safety// z.malik

xvi. drunk

"And tonight, we drink," Louis declares, swinging his arm around my shoulder and raising his pre-club shot.

The group of us all pour the shot of tequila down our throats at the same time. I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking off the burning feeling in my throat.

I don't really know how this happened. It started as Lou and I going to the club to see The Zolas play, and now it is a lot more. Zayn, Liam, Harry, Niall, Perrie, Amy, and Amy's friend, Eleanor are all standing in the kitchen, as we all get ready to have a good night on the town.

Zayn's arm wraps around me, as we open the door, and start to make our way downstairs. I readjust my white shorts, and red crop top, to make it sit a little more comfortably. I'm closer to Zayn's height in the wedge sneakers I am wearing. He's in a pair of blue jeans--that look mighty fine on him, if i do say so myself--and a thin, white vneck. He's ditched the combat boots, wearing purple high tops instead. I have his leather jacket around my waist.

"Are you gonna drink with me?" I question, looking up at Zayn as I slip into the taxi.

"Maybe a little. I really don't want to get smashed, because, you know," Zayn answers, climbing into the back of the taxi beside me.

"I don't believe that there is a possible universe that you'd be a mean drunk. Probably stupid and cute and flirty."

"I don't know, maybe."

"Drink with me tonight, and we will see where that gets us. And if you're mean, you never have to drink again. It could be fun."

"Okay, deal."

Eleanor, who is in the front seat, interupts us. "God, Amy told me that you were sweet but I have a tooth ache."

"They are fucking ridiculous," Louis complains from the other side of me. "Syd had the fucking best love bite on her collarbone. So many fucking jokes about that."

"You're so mean," I frown.

"I did like that though. I'm gonna have to make another one right here," Zayn smirks, rubbing his thumb across a patch of skin right beside my new tattoo--which is actually only the word beautiful, in some damn beautiful cursive writing.

"No more. Or you'll have to make them more hideable," I object.

"Clear your agendas for next weekend," Louis pipes up, looking up from his phone. "We're going camping. All of us."

Zayn nods. "That sounds like so much fun."

"It can be our 'welcoming Eleanor camping trip,'" I suggest. "Well, that's our excuse, at least."

"Use me as an excuse to go camping," Eleanor sighs. "I'm already liking you guys."

The taxi pulls to a stop, before we all climb out. We wait for the rest of our friends to arrive, before we all go into the bar. The Zolas are just setting up, as we arrive. I wave at them, which causes them to smile and wave back. Zach hops off the stage, coming over to approach me.

"We need to hang out a little tonight! You should've texted me and told me you were coming! I'm sure Jade would've came too then," Zach exclaims, hugging me tightly.

"Oh, God, I miss Jade so much. And Leigh. Is Tom still with Leigh?" I ask.

"Yeah, they are. But he can tell you all of those details," he smiles. "I gotta go get ready for the set. See you later, Syd."

Zach scurries to the stage, and Zayn steers me towards the bar. I order coke and whiskey, just like Zayn does. He seems to be in thought, his eyes flickering from the stage to me.