Is it sparks between them? Are things rising? Or something big will crash it all? Don't forget to vote and comment ❤️ ily all thanks for reading and supporting x❤️
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when we collide
10| red lipstick

Zayn was buried in the mattress.
He looked kinder in his sleep. Almost like a child.
His body curled up as he hugged the pillow so closely. Crystal could definitely watch this the whole morning. But she had other tasks to tackle.

“Zayn?”
The clock ticked to seven in the morning and as far as she remembers that's the time Zayn had informed her was supposedly his waking hour.

“ZAYN?”
What she didn't know is Zayn is a deep sleeper. He probably could manage three hibernations in one go had he been given a chance. She moves to hold the sheets and in one go snatches it away.

A light groan leaves Zayn's mouth as his hand skims on the bed to find the sheet. Finally accepting defeat he tries opening his eyes but his eyes squint shut trying to ward off the sunlight that filters through the curtains.

He nuzzles his head in his pillow as the inevitable dread of opening his eyes to the sudden glare of a dimly lit room hits him hard. “Zayn, wake up! Stop acting like a stubborn kid.”

“Crystal, you're fúcking cancelled.”  rolling her eyes, she clutches Zayn's arm and tries pulling him up but only one jerk from him has her crashing on the bed. Zayn clutches the sheets with his toe and slides it near his hand draping it on both of their bodies.

“This is better.”  Crystal frustratedly groans, whipping away the sheets again and running to the very corner of the room as she opens the windows. When the cold London air hits Zayn's semi naked body, shivers run down his body and he sits straight.

“F-fine I'm up, where's MY SHIRT?”  giggling lightly, Crystal passes him his shirt that was laying on the sofa and when Zayn finally wears it coming to a better presence of the environment is when he actually notices Crystal.

Taking in every sight like a sponge soaking up water because holy mother of god is that Crystal and why the fúck does she look so. . . wife-ish?

Her hair messily cascading down her shoulders while she flaunts a red turtleneck sweater with some black sweats and fur slippers and is that a red lip colour that Zayn notices? When did Crystal start wearing lip colours? this is sinful—

“Zayn?”  Crystal softly asks, breaking Zayn's mini breakdown as he raises his brows. “Are you hallucinating?”

“No?”
“No, because you've been staring at the same place for quite a long period.”  she whispers, biting her lower lip nervously. Zayn glances at his bed waiting for it to miraculously swallow him because he couldn't face this a second longer.

“Well pardon me, I wasn't expecting to wake up like this. Which reminds me HOW DARE YOU WAKE ME UP SO EARLY?”
Crystal gasps on the sudden outburst but rolls her eyes nevertheless. “Jesus, don't you have work? Go take a bath, I fixed you some hot water.”

His eyes widen lightly as he stares at her. “Y-you did?” she gently walks to his closet and starts ruffling through it. “What are you doing?” Zayn asks, sitting on his bed wrapped in the comforter like a cocoon.

“How's this?”  she questions, holding one pair of Zayn's black pants and grey coat. She keeps it on her shoulder and takes out a yellow and a white shirt keeping them at distance to examine both. “The white one works better.”

She walks in front of Zayn who stares at her, eyes blinking rapidly as if he saw a ghost. He looks cute in her opinion with his hair falling everywhere and the comforter wrapping him.
“You like it?”

“Y-yeah.”  she nods, smiling lightly. Zayn feels his heart stopping for a second. “Where are you going?” he asks, jumping out of his bed when Crystal almost leaves the room. She turns back and smiles lightly.
“I'll iron them for you. You're not going to wear them like this right?”  she giggles. She giggles.

How in the world is Zayn supposed to tell her that that's how he's been wearing it for the past months. He nods, chuckling awkwardly. She walks out and he almost jogs behind her peeping from behind his room as she walks down the staircase.

