Having a new girl in your bed every night? That's not something you should be flaunting. Hell, it's not something you should be doing, period.
I leaned against the kitchen counter, letting my head fall back, staring up at the ceiling as if I could somehow pull answers from the white plaster above me. But there were no answers. Not here.
Of course not you idiot. 
The phone on the counter buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. I reached for it without thinking, seeing Liam's name flashing on the screen. I sighed, knowing this was probably going to be another one of those "you need to get out" calls.
I hesitated for a second before picking it up. I didn't feel like talking to anyone.
But it was Liam.
"Yo." I answered, voice flat, not even trying to hide it.
"Zayn, you good, mate?" His voice was steady, but there was an underlying concern I couldn't ignore. Liam was one of the few people who could tell when something was off, even when I tried to play it cool.
"I'm fine." I lied. "Just tired."
"Right," he said, unconvinced. "You wanna grab lunch? Louis and I are down at that new place on Sunset. It's a bit quiet. Thought it might be good to get out of your head for a bit."
I glanced at the clock, my head snapping up in surprise, lunch time already? Damn I slept in.
"Yeah, I'll come." I muttered, shrugging it off. "Give me a minute."
I didn't need much time to get ready. I was already wearing the same clothes I had on last night, and I didn't give a shit enough to change.
But then again... maybe I should.
I ran a hand through my hair, catching my reflection in the mirror near the elevator. My eyes looked dull. Shadowed. Like I hadn't slept in days even though I just woke up. I hadn't shaved in a while either, didn't matter. The mess matched the mood.
I turned back into the bedroom. The sheets were twisted from the night before, faint traces of perfume in the air. I yanked off my shirt, tossed it on the floor, and went for something clean.
I shrugged on my jacket since it was fall in Los Angeles, checked my phone, no new messages, no missed calls. Not that I was expecting any. 
The elevator dinged, echoing through the penthouse like a warning bell. I grabbed my keys off the counter and headed toward it, running my tongue over the inside of my cheek.
The ride down was quiet. My reflection in the elevator wall was the only company, and even that felt like a stranger.

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

I spotted Liam first, he was always easy to pick out. Clean lines, posture straight. Across from him sat Louis, slouched so far back in the booth he looked like he might slide right under the table.
I dropped the cigarette, crushed it beneath my shoe, and made my way over.
"Look alive." Louis called as I approached. "Or at least pretend you didn't just crawl out of the grave."
"Fuck off." I muttered, rolling my eyes as I slid into the booth beside Liam.
"Louis is right, You look like shit." Liam said, not unkindly. Just stating facts.
"Appreciate the honesty." I replied, grabbing the menu but not really reading it.
"We were gonna order, but figured we'd wait," Louis said. "Didn't want you to miss out on the thrill of deciding between eggs or some overpriced kale bowl."