Lost

Chapter 63: Surprise! Surprise!

Zayn's P.O.V.

"So after that, we just have to like, add the effects," Zayn said, holding the door open for Salma. "Hopefully it'll be complete before I leave for the practice mat-"

Zayn stopped midsentence.

"Leave for what?" Bee asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Practice material for my exam." Zayn made a desperate but smooth save. "We have like a study group in my department, and we give each other tasks to practice and, you know . . ."

"That sounds like a good idea," Salma commented. "I wish we had something like that. It must be so helpful during exams."

Zayn mumbled his agreement, relieved that she did not catch onto the slip of his tongue.

The two walked out of the block together. Salma started enlisting what else she had in mind for the project, and Zayn happily listened. Heck, she could talk about slimy snails all day and he would gladly pay attention to every word of hers. He was beyond happy that she had overlooked his foolish move the previous day.

"Oh my Allah!" She stopped abruptly. "Is that -?"

"Sally!" Someone from parking area, outside the building, called.

"Dean!" She gasped in excitement.

Zayn followed her gaze to see Cameron walking towards them, grinning from ear to ear."Surprise!"

"My God!" Salma gushed happily.

"How's my favorite sister doing?!" He spread his arms wide before he was even close enough to hug her.

"Your only sister!" She corrected with a frown.

"Yeah well -- Whoa!"Cameron gasped when someone plummeted at him at breakneck speed and pushed him aside.

"Sallabae!" James screamed, engulfing Bee in a hug. "You're alive!"

"Gosh! James!" Salma giggled, struggling against his embrace. "I'm about to go deaf!"

"Let's twirl the girl!"

"No, Thomas seriously if you twirl--" The rest of her sentence was cut off by her own squeal as James twirled her around.

Feeling extremely irritated for some reason, Zayn turned away from them.

"Hold on a second," he heard James say. "What're you doing here, Harris?"

Zayn returned his gaze back at the trio who were messing with each other just a few steps away. As if on cue, Cameron draped a protective arm around Salma and Thomas pulled her behind him. Zayn let out a sarcastic laugh at their immature actions. Out of the three of them, Salma was the last person he'd want to threaten let alone, hurt.

James narrowed his eyes at Zayn. Zayn could see that the rat's face has healed just as well as his own. Salma eyed the two boys nervously. She was probably worried about another fight breaking between them.

"I don't recall it being any of your business, Tommy!" Zayn smiled at him.

James lip curl menacingly. Salma grabbed his arm.

"Wait, James! Please don't fight or anything," she said, worried. "Zayn was here to work with me. We are on the same project --"

"What?!" the two brothers shouted in unison.

"I didn't . . . mention that?" Bee eyed them nervously.

"No!"

"Oh," she said softly, blinking in confusion.