“Be quick, I made pancakes!” Taking in a deep breath, Zayn closes the door brushing a hand through his hair to tame it. If life is going to be like this then why didn't his parents marry him when he was fifteen because he's sure this is what heaven feels like.

Zayn showered for half an hour. He's ecstatic. Generally he always ran late so he couldn't fit in longer showers. He's a ray of sunshine and when he sees ironed clothes neatly kept on his bed he thinks he can get used to this. It was five minutes past eight. He still has an hour and a half to go.

He can drive at the speed of two yet he'll be on time. Scratch everything, he's loving this.
“Do you need these files, they were on the tab—”  Crystal immediately closes her eyes and stops her rambling, turning around when she sees Zayn naked and only a towel lying low on the lower half.

“Shít I should've closed the door.”
“I should've knocked.”
“It's balanced.”  Crystal chuckles lightly trying to not chicken out as she opens her eyes and turns. She has to face this everyday. She might as well get used to it. Zayn lightly smiles at her, definitely awkward but cute nevertheless.

Scratch it, she'll love to get used to this. “Oh thanks, I was going try to find that—”  a scream escapes Crystal when Zayn's towel almost falls but when Zayn bursts out laughing is when she realises he pranked her.

“Fúck you.”
“Well I remember you saying you choke on small objects so. . .” he trails off, shrugging lightly as Crystal gives her a bored look and turns around.

“By the way,”  she glances at Zayn from behind her shoulder as a light smile plays on her lips. “You look nice.”

“Nice? Yeah?” her smile reaches her eyes and Zayn instantly smiles looking at that. “You look nice as well.”

“I'm not wearing anything, Crys.” Zayn knowingly smiles. Chuckling lightly to herself when her cheeks tint red she shrugs rushing out the door in haste.

A girl with red lipstick, warm cuddles who fixes him hot water, chooses his outfit and makes him pancakes? A big fat yes from Zayn is what the answer is.

Zayn descends downstairs to take a seat on the dining table when he sees Carolina. “Morning Carolina.”  he chirps, passing her a smile and comfortably sitting down. She stops midway of putting the plates on the table to stare at Zayn because one, he was never this chirpy. Two, did he really strike a conversation by himself in the morning and the major one is third, how the héll is he up so early!?

“M-morning, you're up early Mr. Malik?” she stutters.
“Oh yeah, isn't it a beautiful day today? How is your mother doing?”

Carolina smiles widely, she definitely liked this Zayn better than the earlier one. They strike a light conversation which gets interrupted when Crystal enters and much to Zayn's joy, not alone.

“This looks amazing, Mrs. Malik.”  Carolina chirps. Crystal stops her happy walk glancing at Zayn who looks equally thrown back.

“We aren't married yet, Carolina.”  Zayn says, laughing awkwardly. “Well, you'll be very soon. She's amazing! She even taught me how to make chicken extra soft before cooking!”

Crystal analysis the situation, glancing between Zayn and Carolina. Carolina who's oblivious to everything lightly dusting around and Zayn, who looks like he's seen a ghost. She smiles again walking to him and passing the pancake.

“Woah.”  Zayn whispers, taking a bite and finishing it real quick. Crystal stands beside him staring curiously for a reaction. He sat down the fork, leaning backward and smiling.

“You know, you're a really good cook.”  A wide smile picks on her lips and she could feel her cheeks turning warm. “Thank you.”  she attempts at replying.

“Shouldn't you be leaving?”  And there Zayn feels that his first ever almost-romantic interaction with Crystal was broken by his maid and it was the biggest tragedy he'll ever endure. “Yeah I was going to uh.”

He gets up in haste, taking his overcoat from the coat rack beside the main door and turning back. “I can start work tomorrow, I mean I can show you around—”

“Don't worry sir, I'll do it.”  Carolina interrupts, keeping her hands on her hips earning a chuckle from Crystal. Rolling his eyes Zayn opens the door. “Honey, you're fired.”  the laugh of two ladies is the last thing he hears before he closes the door and the London air slaps his face.

