Recognizing Love

Chapter 7: Falling

Being at the bus stop with Jade lifted my spirits slightly, part of it was the conversation and the other part was how nature seemed to brighten around her. So when I walked into English class, I didn't feel quite so horrifed at the thought of seeing Zayn. Before class began, I relayed the whole story to Jesy. She laughed at the thought that they thought Zayn could go out them without wanting to throw up. For a few minutes, we laughed together, making fun of my stepfamily and their stupidity.

The bell rang, and I felt somebody looking at me. I turned to see Zayn staring intently at me; when he met my eyes, he gave me a shy smile and looked away, slightly flushed. I looked at Jesy, who was looking at me. My phone vibrated, and I checked to see Jesy text me, "So you checking out Zayn? Still easy to look at, huh? You must fight valiantly against your stepsisters."

"Shut up," I reponded. "I do not want to date him. You know how it is. I was just... admiring."

Jesy typed back, "Lol."

Just then Ms. Cole began to continue her lesson on essay formats. My mind began to wander back to Zayn: the way he smiled at me, his hair and face, the way the slight flush colored his face. Snap out of it! I have to focus on this because there's an essay coming up. 

After the bell rang, Zayn stood up, looked at me and smiled, then left. My heart fluttered. Damn it, I thought. I was failing so miserably at this. Jesy grabbed my arm and pulled me out of Ms. Cole's classroom. We walked down the hallway in silence for a while. Then Jesy broke the silence. "Hey, umm, I know this may sound weird, but can you walk with me to my grandmother's house this afternoon?"

Jesy thought that her fear was irrational, but I knew it wasn't. She was Little Red Riding Hood, and deep down inside, the fear of walking to her grandmother's house alone and wolves were still rooted in her subconscience. "Of course,' I said. " What are friends for?"

She smiled, and we continued to make small talk until we had to seperate. I rushed down the hall anxious to get to class, when I collided with someone. I looked up to see Zayn picking his books up off the floor. I bent over and began to help him. "I'm so sorry, Zayn. I should have been paying attention," I said.

"No problem. It was a mistake, but can we try not to make it a habit? It kind of hurts," he replied.

I was stunned. What are you doing, I thought to myself. "I'll try. I guess looking foward would help to prevent this again," I said.

He laughed, and it was as wonderful as I remembered it. "No, here's what you have to do. Walk down the halls with your head held high. That way, you can avoid knocking people's stuff all over the floor, and I get the added bonus of seeing your face," he said as we began to walk together.

After a minute or two of walking and joking, Zayn and I reached my class. "Well here's my class," I said.

"I've changed my mind, Perrie. Keep walking with your head down. If that's the only way I can get you to talk to me, then you'll have to bump into me, so keep it up,love," he said.

I laughed. "Bye Zayn," I said.

"See you later, Perrie," he responded.

I walked into math with a smile on my face. Right then I questioned just how long I wanted to push Zayn away or if I even wanted to.