Zayn's POV

I'm on the tube. My head is rested against the window. Trees fly by at the speed of light, but I'm not paying attention to them. My mind is elsewhere; It's full of Louis.

Louis, Louis, Louis, Louis.

Tears don't seem to stop falling from my eyes. I'm mourning Louis as if he's already gone. I know I shouldn't think like that, but I can't change it. The fear of losing my friend forever keeps pushing its way into my brain.

I don't want to live in a world without Louis. I don't think I can. I don't want the memories I have to be our last. We need to make more.

"Are you okay?" A girl asks as she props down opposite from me. "Can I sit here?"

"Y-yea," I mumble.

"You look rubbish. You sure I can join you?"

"Yea, it's fine. Just a rough couple of days," I say and wipe the tears from my face. Who is this girl? And why does she keep staring at me?

"You want to tell me about it? I'm a good listener." She smiles and puts her backpack down. A couple stands of hair fall before her eyes. I watch her slim fingers push them away.

"Ehh," I start. "I'm not sure.."

"Talking about certain things can help, you know? It might make you feel better," her eyes glisten and I feel weirdly at ease with this stranger. "I'm Joy," she states. "I'm here for you if you want."

Joy. How ironic.

"I'm Zayn," I mumble. "My best friend is in hospital. He might not make it out of there."

I can feel myself well up, but I want to stay strong. Please woman, do not make me bawl my eyes out here.

"Oh my-," Joy whispers. She stands up from her seat and plants herself next to me. "Are you on your way to see him now?"

"No," I whine in response. "I can't get myself to go. I guess I'm too scared of what I'll see,"

"Do you want me to come with?"

I chuckle. Is she serious?

"You're kind, but.. No, that would be a bit weird,"

"Why?" She mocks. "I'm a great help,"

I laugh again. Whoever this girls is, she's the first to make me smile in a while.

"Fine then," she sighs and slumps back.

I poke her side. It's awkward, but I'm hoping it'll lighten the mood.

"Will you at least tell me about him?" She asks then.

The lump in my throat reappears, but I nod.

Joy leans into my shoulder as I begin to speak.

"His name is Louis. He's the best- he really is,"

I tell her about the five of us and how we've met in such an unusual way. I tell her about Louis and his mischievous behaviour. I tell her everything that comes to mind. And she listens. She listens to every word.

"Louis is the silly one out of us five. He's definitely the loudest and always the tease," A grin appears on my face. "But most of all; he's great at making other people laugh."

"He sounds like such a good friend to have," Joy smiles as she nuzzles her face deeper into the fabric of my shirt.

I hum softly, agreeing with her.

"Tell me more,"

"I first discovered how funny he was when we recorded our video diaries for the X-Factor. I will never forget how he'd randomly scream out the weirdest things. He once filled his entire beanie with sugar and put it on his head. He's never taken our interviews serious either. He'd always be messing around, annoying people," I laugh. "But what I remember most of all is how obvious he was about Harry-," I look at Joy, she bites her bottom lip in confusion. "Harry is his fiance," I explain.

Joy's eyes soften. Even more than before. It's only now that I notice how pretty she looks. Her eyes are a deep brown, but with some light yellow specks. There's a story behind them, I can tell.

Joy nudges my side, encouraging me to go on.

I clear my throat. "Louis couldn't hide his affection for shit. They were so obvious. At times it's even awkward for us. I'm third wheeling all the time-"

"Is it love?" Joy cuts in.

I smile widely.

"Yes." As real as it can be. "There's a great amount of stories I could tell you about the two of them. But it all comes down to one thing; they were born to be together. And nothing in the world could ever break them apart. Not even this."

"And it won't," Joy states. "Love concurs all, don't you think?"

I look at her and I want to cry. I want to crawl up in a ball and have this strange girl cradle me in her arms. Love concurs all? My God, I hope it does.

"Harry and Louis.." I mutter. "They're each other's saviours. Two angels,"

'And now they've turned into ghosts..' The voice inside my head taunts.

At that instant, my phone rings.

Joy shoots up. It's a piercing sound, taking both of us back to reality. She stands to sit back in her original seat. I take the phone in a hurry and try to ignore how I already miss her warmth around me.

"Yes?" I ask. But there's no answer. "Hello?"

