The Dancer's Daughter (1D)

Chapter Sixteen

*Beep Beep Beep*

This was it, the morning I had to sneak out to meet him... but could I do it? Yes, I had to. I'd never forgive myself if I gave up before I could know what would happen. I'd laid my outfit out the night before, with Mica's help. I wanted to look good for him, because I hadn't seen him in a few years. It felt like forever.

I hopped into the shower, making it fast but being sure to wash my hair and style it perfectly. Then I pulled on the dress and grabbed my purse. I opened the door silently and flinched when I saw Zayn leaning in his doorway waiting for me. He must have heard the alarm. I knew he was an incredibly light sleeper.

"Good morning," I whispered, brushing past him for Paul's room. He was going to give me the van for the two days I'd be gone. He promised he'd be up and at the door on the first knock, but I knew it would take him longer.

"Good morning. What are you doing up so early? Not sneaking off, are you?" he asked, leaning on the wall by the door as I knocked. I heard Paul up and moving around and knew he'd be only a few seconds.

"It's not sneaking if Paul knows where I'm going," I told him, shooting him a smile. He frowned.

"So now Paul and Mica know, but I'm not allowed to? I thought I was more important to you than that," he said sadly. I sighed.

"I can't be stopped, Zayn. And I can't tell anyone, outside of Paul, until it's done. Mica guessed, I didn't even ever confirm what she was thinking. And I bet you money she's out by the van right now, waiting to send me off with a warning and a demand to keep her posted," I informed him calmly.

"She slept out there, I think. I could hear her fighting with Ni early last night, and then she wasn't in her room anymore. Liam and I think she went out to the van to sleep. So she might actually have the keys too," he replied.

"Oh, of course. I'm still determined to get them together, you know," I said, smiling again. He winked at me just as Paul pulled the door open and walked out into the hall. He raised an eyebrow at Zayn who just winked again.

We walked out to the van in silence. Sure enough, Mica was leaning on the hood of the van with the keys dangled in her fingers. She smiled when she saw us. "Did you decide to take him with you? Good!" she exclaimed, hugging me.

"No, he... I think he heard my alarm go off?" I said, turning to see his answer. He smiled sheepishly. "Nobody is coming with me, and I am still going. You can't stop me, Mics," I added.

"Fine. But this is a mistake. You'll see!" she said, scowling. "I don't like this. He hurt you bad, and you're just going right back to him like nothing ever happened!" I narrowed my eyes at her.

"He deserves a chance to at least explain himself! I'm going to give him every chance I can, Mica. Are you telling me you wouldn't if it was your... you know?" I demanded.

"No, I wouldn't! I wouldn't have let him walk all over me to begin with!" she said, nearly shouting. "I would have had the balls to say no and leave the first time! You are going to be hurt so badly nobody can fix you, not even Zayn! And you don't even see it! You think he's just perfect, don't you? That he'd never hurt you! YOU DIDN'T SEE YOURSELF LAST TIME!"

"Mica, get out of my way. I'm done talking to you," I snapped. "I already told you, I'm going. I can't be stopped. Yelling at me isn't going to stop me, and it's not going to make me see reason. I'm happy with this, I'm glad to reconnect with him."

"Who are we talking about? This is sounding like an ex... and I don't like the sound of my girlfriend giving an ex a second chance," Zayn said, sounding worried.