{ON HOLD} Melt|Zauren

M.23

Being a Miami native, I knew exactly where we were going, and as soon as the aroma of salt water overwhelmed my nose, I was certain. "Are you taking me on the boardwalk?" I asked Zayn. Zayn shook his head but continued driving. "Are you taking me swimming, because I don't have a bathing suit on me." Again, Zayn shook his head. I tried to stare at his profile to see if his facial expression would change, if I was going to crack him. "Then what are we doing?" I asked. Zayn didn't respond he just smirked and it made me smile. I looked away and straight ahead.

About seven minutes and no more questions later, we pulled into a parking spot. Zayn walked around the back of his car and I followed. Zayn popped his trunk and pulled out a large flashlight. Zayn pressed the button and it lit up with led brightness. "Okay, now I'm concerned. Where on Earth are you taking me? I see we're at the boardwalk about a quarter of the way to the end of the boardwalk."

"Have you ever walked to the end of the boardwalk?" he asked. I shrugged.

"Maybe years ago but the good stuffs usually in the middle."

"Well, todays your lucky day," he smiled. "Come on," Zayn held his free hand out. I looked at it and then intwined my fingers with his. This all just felt so right. It was unreal.

The boardwalk and the beach was usually crowded in the daytime with families and tourists, but at night it was mostly populated with teenagers.

Zayn and I walked up the stairs that led to the boardwalk. I hadn't been here in almost three months. I stared around at the couples holding hands and laughing. The friends giving each other piggy back rides and taking pictures. People ordering food. "I thought we weren't coming to the board walk?"

"We aren't, just-" Zayn let go of my hand and started digging around in his back pocket. He pulled out a black bandana. "I'm going to cover your eyes with this and take you somewhere. You have to let me know that I'm trustworthy enough and that you feel safe. I'm not going to do anything to hurt you."

"Alright. Do what you have to do." Zayn got behind me and covered my eyes. Everything was black and it was a bit of an overwhelming feeling to not know what was visually going on around you but to be able to hear everything. Zayn held my hand again and we started walking. He gave me warnings when I needed to take a big step or to move to the right or left a little.

"How much longer?" I asked when I no longer heard people, just the sounds of Zayn and I's feet hitting the wooden floorboards. "Take off the blindfold," he said. I stopped in place and did as he said. I blinked my eyes rapidly to adjust to not being under the pitch black blindfold any longer. I turned around. The life of the boardwalk seemed to be a mile and a half away from here. The only thing giving us light was the lampposts and the moonlight.

"What's over here that you possibly want to show me?" I questioned. Zayn pointed toward the beach. "I know you can hardly see it now, but there's s giant cave type thing over there. I want to show you something cool inside of it. Have you ever been there?" Zayn was already making his way down the ramp. I followed him quickly, not desiring to be left out in the dark alone. "No, I've never been down here. Aren't there like bats in caves?" I asked, removing my sandals and holding them in my hands as I made strides through the sand. "And if there are they'll disappear as soon as I shine this bright ass light. It'll be fine." I sighed but kept close behind Zayn.

We made it to the beach and Zayn smiled. "Here we are," he said. I tried to peer inside but you couldn't see a thing. "Stand back while I check for bat infestation." I had no problem doing that and backed up closer to the water. The waves were crashing and some water splashed the back of my leg.

I jumped when I saw about five bars fly out of the cave. "Alright, all clear," Zayn said. "You coming?" I nodded, hesitantly but followed him. The cave wasn't as deep as I thought. About ten people at a time could fit inside. I stood there in awe though as Zayn flashed the light around. There were drawings inside of anything and everything. Intricate drawings too. The drawings of peoples faces were so detailed, it was kind of crazy. There were quotes all over the wall. I used my phones flashlight to read one 'you may paint over me but I will still be here' "Check this one out," Zayn said. It read, 'I fucking loved you' over and over and over again in red paint. "Wow, the fucking loved that person," I joked. "But honestly, wow-" I said shining my flahslight over all the empty spray paint cans littering the ground. "This place is amazing... How'd you find it?"

"Back when I was going with Selena, we came here with a few of her friends and one of them was telling her how theres a cool spot out here where all the artists paintings go to die," Zayn laughed. "I really wanted to see what she was talking about so we came down here and this is what I saw. It was less before but it's expanded since then."

"I remember you telling me how you like doing art. Is any of this stuff yours?" I asked. Zayn shook his head.

"I haven't had inspiration enough to come down here and create anything."

"One day you'll find your inspiration," I said, snapping pictures of some of the art pieces. "Maybe," Zayn shrugged.

"Alright, I just thought I'd show you something I thought was cool. I don't want to have you get grounded again, so I'll get you home." Zayn took my hand and we walked out of the cave.

"I really liked that," I said.

"Did you really?" he asked.

"Yeah, thank you for showing me that."

"Thank you for enjoying something I thought was the coolest thing ever," he laughed.

Zayn took me to get something to eat from a drive thru and then he took me home. "What are you doing tomorrow?" he asked stopping in front of my house. I shrugged with a giggle.

"Probably nothing," I said.

"Well, you're doing something now," he smirked.

"Oh am I? and what am I doing?"

"You're coming with me to the beach. I was thinking we can all have a day out. The guys, the girls, and us. How does that sound?"

"It sounds good."

"I'll text you when further details surface." Zayn leaned closer and shared a passionate kiss with me. When he drew back, I was left in a daze. "So tomorrow?" he said. I bit my lip and smiled. "Yes. Tomorrow."