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

Chapter 33: Madison Square Garden

Zayn's P.O.V:

Lou ran the makeup brush over my cheeks one more time before tweaking my quiff more so it was just right. I twiddled around with my phone, checking again to see if there were any texts from her. I squeeze the device tightly before throwing it carelessly on the makeup counter.

"Well what's got you in a mood?" Lou asks. I shake my head. "Is Ari coming tonight? I didn't see her today." Again I shake my head and bow my head to my lap.

"I don't know," I admit truthfully. "There was this fight and she ran off. I don't know where she is, or who she may be with." Something kept nagging in my mind, but Ari wouldn't cheat on me. We were still dating, right? It was just a stupid fight. We can get through anything, I assure myself. I can't help the tightening in my chest at the thought of her possibly being in someone else's arms last night; crying into another man's arms, having someone else comfort her.

"She'll make the right decision. That girl loves you with all her heart." I smile half heartedly. "Its your big night Zayn. Don't think about it too much." Louis comes into the dressing room, politely asking Lou to leave us alone for a minute. When the door closes behind her, Louis leans against it watching me intently.

"Ari's here." My head snaps up at the mention of her name.

"She's here? Did she want to see me? Did you talk to her?" The questions just kept coming out as they come to my mind.

"Whoa, calm down mate. She's here," Louis answers. "She wants to see you after the show. She's in the VIP section."

My pulse picks up. She was here, she wanted to see me. She was going to be out there watching me. The knot started forming in my stomach. The biggest show in my life was less than an hour away. That's what I needed to do, focus on the show.

---

Ari's P.O.V:

"Cheer up, babe," Eleanor says, nudging me. I come out of my daydream. I try to give her a small smile. "What's on your mind?"

"Zayn," I let out in a breath. It was Eleanor that made me come here. After much convincing and pleading, she got me in a dress and had me in a limo with her to MSG. "I haven't talked to him since last night." Not to mention I cheated on him. The memory is still fresh and makes me jump with goosebumps.

John never called me this morning or last night. Why would he? I practically sprinted out of his apartment and all the way back to mine after the kiss.

To make it any worse, who is sitting a few seats in front of us in the VIP section? Zayn's family. I haven't seen them in years, but we were close when we both still lived in Bradford. God, they probably hate me now. Zayn told me yesterday their flight got delayed to this morning. I wonder if they know that I'm here. I have a feeling Zayn told Trisha everything. He's always been close with his Mum out of everyone in his family.

"Now, now I'm sure everything will be fine," Danielle reassures, giving my hand a squeeze. "You'll see him after the show, but I'm sure when he sees you, he'll flip!" She chuckles making me giggle. I had left all my stuff in Zayn's hotel room, so leave it to Eleanor and Danielle to retrieve a few items while the boys were at their final rehearsals before the show tonight. The whole time I expressed what had happened, excluding what happened after I stormed out of his room.

"Louis says Zayn's going crazy thinking about you," Eleanor says, looking up from her phone. "He's really upset about this."

"I don't know what to feel about this," I admit. "I just don't know what I'm supposed to say or do."

As if on instinct, Zayn's eldest sister, Wahliya turns around and looks through the rest of the VIP section. I keep my eyes on the stage, avoiding eye contact with her. She knows though. I can feel her staring a hole right into my head. 

"Ari, it was in the past. I know what Zayn did looks bad, but that was years ago. If you see him, you are the only thing he ever looks at. You completely have him head over heels in love and Ari you know the feeling is mutual," Danielle persists. The screams of girls overpower what I was about to say next. Danielle gives me a hopeful smile and mouths to me, "Just think about it sweetie."

The lights dim and I feel a sense of de ja vu of the first time I've ever been to a One Direction concert. Just seeing Zayn appear on that stage made my heart leap. Damn, he looked so good. His voice was on perfect pitch that hypnotizes me. I feel Eleanor nudge me in the ribs, making me look at her before looking back up at the stage.

Zayn's eyes are traced right on me, and everyone can see it. I blush and look away as Niall throws an arm around Zayn, snapping him out of his daydream.

---

I didn't realize how quick the concert was, until the very last thank you's and goodbyes. I got up with the rest of the girls and made our way back stage. Already there were a lot of paparazzi and other celebrities to count. The first of the boys I spy is Louis, who practically plows through the hoard and tackles Eleanor down.

"Zayn's back there, love!" I hear Louis shout over the heads. I try to smile, finding the nervous butterflies increase in my stomach. I continue to push through the crowd, trying to locate any sign of a raven quiff or hazel eyes. I desperately claw to the blond Irish lad I see not far ahead of me, talking to a few friends.

"Niall, where's Zayn?" I ask, tugging lightly on the sleeve of his T-shirt. He has a thin layer of sweat covering him. He's smiling wide and a glimmer in his eyes, clearly still on his high from the show.

"Not sure," he breathes out in one puff and runs a hand through his hair. "Try back in the dressing room."

I almost run right into Liam as I'm pushed out of the crowd. I notice Danielle on his arm.

"Alright there, love?" he chuckles. I ask him the same question as Niall. "You just missed him. He went out through the back. Better hurry." You nod and thank him. The crowd gathered around has thinned out now, making it easier to reach the big door with the red "EXIT" sign over top of it.

The cool December breeze catches me as I stumble out into a wide alley. I see a lone figure leaning against the wall from the other end of the alley, near the sidewalk. I see him smoking a cigarette and notice the quaffed hair. I smile, beginning to slowly walk over to him.

I stop short as another person comes from around the corner, gripping Zayn's jacket. He flicks the cigarette away before placing both hands on their hips. She leans in close to him and kisses him fully on the lips.

I feel my heart rate speed up at the sight. My hands begin to shake in anger and I wonder if they can feel my fury as I realize who Zayn was making out with in the alley.

I sharply turn on my heel walking towards the street on the other end of the alley. There is less chaos here with just fans loitering around, hoping to get a glimpse of the boys. I slip my sunglasses to shield my eyes and pop the collar of my winter coat up, trying to draw as least amount of attention as possible.

I walk down the streets trying to keep myself together. I couldn't grasp a single thought except for the fact I had to get out of here as fast as possible. Everyone would be at the buffet dinner halfway across town. After maybe half a mile walking in these God awful shoes, I finally hail a cabbie to take me the rest of the way to the hotel.

My nose is red and my toes have gone numb. The only thing protecting me is my coat which only stops at my hips. There isn't anything to cover my shivering legs because of the damn short dress. I wipe away the black eyeliner and mascara mix from under my eyes. I can tell the cab driver thinks I'm hung over and doesn't say anything.

I don't remember how much I paid the cabbie or the journey from the street to the hotel lobby. Everything is a blur; from the trek here, the ride in the elevator up to the floor the boys were staying on, to unlocking Zayn's hotel room with the room key he had given me.

My stuff is exactly the way I left it last night and it doesn't take me long to pack. My plane ticket isn't due to leave until tomorrow morning, but I refuse to stick around for him. He doesn't need me. He'll have Haley with him tonight.