{ON HOLD} Melt|Zauren

M.20

I walked back into the ballroom and saw Steven on stage accepting some sort of award. Everyone was clapping for him. I tried to quickly make my way back to my seat. I avoided looking up and kept my eyes on the polished wooden floors before taking a seat. I took a sip from the flute of champagne in front of my empty plate. I got a text from Camila that read:

Camz: What happened out there?

I laughed reading the message because I was so frustrated with the situation. I texted Camila back and explained everything, by the time I hit send, Steven was joining us back at the table. Andy and the others congratulated him. "Congratulations," I said taking a look at the plaque that was engraved with his name and accomplishment. "Grocer of the year, what an... honor." Steven was grinning ear to ear.

"I didn't expect it to be the first award of the night. I've wanted this for so long," he said.

"And it was greatly deserved," Andy said patting Steven on the hand. They broke out into a series of conversations before Andy and managers from other Pacheco locations were recognized on stage.

Some time had passed and all the awards were handed out, and now it was time for the food to do the same. A server placed a plate on top of my empty china. It was steak, vegetables and potatoes. Not my thing. I took two "thank you" bites and for the next few minutes mixed my potatoes around on the plate until I actually had to use the bathroom. I kindly excused myself.

I heard someone walk into the stall beside mine but thought nothing of it as I exited and washed my hands. I ran my fingers through my hair and let out a sigh. I was so ready to get out of this place. Camila had texted me that there was going to be a party later, and I figured I could thank Steven for the oppurtunity and slip out with her.

As I stared at my reflection, the stall door behind me opened and out walked Selena. My eyes widened and hers did too when she realized who I was, but then a devious grin took the place of her features. "Who invited you here?" she sneered pumping foamy soap that smelled like a hospital into her hands. "Cuz it sure as hell wasn't Zayn," she laughed to herself, pleased with her "joke".

"Look, I don't know you and you don't know me and I think that it would be more than amazing if we kept it that way. He and I were never involved in the way you were thinking. We're just.. friends, if that. Honestly, I don't know what we are."

"You expect me to believe that?" she rolled her eyes.

"I don't expect you to believe anything that I say to you because you don't know me, so you have no right to, but I'm telling the truth. Take it as you will, but I have to go," I shrugged.

I brushed past Selena who was wiping her hands dry with a paper towel. "Wait," she called out. I turned around, unsure what more she wanted from me. "I can tell somethings going on between you guys."

"Nothing is. Did you not just listen to-" Selena cut me off.

"Well if it's not you, then it's someone else but Zayn isn't the same anymore as usual. I'm not saying he's drastically different but I'm a girl and I was once his girl and I can tell when another girl is in his life."

"Well.. it's not me," I threw my arms up. "There was another girl but I guess theres not anymore, but yeah, it's not me."

"You like him. Don't you?" she questioned, her brown eyes squinted.

"What does that matter?" I asked.

"I'm just curious. You're the only girl I've ever seen him with or around and yeah I saw him texting that other girl but that was the only time, ever."