Midnight (malik au)

Chapter 1

They met at a party officially. Unofficially, though, they met at Mattress Madness.

Blake's shift was over in seven minutes (she was actually counting) and that's when the door made the rarest of rare sounds; it actually jingled. It probably opened on an average of six times a day (counting each time Blake clocked in and out). So the image of a middle aged woman, two young girls, and a boy was a little confusing.

"Welcome to Mattress Madness," her coworker, Alex, greeted immediately. The lady smiled at Alex as the young girls wandered off, the boy's eyes on his phone. Meanwhile Blake's eyes were on him. Just from his side profile she knew he was quite possibly the hottest guy she'd ever seen. She didn't even care that they were holding up closing time, hell, she'd wait hours just to get a few glances at this guy.

"Yes, hello," the lady's voice cracked through the silence of the store, sweet as honey. "I need two twin sized mattresses for a bunk-bed I had delivered from here two days ago. I assumed the mattresses came along with it, but I suppose not."

"Oh, of course. Let's first see what model you have then I'll help you choose," Alex smiled, leading her towards the beds.

The boy was still ducked over his phone, standing awkwardly near the entrance and register. Blake noticed his thick black hair and beard and she was positive his lashes were longer than her own. She took a moment to smooth back her hair.

Blake felt creepy, so she began collecting the receipts and paperwork and putting them where her boss had asked her to.

"Excuse me?" a velvety, deep voice asked. Blake's head snapped up as she met hazel eyes. Blake blushed. She had a tendency to feel nervous around attractive guys. It's stupid, she knows.

"Yes?" she croaked, clearing her throat. God, she thought.

"Can you ring out this gum, please?" he said. He spoke softly, and damn was she swooning. She could feel it, but c'mon, who wouldn't?

"Of course," she grabbed the pack.

Meanwhile, Zayn was still annoyed with his Mum. "But, Zayn, what if we need someone to pick up a mattress or something? Honey, your friends can wait an hour. Now c'mon, they'll close soon," she'd said, giving him no choice.

It was Zayn's first night of winter vacation and he was spending it with his mom and two sisters at Mattress-fucking-Madness. The guys kept texting him, telling him that they left without him. He still asked for the party address, no way in hell Zayn would just go home after this. It was only eleven.

"Here you go," Blake said, snapping him out of his thoughts. He muttered a thanks and grabbed the gum, unwrapping a piece and shoving it in his mouth. He needed a smoke, badly.

On the other hand, Blake was sure she'd faint if she continued to watch his pink lips move with the gum in his mouth. She couldn't wait to tell her friends about him tonight.

Speaking of tonight, Blake looked at the clock and saw that it was 11:05, her shift being over five minutes ago. The pretty boy made her want to just stay until they left, but the ache in her feet told her to leave. Thankfully ten minutes later they left, the lady satisfied with her order to come in by tomorrow morning.

"Finally," Alex breathed, counting the money in the register. "Working from three to eleven was just unnecessary."

"I know," I hummed, clearing the counter.

"What are you up to tonight?" He asked, bending down go grab something.

Blake shrugged as Alex looked over. "I'm thinking about going to some party in Woodland. Depends on how annoying my parents are when I get home."