Zayn turns off the music playing from his speaker when he hears a faint knocking on the door.

It's probably someone wanting to complain about his music, he wouldn't be surprised. It is kind of loud.

Zayn sighs heavily as he stands and walks over to the door, when he opens it, his eyes widen to see Harry standing there. The man smiles at Zayn.

"Hey, Zayn." Harry says, running his fingers through his perfectly combed hair.

Zayn nods his head silently at him.

"Um, I felt terrible how I acted yesterday." He tells him.

Zayn doesn't respond, just looking over his face, seeing how spotless it is. Until he sees a dark spot under his eye.

"I was wondering um if, you wanted to...I know you don't like me. But I'll stop bothering you if we could just go out. Like once."

Zayn flickers his face away from the faint bruise to Harry's eyes.

"Sure." Zayn says.

Harry's eyes widen slightly, looking taken aback. "Okay, cool." He says, recomposing himself quickly.

Zayn nods before turning around and grabbing his phone from his bed. He joins Harry outside and closes the door behind him.

"Where to?" Zayn asks, quriking up an eyebrow.

"Well, there's this theme park that I've been wanting to go to. But all my friends aren't really interested." Harry shrugs.

"What makes you think I will be?"

"Well, I'm not sure. But you already accepted so there's no turning back really." Harry smirks. Zayn snorts.

"Okay, fine." He nods. "But this better be good."

"It will be. I promise." Harry winks. For some reason, Zayn feels his heart jump at the action, but he ignores it and looks in front of him.

Zayn stays silent, walking next to Harry but slightly behind him.

"How do you think you did on the test?" Zayn asks, the question randomly popping up in his mind.

"Zayn making small talk?" Harry smirks, making Zayn's eyes widen. "This is a first." He says.

Zayn rolls his eyes and looks away again, crossing his arms over his chest. He notices from the corner of his eye, Harry mimics him.

"Is that your wall?" Harry asks.

Zayn doesn't respond.

"The one you build up so people don't get to know you."

"Can you just answer my question." Zayn snaps.

Harry uncrosses his arms.

"Not sure." Harry says. "I could go both ways. I did great on the fill in the blank, a few multiple answers, but I did terrible on the essays."

"Why?"

"Why?"

Zayn nods.

Harry smiles.

"I'm not sure." He says. "I couldn't figure out how to explain the purpose of the book."

Zayn nods in acknowledgement.

"How about you?"

"I think I did fine." Zayn shrugs.

"Thought so."

"Why did you think so?"

"Well, isn't that why you asked?"

"I mean, no, I could be just been genuniely curious." Zayn responds.

"Well, I feel if you didn't do well, you wouldn't have asked the question in the first place. You would try to stop thinking about how much you flunked that test."

"Well not everyone is like you Harry." Zayn snaps.

"I'm just making an observation." Harry shrugs. Zayn looks at him to see a smile on his face.

"Do you ever get mad?" Zayn asks.

Zayn doesn't even notice they've already gone down the stairs and make it outside until he feels the warm sun touch his skin when they exit the staircase.

"Of course. Every human does." Harry chuckles.

"Sometimes you seem like a robot. Like, all you do is feel happy."

"Robots don't feel anything."

"Okay, well that's what I meant. I mean...you look as if you don't feel anything when I say something to you. You always have a smile on your face."

"Of course I feel something. But I know you don't mean any of it. You just like the idea of pushing people away, even if they want to get to know you." Harry says.

"I only have the tendency to push you away." Zayn says.

"Ouch." Harry smirks.

"I'm serious." Zayn snaps.

Harry shrugs, still smirking.

"You're a robot!" Zayn exclaims, making Harry chuckle, holding his stomach lightly. Zayn's own smile tugs at his lips.

"A smile says a thousand things." Harry says as he opens the car door for Zayn.

Zayn looks at the gesture. "I could've done that myself." Zayn says as he gets in.

Harry throws his hands in the air, leaving the door open so Zayn can close it himself. Zayn grins and slams it closed, to make sure he still seems angry.

When Harry gets into the driver's seat Zayn looks at him, remembering what he had said.

"What do you mean, a smile says a thousand things?" Zayn asks.

"Exactly what I said."

"Okay, but what things?"

Harry pulls his lips inward before blowing air out of them. "Well, for starters, it could mean your a genuinely happy person." Harry says. "Which...I am." He smirks, glancing at Zayn. Zayn rolls his eyes. "It could also mean you have just a really optimistic outlook on life. You see the good in people, despite them being mean to you." Harry says. Zayn feels guilt settle in his chest as he watches Harry speak. "It could also mean, your life is so bad, a smile is the only way you can mask the pain of it even if your crippling up inside and feel like trash thrown out of cars on the streets of New York where people eventually kick you around and you end up...well...no one really knows." Harry says.

Zayn stares at him, making Harry glance at Zayn.

"That was a really...wise thing to say."

"Really?" Harry says. "I just got it off of google."

Zayn looks at Harry stunned.

"I'm kidding, damn Zayn. I can't joke around sometimes?" Harry laughs at the expression on Zayn's face. Zayn sighs heavily and looks out his window.

