The Writer and the Singer (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 25

    Marie walked with Carolann to the art room, the two talking adamantly to each other. Their chatter quieted when they entered the classroom where they'd be taking an art class in for the next semester. They found stools beside each other and took out their art supplies. Mr. Stock then called the class's attention and introduced himself. "I'm going to have you begin with sketching the thing you find yourselves drawing most often, when left to your own devices. The only requirements there are is that they're drawn in your sketchbooks and you aren't to use color. Go on and get started," He smiled warmly.

"He sees so nice." Carolann spoke softly to Marie.

"Yeah, he does. He didn't bother with pointless introductions either. I love this project idea, it's so open ended and it allows you to be very expressive."

"I agree. I'm not sure what I'm going to draw yet though. Do you know what you're doing?"

"Probably a mandala."

"Oh that's a lovely idea! Hm..." Carolann trailed off lost in thought.

    Marie picked up a fountain pen and let the ink flow freely in it's wake. Her tawny eyes remained fixed on the page before her until the bell rang. She tensed at the sound. When she raised her gaze she found that Carolann had already packed her things up and was standing next to her. "You don't have to wait. I'll catch up with you at lunch, ey?"

"Ok! I'll save you a seat." She grinned, turned, and walked out the door. Marie began gathering her things and shoving them in her bag. As she reached for her sketch book she saw someone watching her as they walked by. The stranger's eyes flickered up from what she had drawn to her eyes. Then he was out the door. It took a moment for Marie to recall the necessity of breathing. She felt the urge to try to draw his gorgeous eyes. She knew she wouldn't be able to illustrate the liquid warmth in their beautiful chocolate color. Her daze didn't disappear as she finished packing up her things and walked to the cafeteria. 

     The guy from the art room stood leaning against the brick of the building smoking. "Hey, Marie right?" She  turned to face him and nodded, as her eyebrows pulled together in confusion. "Your drawing was really good." He rubbed the back of his neck and Marie thought that if his skin wasn't dark, a blush would've been visible. "Oh, uh thanks." Her voice raised an octave on the last word, conveying her sincerity and genuine suprise. "My name's Zayn by the way."

"Oh wait Zayn Malik(pronounced Maleek), right?"

"Malik." He chuckled as he corrected her.

"Oh! Right." She was laughing uncontrollably. "Oh my God." She pushed her bangs back and stood like that laughing with a blush coloring her skin. Marie was unaware of Zayn's fond gaze absorbing her laugh and the color of her cheeks that made the freckles on her cheeks more dominant. 

"No, no it's alright." He assured her, with a grin on his face that looked like it might've split his cheeks. It was quiet for a moment, but it wasn't awkward. It was as if that was the first time they were really seeing each other.

     "Ey, do you want a smoke? Sorry I didn't think to offer before..."

"No, no I'm good." She looked at her feet and turned her ankles outward and leaned on the sides of her feet.

"Are you sure?"

"You know what, no. I'll have one." She was glad for the opportunity to stay with him, so she took it. He was intriguing. She wanted to hear him ramble about random things, stupid things that he made important. She thanked him after he handed her the cigarette. Marie felt the need to speak and spewed out the first thing she thought of, "'Cause we're both smoking hot, it's a metaphor. Do you get it because smoke and we're smoking cigarettes?" She was hunched over laughing. Zayn shook his head as he laughed with her. He was growing more and more fond of her open awkwardness. 

    "Oh gosh I'm so sorry. I was kidding. I wasn't serious about me being hot. Woo really I'm sorry." Red creeped back into her cheeks, fighting laughter as she spoke. Zayn saw her try to compose herself and he frowned. She was free and young and beautifully real and pure. He was suddenly dead set on shielding her from the world because nothing and no one could wreck what she had. They couldn't afford to. He felt like he needed to tell her these things and so much more, but he knew he couldn't. Her saying she wasn't 'hot' rang in his ears. He wouldn't describe her as hot. He would use the word gorgeous or beautiful. 'Hot' implied sexual attraction aimed at someone simply for their appearance. But she, she was different. He knew she didn't understand the depths of the words he did choose to use and maybe never would but he spoke them none the less because she out of everyone needed to know, "You're beautiful."

    "Thank you," She spoke, seeming surprised. He admired the way every word she spoke was dripping with sincerity.

"Who's your favorite artist?" He asked after a moment.

"Banksy. I really love Banksy."

"I don't think I've seen his stuff before." Zayn furrowed his brow as he tried to recall something about the artist.

"He's a street artist in New York. His work is absolutely incredible."

"That sounds awesome. I'll have to check out some of his stuff."

"Yeah, you should! Let me know what you think of it." Marie smiled as she put out the cigarette, pleased with the idea of speaking to him again. "Well I've got to go meet my friends, but it was really nice talking to you, Malik."

"You too, Eleuthero." The smirk he wore as he spoke was etched into Marie's mind as she turned to go meet Carolann.

*Author's Note: I'm so sorry about my brief hiatus before today! School has been loading us down with homework and I haven't had anytime to write. The official ship name for Marie and Zayn is Mayn. Who ships it? The minor characters are going to start playing a bigger part in the story. Comments, votes, and love are appreciated as always(;*