Fool For You (Sequel to Awakening) >> z.m ✔

Chapter Four

[ Hey guys! Sorry I didn't update. BTW I was trying to make Liam have more of an innocent feel, so please understand why he doesn't have tattoos. Thank you! ]

~Zayn's POV~

I know Rachel wouldn't be able to admit she didn't have feelings for me in the two weeks I put a bet on. And if she told me to stay away, I could only hope she would be lying. I just could imagine the words escaping from her pale, full lips.

I could imagine her just standing in front of me, eyes brimmed with tears as she told the honest truth to her ex-boyfriend that was still head-over-heels in love with her. And Rachel just trying to say as gently as she can, "I don't love you anymore".

Why did she have so much effect over me? The scenarios that play the ought my mind hurt me. She was the girl that broke the player. I felt whole when I was with her, even after I lost everyone I held most dear. Now she was gone too. And I was determined to get her back.

After our little get together at the diner, I offered to let her come back to my dorm, but she declined. I was planning to be like Rachel and get a small apartment right off campus, so I wouldn't have to share an already small room.

I was used to small accommodations, but not to the point where I was sharing it was another twenty year old male. Liam was nice enough, but living with him?

I dig around the dorm looking for the smallest box I brought along with the most valuable thing I owned. It wasn't valuable money wise, but it was valuable enought that it might bring Rachel and I together.

It was the one thing I wanted to give to her. The memory was so clear in my mind I couldn't stop it from coming.

*I'm running. My legs are burning. I'm running out of breath. I just needed to get to Rachel's before she was gone for good. This was my last chance. The pavement slips by underneath my feet and I pace myself to run even faster.

Her house was coming into view. The box I held in my hand was slipping in my fingers, but I've never had a stronger grip. I wasn't proposing. It was a special piece of jewelry though, something that would prove our love.

I hop up the steps to her porch and knock on the door, pounding my fist until it was screaming for me to stop. Her mom finally opens the mahogany door, looking down at me with distaste.

"Ms.Hersilia! Is Rachel here?" My voice came out between gasps for air. Her mom finally notices the box in my hand and she relaxes just for a split second, before tensing up again. "It's not like that! But please! Is Rachel here?"

"I can't say I'm sorry, Zayn, but she's already gone," She tells me before slamming the dorr in my face. I can feel my world collapsing. I look down the long stretch of road going from her house and there it was.

Rachel's car slowly going down the road. How had I not seen it? I was so close. I was so close.*

I snap out of it, the box trembling in my hands. The box has collected dust over the past year, but it's blue was still prominent. The bow was still tied in a knot around it, but not as organized. It was more lumpy now. I set it on the desk by my bed, staring at it until Liam comes in seconds later.

"Zayn," He says questioningly. He notices the box, cocking an eyebrow at me. "What's that?"

"Nothing," I tell him, tossing the box back gently on the desk. Liam avoids the subject once he says how touchy I am about it. He kept glancing at the box in the moments of our awkward silence.

"Okay..." Liam says, putting his hands in his jean pockets. He taps his foot, as more minutes pass in silence. This is why I don't want to live with him. Or anyone.

I open my laptop, after it seemed like there would be no conversation with Liam and I. I start to google apartments around campus area within my price range. Liam notices and looks over my shoulder, eyes widening.

"Am I really that bad of a roommate?" Liam asks somewhere in between sarcasm and seriousness.

"You're not bad. This was just kind of short notice. I've wanted an apartment since the beginning. No offense to you, but I don't like sharing a small room with a complete stranger," I tell him. Liam nods sympathetically. At least he understands.

"I've wanted to say the same thing. I was just kind of afraid. You do kind of have the... bad boy.... aura going off of you," He says. I laugh, not taking any offense to that. I liked having that control over people. It's what brought Rachel in.

"It's the tattoos isn't it?"

"Yes... and the piercings. I've always wanted a tattoo though. Not like countless tattoos but something simple. I've been looking through some tattoos online and I saw one of this quote I really like," He tells me. I shut my laptop, saving my house-hunting for later.

"So why don't you get it?"

"I've been too afraid," He admits. I turn my chair towards him, watching as he paces around the room. "I don't like needles. I'm afraid it's going to hurt."

"It does hurt at first. Why don't we go get one together?" I suggest. Liam smiles at me and his whole face lights up like a Christmas tree. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't do this often, so don't start expecting it from me."

"When do you want to...?" He asks, gesturing to the multiple tattoos on my arm.

"We can do it now," I tell him. I grab my car keys from my desk and stand up. Liam looks slightly shocked that he's actually going through with this, but after a minute he nods.

"Ok. Sounds good. Let's go before I change my mind," He says. I can see worry on his face and he starts to bite his nails.

"Don't worry, Liam," I tell him, right before guiding him out the door.

--------------

When I show up for literature the next day, I immediatley spot Rachel's familiar blonde hair. I smile and almost run towards her. I paced myself as I neared her, trying to keep my cool. I glance around the room, before spotting the professor's calender pinned to the bulletion board. 

It was already December eigth? That would mean our two week Christmas break was coming up. Despite being around Rachel again, I missed Virginia. I hoped to head back and spend time with Aunt Samara, since she feels so lonely now that "her birds have left the nest".

"Hey Zayn," Rachel says, her eyes meeting mine. At least she was talking to me now... or at least in a nicer matter. I sit down in the seat next to her and pull my notebook and pen out of my bag.

"Hey," I say. "I saw the professor's calender and noticed Christmas break is coming up. Are you heading back to Virginia?"

"I haven't given it much thought yet... But I think so. I haven't been back in over a year," She looks down at her notebook, going quiet again.

"Do you want to go together? I know I've only been here for a few days, but I already miss it. And Alayna and Niall are still there, they've been dying to see you. Maybe you can even invite Gaby if it makes you feel comfortable," I realize I'm rambling and stop, but I'm desperate to spend more time with her.

"I think I will. I'll ask Gaby when I see her again," She tells me, smiling. I could see the gears in her head start to work, planning her break back to Virginia. She glances at my arm and notices the new bandage near my wrist. "What new tattoo did you get?"

I pull the fabric down enough for her to see it before pulling it back up again. It was a quote, "After rain comes sunshine". I liked it a lot, because it brought back good high school memories. A lot of good memories actually. Senior prom, graduation, memories of Perrie.

"I like it," She says, precisely before the teacher walks into the room, late as usual. It was the exact reaction I was hoping to get.