{ON HOLD} Melt|Zauren

M.17

"Grocers ball? That's a thing?" Camila laughed looking at her phone. "Lauren, have you ever heard of a grocers ball?" I briefly glanced up from the slice of break I was spreading mayonaisse on. "Grocers ball? What the hell is that? It sounds like a ball for people that work at a grocery store."

"It apparently is. Harry invited me. It's in a week and a half. You dress really snazzy and they hand out awards and promotions and stuff I guess."

"That's really weird. That's cute though, you'll be Harry's date." Camila and Harry were nearly exclusive but neither of them confirmed a label yet. Camila smiled texting her beau back. I closed my ham and cheese sandwhich and joined my best friend at the table. I started to think about the ball and how Zayn was likely going to the ball with Elle on his arm. I cringed.

It was Friday after the incident happened with Zayn a few days ago and Dinah invited us to a sleepover so I said what the hell, sure why not. Normani was the only other person there. We skyped Ally for a while, so she felt like she was at the sleepover with us.

"I didn't know you were feeling Zayn to that extent," Dinah said. I nodded and then shrugged.

"You're out of the world beautiful. No doubt you'll find another guy who will swoon for you. Don't worry about, Zayn," Normani told me.

"I know, but I don't make many efforts to go out and meet guys, so this Zayn thing just kind of happened," I said.

"Speaking of Zayn, I hope you don't mind but he's coming over to bring me and Mani our schedule."

"Oh, that's fine. Really. It's not like he and I dated. It was just a stupid crush," I said.

We all went on to painting our nails when there was a knock at the door. Dinah jumped up. "That must be Zayn."

"Fingers crossed I am not scheduled for the day of the ball. I want to be out all day getting glamorous," Normani crossed her fingers and squeezed her eyes shut.

Dinah answered the door and I turned my head to be nosy and catch a glimpse of Zayn since I hadn't seen him in a few days and a girl with medium length strawberry blonde hair was standing behind him looking brainlessly at Dinah. "Can she use your toilet?" Zayn asked. Dinah looked hesitant but nodded. "I guess, yeah, sure. Upstsirs first door on your.. you know what I'll just show you." Dinah headed up the stairs, the lanky girl following behind. That must be Elle.

"I didn't know a sleepover was going on here.. I'm sorry for intruding," Zayn apologized. Normani jumped to her feet and rushed for the paper in Zayn's hands. "I'm not scheduled for Friday! Thank you, Lord!" she blew kisses at the cieling.

Zayn and I made eye contact and I quickly looked away and back to my newly painted red fingernails that were drying. I wanted to make a run for it. I felt extremely uncomfortable.

"So," Camila began biting into a slice of now cold pepperoni pizza. "Is that Elle?"

"That is Elle.. but I'd rather not discuss that. I just came by to drop off schedules I didn't know that you guys were gonna be here," Zayn explained. "Lauren, I wouldn't do something malicious like this to you and you know that." I didn't say anything. I just looked down at the carpeted floor.

"This house is big," I heard an unfamiliar voice saying. It was Elle now leading the way down the stairs. Dinah was walking down behind her and clapping one hand together and mouthing "blah blah blah"

"Okay, I'm ready," Elle said curling her arm around Zayn's. I could see Zayn tense up. Elle looked at us. "Aw, I remember when I was eleven and had my last sleepover," she said in a voice that you would talk to babies or animals in. I didn't enjoy her.

"Can you go wait in the car?" Zayn asked Elle. Elle nodded and carressed Zayn's cheek, taking the car keys from his hand. "Lauren, can I talk to you out back? It'll only take a minute or two." I didn't vocally respond but I stood on my feet and headed toward the back of the house. Zayn followed.

I stopped by a tree and crossed my arms over my chest. I could see Dinah, Camila and Normani peeking from the kitchen window, not a clue in their minds about subtlty. "What now, Zayn?"

"I know that the last time we talked you said we keep talking but we get nowhere and I know, I know that. I just want us to be like we were before."

"So you want us to go back to how we were before you started avoiding me to talk to another girl? Makes sense. And by the way you did a great job on choosing Elle, she seems like a catch," I sarcastically said.

"She's not my girlfriend and I don't think of her the way I thought of you," he said.

"In what way?" I challenged.

"I have feelings for you that I can't even imagine having for Elle." That made the butterflies poke at my stomach.

"So what is she to you then?"

"Just someone to pass the time. I'm a guy. I get lonely, you know."

"You're also a douche. That's fucked up."

"Elle knows I don't want a relationship and she doesn't either."

"So you guys are just fucking? Well, thank God you chose not to further pursue me because I won't be objectified."

"No, no, no, Lauren. I wouldn't objectify you."

"But you'll objectify other women?" Zayn did a frustrated laugh and ran his hand down his face. "Why are you being so complicated?"

"How does it feel to get a taste of your own medicine?" I questioned with a smirk. "Now, you better get back to your car before your party barbie takes it for a cruise."

"Can you stop being complicated Lauren? Please," Zayn practically begged.

"I'm the one being complicated?" I laughed.

"Can we just- right now, start a new slate? You and I. Please?" I looked at him for a moment and really thought about it. "Please?" he asked again. "You're a great person, Lauren and I wouldn't want to lose that."

"Fine. Yeah. We can start a new slate," I held my hand out to shake his but he just opened his arms wide. "Let's hug it out," he said with a hopeful smile. I held my arms out and walked into him. He smelled amazing, he was warm, his hug was strong. How was I supposed to just get over this?