safety// z.malik

xiv. birthday

I wake up, finding a heavy, tattooed arm resting across my midsection. I look over to see Zayn asleep, with his hair all disheveled and eyes calmly closed. I marvel in his beauty for a second--taking in his inkblot lashes, and rosy cheeks, and ruby lips, before shuffling from underneath him. He stirs a little, but stays asleep, as light filters in from my window. I draw the opaque curtains shut, before I tiptoe out of the room.

I go into the kitchen and see Amy and Louis cooking, with Amy in some of my pyjamas, and Louis in a pair of plaid pyjama pants. Ugh, it's my birthday. July 14th.

"Morning," I smile, sliding up onto the counter.

"Happy fucking birthday," Louis exclaims, squeezing me into a hug. "You're twenty fucking two now!"

"I'm getting old," I gasp, in a joking tone.

"Happy birthday Syd," Amy beams, switching places with Lou.

"Where's lover boy?" Lou asks, looking at the hallway.

"Of course, you feel the need to fucking ask," I retort, rolling my eyes.

"Like, is he still asleep in your bed?" Louis questions, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, Zayn is still asleep, in my bed," I shrug.

"How'd that happen?" Amy exclaims.

"I just sort of asked him to stay with me."

"No huge sex scene?" Lou winks.

"No. There was no sex. Only a kiss. Or two."

"What a disappointment," Louis scolds.

"You kissed him?!" Amy squeals, seeming excited for me. I get it, I do, I haven't been romantically involved with someone in a while.

"How'd that go about?" Lou asks.

"We ate pizza, had a paint fight, he kissed me, we both had showers and then we went to bed," I explain.

"Did you shower together?" Louis jokes, quirking an eyebrow at me.

"No, we did not," I blush, swatting at his arm. "Jesus Christ, Lou."

"When I went in to get Amy some clothes, I was scared I'd walk in on you sucking him off or something," Louis laughs, sending me a really annoying wink.

I hit him in the chest. "Fuck off."

"I like that sweater though," Amy teases. "Really fits you well."

"Oh fuck off."

"Seriously, you do look super cute in his clothes," Amy gushes, fluffing out the shoulders so I look like an American Football player.

I roll my eyes, watching them cook breakfast. I'm suprised that Lou didn't wake me up to cook, even on my birthday.

My phone starts ringing from the other room, so I go and grab it. Zayn's still asleep on my bed, when I slide my phone screen. I put the phone to my ear, as I sit down at my makeup desk.

"Hey honey," Mum greets.

"Hi Mum," I reply. "How's everything?"

"Your dad is trying to talk it out with me, but I'm not having it. You really should've told me what happened," she sighs.

"I didn't want you to lose him because he's your rock."

"Anyway, happy birthday, sweetie. I can't believe you are twenty-two. Just yesterday, you were two."

"Thanks, Mum."

"What are you doing to celebrate?"

"Just hanging out with a few friends. Not much really. The big party of the weekend was last night, but I stayed in."