He walks down the path with a smile on his face and notices Martha. “Morning Martha!”  he chirps, almost giving the women a heart attack as she turns around and takes a take two to check whether it's indeed Zayn she sees.

“IS IT TEN ALREADY?”
“No Martha, it's—”  Zayn quickly glances at his watch to check the time “—eight thirty. Isn't it a lovely morning today?” she blinks her eyes rapidly not before Jeffrey, her husband, comes out in his cycling wear and looks at Zayn.

“What? It's ten thirty already?”
Zayn rolls his eyes, moving to his car when he gets stopped by them. “How are you looking so alive and neat today?”

“I happened to take a shower after three lightyears.”  Zayn sasses, opening his main gate and closing it behind. “There's the Zayn we knew,”  Jeffrey laughs. “How are you up so early young man? And you look in good mood, I thought you still had those crabs up your àss.”

“Language, old man.”  Zayn mumbles. “Okay, mommy.”

“What's up with you Zayn? You look in good mood.”  Martha observes, coming beside her husband. “Y'all are acting like I'm always grumpy and never up early.”  Zayn complains but when he sees the smug look the old lot passes him he sighs. Raising his hands up in surrender he says, laughing lightly. “Gosh, alright. Give this little guy a break.”

“Zayn, you're bag.”  Crystal rushes out the door, catching everyone's attention.
“Oh this is Crystal, the girl I was telling you about, honey. Zayn's wife.”  Marths squeals, looking at her husband who smiles at Crystal.

“Doesn't anyone understand the difference between engagement and marriage!?”
“I think we haven't had the chance to meet properly.”  Jeffrey walks to her, gently shaking her hand as the three start a conversation, ignoring Zayn.

He stares at them blankly for a seconds and then gently takes the bag from her hands. Smiling lightly, he sits in his car giving a last glance at the lot laughing together and driving to work.

After a long time Zayn happens to drive like a civil person. He stopped at every signal, let people cross roads. He parks his car outside Artsy Enterprise right at ten minutes before nine.

He sits in his car triumphantly as he, first time in history, had a solid forty minutes to spare before work. He could free paint today.

He takes out his bag from the backseat, locking the car and starts walking to the entrance when he notices Margaret talking to someone on phone, rather stressfully.

“Aye Margaret! Morning-morning!” Margaret becomes the third person in his checklist who takes a take two to comfirm whether it's Zayn.

“Wait! Stand right there don't come closer. How do you look so good?”  Zayn laughs on her comment walking forward with a smile playing on his lips.

“The weather is lovely today.”  he comments, sliding his arm on her shoulder and walking in the premises. He walks to his room with utmost pride.

“How are you at work early?”
“This man is trying to change, sweetheart.”

Margaret takes a step back as she stares at Zayn. “You called me sweetheart, you aren't even grumpy and them clothes lad. What's up today?” Zayn shakes his head lightly, the irritating smile still on his face as he walks to his cabin opening it and much to his displeasure finds his assistant Watson sitting on his chair.

“Uhm.”  Watson gets a heart attack of a lifetime as he jumps off the seat and starts dusting it.
“I was just dusting it y'know.”

According to Zayn, the pancakes save Watson today. He walks ahead ruffling his hair and passing a smile. “No worries. Go get me and yourself one coffee. Also get me a canvas and charcoal.”

Watson blinks rapidly, shocked to core that he wasn't getting fired but before he could move, the washroom door opens and Jason Malder exits but when his eyes notice the group of awkward colleagues staring at him, an embarrassed smile forms on his face.

“I-I just like this washroom bett— Zayn you're early today?”
“. . . Yes and what a surprising morning it is.”

An awkward silence lingers and then Jason rushes out, followed by Watson. Zayn and Margaret burst out laughing as she takes a seat in front of him. “That was magical. Who knew Jason uses your washroom everyday because he likes it better?”

