Close Quarters

Chapter 2

Zayn

As I'm taking a zip of my drink, Kat comes stalking up to me with a furious look on her face. Out of nowhere, I hear a loud smack and a sudden sting on my cheek. It takes me a second to realize what just happened. Kat had slapped me. I take my jaw in my hand rubbing it to smooth the pain before looking at her.

"What the fuck, Katherine!" I yell at her.

"You have some apologizing to do!" She looked at me and yelled.

Me? Apologize? Clearly she doesn't know me that well.

"Oh yeah? And what for?" I snap back, furrowing my brows and looking at her in anger.

I watch as she turns around to call someone over. As the person walks closer I see the familiar look across her face before it registers. It was the girl I splashed this morning. Oops.

"You splashed my roommate! Learn some damn manners, Zayn." She said.

I didn't even care what Kat was saying, I was too busy staring at the women in front of me. Her hair, a shade of dirty blond, fell in loose waves around her shoulders, framing her face. Her eyes, a vibrant green, a shade id never seen before, were like emeralds piercing my soul, sparkling with mischief. Why hadn't I ever met her before?

"Hellooo?? Zayn?" Kat waved her hand in front of my face, pulling my eyes off her friend and back to her.

"You didn't even stop to see if she was okay, let alone say sorry!" She yelled again, rolling her eyes.

"Sorry." I said and walked away, brushing past her friend who stood there awkwardly twiddling her fingers.

I heard Kat groan again before whispering something to her roommate. I glanced over my shoulder to look at her, but she was already looking at me, as soon as my eyes met her she snapped her head away. A small grin curled on my lips from the shyness.

I filled my glass of wine again, desperately wanting to get out of here. I headed up the stairs and into the library to get some peace and quite. I traced my fingers along the rows of old books, taking in the scent of the wood mixed with a note of my wine. I picked one up and flipped through it, looking at the dusted pages of "To Kill a Mockingbird" when the door creaked open and silver heels stepped in, her body coming after. She didn't notice me until I set my wine glass down on the table next to me, she shot her head up, her eyes widening a little before she spoke.

"Zayn, right?" She said my name, waiting for reassurance.

I nodded lightly before she pursed her lips and spoke again.

"You owe me new shoes." She commanded. I stared at her for a while longer before I spoke. "Not my fault you were next to that puddle." I said, staying sat on the couch, as it molded around me.

"You really are an ass." She said, not making eye contact with me as she walked to the left, looking at the book. Her green romper swaying with the rhythm of her steps. Her flashy heels clicking on the hardwood floor.

"You'll learn to love it." I cock.

I watch as she scoffs and rolls her eyes, not saying anything back and picks up a book, an autobiography of Pablo Picasso.

"Do you even know my name, Zayn?" She looks away from the book and back to me.

"No. I don't really care, nor will I remember it." I say, hearing a small scoff.

"It's Marcy."

"Did I ask?" I watch as she places the book back into its empty space, scoff and walk out.