XIV. astonishing
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[Zayn's POV]
It amazed me how quickly I'd become fond of Thalia, I pondered that morning.
Propped up on my left arm, I watched Thalia as she slept soundly, her nose twitching whenever she sniffled.
I could watch her forever, I thought, but was shaken from my thoughts by the vibrating of my phone. I shifted onto my other side and picked it up off the counter, regarding the screen with tired eyes. It was 10am...10am...wasn't I supposed to be doing something today? I wondered.
I saw Louis had sent me a text, which was unusual as he'd normally phone me.
From: Louis
Zayn, where are you? Please tell me you didn't forget about our meeting.
Shit. I jumped out of bed, not bothering to shower but spraying myself briefly with Lynx while in the bathroom. It must be Thalia, I thought with a smile.
Heading out of the bathroom, Thalia was awake and smiling at me. "Going somewhere?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
Her eyes glowed with a kindness and innocence I'd not seen before. "I forgot I had a meeting today. Wanna come with?"
"A meeting? With...your friends? In your band?" She asked hesitantly. I nodded and assuaged her apprehension by taking a stride towards her and wrapping my arms around her. My lips touched hers.
"You don't have to, of course. But I want them to meet you." I smiled.
She bit her lip and I could tell that she was frightened. Of what, I did not know; maybe she was worried about being left out, ignored or simply not fitting in. She'd voiced her concerns about herself many a time and it shocked me how uncertain she was of herself. Thalia Harris; an uncut diamond. She was a flicker of light in the dark. She was beauty personified.
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"So this is it?" Came her voice as I pulled up outside the tall, glass building.
I was an hour late for the meeting. Having said that, it usually took around 30 minutes for the meeting to take place, considering mine and the boys' tendencies to wander.
"Yes. Don't fret. You look astonishing, as always." I took her hand and kissed it, and her eyes bore into mine.
"Don't do that." She muttered, quietly so I almost didn't hear.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Give me butterflies." She blushed and I wondered briefly if her earlier comment was meant to be part of her internal monologue. I smiled.
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"Well, well, if it isn't Mr Zayn Malik." Harry greeted me as I stepped into the meeting room. Harry brought me into a hug and I rolled my eyes. "Sorry that I'm late. I, uh, slept in. Won't happen again."
As the rest of the boys greeted me, my eyes flicked to the doorway and noticed that Thalia was about to walk away. "Guys, guys. Um, I was late because I was..." I quickly caught up to Thalia and grabbed her hand, walking her into the room with me. "Boys," I breathed. "Modest."
"...meet Thalia Harris. My girlfriend."
Thalia's eyebrows raised up and I squeezed her hand in reassurance - I'd never addressed her as girlfriend, but there was no way I could say, 'Meet Thalia Harris, the girl who's on a trial dating period with me to see if she can fall in love.'
She smiled shyly and brushed a strand of her thick, dark hair behind her ear, although it was already behind her ear. A blush was starting up her neck and rising to her cheeks.
Louis was first to say something. "Hello, Thalia. I'm Louis." I released her hand and gave her a smile as Louis pulled her into a hug.
The boys all greeted her and I visibly relaxed as Thalia grew in confidence talking to them.
Watching her, shy and unsure, my heart fluttered. "Zayn, you've got yourself a beautiful girl." Niall commented, smiling widely at me.
I grinned and made eye contact with Thalia, "I know."
YOU ARE READING
misfits // z.m
Fanfiction"Her hazel eyes seemed to scintillate, as though the stars itself had been poured into two twinkling, golden rings. She looked at me watchfully, unsure of me and my uncharacteristically bold move. Everything was so much clearer when I was with her...
