Sensibility

Chapter 10

"I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly."

-Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

There's a loud pounding followed by a voice cursing. My eyes shoot open. It takes me a minute to realize that I'm in a motel room, and my eyes dart to the source of the sound at the door. It creaks open and illuminates the room from darkness. Stumbling in the doorway is a clearly intoxicated Tori, grinning like a fool.

I sit up from my bed and try to clear my eyes from the fogginess of sleep. Tori enters the room, alone thankfully, and closes the door with a loud thud. She giggles to herself and suddenly claps a hand on her mouth as though her previous ruckus wasn't heard by me.

"Tori," I speak swiping my bangs away from my face.

"Oh," Tori squeaks turning towards me. "Sorry," she slurs. "I was trying to be oh so quiet."

She's giggling again and I can't help but smile. Her clumsy waves are spiking in all directions, but a soothing calm seems to surround her. I climb out of bed and make my way over to her. "Let me help you," I smile at the raven haired girl.

"Oh, Nikki," she says pulling me into her chest in a strong hug. "You're so nice, and so pretty, and so wonderful."

I laugh and steer her towards bed. After changing her clothes and washing her face, Tori falls into bed. I hear her give a small laugh before her breathing settles and she's asleep. I turn out the lights and climb back into bed myself smiling for a reason I can't understand.

I settle down and almost begin to drift away when my phone gives a loud ping. I quickly roll over to grab it, hoping it won't wake the slumbering girl. It pings again before I can quickly switch it to vibrate. Then, I look at the numerous texts I have somehow missed when I was sleeping.

Hey

I need to see you!

Talk to me!

Come to your door!

Please!

The last two texts were just sent, but I don't recognize the number at all. Yet, I know they could only be from one person. A strange giddiness rises in my stomach, and my subconscious is already reaching for my phone to reply.

I climb out of bed once again and move towards the door. As soon as I step outside, I see him. He's sitting on the half brick wall that surrounds the motel. His hair is a mess, completely unruly and sticking straight up. His jacket is resting beside him on the wall, and as I approach him he looks up with his unreadable chocolate eyes.

"Nicole," he sighs as if he's unsure if it really is me.

"Zayn, what are you doing?" I question coming to stand in front of him. At that moment, I catch the stench of alcohol and smoke. It's surrounding him like he bathed in it. "Are you drunk?"

I don't know why I ask the question when clearly my answer is before me in his demeanor. "I needed to see you," he says ignoring my question. He stands up before me and reaches for my hand.

"What did Tori do to you?" I question concluding that only Tori's influence could force this man to want to see me.

"I told her," he answers bringing me closer to him with a pull of my hand.

"Told her what?"

"This," he answers vaguely and he leans down towards me with intent.

Before I can think, I pull away and see his eyes fade in defeat. "You told her we kissed?" I question as quietly as I can as I'm sure the people who normally sleep at 3am will not appreciate a loud conversation outside their door.