Mindless (malik au)

part 1

Eliza was on the school's newspaper staff and worked as one of the few editors. Her brother, Peyton, forced her to join before he graduated so that she could make more friends and branch out. Eliza was very reserved, to say the least, and it's not like she wanted to be--she just couldn't help it. Too many people made her nervous, she wasn't exactly sure what to say to them. Plus she always thought of herself as boring, so what's the point in disappointing people?

As Eliza thought about her brother she almost missed the sound of a few bursts of laughter. Confused, she walked towards the small office near the computer lab, and was stunned to find not only the boy from the other night, but also smoke; a lot of smoke. She stood there, watching Zayn and Finnegan Ward laugh and share a cigarette she assumed. Eventually she coughed over the smoke coming directly towards her, trying to escape the room and the two college boys who reeked of bad news.

They immediately looked up, grin on Zayn's face and worry on Finn's. Finn immediately got up from his spot on the ground near the printer, shoving the stick back into Zayn's hands. Zayn's gorgeous hands (Eliza really couldn't help herself, he was beautiful).

"Eliza!" Finn stammered, looking worried and flushed. For a moment Eliza almost laughed, as if she, quite possibly the most passive person on earth, would say anything remotely scary to him. Nonetheless she frowned. "What- uh- what are you doing here?" Zayn snorted.

Eliza looked at Zayn for a moment longer before tearing her gaze away. "I was finishing up my article on current events. Sorry for interrupting your very important and intellectual gathering, I'll leave you to it."

Eliza had no idea where that came from. She watched as Finn turned two shades brighter--if that was even possible at this point- and Zayn smiled. He was sat like a child, legs spread lazily in front of him, head leaning against the blinding white wall.

"Look I'm sorry," Finn began. "Honestly, I have no idea what came over me."

Eliza just looked at Finn; blonde hair, green eyes, dimples and all. He was a handsome boy, but putting him beside Zayn was just unfair. Zayn was art; he had a stoic expression when he wasn't laughing, showing off his high cheekbones and hand-carved jawline. His eyelashes curled around irises that words could not do justice, and that hair.

"I don't-- I mean it doesn't matter. Not my business. You don't have to explain anything to me, Finn," Old Eliza was back, the one who stumbled over her words and would feel her cheeks burn at the slightest bit of attention. God help her.

"Sure he does," Zayn's deep voice drawled. Eliza's heart leaped into her stomach. Zayn looked at her for a second before turning to Finn. "See ya, Finny. Hope you live," he winked towards Eliza at the last part, putting out his cigarette on the nearby table.

"He's joking," Finn nervously said. Eliza just nodded, although she wanted to say "Don't you think I know that, Moron?" She hated when guys tried to explain things to girls when unnecessary.

"Right. Well, I'll see you," she quickly said, turning towards the door.

"Wait," he said, catching her by surprise when he grabbed her hand. She turned towards him. Maybe it was the smoke or maybe it was Zayn's lingering cologne (which smelled so good Eliza considered buying herself some) or maybe it was his hands on her own, either way she felt light headed. "You're coming with Mere tonight right?"

Eliza quickly nodded, thinking of her best friend and how she always dragged Eliza along to parties. Not that she minded. Eliza liked parties, it made her feel like less of a loser. "Yeah," was all she could come up with.