Zayn shakes his head as he continues chuckling “And who knew Watson sits on my chair everyday to feel authority.”  he sighs lightly. A ghost of smile playing on his lips as he shakes his head. “All credits to Crystal.”

Margaret stands up, catching Zayn off guard, as she covers her mouth. “HOW CAN I FORGET, THE GIRL. THAT'S WHY YOU'RE EARLY!?”

“Jeez, calm down. I'm not gonna pay a single penny if you get struck by a heart attack.”
“Wait! You're married?”  Margaret whisper-yells, staring at Zayn with hope.

“Gosh I'm engaged. Only. Engaged. What's wrong with peo— MARGARET NO!”

Running outside his cabin she screams out her lungs. “Y'all listen to me! Good news!”
Zayn slides behind her getting into an argument.

“Zayn's engaged!”  a group of gasp lauches everywhere as Zayn sighs and then in seconds people line up around him to congratulate. A small smile takes his lips when so many hands grasp his. Watson returns with a window sized canvas and paints.

“Watson, what did I ask for?” he complains but then shakes his head and takes the canvas in. He removes his coats and rolls up the sleeves of his shirt. He was really in good mood and he definitely knew what to draw.

He takes out his phone after asking Watson to exit as he spreads newspaper on the floor and then opens his gallery to recents clicking on the picture of Crystal he clicked today, without her knowing obviously. She was talking to Martha and Jeffrey and laughing really hard.

Half the workplace stands on his door staring at him working as he does details and everything. All of them definitely looked up to him, he had taught them a lot back in days but now he was just one of the grumpy boss you could get.

After fifteen minutes he takes a step back and smiles at the door. Jason, his boss, smiling back at him. “Wanna see?”  Everyone rushes to the canvas trying to peep in from whatever angles they could decipher.

“Look at the merging near the eye!”
“He completed a canvas in fifteen minutes! Imagine.”

Zayn walks out to see Margaret smiling, some paperwork in her hand. “You know what? I'll fill in for you. Go home in time today.”

“I was thinking that—”
“Congratulations, Zayn.”  Zayn closes his eyes, taking in a breath and calculating whether he should turn or is it too risky. After much mathematics he turns around to see Lara. Standing confidently in a pencil skirt and white shirt looking like a fúcking goddess as always.

Zayn nods lightly, standing awkwardly in front of her. “You're really glowing. Looks like the new one is giving it good to you.”  He shakes his head in disgust, a sigh leaving his mouth.

“The day was going good before I had this conversation y'know?”
“Is that her in the picture?”

“Matters to you because?” Zayn questions, crossing his arms in order to appear strong even if he was shitting bricks. “Just a well wisher Zayn, trying to know whether she's really that good or are you really trying so hard to make her look better than me.”

A breathy laugh escapes Zayn's mouth as he stares at her. “Trust me she's a whole lot better than you. At least she doesn't go around sucking dícks for a job.”
Lara's gaze hardens as she fumes.

“I'll fire you.”

“Try it, Lara. Go try. Your pathetic try won't work because my only foundation in this enterprise isn't sexual. It's talent and wait a week more. Let me get that promotion and then I'll tell you what it's like being the boss,”  he whispers, smirking lightly.

“Anyway, I don't have time for you. I've to go home because apparently someone's waiting for me. Who's waiting for you?”
“Old shrinked díck is what.”  Margaret utters, the lot going in a frenzy of laughter as they high five.

“Rose!”  that catches Zayn and Margaret's attention.
“Y-yes Ma'am?”

“Mr. Malik here looks like he could help out some people. File in lane three, all filework on him.”

“Ma'am that's sixty two—”
“You've a problem?”  she glares at her, Rose passes a sympathetic look to Zayn but Zayn is too busy glaring at Lara.

He walks to the centre of the workplace and claps his hands to gain attention. “Y'all hear up. Who's a part of lane 3?”

