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

Chapter Eleven

[ Surprise update! Thanks for all the reads and votes so far! ]

~Rachel's POV~

Christmas day came and went. Louis and Harry stopped by later in the day, all couple-like, and Alayna let out her inner fangirl. They stayed long enough to have Christmas dinner with us, then left to go back to their families.

My mother didn't say a word to me for the rest of the day and I was completely fine with that. Her words still haven't even began to sink in yet. It was a lot to take in, especially now that I was beginning to consider dumping Zayn and breaking our hearts all over again.

The next day came and went just like Christmas. Gaby and I went to the mall to pick out our dresses for the ball that happened once every ten years to celebrate it's founders. Of course no dress seemed fancy enough for a ball that took place in the 1800's, so we ended up going to a Halloween store.

I picked out a low-cut dress that you might see duchesses wear with the ribbons and everything. It was the color of a water fall, the skirt falling in such a way to remind you of it too.

Gaby just decided to stick with a bright red dress that looked like dancing flames when she twirled. After we purchased our dresses, we headed towards the food court to grab something to eat, and our way out Santa Clause flirted with Gaby, to which we burst out laughing.

What I led no one on to believe was the pressure on my shoulders, with the ball approaching. I knew I would have to explain to Zayn the situation. I don't know how he could prove it to me by now that he was better.

As I got ready on the night of the ball, I could feel the anxiety building up more and more. My hands trembled as I curled my hair. I kept blinking when Alayna tried to apply my makeup. To think what has happened on this trip so far...

But finally, I arrived at the ball with Alayna, Gaby, and Niall at my side. None of them knew, but I still felt comforted around them.

Niall immediately took Alayna's hand and led her to the center of the room, to where they danced under the dim lighting, their foreheads touching as if they were about to kiss. They were the unbreakable couple.

Gaby stayed by me, but then boys started to approach her and with a kind heart, she took their hand and danced with them for a couple songs. 

I knew Zayn was probably looking for me by now, but I continued to avoid him as long as possible. When he finally did find me, I rushed towards Alayna and Niall. I quickly asked to steal Niall for a dance, to which Alayna agreed politely.

Halfway through the second song, Niall spoke up. "You're not actually going to take Alayna's advice and be happy, are you?"

"You should've heard the point my mom made," I told him, looking down at the ground. 

"Alayna told me everything, you should know that by now. Anyone -but your mom- can tell how much Zayn really loves you. I think he learned his lesson," Niall explains. I give him a hard stare when he brings up my mom as a person who couldn't tell when a person didn't love someone.

"Fine. You try being in my situation. You come back down to Virginia for the first time in over a year, realize you still have feelings for your ex, then because of it your mom calls you-" Niall dips me suddenly, to stop me from continuing my sentence.  

"-I get that, but I also think you should be happy." He commanded. After that, we danced in silence for another song, before Zayn tapped Niall on the shoulder.

"Mind if I butt in?" Zayn asks.

"Not at all," Niall remarks, before giving me a pat on the arm and a "sorry" smile. Zayn puts one hand on my waist and lets the other grasp my hand. We started waltzing around the room without saying a word. I couldn't meet his gaze.