Simon Cowell's Daughter

Chapter 16 : The Past is Past But The Present is Now

Zayn POV:

It was past midnight, Ryder and I were still at the back. We were having a good laugh and he told me what was going on in his life. He really has changed a lot since the last time I've seen him. It was a new and improved Ryder.

"So tell me Mr.Malik. What is it like to be a superstar?" Ryder asks me.

"It's been great to be honest. I can be myself and the boys have treated me well. The tours and recording schedules are hectic as usual but I'm not complaining." I tell him.

"I'm sure you get to see a lot of cute ladies out there don't you? " He starts wiggling his eyebrows.

"Totally but there is only one girl I have in mind." I tell  him as I picture Ariel in my mind.

"Oh really? Who's the lucky lady?" Ryder asks me.

"Not telling you." I reply back to him.

"Aw why? " Ryder pouts a little.

"I'm just not ready to tell people yet. Plus I don't know if she likes me back. Just don't want to get my hopes up too high." I tell him.

"You haven't changed that much Zayn. Always keeping stuff to yourself." Ryder sighs.

"Zayn have you been okay? " Ryder asks me sincerely.

"Yah I've been fine. Why?" I question him. A little confused.

"It's just that I haven't seen you for a while and about the whole Perrie thing." Ryder says to not knowing what else to say.

"Yah I miss her a lot but I think it's time to let her go. I'm sure that's what she wants me to do." I tell Ryder truthfully.

"I think that's what she wants you to do too." He agrees on what I just said.

"Well it's getting late. Gotta get home before my folks wonders where I am." Ryder says getting up.

"You want me to walk you out?" I ask.

"Nah I got it. It was nice talking to you again Zayn." Ryder says to me.

"Same here. Just like the old times." I tell him as he leaves.

Ryder POV:

I went inside and saw nobody at the living room like earlier. I guess everybody went to bed. I start walking out the house and went straight to my car.

What if Niall was right? What if I'm just a low life loser that nobody takes seriously? I'm sure Niall will tell Ariel soon and for sure she wouldn't want to see me ever again.

If I was her I'm sure I wouldn't want to be friends with somebody like me . But I don't want to lose her at all. I don't want to lose her as a friend because with her I can talk to her about anything and everything.

I wouldn't open up to anybody except to Derrick. Ugh what will I do? I start to get frustrated and hit my forehead against  the steering wheel.

Ariel POV:

I start to get ready for bed and hear a car door slam outside. I look outside and saw Ryder sitting there. It looks like there's something bothering him. I'm gonna go see what's going on.

I put on my Tweety bird slippers and went to the elevator to go down. I went outside and went straight to Ryder's car.

Knocking on his car window, I got his attention. He was surprised that I was even out here and he unlocked the door. I get in the passenger seat and close the door.

"What are you doing here? It's one in the morning and you're still awake." Ryder asks me.

"I should say the same for you."I shot back. "I saw you out here and it looked like there was something bothering you" I tell him honestly.