"You know what?"

Zayn closes his eyes and sighs heavily. "What? What could you possibly have in mind now?" Zayn says. Harry chuckles at that.

"We need to get to know each other. I feel like we would be great friends."

Zayn snaps his gaze to Harry. "Friends?" Zayn says. "We wouldn't be friends if we were the last two people on earth. We don't get along with each other at all."

"Well we would but-"

"Yeah, yeah, it's me not you. Whatever." Zayn mumbles.

"I know what will make that frown turn upside down." Harry says.

"You really do-"

"Ice cream!" Harry exclaims, pulling up to a drive through ice cream parlor.

"Seriously?" Zayn says. "I don't want ice cream."

"Whats youe favorite flavor?"

"I don't want ice cream, let's just go to the park and get this over with."

"I'll just get two cups of vanilla."

"Ew. At least get something good, like cookie dough." Zayn says.

Harry smiles. "Two cups of cookie dough it is."

Zayn sighs heavily and looks out his side of the car.

He hears Harry order it and then he retrieves them before getting back onto the road.

"I feel like you're taking me captive. Should I even trust you?" Zayn says, looking at Harry again.

Harry rolls his eyes now. "You think I'm a criminal now? Will you ever think of me in a good way?"

Zayn doesn't respond.

Harry picks up the nicely designed cup filled with delicious cookie dough ice cream. "Here, have the ice cream." Harry says as he stops at a stop light.

"I don't want it." Zayn says.

"Come on,Zayn. You know you want it." Harry says, pushing it towards Zayn more. "Just one little bite."

"No." Zayn snaps.

"It'll make you happier." Harry suggests.

"No it won't." Zayn sighs in agitation.

"Your endorphins will go absolutely insane." Harry goes on.

"That sounds like not a good time at all." Zayn snaps.

"Because you don't like being happy?" He questions.

"No because I don't like listening to you."

"Not even one-"

"Shut up, Harry! I don't fucking want your stupid ice cream, alright? I said it before and I'm saying it now." Zayn exclaims, breathing heavy after, looking Harry in the eyes.

Harry nods once and sets the cup down as the light turns green and he starts driving again.

Instantly, Zayn feels guilty. He's such a dick.

At least he's admitting that to himself now.

"Harry, I'm sorry." Zayn says.

"No, it's fine. I was being slightly annoying." Harry smiles as he glances at Zayn. And Zayn can't really read his eyes to see how he's actually feeling.

But Harry wasn't being annoying. Okay, maybe he was but Zayn didn't have to react like that. He was just trying to be a friend. Friends do that to each other but Zayn is constantly mean to Harry even if he tries his hardest to show the good in himself to Zayn.

Zayn opens his mouth to protest Harry's accusation of himself.

"Ready for the best time of your life?" Harry says,parking the car skillfully before getting out.

Zayn closes his mouth and follows quickly, seeing Harry stare at the amusement park that seems a little too excitable for Zayn. He doesn't really like excitement, or being surprised. He likes his heart to stay where it is. On the left, lower side of his chest.

"I guess." Zayn says.

Zayn looks at Harry who looks back at him. The man seems like he wants to say something but he just smiles, turns back and walks towards the entrance.

Zayn follows him.

LATER

Zayn holds onto the ride tightly, feeling his heart racing from anticipation.

He looks down and around at all the lucky people who are on the ground, walking freely, with choice. Not stuck on an unpredictable ride that inhumanely jerks your body around.

"Harry." Zayn says, looking away from all the lucky people.

Harry looks at him. The man smirks at Zayn's horrified expression. "You okay?"

Zayn swallows thickly.

"Just don't do well on these."

"What? Why didn't you tell me? Do you get nauseous?" He asks, frowning.

"No, no. Not that. But do you think when it spins faster, I'll like fly out of my seat or something?" Zayn asks, eyes widening at the thought.

Harry visibly bites back a smile, a dimple appearing on his cheek as he sinks his teeth into his bottom lip. He shakes his head no. "I don't think that's going to happen, Zayn. Kids go on this you know." Harry says.

"Really?"

Harry nods.

"You've never been to an amusement park, have you?" Harry asks.

Zayn shakes his head now.

"You'll be fine." Harry smiles.

Zayn feels the ride begin to spin. It's just him sitting on a seat with Harry across from him.

Zayn's eyes widen, holding onto the seat tightly, knuckles turning white.

"Do you know how fast this goes?" Zayn asks.

"Not too fast. Just the right amount." Harry says.

"You sure?"

"Positive." Harry smirks. "Want to hold hands?"  He asks, seeming to be joking around as he chuckles it out.

The spinning gets faster. Zayn looks around at all the calm faces. Even from a five year old looking little boy who starts screaming for it to go faster.

Zayn looks at Harry. "I do actually." Zayn says, nodding.

Instantly, Harry looks taken aback, eyes widening and smile faltering.

"Oh okay." He says. He lifts one arm up and reaches across for Zayn to hold on tightly with his sweaty hand that he is obviously unaware of when he wraps it around Harry's own large one.

