Masterpiece

Chapter Three:

My shift was over in twenty minutes, and I was annoyed to the max. People were arguing at my register over what drink was theirs. I desperately kept staring at the time on my watch so my shift would be over. I stood at the entry of my lane, showing that I was open. But luckily and surprisingly for it being a Sunday evening, the store isn't full of farmers, and shoppers. It's was quite calm.

Fifteen more minutes I thought to myself. Miranda, on the lane beside me, was tapping out a text on her phone. More than likely to her boyfriend, Louis. Ugh. I despised that boy as well. Because Louis is his friend. I hate the both of them. Miranda is a trouble starter, and I watch what I do and tell her. The only thing she knows to do is run her mouth. I've never really liked her either. When me and him broke up, she was trying to 'be there' for me. When I told her that I was fine, it wasn't twenty minutes later, she went off telling people that I was going to run away so I didn't have to see him anymore.

Which, might have been a good idea at that time, because I hated him and myself.

Finally, an elderly black lady walks up to my register. I go behind the counter, punching in my code. She pushed her buggie up, while I retrieved her groceries from the basket. Marus, the bag boy, began putting items in bags, then into the basket behind him.

"Do you have a discount or awards card?" I ask. She shakes her head. "Okay ma'am, well your total is going to be $65.71." She pulls  open her wallet, handing me three twenties, and a ten. I hand her back her change, smiling at her, and wishing her a good day.

Pulling into my driveway, I see that Zayn's car was parked in dad's spot. He was either in my room on my bed, or in the living room watching T.V. It was nearly 6:30 when I left work, because Nathan wanted to gossip about his love life for twenty minutes after I clocked out.

To my surprise, Zayn was actually in the kitchen making himself a bowl of cereal.

"Why are you here?" I asked, placing my keys on the rack.

"I don't know. Got bored." He shrugs, stuffing cereal in his mouth.

"Are you eating my food?"

"Why, yes I am." He smiles. I place my hands on my hips.

"Well... you don't even live here. I could easily kick you out." I smirk. He smirks back at me, taking in another spoon full.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh. I wouldn't ?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Okay, I know you would, but you love me to much to watch me leave."

"Watch it, Malik."I point my finger at him. "I don't love you." I retort. His facial expression falls, and looks very confused.

"You don't love me..?"

"No," I shake my head. "I fucking love you. Get it right." I grin. He rolls his eyes.

"You're so childish."

"And you arent?"

"Nah... I'm a grown man. And grown men aren't childish." He adds. I laugh.

"You aren't that grown then." I remark. Zayn chuckles to himself, and then licks his lips.

"I can show you grown." My jaw drops, and I pick up a notebook that lays on the island and chunk it at him.

"Ya little nasty." I snarl. This causes Zayn to laugh even harder at my comment.

"No, love. You're nasty." He takes a last bite of cereal.

************
(The next day)

I stand in the shower, preparing myself for school. I really wanted to stay home and sleep today, but I knew that I couldn't. It was my last year of school, and I needed to make as many memories as possible. Especially with the boys, since it's a huge chance that all of us are not going to get accepted into the same college. I lazily wash my hair, along with my face and body. I was extremely tired, since Zayn didn't leave until nearly one in the morning.

"Anna! Hurry up! It's almost seven thirty!" Dad yells from the other side of the door.

"Really!?" I shout. I got in the shower at 6:50. I didn't know I was in here for almost an hour.

"Yeah. Hurry up." Dad responds. I wash my face one last time, before turning the water off, and drying myself off.

Since it was Monday, I decided on wearing a pair of yoga pants and a large tee shirt. Originally, it was a shirt that Niall left over,  and I kept it. I pull my hair into a messy bun and apply moisterizer on my face. I wasn't in the mood for makeup today.

I jump into my car, hooking my Bluetooth up to my radio, listening to Don't Go by Bring me the Horizon. Sometimes, Liam calls me Emo, because I keep my hair dyed black, and I listen to metal most of the time.

But I have to say, I guess I'm fairly attractive. I have dark green eyes, black hair, slight acne, a fair chest, a big "booty" as he used to call it, and lots of curves. I wasn't skinny, not was I fat. I was in between. I am 5 foot 4 inches, and weigh about 176 pounds. I was okay with my body shape. I'm not going to say that I've never disliked it, because I've had lots of those moments where I have. But I've learned to cope with it, because I'm never going to change. 

I pull  in at the school parking lot, parking by Zayn's Audi. He was sitting in his vehicle, eating what I'm guessing a breakfast sandwich. His hair looked very scruffy, and he hadn't shaved. Little hairs were prickling from his on coming beard. So obviously, something was up. 

Stepping from my vehicle, I walk over to his vehicle tapping on his window gently. He slowly looks up at me, his eyes swollen from the loss of sleep. Furrowing my eyebrows, I look at him intently. His lips were shaped as a frown. I feel my heart drop at the state he was in. He rolled the window down.

"Get in on the passenger side." He spoke so gentle. I nod my head, doing as he says. I climb in, looking over at him. 

"What's the ma-" I was about to ask him, but he cut me off. 

"Don't ask what's wrong with me, Anna." He places his head on the steering wheel. I felt quite stupid for a second, but then I push it away.

"Then why tell me to get in, when you knew what I was going to ask?" I question. He looks over at me, his head still on the steering wheel.  A short sigh escapes his mouth.

"I'm going through a lot at the moment, Anna. I know if you ask, I'll have to tell you. If I explain it I'll become more upset to what's going on, and I don't need that, okay? Just let me be." 

"What do you mean as in 'Just let me be'? Leave you alone? I don't think so. I'll give you space, but i'm not throwing away a-" 

"Hush. Stop overthinking. I'm not talking like that. I mean, just let me do my own thing. I'll tell you when I want. I'll eventually tell you." He smiles gently. I nod my head, looking at the time on his radio. 

"It's 8:00, Zayn. We need to go in." I swallow down the lump in my throat.

"I'll catch up with you, Anna." He sighs. I was about to speak, but stop myself. I quickly get out of the car. Other students were piling their way around me, and pushing to get through. I look back at Zayn's car, and catch him looking at me as he stepped out. The look on his face was sad, but yet calm. Something was seriously going on. I need to know.