Chance (Zayn Malik One-Shot)

'Anika.'

His tone was desperate, his eyes wild.

I lifted my head, meeting his gaze.

'I'm sorry.' I whispered. 'I am.'

He shook his head. 'It won't be the same, Anika. You're my best friend.'

'You're my best friend too, Zayn.'

The black quiff nodded slowly, hiding his sad eyes.

'I'm sorry.' I repeated, my tone soft. This was hard for both of us, but I had to do it. 'But it's my dream, Zayn.'

'There's a university here. Why can't you go to that one?'

'There's no point in trying to change my mind.' I sighed. 'I've dreamt about it. Wishing for it has become a part of me that I could never turn away from. I need this, Zayn. I need this.'

He nodded yet again, and I caught sight of a glimmering tear in the corner of his eye, threatening to fall out and drip onto his cheek.

'I'll miss you.' he finally croaks, his deep accent cracking.

'I'll miss you, too.' I say softly. 'I don't know what I'll do without you.'

'Then stay!' Zayn almost shrieks. 'Then don't leave me!'

'Everybody deserves a chance to make their dreams come true.'

My words hang in the air. Zayn doesn't reply, instead he avoids my gaze and turns his back. I wonder what I did wrong.

'If that is true, Anika.' Finally he speaks. His voice is measured and serious, deep with emotion and equally deep with mystery. 'Then do I have a chance to make my dreams come true?'

'Of course.' I bite my lip.

'Well, then...' Zayn spins around to face me again. I smile at him unsurely, only to be surprised by his actions.

Zayn reaches out a hand and cups my cheek, stroking my skin with his thumb. He leans in closer, and before I know it my lifelong best friend is kissing me, his lips massaging mine as he smiles into the kiss.

After a moment of shock, I feel the sparks. I snake my arms around his neck, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. His tongue probes my mouth and I part my lips, giving him the entrance he desired.

A shiver runs down my spine as he explores the roof of my mouth, the sides of my cheek, every tooth.

Finally he pulls back, cutting off the kiss.

'I've wanted to do that for a long, long time.'

I wipe my mouth absently, my brain focused on how delicious his lips were on mine. Suddenly a thought struck me.

'Zayn.' I husk. 'This doesn't change anything. I'm leaving, in an hour. And I can't take your heart with me, leaving you alone.'

He laughs.

'I can't be your girlfriend, Zayn.' I whisper sadly. 'I won't be here for you. It won't work.'

He laughs again. 'There's no point in trying to change my mind. I've dreamt about it. Wishing for it has become a part of me that I could never turn away from. I need this, Anika. I need this.'

I recognize my own words and smile wryly.

'Anika. Please. Give me a chance.'

I'm already leaning towards him, my mind made, my lips hungrily awaiting their matching puzzle piece.