He sees a total of ten people raise their hand, much to his pleasure all of them were somewhat likable. He remembers teaching them stuff back in time.

“Alright I give you one hour, pack all the essentials you need. I'll give you trials on texture and underlining at my house today! Meet me at the exit around six.”

A group of cheers is heard as he turns to Lara, smirking at her and then walking to Rose. “Ask them to carry their filework, and go take a coffee sweetcheeks, you really look like you need one.”

Lara stares at him in irritation as he strides in to his cabin. No way in héll will she let him join the board of directors.

It's around three when Zayn finally gains the confidence to call Crystal and break the bombshell on her. It was her first day. First day. Rather than a sweet dinner or movie he's asking her to somehow get food for ten people. He's a díck.

“Hello?”
“Hey babe.”  there's a minute of silence that passes on the phone.
“What did you do?”

“What? Like if I say babe that means I did something?” he complains, even though it was true.

Crystal laughs lightly on the other side of the phone. “Yeah uh sorry.”
“So you're comfortable there?”
“Oh yes! Very!  I was thinking I might —”

“Uhm Crys? Sorry to interrupt. But there is a problem.”  Crystal sighs lightly.  Zayn explains her how the situation rolled waiting to get any response but he gets none.

“How many people?”
“Uh ten? Excluding you and me. Margaret might join too. She wants to meet you.”
“How long can you give me?”
“uh four hours? What you're not thinking of cooking on your own—” the line hangs up and Zayn stares at his phone. Women were beyond him. Hoping that she's not angry he continues to work. God shall tell what happens next.

Around seven somehow they had managed to assemble all together and then taking their cars they drove all the way. Margaret's car was at the garage for three consecutive days now, explaining the frenzy over the phone in the morning that Zayn witnessed, so she car pooled with Zayn.

Parking the cars, the group walks behind Zayn in fits of giggles like they're out on a picnic with their instructor and Zayn feels like he's regretting it already.
“The house is a mess. I'm going to have one héll of an impression.” he mumbles in Margaret's ear right before pressing the bell.

The door opens a minute later and Crystal smiles, opening the door fully. The group behind Zayn quietening. He exhales a breath of relief.

“Hello.”  she says, her cheeks tinting pink as she stares at Zayn in hopes of help.  The lot behind Zayn moves forward throwing Margaret and Zayn somewhere at the back. “Hello Mrs. Malik.”
“You're gorgeous.”
“Thank you for having us, Mrs. Malik.”

“This is plain annoying.”  Zayn mutters, sending Margaret in a fit of laughter. “You look so funny when you're irritated.”
“We aren't married yet!” he whisper yells.

When the group moves in Margaret catches Crystal's eyes.
“Hello sweetheart.”
“Hey,” Crystal smiles, hugging each other which goes beyond Zayn's mental abilities as to why they're hugging when they literally met .02 seconds back.
“I love that lip shade.” Crystal compliments.

After a small talk, she walks in and Zayn stands there with a sympathetic smile. “I'm sorry.”
Crystal eyes him and then smiles. “Not a worry, I dreamed of all this y'know. To have a bakery and all. This was the experience I needed maybe.”

Zayn smiles lightly and then opens his bag to pass her a small origami rose he had made with the newspaper that he used while painting. “Uh this is for you.” it sized around her thumb but nevertheless Crystal smiles widely.

“Did you order something?”
“I cooked.”
“YOU COOKED FOR TWELVE PEOPLE!?”
“Experience.”  she mumbles. Entering the living room and being followed by Zayn. But when Zayn is met by the neatest of living rooms in the history, he stares in confusion.

Is this his house!?
He enters the dining room and he's left off guard again. Crystal had really won his heart today.

After dinner, they worked on the filework and Zayn taught them some quick art techniques on canvas. Crystal and Margaret sit at near distance staring at them.
“It's after a long time y'know, that he's called all these young trainees to teach them something. He used to do it every alternate day.”

