Escapade » z.m

54. We Take A Dodgy Decision Because We're Adults And Also Idiots

The mirror hung above the basin, small and cracking at the edges. The water still ran from the loosely closed tap.

Zayn smiled at his reflection.

His face looked funny in the small mirror. Not only because the mirror was cracked, but also because he still had cake on his face, the cream was smeared on his cheeks, stuck on the light stubble he was sporting. He knew it would be a struggle to wash it all.

It had been so long since he had laughed so much, it hurt to do so now. His cheeks ached each time he attempted to curl his lips. He chuckled to himself and turned the tap open. The water flowed, but he realised he couldn’t wash his face with his hands still wrapped with the cloth Barbara had tied.

He quickly closed the tap, tried to loosen the knot around his palm with his cream slicked fingers. Outside the kitchen, he could hear the dying noise of chaos, people still chattering aloud and Barbara still trying to shush them. Someone opened the door, and he heard Louis’ laughter through the door.

"Hey Lou— help me with this—" He turned around.

"Its Gemma." Gemma said, and closed the door softly behind herself. She passed him a smile, coming to stand beside him near the basin. She leaned in to look in the mirror, standing on her toes to catch her reflection. "My hair will be needing a good wash tonight." She said, still trying to catch her reflection in the small mirror, which hardly fit the two of them. Her fingers caressed through her hair a couple of times, she hastily took out the cream that was still stuck on some of her strands.

He was standing stiff beside her, letting her do what she willed to. "I’m just going to tie them, I think." She said, playing with the idea a little, turning her head to see if it looked good.

"It’s fine if you don’t tie them." He said, making her look at him. She stifled a chuckle. "Its your choice, it’s whatever." He rushed out.

She hummed, appearing to be in deep thought and then left her hair, letting them cascade down her back again. "I think you’re right, who cares right? I just celebrated a birthday, my hair should tell the tale of an evening well spent." She said. "Like your face does right now." She added with a playful smile.

He chuckled, shaking his head a little. "Sure." He said, finally going back to try and unwrap his hands.

Gemma eyed him for a moment, looking between his cladded hands and his struggling face. "Let me help." She said, holding his hand without waiting for a reply. "I wanted to ask before as well," She said, untying the knot and unwrapping his hand with ease. "What happened here?" She nudged, taking his other hand. The knot in this one was rather tight.

"Little accident." Zayn replied, watching her struggle with the other hand. "Its not much. Got a little burnt, it’s whatever, it’s healing."

The knot finally loosened. Gemma looked up at him. "How do you know it’s healing?"

"Well," Zayn paused. "I don’t." He said, laughing along with her. "But it’s not stinging now, so that got to be saying something, yeah?"

"Of course." She nodded, frowning a little at his blistered hands. "Although, the relief part could be more from your best friend being here." She said, a twinkle in her eyes. She put both the cloths beside the basin.

Zayn watched her for a moment before humming. "Could be." He said softly, looking at his hands. Gemma opened the tap, nudging him to get his hands under the water. The water was cold, but he washed them without complaint, mindful that the aloe vera was removed, but not as much that it started to sting again. She passed him a tissue for his face, commenting that he didn’t really have to wash it.