it's you [malik]

twenty-nine | the elevator

"I want a boyfriend." Nia says while shoving a spoon full of cereal in her mouth. 

"I mean seriously everyone has been boo'd up except me."

"Trust me. Relationships aren't as nice as they seem." I sigh.

"Trouble in paradise?" she asked raising a eyebrow in my direction.

"No, Niall and I are great." I answer.

I mean we are. The only thing really fucked up about our relationship is how I used to sleep with Zayn. I'm not anymore but it still hangs over my head.

Speaking of Zayn.

Its been a few days since I blocked him and honestly it might've been the best decision I've ever made. I'm completely unbothered at peace for the first time in a while.

I see him sometimes but I just keep walking and mind my business. I can tell my recent distant nature absolutely aggravates him and I can't help but feel happy about it.

Fuck him.

"So, trouble with Zayn?" I hear her say then i automatically look up at her shocked.

"Um."

She moves her bowl to the side and looked at me with soft eyes, the left side of her cheek balanced on her palm.

"I want you to be able to talk to me about him Lana. I get why you kept it a secret but I mean if you have feelings for him and you're having issues then I want to give you advice and stuff." she says.

I practically regurgitate my breakfast as she implied me possibly having feelings for Zayn.

I could never. I will never.

"I do not like him. I swear. It was just a friends with benefits thing that's more than over." I answer avoiding her eyes.

Talking about Zayn in public with people other than myself or him makes me so uncomfortable. I just want to pretend like it never happened but Nia and Brook insist on talking about it every second they get.

"Why's it over?" she asked curiously.

I explain the morning in the alley. She already knows about my dad so I didn't bother explaining that situation. I tell her everything he said to piss me off then, show her his texts before I blocked his number and admit that I haven't spoke to him in days.

"Well. He did say sorry." she says sheepishly still looking down at my phone.

Is she seriously defending him?

"Oh well." I shrug my shoulders then stand up to throw away my trash.

"Alright, I'm about to go get cleaned up before rehearsals."

"Bet. If you see Brook tell her I'm down here." she responds while I grab my room key and my purse from the table.

I say a quick "I will" before walking towards the elevators.

Rehearsals today are going to be a breeze. No new choreography, no new songs. We just have to get used to the stage.

The tour is completely stress-free right now and I couldn't be anymore grateful. Having seven more months of anxiety, guilt, and sleep deprivation would have been the death of me.

"Can you hold that for me?" I say quickening my pace as I see the elevator doors close.

As soon as I step inside of the metal box my eyes land on the man I've been trying to avoid. His eyes widen as he takes in my presence as well.