A wailing sound comes cracking through the speaker. It's shaky and desperate. Joy looks at me in concern. She must've heard it too.

A low and fragile voice starts to wrestle for words, but it stays quiet. After a few sniffles, I hear the person take a breath.

"Zayn?"

It's Harry.

"Harry?" I stand up from my seat. Shit. "What's wrong? What's happened?" Another heartbreaking sob travels from his phone to mine, but I keep pressing him. "You have to talk to me, Haz."

Joy stands up with me and lays both her hands on my chest. It's odd, but it feels comforting.

It's quiet for a little longer. -Then I hear Harry cry out words I never want to hear again:

"He's gone,"

No.

No, no, no.

"You're not serious Harry. Not like this,"

I sit back down in defeat and lose every sense of existence around me. This isn't happening.

Harry takes another breath. "They took him," he weeps. "I can't find him anywhere. I don't know what to do," his voice is breaking, he's grasping for air. "The heart monitor- it's- They're doing all they can, but I- I can't-,"

"Harry-," I try.

"I can't find him, Zayn. I lost my Lou,"

—

I can't tell you how fast I got off the tube and made my way to the hospital.

Once inside, I head straight to the stairway. The elevator will take too much time, I need to see Harry now.

I don't even feel the concrete below my feet until Joy stops me.

"Are you sure it's okay if I come with?"

I hesitate. "Yea.."

"But he's your best friend. I can't intervene,"

"I want you there," I say before I can even think about it.

Joy smiles softly. Did I mean what I just said? Am I going to invite this girl I barely know into the darkest part of my life? And why is she even here?

I'm surprised at how familiar she feels though. I'm calm when she's with me. And I'm grateful for it. Joy's there for me. In a minute I will carry the world on my shoulders, Harry along with it. He must be in despair. I need to catch him. And knowing that Joy's there to catch me in return, makes all of this a little more bearable.

Big, wondering eyes stare up at me. I push a strand of hair behind her ear. "Please come with me," I clarify and she gives a small nod.

Joy grabs my hand, sprints up the stairs and lugs me along.

A crying Harry is the first thing we see when we reach the department. He rushes into my arms.

"Harry," I begin and notice that I'm crying too.

"I need to find him, Zayn. I've looked everywhere,"

"You said he was taken, right? H-his heart?"

"Yes, his heart stopped beating,"

Harry pulls the collar of my shirt. His fists balling up the fabric. I look as the muscles in his hands tense up, the pretty rings around his fingers about to burst.

I don't know what to do. How do I handle this situation? I'm torn between acting tough and supportive for Harry and collapsing on the floor, crying. I don't know how to fix this. And what if we find Louis? What if he's dead when we get there?

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. The hall seems to be wobbling, my stomach is twisting.

I lay my hands on top of Harry's and squeeze. "Listen to me," I start. "He's got to be here somewhere. You said the doctors were doing everything they could? He must be in surgery or something like it," Harry's body relaxes. His teary eyes are fixated on mine. I've never looked at someone with this much intensity. "We just need to find the right room, okay?"

Harry nods vigorously. "Okay,"

"Okay, Joy, let's go," I command. I turn around to face my pretty girl only to find that she's no longer there. My heart drops.

"Joy?" Harry inquires. "Is this a joke to you? There's no joy in any of this,"

"No, no, no," I beg quickly. "She's a girl. There was a girl. S-she was just here," I say, bewildered. Where did she run off to? And how could she without saying anything?

"A girl?" Harry repeats, just as astonished as before. "Mate, what are you on about?"

"T-there was a girl," I try to explain.

"I didn't see a girl,"

"No, she came through the doors with me-"

"Zayn," Harry cuts in. "There was no girl,"

I circle around the ugly corridors. She's nowhere to be found. Did she really just leave me like that? Was she even here?

"I might be losing it," I confess to Harry before I rub my hands over my stubble. "I don't even know what to say,"

"Mate," Harry mutters. "I appreciate everything you do for me, but can we please try to find Louis?"

I stay quiet for a second too long. Then I realise I'm here to help my friend. Reuniting Harry with Louis is my priority right now.

"I believe I saw a room on the ground floor. Let's try there,"

Harry kisses me on the cheek. "Thank you," he says with a fresh set of tears in his eyes.

-
more is coming soon! I promise xx