This Isn't Happening

Chapter 16- The Scavenger Hunt

            My first indication that something strange was going on was when I walked inside and saw Taylor standing in the living room, with a bag packed for Ryder. “I get him…” She said, her hands out, reaching for her nephew. “And this is for you.” She handed me yet another piece of paper.

            “I’m so confused…” I mumbled as I watched her walk out the front door without an explanation as to why she was taking my son with her. I plopped down onto the couch. My mind was racing… None of this was making since. But I did remember the note on the door saying my surprise was going to be from Zayn, and that was worth playing some silly game. I read the note, or “clue” I guess, that Taylor had given me:

            “I hope you don’t mind a scavenger hunt, Ellie.” I almost stopped reading there, but as if he knew what my response would be, the next part said, “I know this is strange, but go along with it. I need you to put on the outfit that’s on your bed.”

Was he on drugs? I was up for a game, but not a game by myself, and most definitely not a game that Taylor was in on, but I headed to my room anyway. As the note had said, there was an outfit lying on my bed… but it wasn’t anything pretty like I was expecting. Instead, it was an old hoodie and sweatpants with a pair of flip flops. I hadn’t seen this outfit since… since the day I got here- almost 8 months ago. I quickly got dressed-going along with the game- before I found the third clue to the game: “Remember this outfit? You had it on when I came across the street to introduce myself. You were watching the moving truck go down the road, and you were holding a very tiny Ryder. Why don’t you go there now?”

            Sighing, I retreated to the driveway. I didn’t see a clue at first because my mind was so easily distracted. I stood where I had stood back in December. I remember being so scared when I was finally left alone with a seven month old in a foreign country… well it was foreign then. Now it was my home.

            I was about to head back inside when I spotted the ever so gently folded piece of paper on the flag of the mailbox. This game was beginning to make since… I think. I read the note. “I could tell, even in the dark, that you were scared out of your mind. I remember when I offered to help you move in furniture and all you did was look down at the baby I hadn’t even noticed before then.”

            This clue didn’t make any sense, but then I flipped the card over and read: “The next morning, I showed up at your house with coffee. Coffee from where? That’s where you have to go next.”

           

He was leading me everywhere. When I got to the familiar Starbucks, one of the girls I was friends with smiled. So she was in on this too? Great. I walked up to the counter and she handed me a piece of paper with my name on it once more. This note told me to go to the bathroom and change into my awaiting outfit and then to go to a place where I had almost completely broken his heart. What a drama queen.

The outfit that was waiting for me was the outfit I wore to the arena the first night I agreed to date him. Now I most definitely regretted giving Taylor a key to my house… she was able to get into my closet. Following the next clue, I went to the park. This was the only other place I could remember turning him down, other then my house, and I knew the scavenger hunt didn’t include me going back home.

Now that I had mastered the game, I knew where I needed to go. The swings. I was dead on. I was praying this was the last clue as I pulled the note card off the tree beside the swing set. It read: “I waved at Ryder that day, and he waved back, which got your attention. I saw the color drain from your face when you saw me. And then when you completely rejected me, I had no idea that Perrie was there. It hurt more watching you hurt then it did getting rejected.”

I laughed as I read this note. It was completely the truth. My face did go pale… I didn’t want to see that backstabbing jerk. He “invited” his ex girlfriend over the day of my son’s birthday. And then Perrie just happened to be there… and I assumed it was planned.

Attached to the back of the note was something that looked familiar. “Remember these?” the note said. “It was my key to winning you back.” It was the set of fake tickets Taylor had given me. The tickets that led me to the arena. I was the only one there, and Zayn was waiting for me on the inside.

Getting excited, I sprinted, the best I could in wedge heels, to my car. Trying not to get pulled over for speeding, I drove down the curvy road as fast I could. And again, I finally pulled into the empty arena that had brought me so many amazing memories.

I got out of the car and began making my way towards the front steps where someone, well two people, were waiting for me… but neither were Zayn.

“Hey, Liam.” I said smiling and then I noticed the photographer from the photo shoot months ago. “Morgan, right?” I said and she nodded. Both she and Liam had cameras, and they followed me up the stairs.

“Zayn said this was to remind you of your first encounters with the paparazzi.” Liam said.

“He’s crazy…” I said when we reached the top of the stairs.

“Yes he is, but he loves you, Ellie.” I smiled.

 When I went to walk inside, I spun around and caught Liam giving Morgan a quick kiss. I must’ve missed that story in the news. I didn’t think much of it, because I saw Harry standing at the door.

“You too?” I asked.

“Yup.” He said with a smirk. “I’m just here to escort you to Niall.”

“Great.” He took my hand and led me through the quiet arena. Standing at the door was Niall, waiting to lead me next. I could hear music begin as I walked down the stairs. The song was familiar. I quickly identified it as “Save You Tonight”- the song Zayn sang to me on our first official date.

Niall led me to Louis who was waiting at the bottom of the staircase. I took his outreached hand.

“Sorry I intruded in your house that first night you had out with Zayn. But I did meet an amazing girl, so thank you.” So they were a couple… I nodded and he took me across the floor of the arena, where I saw Taylor holding Ryder at the bottom of the stairs that led to the stage.

When I got to her, she laughed. “You better thank me for encouraging you to date Zayn. Because if I didn’t, you wouldn’t be here right now.”

I didn’t answer her, because the screen on stage lit up with a slideshow of pictures… picture that Morgan had taken the day of the photo shoot… pictures of Zayn, Ryder, and me. With the music still playing, and my eyes focused on the screen, I didn’t notice my grinning boyfriend standing center stage. He was obviously pleased the game had worked. Now I just wanted my surprise…

 “Glad you could make it.” Zayn said, his warm, brown eyes overwhelming me. “Ready for your surprise?”

I nodded. The music suddenly stopped and the lights went out. There was a single spotlight put on us. Right now, as Zayn took my hands, it didn’t matter that the front row was full of people watching us.

“This is the place that won you over twice.” He began. “This was the place that made me forget about everything except you.”

I was still in shock as he slipped onto one knee.

 “Ellie, I know we haven’t been together but for just a few months, but I promise that I want to continue being with you for years to come.” Now I was in tears. “Will you pretty, pretty please, with whipped cream on your coffee…”  I broke out into a giggle. “… Marry me? Become Mrs. Malik?”

 I nodded and I could feel the smile spreading across my face. He slipped a gorgeous ring on my finger and our little audience broke into a cheer. The ring was gorgeous, and different. The band was black, and so was the diamond, with a bunch of white diamonds surrounding it.

“I love you so much, Zayn.” I whispered into his chest as he buried me into a bear hug. “Just promise you’ll never leave.”

“Never in a million years…. Never in a million years.”