Uptown Girl (Zayn Malik Fanfic)

Chapter Eight

A recording studio in London...

Zayn's p.o.v.

"You did what? Harry, are you mad?!" I couldn't believe he was snooping around.

"Relax! I know you like her, and guess what, she likes you too!"

"I don't care! You can't pass my number around!"

"What's going on with you two?" Liam joined us, drawn by the volume of our conversation.

"Harry's an ass." I stated.

"And Zayn's an ungrateful jerk." Harry fired back.

"What is this about?" Liam looked visibly confused. And annoyed.

"Remember that girl from the You & I video, Jolene?" Harry began.

"Yeah?"

"Well, her and Zayn, they, well, there were sparks!" He added.

"I know. Everyone knows!" Liam casually stated.

"See?" Harry triumphed.

"See what?" I shot back.

"Jo called Ben a few days ago to thank him. I happened to be at his house and he handed me the phone. Jo thanked me and asked if I could hand her someone else's number too, so I gave her Zayn's."

"So she didn't even ask for my number?" I snorted out.

"She didn't have to, mate!" Harry exclaimed.

"So you gave Jo Zayn's number?" Liam chimed in.

"Yes, I texted her!" Harry answered.

"Did she call you Zayn?" Liam was turned towards me.

"No. And before you say anything dumb, Harry, I don't care, okay?"

"Sure, pal." He retorted.

"Well, why don't you call her yourself, Zayn?" Liam suggested.

"And why would I do that? She's some girl I'll never see again. What's the point?"

"Aha! So you admit you like her!" Harry fired back.

"I never said that, Harry!" I retort.

"He never said that, Harry!" Liam repeated my words.

"But you were thinking it! Oh c'mon man, pluck up the courage and call her!" Harry continued.

"Harry's right. You got nothing to lose, mate!" Liam added.

"Except for my dignity." I scoffed.

But nonetheless, Harry was right. I could call her, ask her how she was.

Wait, no! That's bullshit. I sound like a wimp!

"Urgh!" I groaned.

"Are you alright, mate?" Louis came up behind me.

"Yeah, just pissed off!"

"Why, what's the matter?" He sounded genuinely worried.

"Harry talked to Jolene."

I didn't have to say anything more. Louis knew everything there was to know. In fact, he was the one who approached me on the day of the video shoot because he noticed I was out of it.

"You couldn't have possibly kept it a secret for much longer. People know you like her a lot!" Louis sighed.

"She has my number but she won't call me. It doesn't matter how much I like her if she's not interested in me!" I fired back.

"Lad, that many people can't be wrong. Even members of the filming crew noticed you were staring at her as if she was the last female on earth!"

Louis sighed. He knew I could be extremely stubborn.

"Just call her!" He urged me.

He patted my shoulder before he exited the room.

Ok, here goes nothing!

I took the small piece of paper Harry left next to my phone. It was Jo's number.

I took a couple deep breaths before I punched the digits in and pressed 'call'.

Hello?

Hey! It's Zayn. Malik. From One Direction.

I slapped my face and sighed inwardly.

Oh hi. Um, I'm glad you called. I meant to call and say thanks, but I guess you beat me to it!

I smiled nervously when I noticed Jo was nervous too. I heard rustling and the connection worsened.

Hold on a minute.

More rustling.

Okay. What was I saying? Ah, yes! Thanks for, you know, letting me be a part of your misic video. It was a lot of fun.

I had fun too!

Really? I mean, that's great!

Jo?

Yes?

Do you want to come to London?

What?

I'm sorry, I mean, would you like to come here for our concert?

When is it?

In June. June 8th. Can you come?

I'd love to. I've never been on a concert before.

You're gonna love it! I'll text you the details, okay?

Yeah, sure. Thanks, again!

No, thank you! See you.

Bye.

"That wasn't so bad now, was it?"

"How long have you been standing there, Harold?"

"Long enough to know there's gonna be a very special guest attending our final concert in London!"

"Just shut up!" I snapped.

At the same time in New York...

Jo's p.o.v.

"I can't believe he asked you to go to their concert! OMG! Did you hear how nervous he was? He so likes you!"

"Yeah..." I answered absent-mindedly.

"Oh, oh. What's wrong? Don't tell me you're thinking about a certain ex of yours?"

"I'm just overwhelmed. I'm fine!" I said in my most convincing tone. But I wasn't convinced.

I was overwhelmed, but not because Zayn called me. I was overwhelmed because I went from having no personal life whatsoever to being courted by two guys at the same time. I knew my career would suffer either way. And I knew mother wouldn't be pleased at all.

"But you're going, right? I mean, you said you would!"

"I am going."

"You've got 5 weeks to sort out the mess in your head. Better start now!"