Twice in a Lifetime (Zayn Malik)

Chapter 59. Mums.

Chapter 59

Mia's POV

"Why are you dressed like that?" I gaped at Zayn who was standing by the front door in black running shirts and a thin white sweater. I walked down the rest of the stairs and stopped three feet away from him observing the odd look on him.

"I'm going with you," he answered, opening the door and I chuckled.

"Very funny but I like to run alone," I told him.

"No way! I like to run with people who like to run alone," he joked and I rolled my eyes at him.

"I appreciate that you want to come with me but --" I was silenced when he placed his hand over my mouth.

"No buts. I am coming with you whether you like it or not. I'll just follow you."

"You'll follow me?" I said, muffling through his hand and he nodded.

"Fine. I'm not one to stop you."

I wrapped my hand around his wrist, removing it from my face and agreed to his request. I should have known better that he'd want to win. We were both stubborn but he was so more than me. I guess having him would make me much more at ease. To know that he wouldn't unexpectedly disappear when I'm gone.

***

"Wait up!" Zayn shouted behind me as I began to fasten my pace.

Maybe having him run with me wasn't such a good idea. We were only half way through my usual route and he was already out of breath. Taking one side of my headphones out of my ear, I spun around to see him, looking as if he was trailing through the Gobi Desert for two days, quenching for a drop of water.

"See! That's why you shouldn't smoke," I snickered.

"That's cheap," he heaved through his breaths and I smiled while he took his time to catch up to me. He placed his hands over his knees as he tried to steady his breathing, little dews of sweat dripping down the sides of his face.

"Do you want to take a quick rest?" I asked him, already knowing his answer.

"Yes, please," he spoke still panting like a dog. I tried to keep the laughing to a minimal while he trailed behind me.

I led the way to an open field of green grass and in front of us was a tiny river, the one I would pass every time during my morning run. I turned to look at Zayn who I thought would be standing next to me but instead I found him lying on the ground, legs and arms sprawled out as if he was about to make a snow angel.

"Are you alright?" I asked him and he responded by shaking his head side to side. "Did you learn your lesson?"

"What lesson?" He asked, shutting his eyes, as his chest continues to rise and fall.

"To not insist on coming with me next time."

"There's a next time?"

"There doesn't have to be," I remarked.

"Oh, there will be a next time," he playfully enlightened me and I grinned. "Do you think that water is clean enough to drink out of?" Zayn asked as his eyes remained shut.

"I don't think so," I replied, pretending to observe the river. "It's only been half an hour and you're already this worn out?"

"Hey, I haven't ran this long since school. I'm the kind of guy who lift weights, I am not a sprinter."

"But don't you like to play football? How can you keep up with the boys if you can't even run. When was the last time you played football anyway? You can't even keep up with a girl."