and went to call the others.

~~~~~

We all sat in a circle on the floor. I made sure to sit beside Zayn as he would need some moral support.

"I-I'm really sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm just going through some stuff." Zayn began, slowly looking around.

"What kind of stuff, mate? What was bothering you so much that you couldn't tell us?" Louis huskily replied. "Louis, here him out." I scoffed. He sighed and let Zayn continue.

"I've decided to leave the band. I just can't do it anymore." he said.

"Are you alright? You want to leave during the middle of the tour?" Harry asked. "But why? All of a sudden?" Niall grabbed his arm. I could see the tears forming up in both their eyes.

"I just can't do it anymore. It's taken all I've got and I just can't do it now." he choked, he was at the edge of crying too.

"You can't do that, you can't leave us! Not now." Liam cried.

"Just leave it, Liam. You all know quite well that he's never liked what we were doing. He never thought he fit in with us because this isn't his idea of music. Management restricted certain things from him too. If he can't do it anymore, well we can't do anything, but support him in whatever he plans to do. Now if you excuse me..." Louis told, before getting up and scurrying over to his room.

We all sat there without saying a word. I bet most of them never really knew Louis would say something so sensible and logical. But I knew.

He may be a goofball, but he has the biggest heart I've ever seen in a person. His is pure and gold. He deeply cares for others and analyses their situation. And he's done it once again. He helped the others see what Zayn wanted to tell them even without him saying anything at all.

Zayn got up and went into his room, wiping away his tears.

"Louis... Zayn." Niall stood up. "Don't. They both need some alone time. Zayn needs time to think through all this. And Lou, I can tell it's hit him hard." I said, getting up myself.

"She's right guys. Come on, let's do something to keep our minds off this, huh?" Alexia suggested.

"Yeah, okay." Harry offered a small smile. Liam on the other hand just sat there.

"Payno, loosen up, okay?" I held his hands. "Can I just go to bed?" he whimpered, pain and sadness in his voice. "Sure, whatever makes you feel better." I smiled, pulling him up.

I wrapped my arms around him and tightly hugged him. One by one, the others also joined in the hug. Harry, Niall and Liam all silently crying now. They're at such a vulnerable state right now, even I don't know how to comfort them.

I said nothing and just held onto them. I didn't want them to feel alone. I was here for them.

Notes

Okaaayyy, so here's the update! Hope you guys like it.
I had gotten a little emotional during this and my playlist decided to play Over Again and Where Do Broken Hearts Go while I was writing. So yeah...