Flawless // z.m

Seventeen.

Zayn reached behind him blindly, his head still tucked into my side and his fingers fumbling for the lamp switch. After a few feeble attempts, the room darkened and Zayn's arm draped over my stomach heavily. I watched his chest rise and fall until it settled into a slow, peaceful rhythm. I gently raked my fingers through his hair, letting the raven locks tickle my skin.

The position we were in was starting to get a bit uncomfortable, but I didn't dare move. He looked at peace, something that wasn't common for him and I didn't want to be the one to ruin that. Tonight had been hectic for us and I knew he was a bit reluctant to spend the night with me, but after much convincing he agreed.

Sighing, I closed my eyes and shifted around cautiously to get comfortable. Zayn's head was resting on my shoulder, my arm around his back and in his hair. His leg was settled between my own and his arm was draped across my body.

The words he spoke and all the anger he unleashed tonight was the only thing keeping me from drifting off into a state of dreaming. It shocked me how someone I thought to be friendly and warm, could hurt one of their closest friends in the way that he did. Zayn didn't deserve everything that happened to him and even though I barely knew the half of it, I was determined to never let him feel so alone again.

"Do you want to eat somewhere in particular?" Zayn held my jacket in his hands and I turned so he could slip it onto me. I shook my head, untucking my hair from the collar and turning to grab his hand.

 

"Whatever you want, I'm not picky." I smiled and Zayn nodded, taking a shaky breath and giving me an uneasy smile. I knew he didn't want to talk about Harry or whatever was running through his mind, but I was going to get my answers today. I wouldn't get all of them, but I'd get enough to maybe understand him a bit better.

 

"Alright, we'll stay close to your place." He said, tucking me into his side. "Just in case." He added softly, causing me to frown. I let it go and followed him out of my apartment.

 

 

The restaurant Zayn picked was too extravagant for my taste but when I tried to protest he shot me down and ushered me inside. The woman recognized Zayn and immediately led us to a table in the back.

 

"I feel under dressed," I mumbled as I looked around the restaurant. The men were clad in expensive suits, the women draped in diamonds and pearls. I opted for a simple pair of jeans and a nice blouse.

 

"You look beautiful," Zayn quickly dismissed my words and picked up the menu. Shielding his face, he rambled on about what was good here and what he thought I might like. I quickly picked up on his tactic to avoid what we had come here to discuss, and gave him a soft nudge under the table with my foot.

 

"Nice try, but we're talking about this." Zayn sighed and set the menu down on the table, folding his hands neatly on top of it. The anxiety rolled off of him in waves, reaching to me and pulling me back with him.

 

"Can we order first?" He pleaded, his eyes begging for some time to collect his thoughts. I smiled and nodded.

 

I let Zayn order for me, since he appeared to know the ins and outs of this restaurant, and we waited till our food was delivered to actually begin talking. He opened his mouth to speak many times, but no words came out.