When the Clock Strikes 12:00 // L.S.

Chapter Twenty Three: Time of Our Lives

Warning: Cuteness Overload

Zayn's POV

"Did you just steal a grape?" Gigi asks glaring at me as I munch on one of the grapes from the produce aisle. I wrinkle my nose in disgust as I swallow it, too sour.

"Come on Gee, everyone tries the grapes. See this one," I say pointing to my mouth, "Was disgusting so now we know not to get any." I explain and she rolls her eyes but kisses my cheek.

"We better get back. It's getting late and Louis and Harry should be at the flat by now."

I look down at my watch and she's right. It has been way too long since I've seen Louis...and Liam who had spent much of the holidays with Maya, and I was starting to feel separation anxiety from the two of them. The three of us haven't been this far apart in years, especially during the holidays.

Don't get me wrong, I had the best Christmas with Gigi since we got the flat all to ourselves and it was nice to have a break from Louis and Liam's bickering but I missed the guys. We went to Rockefeller Center to ice skate, walked around Central Park during the first snowfall while sharing a bag of roasted chestnuts, and for Christmas went to her family's where I got to meet all her sisters. It was a pretty great few weeks but those boys were like my brothers.

"God, I've missed them," I say hurrying to push the cart to the check-out line.

"I'm not going to take that personally." Gigi laughs and I kiss her. I haven't been this happy in a long time.

"So what's this party Lou is deciding to throw? A late new years thing?" Gigi asks as we move up in the line.

"I'm not sure but I think it's just an excuse to get drunk and high on sugar. Speaking of sugar, did you get the gummy bears he requested for?"

"Yup," She says holding up the neon package, "I didn't know Louis liked these. Harry is the only grown man I know who likes gummy bears." She laughs.

"He doesn't, he requests them for Harry," I say shaking my head. That boy has my best mate wrapped around his little finger, but they are good for one another and it helps that I like Harry. Now that he is part-time rooming with Louis I'll be sure to see his little curly head around more often which I'm looking forward to. That kid tells the cheesiest jokes I've ever heard in my life and they never fail to make me laugh.

"That's so cute." Gigi squeals, "I can't wait to grill Harry about meeting Lou's family. Poor baby was probably was shaking in his snow boots. He's so cute when he's nervous."

"You know what else is cute?" I ask with a smirk and she blushes,

"Yeah, who's that?"

"This box of cookies!" I tease gleefully holding up the box from the cart and knowing she was expecting me to say her, which she is but I couldn't help teasing.

"Little shit." She says pretending to punch me. She does this a lot, but it's honestly adorable.

"Those kickboxing classes going well then?"

"Super well, I could totally take you." She says and blows a wisp of hair out of her face. I shiver because, yeah she probably could.

"Next." The cashier says and I hand them my card.

We leave the store with our hands full of bags and hail a taxi to take back to my flat.

"Is that Niall's car?" Gigi asks as we walk up the steps and I turn to look, "Yup, it looks like they are all here."

"Shouldn't take so long stealing the grapes," Gigi says.

"Tasting." I correct her and unlock the door.