When Zayn does hold on, he notices the cross tattoo on the back of Harry's hand, near his thumb. Zayn swallows thickly, looking away from their interlocked hands.

He does need Jesus at this moment.

The spinning gradually starts getting faster and faster sooner and sooner.

It starts getting so fast Zayn's hair starts whipping in wind and when Zayn looks at Harry so is his. Harry is smiling and his smile brightnes when they make eye contact.

But as the adrenaline kicks in Zayn's system, everything going on around him blurry, he starts to feel kind of excited, liking the feeling of the rush in his veins. He swallows down his fear and looks at Harry again, the only thing in his vision not being blurry. So he just focuses on Harry as it gets faster and faster, closing his eyes momentarily when he feels it getting too much. But he eventually opens them again.

He laughs at how stupid he was for being nervous because this is the most fun he's had in a while. In a very, very, very long while.

When the ride is over, Zayn notices he has a death grip on Harry's hand as it slowly begins to stop spinning.

"I'm so sorry." Zayn says, pulling his hand back.

"No worries." Harry says with a reassuring shake of his head.

They get out of the ride.

"Where to next?" Harry asks.

"You think we could get lunch? I'll buy." Zayn says.

"Nah, I'm treating you today." Harry says. "Want pizza?"

Zayn shrugs. "Okay." He says.

The two walk over to a concession stand. The pizza is one dollar each considering it's thin, overly greasy with barely any cheese on it. But Zayn doesn't mind, anything to get his stomach to stop growling at the moment.

"Holy shit." A voice nearby says, making Zayn's and Harry's head snap towards the person walking to them. It's a tall, attractive man with a large smile on his face.

"Harry freaking Styles." He says. He has a strong New York accent, making Zayn know he's from here.

Harry stands quickly.

"Oh, hey Jake." Harry says.

"Whose your friend?" Jake asks, looking at Zayn with happy looking brown eyes.

Is everyone in Harry's life so happy? If so, Zayn should rethink joining it.

"This is Zayn."

Zayn gives him an awkward smile and waves subtly.

"Hey, I'm Jake." He says. "Harry and I here go way back." He informs Zayn, grabbing Harry's shoulder and pulling him to his side. Zayn looks at Harry, seeing the man looks uncomfortable for the first time in his life. Then he looks at Jake, who looks a little passive aggressive with his actions. "Does he know about me?" Jake asks.

Harry furrows his brows. "No. He doesn't."

"Well obviously. I can't believe I had to introduce myself." Jake says with a shake of his head. "We used to date. Harry is my ex who broke up with me." Jake says, his grip obviously tightening on Harry's shoulder, making him visibly but barely flinch.

Zayn swallows thickly, feeling uncomfortable now.

"Are you guys on a date?" Jake asks as he quickly let's go of Harry. He instantly looks relieved.

"No. We're just friends." Zayn says. "What are you doing here?" He asks, trying to veer the conversation,away from their obviously tense past.

Zayn is just learning new things about Harry everyday.

"I'm with a few friends. But they're eating. I saw you two so I thought I'd just see what's up with this guy." Jake says, patting Harry on the back. "Why are you so quiet?" He chuckles.

"Oh shit." Zayn says, standing quickly as he looks at his phone. "I'm late for class." He says as he looks up into Harry's confused eyes. "I'm so sorry but I've got to go and Harry's my ride." Zayn tells Jake.

"Oh. You go to school here?" Jake asks.

Zayn nods. "I do."

"Well, wouldn't want you to be late." Jake says, backing away.

Zayn smiles. "Thanks."

Then Zayn grabs Harry's hand and his unfinished pizza before walking quickly out of the amusement park that was thankfully free of pay today.

When they make it to the parking lot, Zayn notices once again how tightly he is gripping Harry's hand. He lets go quickly and sticks it in his pocket.

"Thanks." Harry says.

Zayn looks at him. "Don't mention it." Zayn says with a shake of his head. Harry smiles slightly. "Is your shoulder okay?"

"Yeah." Harry says, grabbing it unconcioussly.

"I just saw you kind of flinched when he touched it."

"Oh, just a minor bruise from... you know."

Zayn nods silently.

"Are you sure it's minor?"

"Never been more sure." Harry says calmly.

Zayn looks away, not believing him for a second.

"Why are you doing that type of stuff?" Zayn asks.

"What stuff?"

"Fist fighting, beating people up. Doesn't seem like you." Zayn shrugs. "But of course...I still don't really know you."

Harry sticks his hands in his pockets.

"Self defense, adrenaline, freedom from self discipline."

"So you do something this crazy and illegal?"

Harry shrugs.

"Doesn't it hurt to get punched?"

Harry nods subtly.

"Then why this?"

Harry runs a hand through his hair.

"Guess I just wanted to feel stronger, you know?" Harry says.

Zayn doesn't respond because he doesn't know what that means according to Harry.

"Hey look, there's a cafe. Want to go in? It's getting kind of cold out." Harry says.

"Sure." Zayn nods.