Let's Call It Love [A Zayn Malik Fan Fiction]

Chapter 16

Zayn's POV

"LANA!" He yelled, following her retreating figure. She had ran into the park.
He picked up his pace, but by the time he neared the entrance, she was gone. "LANA!" He yelled again.

"Would you stop that racket!? I'm trying to sleep here." A man grumbled from behind him. Zayn turned and saw a man, about thrice his age, sitting up groggily on a park bench.

"Sir," he said, panicked. "Did you see a girl pass through here? Red hair, black coat, possibly crying?"

"Ahh, you have girl problems." The man said thoughtfully. "Why don't you sit down with old Bob and tell him all about it?" He said, patting the bench he was sitting on.

"Sir-"

"Call me Bob."

"Bob, I can't stay. I need to find her." Zayn said, already walking away.

"Think about it, son. This girl's been crying, possibly because of something you did, would she listen to you?" Bob called out, making Zayn stop in his tracks.

"What do you know about girls? You're a homeless man." He said.

"I may be that now, but I had a life once, before she came along." Bob said wistfully.

As if out of his control, Zayn sat next to Bob. The man had blue eyes and greying hair and was bundled up on layers of clothing.

"What should I do?" Zayn said, shaking his head.

"Well, I'll tell you when you tell me a bit of your story." Bob answered.

He sighed, "Lana-she is the most extraordinary girl I've ever met. Right from the very first time I saw her, I knew she was the one. She's been through a lot, more than anyone should go through, and she's scarred. I made a mistake once, and she almost died because of it. And now, just when I feel I have to protect her, I'm doing the exact opposite. She's just so good, she gives everyone a second chance. And tonight, things got out of hand. I wanted to call the police but she wouldn't let me. But it's for her own good, right?"

"Boy, you have got a lot to learn." Bob said, shaking his head sadly. "When a girl wants something, you hear her out. And this girl of yours, she sounds like a keeper, but you also said she's broken. But just because she is, doesn't mean you have to treat her like it. She knows what she wants, let her have it, just keep an eye on her."

"How can I do that when she won't listen to me?" Zayn said grievously.

"Oh, she's listening to you all right." Bob said with a chuckle.

"What do you-" A rustle in the bushes caught his eye, and out came Lana, with red eyes still rimmed with tears.

"Lana-" Zayn said, getting up. But Lana put her hand up, telling him to stop.

"Don't." She said, her voice shaky, "I want you to listen."

Zayn backed away hesitantly.

"Craig has been my friend for as long as I can remember. I loved him, once. And I don't want to see him hurt. I want the this relationship between us to work out, Zayn. You know I do. But you can't keep treating me like I can't handle myself. I want to be happy. I want to be happy with you. But I want Craig to be happy too." She said.

"I understand, Lane, I can make that happen too. I'm sorry for getting mad, but I couldn't help it. " Zayn admitted. "I just wanted you to be safe.

"Like I said, I can take care of myself." She said, "So, are we good?"

Zayn nodded,"Yeah, we're good."

Lana smiled and went to entwine her hand with his. "I'm sorry for running away like that." She whispered.

"It's fine." Zayn said, kissing her forehead, and the two started walking back to the tour bus in silence.

Remembering the old man, Zayn turned to thank him, but when he looked back, the man was gone.

*********************

When they got up the bus, the four boys looked at them warily, as if expecting something. But then, Liam locked eyes with Zayn, and knew that everything was fine.

"Are you all ready to go? We hit the road in about five minutes." Said the bus driver, who received a chorus of "Let's go!"

"I'm off to bed, Zayn." Lana said to him.

He nodded and watched her go.

"What the heck happened?" Harry said.

"Yeah, mate. One minute, you're sad, and the next lovey dovey. Do you have personality problems or something?" Louis joked

"Or something." Zayn answered.

"Aw, come on, Zayn, you can tell us." Niall said.

"It's between Lana and me, guys. I'm sorry." He said.

"It's fine." Liam said, waving him off, though Zayn could see he was still curious..

"Well, do you want to play?" Harry asked, holding up a PS3 controller.

*********************

Okay, I know, not one of my best works. I'm sorry. But I'll try to spice things up for the next chapter. I might fast forward to their trip to Thailand.

See you next time, which will probably be in a day or two, since it's semester all break.

A/N