Pause. Rewind. Play. (A Zayn Malik Fanfic)

Chapter 32: Truth

There are many words that can be used to describe Zayn Malik. And one of them is skirmish under pressure.

He doesn't give a clear answer to my question, I mentally note. At first he's a blubbering mess, who can't cease movement. When he gets stressed out he bites his lip and can't stop moving around. His breathing starts to get shallow as if he's drowning in water and he'll occasionally tug on his hair in frustration. Zayn keeps pacing around the kitchenette and my eyes follow.

"I-I...What are you trying to say? W-What's going on? This can't be happening, Ari...please tell me you're kidding. Damn it...Ari you have to trust me, I." His flustered state reminds me of a fish out of water. "It... It was back in Bradford...before X-Factor. It was a dumb mistake, a huge mistake on my part!"

"I know," I choke out, cutting him off. He freezes and finally looks at me. "Haley told me. She had no idea who I was when she told me. She didn't realize that I was the girl that came before her." The tears start to build up in my eyes, but I refuse to bid their desire.

"Ari..." Zayn whispers, coming back over and holds both of my hands in his. I shift at his touch and he notices.

"What happened? Tell me what happened."

Flashback

"And here we have the Academic Building. You know there's a very neat story about the history of it...." I no longer listen to the tour guide as she rambles more about the oh-so interesting things about the school. I contemplate whether to keep pretending to listen or to plug my music in until the end of the tour.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Fishing it out, I drop to the back of the group as to not get in trouble with the guide.

Hey babe, how's the tour going so far? x

I smile at the text from Ari. I'm about to compose a message back when in my moment of distraction, I crash into somebody.

"I am so sorry, are you alright?" I get up and quickly hold out my hand for the girl to take. I help lift her up from the ground and I immediately notice her winning smile. She fixes her blond hair on to her shoulder and the glasses in front of her blue eyes.

"Its fine," she says. "I'm guessing you're lost, too?" I'm about to retort when I notice my group has left without me.

"Now I am," I say. "I guess I should've payed attention to the tour." She giggles.

"Oh yes, because its so fascinating how many bricks are in each building," she jokes, making both of us laugh. We talk a bit more and I find out her name is Haley, and does she have a smile and a humor to match. "I think I saw a diner not too far from here, you wanna go?" I realize how friendly I'm becoming with the person I just met.

"Sorry, I actually have a girlfriend," I refuse.

"Its not like it has to be a date. Besides, she doesn't have to know."

"I don't know," I hesitate. She scoffs.

"What is your girlfriend the boss of you? Do you see her around?" she asks, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I guess," I mutter. Her face breaks into a smile and she takes my hand, dragging me the opposite direction.

---

"I can't believe you did that! That's crazy!" I laugh along with Haley.

"Well believe it. I live for trouble," she says in a cocky tone. I chuckle and shake my head. This girl is insane. In a good way though, she's nothing like the girls back home. Certainly nothing like Ari. "Bet your girlfriend hasn't seen half of the things I can do." I shrug.