After my morning classes were through I hurried home to get the flat ready… still no spare room so I tidied up mine to share once more with my bff. I even hit up the market to grab some fresh tea mix for him to make at night along with whatever basic ingredients I thought he may need. I was not about to be bitched out for not having cookie ingredients again. Nevertheless, the almost long-lost memory of Zak and Harry working side by side warmed my heart a little. It was going to be good to be back together again. In reflecting on my semester so far here, I hadn’t made too many new friends and almost no lasting ones for that matter. Emmy hadn’t called me in weeks. Not that I cared or anything.
I hardly tasted my plain salad lunch as I scarfed it down. I was nervous as hell but a girl’s gotta eat, right? Zak sent me a few quick texts to make sure I’d still be coming to get him at the airport around ten. I replied reassuringly but stayed as vague as possible when prompted for more information. Belatedly, I realized he could have told Louis he was returning to England but quickly shut that thought down as I remembered how anxious that situation would make him after reviewing our goodbye. I was almost late to Astronomy’s night course at six due to my obsession with organizing my Disney DVDs in chronological order- I knew Zak would appreciate it and it would save him time when he’d be digging through them later on.
Astronomy is a bore. I sit alone in the back right row and take avid notes yet always feel behind. The dinosaur professor, in flooded brown pants he clearly took out of his cartoon character wardrobe as he wears them for each class, used an overhead projector and was nearly impossible to understand. I think it’s mostly due to the fact that he’s kept about three adult teeth. Regardless, I was feeling antsy and graciously welcomed a text when my phone lit up my black studded Jessica Simpson purse. “Hey babe, I miss you. Please come out of hiding soon. :( xx Haz” My heart skipped a beat before I remembered to breathe. He really is an awesome…. well, he’s not technically my boyfriend, I guess he’s an awesome “not boyfriend?” I didn’t even care about the logistics of our relationship. He’s cute and Astronomy is SO not. I longed to tell him about the plan but knew that was outrageous at this point so I answered: “Hi, stranger :) I’ll meet you at yours for a late dinner with you and Louis after class? Cook me something nice <3” It took him all of two seconds to respond with a “YES :3” so I knew this would work out perfectly for a surprise.
Once the clock hit the ten til mark I leaped from my chair in a motion so sudden and clever I nearly took out the girl in the row ahead of me. I muffled an apology and raced outside to find a car. With directions to Heathrow’s main terminal my driver seemed to interpret my manic behavior as incentive to drive quickly. Thank goodness I’d taken the time to look pretty today. I was wearing my favorite pair of dark wash Lauren Conrad skinny crop capris, Born black leather wedge sandals, a sheer black-collared khaki tank and a light faux leather jacket with my hair done up in a high pony tail with bangs pushed to the side. I sent up a silent prayer that Zak looked nice because going back to the flat would take time enough to make the boys wonder what was taking me so long. We arrived at the airport in record time with fifteen minutes to spare until Zak’s dismounting. I flashed a smile and a hefty tip towards the driver and ran up to gate four. Before long crowds of passengers were flooding the waiting areas but one spiky blond head caught my eye. Zak’s gaze met mine alongside a matching grin and we hugged so tight we could have passed for Siamese twins. I adore this guy.
His eyes were full of questions and they narrowed slightly as he asked, “So what’s this all about? You just missed me?” I slapped his chest lightly. “You bitch, you know I did. I’m just so glad you’re back.” I smiled sincerely. “And it’s a good thing you’re dressed so hot as always because we’re going out to celebrate and catch up. We need some best friend bonding.” We linked arms and flagged down another car. I handed him a slip of paper with directions to Harry’s apartment so as not to distract Zak who was bombarding me with information about how cute this guy on one side of the plane was and what a dickhead the older man on his left was. It was good to be back to our normal chatter and I let myself fall into his story-telling rhythm. When we arrived at the house Zak’s eyes flew towards mine wonderingly. I said as convincingly as the truth, “I just have to grab some school books I left here the other night then we’re going to the closest bar. I can drink legally here so we are taking advantage of that.” We laughed as I paid the driver and Zak pulled his luggage up to Harry’s door. Here’s the thing, I hadn’t planned this timing thing out and I hoped to God Zak and Louis were still as infatuated with each other as they were a few weeks ago. I rapped on the door and waited patiently. We didn’t have long to wait for the door to be pulled open by an oven-mitted Harry and a pink-faced Louis, both with eyes the size of saucers. I knew at this moment Zak would either love me unconditionally or slap the crap out of me and my fingers twisted in the hopes of the former situation.
