𝓒𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒, 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄, ᶻᵃʸⁿ ᵐᵃˡⁱᵏ

𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈. 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐬

today, zayn and i decided we'd finally go to anna's coffee shop to work on some new music. it was anna's idea to connect us again anyway. plus, it had been way too long since we'd been there together—years, probably.

the thought of going back to that place, of reliving the memories, made my stomach flip with nerves and excitement. part of me wondered if it was the right idea, but anna's coffee shop had always been like a second home to us. maybe it would be the place where we'd finally break the ice and get some work done.

i was bringing valentina along, obviously. leaving her behind wasn't an option, especially since she knew zayn would be there. she'd been completely obsessed with him ever since he knocked on my door. and if we're being honest, zayn hadn't exactly discouraged her obsession either. the guy had this weird soft spot for her—always answering her endless questions with patience, which was hilarious, given how closed off and mysterious he was with everyone else.

as we walked into anna's coffee shop, i immediately felt like i'd stepped into some sort of time machine. everything was exactly the same: the smell of fresh coffee beans, the soft hum of people chatting, and the familiar jazz music playing in the background. the same old wooden tables we used to sit at were still there, weathered and worn but oddly comforting.

valentina, in her usual dramatic fashion, immediately found a table by the window and climbed into a seat, waving at me to join her.

i slid into the chair, my eyes glancing at the door, waiting for zayn. and then, like he was some kind of storm, he walked in. he had that look on his face—angry, tense, like the world had been messing with him. but the second his eyes landed on me and val, his whole face softened, the tension melting away. i wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, honestly.

he came over, dropping into the seat across from me with a long sigh. "hey," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"rough morning?" i asked, raising an eyebrow.

he gave a half-shrug. "people."

i smirked. classic zayn, always keeping things vague. "right, people," i said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

we got up to order, and i couldn't help but wonder if he still had the same ridiculous coffee order from years ago. the one that made absolutely no sense for a guy who claimed to hate sweet things. i leaned against the counter, listening closely as he ordered.

"black coffee. three sugars."

oh god. my heart did that stupid little flutter thing, the same one i'd been trying to avoid. three sugars.

he still remembered.

i felt a smile tug at my lips but quickly hid it. he used to get three sugars because three was my lucky number. back then, i teased him endlessly for it, but secretly, it had meant a lot to me. now, it just felt weird.

when it was my turn, i ordered a caramel cappuccino—something sweet and frothy that looked as girly as possible. valentina, of course, got her usual babyccino, because anything that made her feel grown-up was her favorite.

as we walked back to the table, valentina tugged on zayn's sleeve, her big brown eyes wide with curiosity. "zayn," she said seriously, "what's your favorite animal?"