Past it all

*Zayn POV*

"I just need to clear my head." I say to the four boys I spent so much of my life with. Seeing them here for the first time in over 8 years is a little overwhelming and I don't think I can handle it right now.

"Take all the time you need, Zayn. I know this is a hard decision for you- for all of us actually.." Niall says in the Irish accent I remember so well.

Instead of answering him, I take my black jumper and jog out into the cool dark street. None of them follow me. Good. I just need some time to think . I do want to be with my boys again having the time of my life, believe me. I miss touring the world with them and performing for millions of adoring fans, but I don't think I could do it again. I'm just not ready.

I pull my jumper over my head to try and clear the thoughts fogging my mind. Still they cloud every part if my head leaving no other room. So instead of thinking I focus on my feet. I'm so hypnotized by the repetitive sound of my old Nike's on the pavement that I don't notice a similar sound a short distance away. That is until we collide with so much force that I'm pushed to the ground. My head hits the pavement shortly after my body makes contact and I groan in pain.

"Shit.. Are you okay? Oh my god did I hurt you? No, no, no... This always happens to me. Why don't I ever watch where I'm going?" the person says in a hushed voice. Cursing at herself she tries to help me stand up.

"It's okay.. I should've paid more attention." I mumble looking down at my feet.

"No seriously this happens every time I'm out. Please let me make you some tea or.. yeah some tea? Something to make me feel a little better for what I did. I mean I could've killed you. And then where would I be? That's right in jail, for my stupid clumsy feet. I am truely so sorry this happened. I could take you back to mine and make anything you want just please don't sue. I have enough financial problems as it is, I don't need another person suing me for all the money I have over a such a small incident. Just please I'll-"

"Okay! It's okay! Really I'm fine, its not that bad." I say to stop her from rambling on.

I look up from my feet for the first time to see a girl with short multi-coloured hair and brown eyes to match her tan complexion. This girl was breathtaking in a natural sort of way. Nothing about her screamed perfect, but in the same sense everything was just that. She turned away looking behind her shoulder as if searching for something.

"Is there something behind me?" she asks.

"I don't think so? Why?"

"Well you keep giving me this creepy look and I thought maybe there was another guy behind me ready to rape me or something.."

Some imagination this girl has. Her face expression tells me that she was being completely serious about her assumption and in that instant I burst into an uncontrollable laughter.

"What's so funny? Did I say something stupid? Oh my god my hair is wild, isn't it?" she says raking her fingers through it furiously.

"Not at all! It's just you seemed so genuine I couldn't help but laugh."

"Oh. I guess it was a little outrageous.." she chuckles. "Okay well my name is Maranda and since we're both in a good mood now, do you still want that tea?"

"I'd love some."