It's Not Easy (Zauren)

Chapter 32: Studio

Zayn's POV

Another day in the life of Zayn Malik and his drama. I'm looking forward to what events are to come today. Yes, we're basically recording all day but we get breaks and stuff. My foot aches like hell but that's what I get for dropping the glass cup. Oh man, I forgot to sweep it all. Hopefully nobody else gets injured. I hurry downstairs to the kitchen to find everything cleared.

"You're welcome." Someone says. I turn around to be faced with of course, Lauren.
"You cleaned it all up?" I ask.
"Technically yes but no. I made Camila do it. I put it all into a pile before cleaning your foot." She replies.
"Camila?" I inquire.
"Yeah. I know she's clumsy so I made her wear shoes." Lauren answers.
"She agreed to clean?" I question still in shock by the news.
"It came with a price. I promised to order pizza for her later." She smiles in response.
"Of course it did. Thank you though." I said.
"It's no problem. Luckily, no one else got injured." She reiterates my thoughts.
"Yeah, um, I've been meaning to ask you this since we came back but would you like to go out with me sometime?" I ask in hope of a yes.
"I'd love to. But are you sure you wanna be seen with an invalid girl?" She replied.
"You're not completely invalid. You managed to bandage me up, didn't you? And I would be honored to be seen with the most beautiful 'invalid' in the whole world. You're a wonderful human being and if the world can't see that then they can go fuck themselves." I explained.
"Nice choice of words, Malik. Just tell me the date and I'll be there." She says.
"Okay, yeah. I gotta get to the studio now but I'll see you there. You and the girls are coming later if I understood correctly?" I wonder.
"You understood perfectly." She smiles.
"I'll see you there." I repeat for the second time.

I wheeled her back to the living room before gathering my things and heading off to the studio with the boys. It was one of those where multiple artists could come in and record. In this case, I know of my band and Lauren's band recording so far. We walked into the room we're recording in and settled in. We are going to record for our album titled "Midnight Memories". I'm really excited for this because we helped write so many of the songs. "Half a Heart" made it onto the list which I'm really happy about. It also reminds me that I forgot to get a rose for Lauren today. I mean, I could always get it later but I prefer now. No, focus on work first. Directioners mean the world to me so it's important for us to get it done.

"We're recording "Midnight Memories" first. Harry, you're up." Our producer says.
"Please excuse me, I need to use the restroom." I speak.
"Go ahead. When you exit the room, take a right and there'll be a men's room and a women's room." The producer describes.
"Thank you." I say and leave them to do their work.

I did my business in the men's restroom and then washed my hands before going back. I was whistling and walking when I was abruptly stopped by someone standing in front of me. She smiled wide and didn't move at all.

"Hello there." I fake smile.
"Hi! I'm Madison Beer. Justin Bieber helped me become who I am today." She explains.
"Yeah, I've heard of you. What's up?" I ask.
"Nothing much. Just recording. How about you?" She questions. She talks too much.
"Nothing much. Also recording." I reply.
"So, do you have a girlfriend?" She inquires. Straightforward I see.
"It's complicated." I respond.
"Hmm, if you need a distraction... Just call me." She winks and hands me a piece of paper before leaving. I sigh and just put the paper in my pocket.

I walked back to our studio room and Louis was recording his part. I plop down on the couch next to Niall and he didn't notice me. He's probably texting Alexa since he has that huge grin on his face. Harry was also texting someone but he didn't have a grin on his face. He had a poker face on. I walked over to him and he quickly put his phone in his pocket.

"Hey, Zayn." He smiles awkwardly.
"Hey, Hazza. What's going on with you?" I interrogate.
"Nothing of your concern. Everything's fine." He answers.
"I find that so hard to believe but okay. Are the girls here yet?" I wonder.
"Yeah. They're in studio 27. I was gonna go see them. Wanna come with?" He replies and I nod.

I left our room yet again but this time with Harry. He lead the way to studio 27 which was a few halls away. We passed a studio with somebody singing powerfully. I listened carefully and could make out Madison's voice. She had a good voice but I don't think she'll make it far in this business. We finally reached Fifth Harmony's studio room and we entered slowly, careful not to disturb them. Lauren was currently in the booth and she was taking orders from their producer. She nodded, understanding the directions and the track started. Harry walked over to the other girls but I couldn't move. I was just staring at Lauren and her beautiful imperfections but once she started to sing, everything froze in place.

Lauren's POV

I saw Harry and Zayn come in but I chose to ignore it because Zayn gives me butterflies and I know I'm gonna mess up at least five times. Hopefully I don't embarrass myself or something. I felt his eyes burn into the side of my head but I shook the feeling away and continued to sing my part for one of our new songs. I have a good feeling about this album. I know the Harmonizers have been waiting for it and I'm glad that they love us enough to have the patience to wait a bit longer. With the tour and everything, it's going to be difficult to get it done on time but we'll manage. Next thing I know, I was finished.

"That was perfect this time! Only one mess up. New record for Lauren." Julian claps loudly and the girls joined in.
"Thanks, Julia." I smirk giving him the nickname he hated so much. He flips me off and I wheeled out of the booth. Zayn was smiling big and I made my way over to him.
"That was perfect." He says.
"Thanks." I looked down so I could hide my blush.
"The truth can only be told. So, when's your break?" He asks.
"One at 12 and then one at 5:30." I answer.
"I have one at 11:50. Can I meet you when you're on yours?" He queries.
"Of course. Here?" I inquire.
"Yes, if that's okay." He looks down. I bring used my finger to bring his chin up so he's looking at me.
"That's perfectly okay. Now, get back to work young man." I smirk as I push him away.
"Says the younger one." He chuckles.
"Yeah yeah yeah, whatever." I rolled my eyes.
"I'll see you in a few hours." He laughs as he grabs Harry and they both leave our studio room.

I bit my bottom lip just thinking about what he wanted to meet me for.
~~~
It was 12:05 and Zayn still hasn't been seen. He's never late. Camila was going to get some food so I asked if I could tag along. She was okay with it and wheeled me with her. We went down the hall and turned a corner to see Zayn talking with some girl. He was smiling and laughing with her. Now I see why he didn't meet me. I just scoff as Camila kept moving on. I heard their chatter stop and running feet behind us. Zayn popped up in front of us and Camila jerked me back so I wouldn't crash into him.

"What the hell, Zayn?! Stop doing reckless things!" Camila scolded.
"I'm sorry. Ready to go, Lauren?" He panted.
"Wouldn't you rather go with that pretty girl back there?" I inquire sarcastically.
"Madison? She's only a friend. I'm sorry I didn't meet you. I lost track of time. I really wanna take you out. Please?" He begs.
"Alright. Sorry, Camz." I apologize.
"It's fine. Glad everything is working out between you two." She smirks before skipping away and catching up to Dinah.
"I really am sorry for not meeting you." Zayn apologizes again as he continued to wheel me to his destination.
"It's fine. Where are we going?" I question.
"To get lunch. We need to make a quick stop first." He answers.

We walked out into the sunny hot day of California. He told me many jokes and it made me laugh to the point of when I needed to pee. He stopped us by a flower cart and bought a red rose, just like the other ones he got me. He paid the lady there and turned around to hand it to me. I smiled graciously and took it. He smiled back and continued to take us to a place to eat.

A/N

I apologize for my lack of updating. I have no excuse this time except that I need help because I've gotten back into Call of Duty. Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter. THE BO$$ COVER ART IS JUST OMG. I'm so proud of the girls and how far they've come. Pre-Order "BO$$" by Fifth Harmony on iTunes! Until next time. Bye!

--L.Y