Innocent Until Proven Guilty: A Zayn Malik Love Story

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A/N: Hello all of you lovely people <3 Thank you so much for the amazing feedback I've been recieving on this story. I'm so glad that a lot of you are enjoying it so far! I have a lot things planned out for this story, so be sure to stick around! Also, happy fourth of July! I hope you're all having a great day. Wow, it's so crazy that I joined exactly one year ago. It's weird looking back at 'Don't Cry Your Heart Out' and my latest story (this one) and seeing how much I've changed as a writer. So cool! Love you all. Stay beautiful <3             

           “So, tell me about yourself.” Zayn prompted, his eyes never losing focus of the road ahead of us. The two of us spent the last five minutes playfully singing along to any song that came on the radio.

            I reached into my clutch and pulled out my phone. “I basically told you my whole life story on that plane ride,” I said, scrolling down my contacts until I found the name I was looking for. “There isn’t much to tell.”

            “I think there’s plenty to tell.” He insisted.

            I breathed out a sigh through my nose. “Okay, you caught me.” I said. “I’m secretly a Kardashian.”

            “I would have never guessed.” He teased, playing along.

            “What can I say?” I said, nonchalantly shrugging my shoulders. “I usually keep that last bit out because it often intimidates people.”

            This earned a chuckle from the both of us. “Who else have you told?” He asked.

            “Only you,” I replied, my eyes lighting up when he turned his head sideways to look at me. It was dark outside; but from the little light that was casting in through the windows, I could make out the twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

            His eyebrows raised in delight. “Does this make me special?”

            “Does what make you special?” I asked.

            He playfully elbowed me. “Being the only person you told your secret to.” Even though the two of us were only messing around, the tension around us suddenly thickened.

            “Yeah,” I finally answered. “It does make you special.”

            We haven’t known each other for long, but I had a feeling we’d get to. I don’t know what it was, but when I met him for the first time, I felt an instant connection between the two of us. It sounds weird, doesn’t it? The whole concept of becoming attracted to a stranger is abnormal itself.

            But that’s what made it even crazier -- the fact that I didn’t care. The fact that I knew nothing about him, and wouldn’t stop until I finally did.

            “I’m flattered,” Zayn said, batting his eyelashes dramatically, “really.”

            I busted out laughing at his little gesture, hitting my knee against the dashboard in the process. Luckily, Zayn was too busy laughing to notice. When our laughter finally died down, I turned to face him. “It’s your turn.” I said. “Tell me about yourself.”

            “The reason why I didn’t before,” he began, using his left hand to awkwardly scratch his neck, “was because I thought you were a fan or something.”

            I nodded slowly, sinking further into my seat. It was kind of weird how I didn’t realize he was a member of One Direction before. Of course I’ve listened to their music – I mean, when it’s playing on every radio station, how can you ignore it? – But I never really saw pictures of them. I only know how two of them look; Zayn and Harry.