I am walking toward Leanne, determined to leave as soon as possible, but when I realize that I have mascara smeared on my cheeks I reach into my golden clutch and pull out a makeup removing wipe. Looking around, I see the faces of many wealthy faces but no sign of my Leanne or my parents. Robert and Dianna Carter, my parents, are the reason I am here tonight. They are socialites in London and like to have their oh-so-charming daughter with them whenever they come to such high-class events. As I continue to search for my parents, I notice details of the ballroom that I hadn't noticed before. The marble columns, the beige walls, the numerous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and the beautifully tiled black floor. And then I notice Zayn, someone I was hoping I wouldn't ever have to see again. He is talking to a curly haired man, also dressed in a black suit. The man has a light complexion with prominent dimples in his cheeks. I know him to be Harry Styles, another member of One Direction, like Zayn. I notice that when Zayn laughs, his nose scrunches up and wrinkles form beside his eyes, it's quite adorable really. But then he notices me and smiles. I am about to turn away and run off to avoid him, but he doesn't come towards me. I'm confused at first and then relieved.
Someone taps my shoulder, "Maya Elizabeth Carter, what were you and Zayn Malik doing in that bathroom?"
I snap my head around to be greeted with a curious mother along with Leanne.
"Mom," I say, "It was nothing. I wasn't even in the bathroom with him."
I trail off, knowing my mom is more intelligent than what I'm trying to pull. I look over my mother's shoulder and see Leanne in a full face-palm.
"Don't play dumb with me young lady. I saw you enter and I saw Zayn follow," my mother says sternly.
"Mom I-"
"Then I saw him exit the bathroom, and a few minutes later you did too. And don't think that I didn't see that smile he gave you," she continues in an angry whisper. "Maya, you have a loyal, loving boyfriend!"
"Yes mom, a boyfriend that you set me up with!" I yell, ignoring our growing audience.
My mother began to speak again, calmly this time. "Maya, did he force himself on you? We can charge him for that, the fact that he's a celebrity mean nothing to the law."
"Mom! Listen to me. Zayn did not force himself on me. He simply leaned in and I forgot to stop him. I still love Jacob. It was a mistake. Can we please stop talking about this?"
"For now, but we will talk about this at home."
"Fine, but I'm leaving. Like now," I walk past my mom and Leanne follows.
"Who's going to drive you?" My mom asks.
"I'll call Jacob," I say bluntly.
I walk fast to the coat room where Leanne and I gather our things. I am about to call Jacob before Leanne stops me.
"Is that really a good idea?"
I stare into the screen of my phone where a picture of Jacob and I is my screen saver. Looking at the way we looked at each other when that picture was taken reminded me of what I have done. I may have just ruined our relationship. Tears well up in my eyes as I shove my white iPhone into my clutch.
"I don't know what a good idea anymore," I cry into my best friend's shoulder. "I think Zayn just ruined everything between Jacob and I."
"He did, did he?" Asks a familliar deep voice.
Zayn in standing in the doorframe and it's all I can do to stop myself from slapping him in the face, "You need to leave. Now."
"Don't be that way, love. You could have said no before we kissed. It's not my fault you waited until after."
"You bloody idiot! It's not my fault that I couldn't think straight! You confused me, I didn't know what was going on," I ramble.
He leans against the doorframe and laughs. "So is that your excuse now?"
"Yes, yes it- I mean, no! Oh my goodness, Zayn just go away!" I scream, "I can't even call Jacob to pick me up! How am I ever going to be able to look him in the eyes and tell him that I cheated on him!"
Zayn is silent for a moment, "You need a ride? I could always drive you home."
"Oh, no. No, no, no. There is no way in hell I am getting in a car with you- you pig!"
"Maya, we do need a ride..." Leanne prompts.
"No, Leanne! I am not getting in a car with him! He basically just ruined my relationship!" At this point there are more tears rolling down my cheeks.
Zayn takes a few steps toward me and pulls me into an embrace. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, Maya. Let me drive you home. It's not a problem. My car is just that lack one over there."
"Fine," I agree and Leanne run's toward the car.
Zayn bends down a little bit to whisper into my ear, "I intend to keep my promise."
And with that, he stalks towards his car, his arms brushing mine as he steps by me. His words are still echoing in my mind.
'I intend to keep my promise.'
