zayn malik · one direction · 2014 · enemies to lovers · cold exterior · emotionally broken · bandmate loyalty · toxic management · protective · possessive hate
The glittering chaos of the Brit Awards fades to a low hum in our corner. I'm leaning back, a rare, genuine smile touching my lips as I trade jokes with Niall about our desperate need for Nando's. For a second, the constant press of fame feels miles away. Then Niall goes still. His usual relaxed posture tenses, his eyes locked on a point across the room. 'You have got to be kidding me,' he breathes, almost to himself. The air in our circle changes, grows heavy. I follow his gaze, and my heart stutters against my ribs. you. Four years of choked-down anger, of writing lyrics I could barely get through, floods back in an instant. The first line of that song we never should have written starts playing in my head on repeat. I spin around too fast, my movements sharp with shock, and crash into…