Freeze (Punk Zayn Malik)

Chapter 3

I sat on my couch for a good hour or so just watching TV and stuffing my face with food. I felt my phone vibrate signaling that I had gotten a text, most likely from Ashley. 

'Meet me at my house in 30?'

I mentally debated whether or not I felt like going out today, I was going to decline but I haven't seen Ashley in a couple of days so why not. 

I texted back saying I'll be there as soon as I can and got up to go get ready. I stared at my closet reminding myself to do clothes when I get back home. I grabbed a simple sweater and a pair of black jeggings. I made sure I had my phone, keys and wallet then made my way out. 

I could hear someone either going down or coming up the stairs as I made my way out and figured it was probably either the mail man or my aunt. I sighed and decided I wanted to take the elevator instead, feeling lazy. I patiently waited for the elevator doors to open while I hummed a random tune to myself. 

When the elevator dinged I stepped in and made sure to press the 'Lobby' button not wanting to make the mistake I had before by pressing the 'Call' button and having the manager come up here. I shook my head at the embarrassing memory. 

When I got down to the lobby I gave a small nod to the lady at the desk and stepped out. I shivered as I felt the cold winter air once again. But as soon as I stepped out I could smell smoke too. I looked over to the left and saw Zayn, i'm pretty sure that was his name, leaning up against the wall smoking. Probably because we weren't allowed to smoke in the building. I hadn't realized I was staring at him until he made a noise that sounded like a scoff but I wasn't sure. "What?" he spat. I rolled my eyes at his rude tone. "Nothing" I muttered and made my way down the steps onto the street, sucking in a sharp breath as the air chilled me a little more. I should've brought another jacket. 

My phone buzzed in my pocket half way to Ashleys house. 

'Is it okay if Dylan comes over?' 

Ashely had mentioned Dylan before and how sweet of a guy he was. She had told me that they had started dating and that she really liked him. I smiled down at the text happy that i would finally be able to meet this 'amazing' Dylan. I told her that was fine and continued walking. 

I walked up the front steps to Ashleys house not bothering to knock on the door once again and just walking in. I walked into the living room to find Ashley and a boy sitting on the couch talking quietly. 

"Hey" I said breaking their conversation. I didn't like to eavesdrop. "Caroline!" Ashley practically shouted my name as she stood up from the couch and ran over to me. My eyes widened as she tackled me to the ground. I chuckled at her tight grip. "I missed you so much." She mumbled into my hair. "We haven't seen each other for only two days" I giggled. She stood up, grabbing my hand along the way to pull me up too. 

I looked behind her to see the boy staring at us like we were crazy but with a smile on his face. Ashley followed my eyes and instantly a grin lit up her face. She took my hand and dragged me over to where the boy was sitting. "Dylan meet Caroline, Caroline meet Dylan" I could hear the excitement in her voice. This made me smile. I stuck me hand out to Dylan for him to shake and he accepted. "Hi, I'm Caroline." I smiled down at the boy. "Dylan." He said with a small nod and a smile. 

"So are you two.." I did a motion with my hands signaling that I meant 'dating'. Ashley bit down on her lip as her cheeks tinted the slightest pink. "Yep." Dylan said with a huge smile on his face, looking at Ashley. He was taking in every aspect of her face. If you were to look at the way Dylan looks at Ashley you would probably think that they would have been together for quite a while. I smiled at the couple sighing inwardly wishing that I could find someone like that. But then again I probably would have if I hadn't kept to myself all these years. 

 After a couple hours of watching movies and watching Dylan and Ashley 'sneak' kissed to each other I decided it was time for me to leave. I borrowed one of her coats considering that I was still practically freezing with just a sweater on. I sighed to myself before stepping outside preparing myself for the cold.

As I was walking home I decided to play a game on my phone thinking that maybe it would distract me a bit from how cold I am. I could literally see my breath. As I got closer to my apartment I could slightly hear raised voices arguing. I frowned my eyebrows confused as to why there was commotion at  my apartment building considering we never have any crime or trouble there. When I rounded the corner to my building I could see Zayn and another guy with black hair arguing. "You can't make me do this!" The black haired man was furious with something I had no idea of. As I inched closer I could hear the argument clearer. "I can do what I want, when I want and how ever I fucking want. And I sure as hell can make you do what I want you prick." Zayn spoke in a low voice. I instantly was afraid of Zayn. I slowly made my way to the front of the apartment building, which is where they were standing, as if I wasn't hearing anything. 

As I got closer they could hear my footsteps and quieted their arguing. I was looking down at my feet as I was walking towards them but I saw a pair of black combat boots in front of me before I could get there and stopped walking. I slowly rose my head up expecting it to be Zayn but it was the black haired man. I froze. Just like I do every time I get scared. "Where are you going?" His voice sent chills down my spine. Not in a good way either. "I-I'm g-going up t-to my apartment." Of course I stuttered. Ugh. "What did you hear?" He said that so harsh I could feel the spit on my face. I went to go wipe it away when he grabbed my arm in mid air. "Do not raise your hand to me." His grip tightened on my arm making me whimper. Who was this guy? "I-I'm s-sorry." I squeaked out, hoping he would loosen his grip but he did no such thing. "Now tell me what you heard." His voice was menacing. It was the kind of voice you would expect a demonic spirit to have. 

"She didn't hear anything Jace, let her go!" I was surprised to hear Zayn speak up, in fact I had forgotten he was even here. But boy was I glad he was.  'Jace' let go of my arm, letting it fall down to my side, backing up a bit he looked at me from head to toe as if he was looking for something suspicious. I gulped trying to hide my fear but failing miserably. He shook his head looking back at Zayn. "This is not over Malik. You just wait." I would not have expected anyone to speak to Zayn like that considering how intimidating he is. But this guy, this guy intimidated me much more. 

Zayn nodded his head and Jace walked off, glaring at me on his way. I let out a huge breath. Had I been holding my breath this whole time? 

I looked back at Zayn only to find him already staring at me with narrowed eyes. He is mad. I gulped again and walked forward hoping he would just let me go to my apartment like nothing even happened. But unfortunately he grabbed my elbow making me stop. His grip wasn't very hard but it was hard enough to hold me in place. "What do you think you were doing?!" He turned me around so that I was now directly facing him. I was so close I could see every aspect of his face. He had slight stubble, showing that he hadn't shaved the night before. I didn't inspect anymore of his face, looking down, too intimidated to look him in the eye. "I-I was just walking home." I whispered. I could even hear the fear in my voice. For a second his eyes softened but as soon as it was there it was gone and his grip tightened on my arm. "What did you hear?" He spoke a little less harsh this time but it still had the edge to his tone. "N-nothing all I heard was a few broken off sentences, I was too far away to hear anything else." I was surprised that I actually lied, but I was more surprised that I actually got through a sentence with out sounding like a complete fool. 

He stared at me for a few seconds before he nodded and let my arm go. We stood there for a few minutes until he said something so simple and common that I have no idea why it sent chills down my back and made me freeze once again. "Have a nice night Caroline." With that said he walked off and into the building without one glance back. 

I now realized why it had sent chills down my back and why I had froze.

He knew my name.