C E L L O.

F I V E.

F I V E.

Celestia's P.O.V.

Celestia had a list of things she didn't understand, and the raven haired boy was definitely at the top of her list. He had just scampered out of the diner so hurriedly, you could almost see skid marks. Celestia had to brush it off, she had too much work to focus on him, although he plagued the back of her mind.

"Celestia, I need you to run to the dry cleaners to get some laundry." Jess's voice broke Celestia from her thoughtless dish scrubbing.

"Okay," Celestia slipped out of her apron and grabbed her bag. Jess handed her a crumpled up twenty dollar bill and she was out the door and heading downtown, past the park and the university. Her eyes reluctantly lingered on the prestige university campus when she passed by. College was another thing on Celestia's list of things she didn't understand. She didn't process why Jess never answered any study related questions. Almost like dodging the topic completely. Celestia never got a real answer to her burning question. Why can't I go to college?

Celestia quickly arrived at the small dry cleaners off the block. Stepping inside she inhaled the deep smell of detergent and linen. At the counter she was greeted by the owner, a small frail old man, who would always shoot Celestia a large warm smile. "Celestia, back again I see." The man croaked out and she nodded. "Just picking up the usual for Jess," Celestia's eyes roamed across the room and she was easily distracted by the amount of clothes. Her eyes caught a quick flash of the black dress, the short but textured material looking regal from across the counter. She couldn't help but stare at it for a second, not acknowledging that the old man had left to grab the clean clothing. He caught sight of Celestia's deep gaze at the dress and smile.

"That dress has been here for months," He casually broke Celestia from her staring. "It's very elegant," Celestia mumbled, the picture of the short strapless dress etched into her mind.

"You could...you know...have it," The old man's proposition made Celestia sputter for a moment as she furiously shook her head. "I-I can't, it's someone's dress-they could be looking for it or-"

The old man raised a hairy eyebrow at her, scoffing before speaking. "No one's picked it up in months, I need to give it to someone." He threw out and Celestia felt her bite her lip with hesitation.

"I-I guess, b-but I can't take it with me now. Can you keep it here until I can pick it up?" Celestia gave in to the man's gaze and the thick black material of the dress and the deep v cut down the center and back.

"Of course," He smiled as he shoved the pile of fresh clothes into Celestia's arms. Celestia walked out the cleaner with one backward glance and she added the dress to the list of things she didn't understand. She didn't see where she would wear that, she never really went out. She didn't understand why she was so drawn to it, it was just a simple black dress.

~

Celestia's feet padded down the sidewalk, crunching leaves under boots. She had just passed through the park to cut her walk when she heard it. The raging music, the deep cellos that magically echoed in her ears. It raged on through her ears as she followed the music to it's source. Under a small tree, a few other cello players seemed to be rehearsing. The three musicians disregarded her as she stared in awe at them. The cellos were in perfect condition, the glossy lacquer reflecting. Celestia had never seen a cello in such beautiful condition. Her fingers itched to reach out and touch the cellos. 

"Do you play?" One of the older men asked her, giving her a wrinkly smile. She came back from her gazing and gave a slight shrug. "Kind of," She squeaked out shyly as she shifted from one foot to the other. 

"Your welcome to come out and rehearse with us, you play at the University?" The man questioned as Celestia felt her eyes widen. She quickly shook her head. 

"S-sorry I don't play at the University-" She explained with a sheepish smile before she scurried off. They thought I played at the university! She thought to herself, her hands adjusting her scarf as the wind gusted. Her eyes were too focused on the ground to see someone walking her way, and bumping straight into her. 

"Oh gosh-sorry," Celestia looked up at the man to see the same raven haired boy from this morning. Her eyes widened slightly as he stared down at her with an unreadable expression. It was silent for a moment before he spoke up. "It's okay. Your the girl from the diner," He pointed at Celestia as she nodded her head. She had to put this day on her list of things she didn't understand. She was confused as to why the universe would put her through this much embarrassment in one day. 

"U-uh yeah. I-I gotta go." She ran off without another word. Good going there Celestia, making things way worse. She angrily thought to herself. Celestia made it back to the diner within minutes and handed Jess her laundry without a word. She proceeded to head back into the kitchen to finish up her work. But, as she mindlessly scrubbed away she couldn't stop thinking about that park and what she had witnessed. 

~

Celestia shut her door, slipped her shoes off and threw her bag on the floor. A heaving yawn escaped her lips as she went to her kitchen and threw a pizza into the oven. When the pizza was ready she grabbed a few slices and plopped down on the couch to hungrily devour her dinner. She paid no attention to the sitcom that played on the screen and illuminated the dark living room, her fingers typed on her computer in the search bar for the university. The home page appeared and she was immersed in a world of differing majors and minors and sports and arts. She found the many music classes and was surprised to see a class just for cellos. A class that was meant for her. 

Zayn's P.O.V. 

His pencil furiously marked the paper in sloppy lines. His face continued to get closer to the paper, examining the lines and erasing them out of frustration. A sigh fell from his lips as he sat up and looked at the eyes he was sketching. He stared at them while deep in thought, not noticing Harry's appearance. 

"Looks like someone has artist block," Harry smirked as Zayn merely rolled his eyes. He pushed his hair out of the way with a huff and a sigh. 

"It's just that I can't find my reference picture," He easily lied with the slip of his tongue. Harry looked down at the sketch, observing it for a few quiet moments. 

"They look good, but who is it supposed to be?" He questioned and Zayn awkwardly scratched his neck. 

"Just some girl I saw at school," He lied again as he shoved his hands in his pocket. Harry gave him a sideways glance. 

"Interesting," 

A/N: I'm back! Long time no see...sorry if this is kind of off or short, I've been trying to get back into writing. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed.