HIGH

Chapter 24 Color

brvdfordmalik.tumblr.com******

I want to get addicted to you******

***ZAYN'S POV***

The look on her face after I blew out the smoke was priceless. She looked angry and she was going to yell at me for it. Probably tell me how much of an ass I was for doing it. I knew she hated cigarettes. The way she crinkled her face and scrunched her nose only made it that much more worth it.

"Sorry." I tried keeping myself from smiling. Pissing her off was becoming more fun each time.

"Yeah, ok." She spat back. Whether she was aware of it or not, I actually was just kidding around with her. Maybe it wasn't her version of kidding but it certainly was mine. I might as well have some fun along the way.

I quickly brought us home and parked the car right outside the front door. Sticking around with her was the last thing I was planning on doing for tonight. I found it annoying how she just clung to me expecting something in return.

Although, I was fond of the idea of having that sense of protection over her. She would be more careful around me maybe even listen if she wanted to be safe in return. It was almost like an exchange. She'd listen, I'd keep her alive. The ideas were now spinning through my head with this new found realization. It sucked that I couldn't actually leave her or even just leave for a bit to scare her.

She stayed silent while we made our way into the house. When I had come back to get her so we could leave the apartment building she looked really shaken up. I never once tried comforting her either. But that wasn't my job to do. She could handle herself.

I walked her inside then stopped in the doorway to make sure she went in. Her steps faltered as she realized I was no longer with her.

"I have to go. Don't even try pulling shit about sleeping in the guest room either. When I get back I expect you to be in my bed. Get it?"

I nearly had to squint to try and make out her slight nod. I didn't wait for anything else. So with that, I closed the front door and got back in my car.

***

"You almost here, kid? We've been waitin' on you for like an hour." Niall barked into the phone. His voice was loud and slurred in my ear. I strummed my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel waiting for the damn construction workers to get out of the way.

"Yeah. The meeting ran late. Jay kept drillin' into the guy. He went mental on him."

"How far away are ya?"

"Like five minutes. There's fucking construction going on-"

"He's five minutes away!" Niall yelled over the other line. There were a few other voices in the background with him.

"I'll be there soon." I hung the phone up. Fearing for the well-being of my ear.

***

Walking through the front door was like walking back in time. The sour stench of alcohol mixed with the unforgettable fumes emitting from the white blunts rolled with care and precision. Entering was only the first task..and also the easiest.

I haven't been around to Niall's for quite some time. We had a bit of a falling out a while back over some red haired chick. Eventually, he took her home instead. No worries though. The brunette I had found then banged soon after made me feel better. Somewhat.

Without drawing any attention, I snuck through the living room. Avoiding the random ass group of people hunched over in the dining area.

Dining area.