Reminder

The thoughts of the day before couldn't seem to leave his mind. He can't be attracted to Aaron; he hates him. He can't like someone he had to beat. He didn't want him to get any closer than a teammate. It was all messing with his head. When he couldn't seem to find a better resolve he would go on nightly runs to clear his head. He usually spent his Saturdays here but he slept through most of the day.

It kept his mind at ease and this was the perfect solution to some of his current situations. He had earphones pushed into his ears at full blast and hummed the lyrics to the sound he was listening to. Not many people were around usually so there wasn't a crowd. Things to note on his evening runs is; No interruptions and he liked to be alone. He did not like company because they liked small talk and small talk slows you down and you lose focus which is why he never informed people of his runs.

Zayn felt a frisk breeze blow by and someone right beside him and he became visibly annoyed before he looked over at the one beside him. Zayn almost lost all balance when he stared at their annoying smile. Why was he here? Was this punishment?

Aaron waved at Zayn happily like a child. He came to run away from his problems and not face it. Here Aaron was right up in his face. He wanted to push him but that would be cruel. He sucked it up and ignored him and picked up pace.

That hurt his feelings he was expecting a hello or oh hey there or fuck you but silence hurt. He knew Zayn didn't really like him and they had their track rivalry but they hung out together so he felt he deserved a greeting even in the form of a gesture just like he did. He shook it off and tried to keep pace with Zayn who had his eyes in front of him and paid no attention to him. He waved again but Zayn paid him no mind making him pout. This perfectionist was running laps in the park to beat him so he knew what he had to do to annoy and get Zayn's attention. Give him competition, it was the only time he paid him any mind.

Aaron picked up pace like this was a race and when he ran past Zayn, he saw red. Not on his watch. No way.It was true he never won against anything to do with Zayn, not even academically even if they were toe to toe. He saw a smile lit up on Zayn's face and he knew he did it. He made him smile.

"I don't know why you still think you can beat me." Aaron chuckled at his tauntings and kicked up his legs to push himself a little bit more. "Wait why are we running and where too?" He did not think of that.

"I don't actually know just a lap."

They both hunched over laboring their breathing. Zayn walked over to the nearest bench and sat the most comfortable you can get on a park bench.

Aaron knew Zayn for a long time but never saw him as anything good other than a good trackstar. When they both entered highschool Zayn changed his demeanor to a more cold closed off one. They were never close but now he had no chance to. He was never popular until he peaked in highschool and all eyes were on him. Things changed for him and Aaron felt like he just stayed the same, in a limbo state of status. Zayn's old friends also changed alongside him but not much changed other than appearance for them. After these changes happened Aaron didn't like him more like despised him to a big degree but it was never discussed when he thrusted into his friend group and had to interact with him outside of the sport they shared together.

He saw Zayn's selfishness and cockiness in person and it didn't initially change his feelings on him but seeing him showing other emotions made his original thoughts on him wash away. He knew there were still people who thought the same way he did and only stuck around for favors and popularity but he didn't correct them when they made comments to him about the character of Zayn making him think they fell into the same lane. It still dug at him to this day but maybe he could fix it.

"Can I say something?" Zayn shrugged as an answer. "I'm sorry."

"I told you to stop apologizing on behalf of Ebany. If I was to accept one it must be from her other than that no way." He tried to shake that uncomfortable encounter out of his mind. Aaron's face didn't read that was all it was to this apology. "Are you apologizing for her?" Aaron became uncomfortable and turned away as he began regretting even uttering the words in the first place.

"I'm apologizing for something else." He raised an eyebrow as he took a sip of his water. What else is there?

"I'm sorry for judging you incorrectly." Zayn was confused and still sat there staring.

"What do you mean?" That went unanswered as Aaron stared down at his hands. "Spit it out." Zayn says impatiently.

"Fuck, I'm sorry for letting us become rivals or whatever. I never really hated you more like jealousy. I'm sorry for letting my friends talk about you."

"Which ones?" The idea of not being liked was an itch that constantly bothered Zayn. He couldn't take it. Aaron was hesitating and his slow answer was pissing off the other.

"You're making me really angry. Who is it? You don't like me and who else?"

"Zayn-"

"No cuz you think I don't know that. I'm completely aware of the fact that you don't like me and you think I'm cocky or selfish. Everyone's allowed to speak of themselves highly but when I do it it's side eyes. Is it because I'm one of you? Tell me the others so I can pick them off." There was no point in barring the info since he was already angry.

"Tiffany and Harry."

"Good to know." It's not like he wasn't aware there were snakes in his circle he never trusted either anyways. They were just around them to gain social points. He had his suspicions that the two were way too invasive and crawled their way into situations. They wanted to know everything and had too many questions. Harry always sabotaged things while Tiffany did things to push his buttons so he pushed them to the side. He knew they talked about him behind his back but he never wanted to admit it because why would people not like him, he was great. Aaron could tell Zayn was pissed even without words, Maybe this wasn't the right time because Zayn was clutching his water bottle like it was a nuisance. "Thanks for the info." Zayn bitterly smiled. He was noting all this down in his mind for later.

"Sorr-"

"Don't be." Zayn said sternly. Zayn got up and started back his start and was jogging again. He didn't know if Aaron had much to do with their issues but he didn't want to push for more info right now because it might bruise his ego.

Aaron was feeling immensely guilty and felt like Zayn should be more angry with him but he wasn't. It was so weird he didn't even rage at him. He just calmed down and it felt strange. He felt wrong and he thought Zayn being Zayn would feel strong about it all. He kept watching Zayn expression while he ran next to him but he kept that same stoic expression.