{ON HOLD} Melt|Zauren

M.19

"You're going to the ball with Steven?" Camila asked trying to comprehend the story I told her almost ten minutes ago. I unlocked my car and popped the trunk open. "Yes," I answered shoving the bags into the trunk.

"Wait, who's Steven again?" Camila asked.

"Steven is the guy with the glasses,,- little nerdy dude. He's the one that went to get the manager after you tripped me."

"Ooohhhhhhh, that's Steven. I know him now. Well, that's really nice of you," Camila said pushing the cart to the return shelter.

"Are you being sarcastic?" I asked when she got back. Camila got into the passenger seat and I got into the drivers side. "Why would I be being sarcastic? It's a really nice gesture, and I think good karma is coming your way."

"Because Harry thinks that I'm doing this as some sort of plot to get back at Zayn, which is absolutely ridiculous."

"Ignore what Harry says," Camila dismissed with her good hand.

"When are you getting your cast removed?" I asked her. Camila looked at the graffiti filled mold that weighed her arm down. "Give or take a couple more weeks.. I'll be fine though. I know I'm going to look a mess with this at the ball but it's no fashion show."
-
A few days later it was time for the grocers ball. I ran my fingers through my freshly straightened hair and got one last look at myself in the mirror. Due to not wanting to waste money I barely had, I opted for a curve hugging black dress that I wore on my graduation day.

"Lauren, Steven is here!" my mom called up the stairs. I felt like prom all over again, except I wasn't with my jerk of an ex-boyfriend and I didn't have the weird prom jitters. I grabbed my studded clutch and headed down the stairs.

Steven looked.. different, but in a good way. He got rid of his glasses and got contacts. His eyes were extremely blue and he had a bit of stubble going on. "Steven, you look good," I said giving him a hug.

"You too," he said and I could see his cheeks heating up.

"Can I get a picture?" my mom anxiously asked. I shook my head.

"Mom, this isn't prom and we don't want to be late, bye," I blew her a kiss and headed out with Steven.

Steven's car looked like he had stolen it from an impound lot. The passenger side door hardly opened. Steven told me to give it a kick to get it to budge.

The car ride was awkward. I usually had no problem with starting conversations but when it was a one way street, it was hard. "So, no girls in your life?" I asked curiously.

"There is one girl, she moved into the house next to me but it's not like she notices me or anything," he shrugged.

"Have you tried talking to her?" I questioned. Steven nearly snorted.

"Talk to her? Are you crazy?"

"Well if you never do then you'll never know. Maybe she feels the same way. Maybe it could've been her sitting here."

"Maybe one day.. I don't know. I've just never been much of a ladies man. That's why I sometimes just sit in the break room and listen to the guys talk and try to take pointers." I frowned hearing that.

I noticed Harry's car when we pulled up to the building that looked like a newly built warehouse. It looked like prom inside. Tables set up with name cards and a floral centerpiece. I sat down with Steven who's table also consisted of Andy the manager, his wife and another couple. I glanced around for Camila and Harry and spotted her instantly. Harry was talking with Liam who had come Normani. Camila was nodding her head and I turned my head in that direction and that is when I saw Zayn. He was at a table with Dinah and Louis. Zayn's plus one wasn't Elle like I had assumed. It was Selena. I felt my hands go cold and I looked back at Camila who was pointing to her phone. I looked at mine.

Camz: I thought he kicked her to the curb?

I shrugged. "Everything okay?" Steven asked me.

"As everyone is starting to walk in, I just wanted to say thank you for attending the 35th annual Pachecho's grocers ball," a woman in a dark green dress spoke at the podium.

"Everything is okay, uh, can you point me in the direction of the bathrooms?" I asked. Steven rubbed at his chin looking every which way. "I don't know where they are. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I'll find them myself. I'll be back," I said sliding out of my seat and trying to keep my eyes on my feet as I bolted out of here. I had to walk by Zayn's table and I could feel him staring at me.

It took me a few minutes but I found the bathroom. I took a bunch of paper towels and soaked them in cold water before blotting my neck and my face. Was it hot in here or was I just over reacting? I fanned my face with my hands. Get it together Lauren. I tapped my fingers along the sink before deciding to head back in.

I walked out the door and sitting on a cushioned chair across from me was Zayn. I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Holy shit," I gasped placing my manicured fingers over my lips.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "You know, at first I thought I was hallucinating, but here you are. Are you trying to spite me? Is that why you're here with Steven?"

"I'm here with Steven because he had no date. If I were trying to "spite" you, it wouldn't be with Steven, and why would I even try to do something like that to begin with." Zayn didn't say anything but I could see his jaw clenching.

"What happened to Elle? You got bored and wanted to hop back on the crazy train?" I asked.

"Elle's ex boyfriend decided to come back into her life so she dropped me, which I don't mind."

"So she went back to her ex boyfriend and you go back to your ex? That's interesting."

"I'm not with Selena in that way. I needed a date last minute and I thought you'd say no," Zayn tried explaining.

"Well, that sucks. I have to go back in. I think Steven's being recognized as grocer of the year." I tried walking past Zayn but he gently grabbed me by the arm. I pulled away and headed down the hall.

"I don't want to hurt you, Lauren," I heard Zayn say from behind me. I turned around slowly and he was standing there still. Zayn threw his arms up and back down, seemingly defeated. "I don't want to hurt you," he repeated.

"What?" I asked.

"If I allowed myself to act on my feelings for you then I know in turn I will hurt you and I don't want to do that. You are different from all the other girls that I know. There is just something about you that is insanely enchanting, and I don't want you to waste that on someone like me. I want it to be on someone that's worth it. That's why I've been pushing you away because I want you to see your worth. I know it doesn't make sense, but I'm trying my best to get you to understand. I've never tried to explain myself about something like this to anyone."

"Zayn, there you are. They're starting," Louis said out of breath. Zayn looked at me and there was a different look in his eyes before he carressed my arm and headed down the hall.