reunite || zerrie one shot

reunite

unedited

Perrie shivered at the contact with the New York breeze. It was mid-January and it was the peak of winter. Her long cream coloured coat offered little to no protection as she strolled through the cities streets. Perrie parted her lips slightly at the sight of a small cafe's sign. She began to crave the sweet bitterness of a hot latte. She walked into the small coffee shop and the aroma hit her as she walked in. But she welcomed the scent. It was small and cozy with it having only a couple of people inside. "Can I help you?" A soft voice asked. Perrie eyed the young girl at the counter. She was small and timid and hid her green eyes behind large-framed glasses. 

"Hello, can I please get a medium latte please," Perrie sweetly responded. Perrie handed over her cash, and she choose a seat by the window of the shop. She could outlook the busy street will staying somewhat anonymous. Perrie only had to wait a few minutes before the same shy girl brought out her coffee. She pressed the mug to her lips enjoying the warmness against her lips. Perrie brought out her book 'Maybe This Time'. 

Time seemed to be endless and it was only till she flicked her eye to her watch had she realised that she had been in the cafe for over an hour. She was nearly finished with her book so she decided to glance out to the window. She noticed many people in business suits rushing on the footpaths, seeming disconnected from reality. She bit her lip at the thought of wasting her life like those men and women seemed to be. She never understood it.

But a certain man stood out.

He wasn't in a suit, he was wearing ripped black jeans and grey hoodie. He had his head down with visible headphones in. His dark hair was flicked over to one side and he seemed disconnected just like the businessmen. But all these factors weren't the reason he stood out to Perrie. She knew him. It suddenly felt like the whole world stopped and she could hear every one of her heartbeats. Her mouth went dry. Perrie felt lightheaded and gripped her table for support. 

She liked to think that she knew this man from another lifetime. It had felt so long since she had seen his face. He was walking in the direction of the cafe and she felt the need to run but she was frozen. She couldn't find the strength to move. Her heart fluttered at the thought of being in the same room as him but her head told her to get out. His name was Zayn and Perrie hadn't dared to mutter his name since he left her.

Zayn was close to the cafe in a matter of seconds the bell of the shop would go off indicating the arrival of a new customer but Perrie still didn't move. They had dated for four years and he just left her with the classic reasoning "It's not you it's me." She had put so much time and energy into their relationship that she hadn't even considered getting into to another. Zayn had drained Perrie. For months she didn't leave her London apartment, she had stopped eating and was on the verge of collapsing when her best friend, Jade had stepped in.

 It was two years after she had 'healed' and she still found no relief when it came to the thought of him. So Jade had suggested a move to New York. Half way across the world. And all while she was healing from her heartbreak, Zayn vanished. He ghosted her and everyone that knew him. But here he was in New York with Perrie. The soft chime of the bell went off and she rapidly stood up. She knew she had to get out before he saw her. 

Perrie grabbed her book off the table but it slipped out her reached and plumped onto the floor. "Ma'am?" Perrie had heard a voice call, behind her. She froze. His voice still managed to give her the same chills. She didn't want to face him because she knew she would crumble. Every bit of progress she had made would evaporate. 

"Yes?" she squeaked hoping he wouldn't recognise her voice. His chuckle boomed and her stomach filled with butterflies. She hated the fact that he could have this effect on her.

"Um, I believe this is your book," He stated and Perrie knew she would have to turn around to get it back. This was her worst fear. Facing him after all this time. "Hm, Maybe This Time," he hummed obviously reading the title. 

"Oh the irony," She thought before she finally gained the courage to face him. Her blue eyes met his deep brown ones and his mouth fell open. His eyes widen and his demeanour changed into something unreadable. Maybe pity? Or was it something more. 

"Perrie," he breathed out grabbing a hand full of his hair as he spoke. He seemed breathless. Like seeing her had knocked the wind out of him. 

"Zayn," she mumbled letting her golden blonde hair frame her face. He still held the book in his hand.  She felt exposed. Raw. Like the wound of her heart had just reopened. 

"I can't believe you are really here," Zayn commented taking in everything about her. He noticed how her soft blonde hair had gotten longer and nearly reached her hips. Her pink lips seemed as prominent as ever and her blue eyes were as blue as the ocean. His heart rate sped up. She was gorgeous in every sense. Inside and out. Zayn felt his heart clench.

"I could say the same," Perrie spat with a cold expression on her face. Zayn felt her bitterness but welcomed it. He deserved it. He had left her. Zayn felt a pang of hurt inside of him but he had to grow used to the feeling. He was just as hurt as her that he left her. His self-hatred was at an all-time high. And a week ago he had done something completely irrational in hopes of finding her again.  He had jumped on a plane to New York. All in the hopes of finding her. He finally had. Zayn knew he wasn't going to let her go again. 

"I deserve that," Zayn finally said. Perrie's mouth went into a straight line. She had so much to say in her mind but had no idea of actually putting it into the words. "I've been looking you," he admitted avoiding eye contact with her. He couldn't bare with seeing the coldness in her eyes. Perrie felt a strange feeling within her. Was he here for her?

"What?" was all she managed to say. Her mind was racing too fast to be able to comprehend what he meant.

"I found out you had moved to New York and I wanted to see you," Zayn explaining now looking directly into her eyes. "No, I needed to see you," He added taking her small hand in his large palm. Perrie had the natural instinct to rip her hand from his but he wouldn't let her. "Perrie, I made the biggest mistake two years ago when I told you I couldn't be with you. The truth was I was scared because you made me feel something never felt before. So I did the coward thing and I ran from you. I let you down and I'll never forgive myself for that but what I regret even more than that was not fighting for you sooner. Maybe I was scared to admit that I was wrong but I love you more than you'd ever known. Every night you were hurting I reciprocated that feeling. I can't live another day with you."

Perrie's eyes widen at Zayn's confession. Everything she had dreamt of him saying came true. He was here for her. Fighting for her. But the question was, could she open her heart up to him once again?

"Perrie I can't lose you again, I'm begging for one more shot at forgiveness. Let me prove to you that I can treat you like you deserve," Zayn softly promised. Her eyes filled with tears. She had to decide. To be with him again or to live without him again. Her mind was racing and was all over the place. So in that moment, she decided to listen to her heart.

She grabbed her book from his hand and skimmed the cover once more. "Maybe this time we can do this right," she hummed grabbing his hand.

He couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

And with that their world became one.

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long time no write. i hope enjoy this lil one-shot 

xx