Sensibility

Chapter 9

I'm fighting off my eyelids two hours later as the interstate hypnotizes my tired gaze. I'm grateful when Tori requests a pit stop at the next gas station. As soon as the vehicle pulls up to the rundown pumps, Tori jumps out declaring something about snacks and refreshments and disappears inside the store.

I climb out of the vehicle lazily, feeling my muscles protest to the movements. My lack of sleep last night is catching up to me, and I step away from the vehicle trying to stretch out my body and take in the warm air. Where are we even? I question looking at the blank landscape.

I turn around set on asking this question and catch the image of Zayn standing by the vehicle. He's discarded his jean jacket and his white shirt is hugging him in all the right places. For the first time, I note the tattoos on his right arm. They extend from his wrist all the way up until they disappear underneath his short sleeved shirt. I try to make them out, and clearly see a large microphone on his forearm and a profound comic style "Zap!" by it. I'm pulled from my gawking by the sound of a throat clearing.

I shake my head and note that it came from Zayn. "Sorry," I mumble catching his bouncing brown eyes. "I was just looking at your tattoos," I say pointing at his arm as if he needed direction to where his tattoos were. "Did they hurt?"

Zayn gives a short laugh and looks down at his arm. "Not as much as you're probably thinking," he replies. "I think the little pain is worth the payoff."

"Is the payoff that meaningful?"

"Some," he says catching my eyes again. I begin to wonder which ones he is referring to but suddenly feel uncomfortable under his gaze and shift my weight.

"So," I begin. "Is there an itinerary for this little journey?"

Zayn gives a shocked expression and places his right hand over his chest. "Did I forget to email you the schedule?" His face is radiating playfulness. "I couldn't remember if control freak had one or two 'l's."

I purse my lips at him trying to keep in the delight I feel from his teasing. "Oh hardy har har Mr. Malik," I say. "Your wit is astounding. I'm sure all the ladies swoon," I finally smile not able to hold in the jubilant feeling I have around him.

"Not the ones I want."

What did he say? My unruly subconscious is at full attention grabbing at his words. Is he talking about me? I catch his gaze and as usual, he's giving nothing away. The same playful smirk is plastered on his face. He turns away and removes the gas nozzle from the vehicle. Why would he say that, when just last night he was rejecting me? Hurricane Zayn has downpoured on me once again.

Before I can analyze anymore, a glowing Tori approaches us with a sack in hand. She reaches down and pulls out a water bottle and bag of pretzels and shoves them in my hand. "Eat," she smiles before turning to Zayn and handing him something as well.

At the moment I don't have much appetite, but to appease Tori I accept the goods and quickly open the water to quench my suddenly dry mouth.

Tori climbs back into the passenger seat, and I approach the vehicle as Zayn is just closing up the gas tank. "You look nice today," he says in a soft voice as I move to pass him.

I stop and turn to his smiling gaze. "What are you doing?" I say while my thoughts run wild. Why is he being so pleasant? I look nice! What is that? My tattered and dirty subconscious is clambering to touch Zayn, her hands searching for the contact I know I'm craving right now but resist.

"What do you mean?" He smiles. "Can't I compliment you Nikki?"

There it is again, Nikki. I feel a rumble in my stomach at the sound of my own name, and I take a breath to control it. "Um, ok thanks," I say pulling open the door and moving to get in.