Midnight • (Zayn Malik)

yellow

We were sitting on the curb of some random street because Zain couldn't last one more minute without a cigarette in his mouth. I wondered how one couldn't satisfy him for the short trip home. We were just talking in the dark with only the street lamps illuminating the area we sat on, he mostly was asking me questions about my favorite things. It felt sort of elementary but I didn't mind replying. Maybe I could get some answers out of him and I would know just a little bit more about the dark brooding mystery that sat beside me.

"Okay, favorite artist, like, ever," Zain asked, taking a drag from his cigarette immediately after.

"Van Gogh," I answered without question.

Zain threw his head back, "That is so generic! I thought you'd choose someone I'd never heard of."

"Starry night has always been my favorite painting-"

"Of course," Zain smirked and took another drag, "how very predictable."

I rolled my eyes and tried not to let the overused insult get to me, "I also like his sunflower paintings. Those were always my favorite. I used to love the color yellow," I admitted.

Zain looked at me and then at the empty darkness ahead of us, "I know you've got this thing with color but, I mean, is it worth giving up something you love?"

I knew he was talking about my favorite color but I couldn't help what else came to mind. Giving up something I loved was the reason there was no color in my life anymore. After what happened, colors were a blinding reminder of everything that I loved and I just couldn't handle it.

"Sometimes you have to give up the things you love even if it hurts," I answered absently.

Zain glanced sideways at me, "Well I'm no expert at that, believe me, but maybe you don't have to give it up. If you just let yourself heal and become at peace with the situation you won't have to give it up because it will always be a part of you."

I looked over at him and saw that he was staring up at the sky. I wondered what he had to give up that he loved. I had a feeling that I knew.

"Maybe we could both take something from that," I let out a huff of a laugh.

"S'quite the deep conversation over the color yellow," Zain smirked but it was more of a smile.

I watched the smoke curl elegantly from his mouth, "Yeah."

I knew we were both talking about someone, but I thought if people were colors and they were deep like he said, I would happily drown in his.

*

The first half of school the next day went by in a blur. It was obnoxiously sunny outside and it seemed like everyone was in a rush to get somewhere or get something done. I felt relieved when I sat down at our lunch table and smiled happily as I opened my Spider-Man lunch box. So far, since my reluctant confession, nothing has been awkward between my friends and I. I don't know why I was ever so worried. Well I knew, but now it seemed kinda stupid to be.

"Hey the record store has job openings, maybe you'd want to apply there?" Sienna suggested as I bit into my turkey sandwich.

"Hollister does as well. But I'd suggest a little fake bake before you apply," Lucky added and pealed his orange.

"Pass," I smirked at him, "and I'll check it out," I told Sienna.

"We could both go work at the ice cream shop. I saw a sign that said they were hiring when we went there yesterday," Violet smiled at me before stealing an orange slice from Lucky's hand.