After // ziall

Chapter 80

When I get back to my car after the best first day possible, I call Zayn but he doesn't answer. I want to tell him about how great my morning has been and ask him why he didn't tell me that he has a job or worked at Vance.

By the time I get back to campus it is only one, I basically have the whole day to do nothing. I could go to my classes but I am already getting the credit for them and I was supposed to be at my internship until five. I end up going to the mall and walking around, after walking in and out of almost every store, I go inside Nordstrom. I guess I could use a few more outfits for my internship. The memory of Zayn and I in the mirror this morning flashes in my mind, I could also use some new underwear. My boxers are so plain and basic and I've had them for a while, Zayn doesn't seem to mind but I would love to see his face if I wasn't wearing something plain old black or white. I pick through the racks and find nothing interesting. I look over at the slightly more lacy, what some would call girly, underwear and want over. Pulling it off of the rack alone makes me blush, but I really like it. A women with curly hair and way too much makeup walks over to try to help me.

"Here, what about this one?" She says and holds up something that resembles a hot pink bundle of strings on a hanger.

"Uhmm.. not really my style." I tell her and look at the ground.

"I see you prefer the full underwear?" She asks. Why must she discuss my underwear choices? This could not be more humiliating.

"You should try these, they're sexy without being too sexy." She says and holds up a bunch of different underwear, some of which I am not even sure are made for boys, but strangely enough I am fine with it.

"Okay." I give in and she pulls a few more off the rack, all in different colours, including red. The red is a little shocking to me but I have to admit it is intriguing. The black and white even look more exotic than my usual choices because they are made of lace.

"Just try them, they are all the same size, let me know if you need something." She smiles. I nod and grab them from her, hoping that if I walk away she won't follow me. I am relieved that she doesn't. I have to ask the cashier to repeat my total three times before I finally pay. Fancy underwear is much more expensive than I thought. Zayn better like it.

When I get back to my room Steph isn't there and I haven't heard from Zayn so I decide to take a nap. My new clothes are put away and I shut off the light.

I wake up to a phone ringing, it's an unfamiliar tune, Zayn. I roll over and open my eyes. Sure enough Zayn is sitting on the chair with his feet up on Steph's dresser.

"Have a nice nap?" He asks with a smile.

"Yea, actually. How did you get in here?" I rub my eyes.

"I got my key back from Steph." He answers.

"Oh. How long have you been here?"

"About thirty minutes. How was your day at Vance? I didn't think you would be back already, it's only six. But here you are passed out, snoring away so it must have been a long day." He laughs.

I prop myself up on my elbow and look at him. "It was great. I got my own office, I can't believe it. I have a desk and a bookcase! And my name is on the wall, it's wonderful. I will be making a lot more money than I thought and I get to read manuscripts, how perfect is that? I am just afraid I will mess it up somehow because it is so perfect. You know?" I ramble.

"Woah, Vance must like you." He raises a brow. "But you will do fine, don't worry."

"He said you worked there." I tell him.

"Of course he did."

"Why didn't you tell me? Or that you have a job now? When do you even have time to work?"

"You always have so many questions." He runs his hands through his hair.

"But I will answer them." He adds. "I didn't tell you because, well I don't know why actually. And I make time to work, whenever I am not with you I find the time."

"Oh, Mr. Vance said he wants you to work for him again." I sit cross legged and face him.

"I am sure he does but no thanks. I make three times as much here as I did there and have less work." He brags and I roll my eyes.

"Tell me about your job. What do you do?"

"Read manuscripts, edit them. Same thing you will do but more detailed." He shrugs.

"Oh, do you like it?"

"Yes, Niall. I do." His tone is a little harsh.

"That's good. Do you want to work for Portland Independent when you graduate?"

"I don't know what I want to do." He rolls his eyes.

"Did I say something?" I ask.

"No, you just ask too many questions all the time."

"What?" Is he being sarcastic or serious?

"You don't need to know every detail about my life." He snaps.

"I am just making conversation, having a casual discussion about what you do for a job." I defend. "Those are just normal things that we should be able to talk about so sorry for taking an interest in your everyday life."

He doesn't say anything. What the hell is his problem? I had an amazing day and the last thing I want to do is fight with him. I direct my attention to the ceiling and stay quiet as wel. There are ninety five panels on my ceiling, and forty screws holding them up.

"I need to take a shower." I finally say.

"So go then." He huffs.

I roll my eyes and grab my toiletry bag. "You know, I thought we were past this, the whole you being an asshole for no reason thing?" I say and walk out of the room.

I take my time in the shower. I am beyond nervous for tomorrow, but my excitement tops my nerves. I really wish Zayn wasn't being so rude. All I did was ask him about a job that he didn't tell me about, I should be able to talk to him about that. I feel like there is so much about him that I don't know and that makes me very uncomfortable.

When I get back to my room it is empty.