THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY follows olive green, a former member of one direction, as she navigates the pressures of fame and the suffocating expectations of management. through poignant flashbacks of her experiences in the band, including her intense rel...
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY CHAPTER ONE 8th of september 2011
AFTER the party at her family's house, the vibrant sounds of laughter and music gradually faded, leaving behind a cozy silence. olive green leaned against the kitchen counter, her heart still fluttering from the joy of celebrating with friends and family. the air was sweet with the remnants of cake, and colorful streamers hung like memories of the night. as the last guests trickled out, she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her; her childhood was slipping away, but this moment felt like the dawn of something new.
zayn, who had been quietly helping her clean up, caught her eye, a playful smile creeping onto his lips. "you know, it's not every day you turn 18," he remarked, tossing a stray cup into the bin. "you should commemorate it."
olive's pulse quickened at the suggestion. "what do you mean?" her voice held a mix of excitement and curiosity.
"what about getting a tattoo? something to remember this day, i'll do it with you?" zayn's gaze was both mischievous and sincere. he already bore a few tattoos—stories inked on his skin—but for olive, this would be her first.
"really? you'd do that with me?" she asked, her heart fluttering with a mix of thrill and apprehension.
"of course," he replied, his voice softening as he took a step closer. "let's make it a night to remember."
with her family absorbed in the aftermath of the celebration, olive and zayn slipped out into the cool night. the stars twinkled above them, a constellation of dreams waiting to unfold. they walked side by side, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a familiar embrace, their fingers almost brushing against each other's—a small intimacy that felt entirely natural.
arriving at the tattoo parlor, the atmosphere was filled with a blend of excitement and nerves. the buzz of tattoo machines and the faint smell of antiseptic hung in the air. zayn stepped confidently through the door, while olive felt a flutter of uncertainty. he glanced back, his expression reassuring, and she took a steadying breath.
inside, they discussed the design, and olive felt a rush of warmth when zayn insisted she go first. "it's your birthday, ollie," he said with a playful wink. "you need to start the night off right."
as she settled into the tattoo artist's chair, zayn hovered nearby, his presence a comforting weight. the artist prepared the ink, and as the needle whirred to life, olive glanced over at zayn. he was watching her intently, a small smile playing on his lips, making her feel like the only person in the room. his dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and for a moment, she was struck by how close they had grown in just a year—the shared laughter, the whispered secrets, the way he always knew when she needed support.
the needle pierced her skin, and olive winced at the sharp sensation, but it quickly faded into a warm, steady thrum. she focused on zayn's breathing, calm and steady, reminding her that this moment was just for them. as the artist worked, she found herself stealing glances at zayn, who leaned casually against the wall, his arms crossed. there was something about the way he stood—confident yet relaxed—that made her feel at ease.
"are you nervous?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.
"a little," she admitted, her heart racing.
"don't be. it's just a little ink. you're brave, remember? you sang in front of thousands," he encouraged, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
when the tattoo artist finished, olive looked down at the fresh ink—"18" now permanently etched on her inner arm. a smile broke across her face, and she turned to zayn, whose own tattoo stencil was a small, intricate design on his wrist, just a bit bigger than olives.
"okay, now you," she said, her voice filled with excitement.
zayn settled into the chair, and as olive watched, she admired how at ease he seemed, as if the tattoo was just another part of him. the artist began working, and zayn caught her eye in the mirror. "see? it's not so bad," he said, his voice steady. she noticed the slight quirk of his lips, the way he was always able to put her at ease, even in the most nerve-wracking moments.
after zayn's tattoo was done, they posed for a quick picture together, their matching tattoos on display. they stood close, their shoulders touching, and olive couldn't help but feel the warmth radiating from him, a gentle reminder of the bond they shared.
just then, the tattoo artist looked up, an amused expression crossing their face. "are you two the teenagers from that x factor band?"
olive and zayn exchanged a quick glance, and a silent understanding passed between them. "no," they replied in unison, a shared chuckle escaping their lips. they both enjoyed the anonymity for a moment longer, savoring the simplicity of being just olive and zayn.
as they stepped outside, the cool night air wrapped around them like a soft blanket. the stars shimmered above, and olive felt a flutter of hope—hope for the future, hope for what was to come, and a deep-seated connection that felt unbreakable.
"happy birthday, olive," zayn said softly, his eyes reflecting the warmth of the moment.
"thank you for being here," she replied, her heart swelling with affection. it was a night that would linger in her memory, a cherished moment with someone who understood her in ways no one else could. as they walked together, the ink on their arms was a promise—a reminder of their friendship, the adventures they had shared, and the bond that would carry them through the uncertainties ahead.
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onedirection wishing a very happy 18th birthday to @olivegreen ❤️
