Everything in Between

Chapter Twenty-One

Online school is probably one of the most unexciting things there is.

Chapter Twenty-One

"You don't get it, Zayn. I'm not into fashion, I can't even walk in heels higher than two inches, I practically live for my sweats, and when was the last time you've ever seen me wear nail polish?

"I'm practical. I don't take risks, I've never drunk so much that I've woken up the next morning barely remembering a thing. I find shopping a chore; not something you do for fun. If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm the complete opposite of every girl he's dated in the past. I just don't fit the bill."

"Cassidy, you don't even realize how special you are. Louis likes you for all those reasons. Hell, I think he even loves you for them. To him, you're a breath of fresh air. That's what you feel like to everyone else and you shouldn't let anybody say anything otherwise. You're smart, beautiful, and one of the strongest people I know."

He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me, pulling my back into his chest. I rested my hands on top of his, and to anybody else it probably looked very much like we were a couple but we were the complete opposite. We were only friends and my feelings for him were too brotherly to be anything else. Sometimes you just needed a little comfort from family.

After venting out all my insecurities about my feelings for Louis, I needed that time spent looking out over the city, holding each other, and letting the moment just be.

"I guess we should probably go back down stairs, huh?" I whispered over the loud traffic coming from below.

"We probably should. But staying here for a few more minutes wouldn't hurt anyone." I smiled at how he could read my mind.

"Thanks, Zayn."

"I love you, Cassidy, you know that, right?" He didn't wait for me to respond before he kept going. "If you have any problems, especially any Louis problems, you can always come to me."

I turned around and pulled him into a proper hug. "That means a lot, Zayn. I love you, too."

He pulled back and grabbed my hand. "Let's go back."

Downstairs the party was in full swing and it seemed that nobody noticed our brief disappearance.

I didn't know too many people here besides the boys, but then again they knew more than ten people in the city. Standing there, amongst all the celebrities, I suddenly felt completely under dressed. The girls were all wearing designer dresses, with make-up and hair done by professionals. Then there was me in a mid-thigh plain-Jane royal blue dress, with black nylons and two inch heels. My hair was like any other day - just pinned on the one side - and the only make up was some mascara and light eyeliner complete with my triple berry smoothie chap stick.

I walked around a little, looking for somebody I could talk to, but there was no luck.

I rubbed my arms a little bit, the outside cold air was still lingering with me and I no longer had Zayn's blazer to keep me warm.

"You still cold?" I turned around to face a smirking Zayn with his hands shoved into his pockets.

"Maybe. Is that a crime Malik?" I quirked my eyebrow up jokingly, causing him to chuckle lightly.

"Nah, you can be cold all you want. You talk to the birthday boy yet?"

I shook my head. We hadn't said more than two words to each other since our moment out on the street and that had been almost three hours ago. "I haven't seen him since he came in. Not surprised though - he's got tons of people here for him."