May [H.S]

08

Magnolia

•••

J'avais la tête ailleurs.

Blistering, the sun shines down, fawning through my lashes as I so slightly part my eyes. Bringing my hand over my face in a shield, the beams stream through the slim crevices between. I can feel the heat radiate on the divine surface of my cheeks, highlighting the apparent beauty mark to the side of my lips. Nearly the star of the show glistening full of gloss, just beat by the golden shade my eyes smoldered, liquid honey perfection.

I narrow my vision, leaning all of my weight on the hood of the muscle car behind me. Bright and deflecting the punishment of the sun, the sweat beginning to lining my body goes cold with each passing breeze. Wishy-washy like my increasing impatience, tired of waiting in the summer seafoam from just off the coast. Though I don't mind watching the view, nor the ticking air, laced in salt and caramel emerging from my perfume.

My teeth gnawing on the same flavorless, tough piece of gum somehow helps the slew of time slipping away. Surely at this point, I'm turning to stone from standing here for however long, first I was sitting in the back seat of Luke's hoodless car. Listening to the afar sounds of nature's gregarious splash pool, then I wandered to the railing overlooking a cliffside. Admire the waves turning white against the rocks, ricocheting in bubbles. Now I found myself occupied by a clump of faded pink rubber between my pearly whites.

The least he could do is leave the damn keys in the ignition.

The soles of my boots kick around the gravel under me, another pastime while the sun lowers in my peripheral vision. A wild peach color arises in the sky due to the heat in the atmosphere, bursting in heaps of shades. It's the most distracting thing around me, an hour of golden light. I knew that soon it would be pitch black outside, and by the looks of it showed a full circular moon. Impending a night of impulsivity.

A nest of swarming jitters in the bottom of my belly, tickling up my spine. It can't tell if my gut is trying to tell me something or if I'm just filled with useless energy, stuck here waiting in the web of my thoughts. It's torture knowing I can't be left alone without spiraling into the heaps of madness I keep handy. Warding off the boredom.

I hear the sound of boots off to the side, sticking my gaze to the trembling sea, I expect Luke to come out from behind and try to spook me. Force a smile on my face. But the footsteps stop near the passenger's side next to the car, "Almost didn't recognize you." I jump up from the voice, splaying my hand over my chest as I instantly locked eyes with the person. That kind of hazel that catches you off guard, stopping your tracks.

"Zayn," I exhale in a smile. He reaches out in a hug, greeting my body with a strong scent of cologne that my senses loosely remember. A rush of endorphins clouds over as I tuck my arms around his torso, breathing in the brazen leather. The heat of the moment has me wondering what compelled him to be back in town, especially in front of a convenience store out of town. Just off the coast, quaint and eye-catching to all who've stumbled upon it. Probably for the same reason Harry decided to come out of the woodworks.

"It's been too long," He addresses, pulling away from the hug. Smiling, his eyes look everywhere, admiring all the aspects of my being. Zayn was never one to be ashamed of the admiration his wander-lusting gaze granted. He always looked at me, not past.

I nod bashfully, hiding how flustered I am just by the sparkle in his eyes, the way his hair glows in the natural light takes me back. I wouldn't be surprised if I caught myself staring at him, he's too pretty not to. Christmas was the last time I saw him, a last glimpse through a foggy window before he disappeared into the night.