Once in a lifetime

Chapter 5 Y'sure?

"Yeah, I've tried to tell Li, but he ain't having it. He says I am too picky. Go figure."

"M'sure you'll figure it out. Might as well start by answering the phone, though, just saying."

"I guess you are right." Zayn laughed along with Harry. "He just puts me in a weird mood. Like he is my best mate, I love him, but..."

"Yeah, no I get it. I have two of those, they are fucking irritating when they want."

"Exactly." With a sigh Zayn looked at the hour and made it clear he had to go, even if he didn't want to.

Harry sighed too understanding the moment was coming to an end. He had Zayn's number so he wasn't as devastated as he could've.

"I reckon you need to get going. I just want to say I loved our conversation and I hope you are up for another time."

Zayn gave him his full scrunched smile and replied "For sure. I'll hit you up for the painting session, yeah? I meant it, I wasn't just sweet talking you."

"Uhh...yeah, sure" Harry stammered, blushing inevitably. Zayn stood up and presented his hand to Harry.

"Great seeing you again, Harry Styles. See ya soon, yeah?" They shook hands a bit longer that appropriate (again) and Harry just nodded and said, "Will be seeing you, Zayn Malik."

While walking out of the coffee shop, Zayn's mind was full of Harry. All about him was camping on his brain and he knew he wouldn't be able to get him out, not that he wanted anyway. He got the phone to call Liam, to just let him know he was alive and on his way.

"Where the fuck are you, mate? Ditching me is now the flavour of the week, little fucker?" was the first thing he heard when Li picked up.

"Chill, lad. You know you are fucking annoying, getting on my ass all day. I needed a break, yeah?"

"I know, man, I know. But you do know we have to settle this before the end of the week or we'll be screwed. You need to decide, mate."

"What if we go out to Central Park to check for stuff? Like new stuff? You know there are always people showing their material. We can give a chance to a brand-new person, yeah?"

"Wot?"

"You heard me. We can try something new, a fresh perspective from someone else. Could be good, yeah? I just...I am not feeling the new work from them."

"Since when are you, Zayn Malik, open to new artistic stuff? What the devil?"

"I got another point of view, shall we say? Your stupid ass kept bothering me and didn't let me think."

"Oh, I see how this is now. Is all on me and off you go and...wait. Who the hell gave you another point of view? How is it that now you are open for new stuff?"

"You talk too much. Someone said it, yeah? Mind your business."

"Mind my business, he says. Where are you now, fucker? Let's meet so we can talk about it."

"I am on my way to Central, come and I'll meet you at Diana Ross, yeah?"

"Be right there. Love ya."

"Yeah, you too. Be safe."

After a muffled of course from Liam, he finally got to be alone with his mind. He was thrilled he got Harry's number. Now the thing was when to text him without looking either thirsty or not interested. He figured two or three days window would be good, if he could hold up. He had to focus his energy on either finding a new artist for the display or choosing one out of the not so convincing ones he already had.