Petty Happenings

VII. (seven)

"Uhm," the young woman cleared her throat, trying to hide the smile threatening to appear, "At you specifically? No. Not, uh, really."

"Then you were laughing at... what? Specifically, speaking." Zayn's face danced with humor, making her grin slip. She mentally cursed herself. Usually she was fantastic at hiding emotions and such.

"Specifically speaking... I was laughing at the both of you. You guys are so... Actually, I should stop talking. Sorry."

"No, no. Please, continue. Promise I won't tell anyone."

Normally the young woman wouldn't hold a conversation about another while they're sleeping but... technically one half of the topic was awake. So it would be fine for the most part, right? She hoped so.

Plus she was starting to like Zayn--as a friend, or maybe an acquaintance. He seemed to understand her on some level and that made her feel comfortable in his presence. He spoke softly, as if not wanting to frighten her, but instead of feeling like a child, she felt like he was an old friend. Or maybe like one of her crazy aunts when they calm down at exactly two in the afternoon. Either way, she doesn't exactly mind talking to Zayn anymore; she doesn't feel as embarrassed when she stumbles on her words.

"Well, you see," the young woman started slowly, "I don't know if you're aware... But you and Novaleen have a, uh,... thing, if you will. Like, you're very awkward when conversing and your body language suggests you'd, uhm, trip on something if you were standing up. Or maybe walk into a pole, I dunno."

Zayn blinked, several emotions crossing his face. The young woman saw curiosity, a bit of shock, amusement, and confusion. She smiled shyly, watching her fingers fumble together as she waited for him to process it all and respond.

"Ah," he chuckled, though it sounded a tad forced as if he didn't know how exactly to act. "I'd say a small dog, if m'being honest. Quick little things, they always like to run inbetween my legs. I swear they're out to get me!"

The young woman giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. Zayn smiled kindly back, shaking his head in humor. "I'm sure they are. M'always scared I'll step on one." She pouted.

He grinned. "I knew you'd warm up a bit. I can tell you're a lovely girl underneath your social issue--sorry if that sounds mean, I don't mean it that way."

She shook her head, keeping her gaze on the floor as her cheeks flushed. "No, you're right. I guess I haven't really had people to... 'warm up' to in a really, really long time. Ugh, sorry, was that too much information? Forget I spoke."

"I wanna get to know you, feel free to speak as freely as you want. I mean, I'm guessing you won't tell me your name yet, either, and I respect that. Can I ask you a question, though?" Zayn asked kindly, causing the young woman to relax somewhat again. She nodded.

"Thank you. Go ahead and ask, uh, whatever."

"What did you mean by me and Novaleen having a thing? Sorry to turn this back to me, but I'm curious and you seem to know more than I do."

The young woman managed a chuckle at that thought. Of course, just like in a book, the two characters are too blinded by self-doubt and adoration to see what was plainly in front of them. And maybe it wasn't as dramatic now, but she liked making connections to her favorite novels. They were applicable to reality. She felt the struggle of wanting at least one of her companions to know what she saw. While Novaleen was nice, if the young woman wanted to make the pair happy, she'd have to clue Zayn in, at least a little. Girls never act on feelings, unless they're extra confident. Novaleen had confidence, but she was your standard female who gets nervous around a male that she finds attractive, physically or personality-wise.