“Yeah?”
“He looked so good today, chirpy and all smiley. It was good to see him and his shit collected after years. You work magic, sweetheart.”  Crystal laughs lightly, shaking her head as she sips on some water and stares at Zayn moving his hand on the canvas while the other sit scattered around him taking notes, feeling the paint sometimes, laughing the other times when he cracks a joke.

“You like him?”  Crystal glances at Margaret, staring at her and pondering over the question.
“I don't think so. Maybe over time.”

“Do you think he does?”
“Not a chance.”
“Ah, typical arranged marriages. When is your wedding date?”

“Our parents did call today. They were saying they're fixing the date in a month or two. I don't know. We'll see.”

“He knows?”
“I was going to tell him. I don't know how he'll react.”  Crystal whispers, the nervousness laced in her voice not going unnoticeable.

“You're amazing seriously, I really like you. Not because you complimented my lip colour and cook amazing food but genuinely you brought this guy on track again. If you do get married which I hope y'all do I'll scream so hard on your wedding day.”

The girls laugh together not before everyone collects everything to leave. Zayn decides to drop Margaret home. Everyone thanks Crystal and compliments her food before leaving and thanking Zayn and when Zayn's the last to leave he looks back to see Crystal picking up her phone.

“Hey Crys?”  she turns around to see him half outside the door and half in.
“Want to join? We can drop Margaret and then I'll show you a place. You haven't been out yet.”  A smile forms on her lips as she nods grabbing her coat and throwing her hair in a loose bun as Zayn gives her the space to exit and closes the door to their home.

“What do you say?”  Crystal fell asleep moments later when she sat beside Zayn. Margaret took this opportunity to ask Zayn about the marriage thing as he stood in front of her house. Her boyfriend Jacob right beside her.

“I don't know Marg, getting married at 25? It's like leaving a party at eight thirty.”  Zayn complains, glancing at Crystal almost scared she'll hear.

“But you get to leave the party with your favourite person and come sit at home in comfortable clothes and be able to look ugly.”

“And you can even make popcorn to curl up and watch a movie. Maybe even have séx and then go to bed, man.”  Jacob adds, smiling.

“While everyone else just wakes up alone and hungover.”  Margaret adds, staring at Zayn with hope.
“Wow, that's the best thing I've ever heard, baby.”  Jacob comments, smiling as he pecks her cheek lightly.

“Y'all go put that shit on some blog yeah? I'm taking my leave. Bye parrots.”  Zayn shakes his head, starting the engine.
“Tell her I was thankful for the food.”

“Will do.”  he starts driving again and takes turns in glancing at Crystal. Why is she doing all of this for him? He's done literally nothing for her.

He parks the car fifteen minutes later and glances at Crystal who's completely knocked out.
“Crystal?”  after three tries she wakes up looking like she just came out of coma. Zayn smiles lightly. “Oh my god, I fell asleep? I didn't even say a bye.”

“Don't worry, you want to come out maybe?”  Crystal looks out but all she sees is trees. “W-where are we? This is where you wanted to get me?”

Zayn laughs lightly. “That's because I've parked the car between a group of trees. Come out will ya?”  After much hesitation Crystal opens her door and slowly comes out trying to take in her surrounding.

“So what is this? Some cliché river or cliff? That's all you got on you Malik?”  Crystal comments, trying to annoy Zayn but all he does is smile. “Sure, Hogward. Y'know when I told you this isn't a movie. Come on.”

She walks behind Zayn, who's quick and nimble to walk across the deserted area. His strides long, strong, and fluid as his dark hair flew back in the wind, and his breath was steady and calm.

He stops and hides behind a tree, making Crystal stop and stand behind him. She peeps from behind his shoulder to see a massive gate with the board covered with paint saying 'sealed until court orders'

“This is the place.”
And right under that board another one saying 'trespassers shall be prosecuted'

“Are you insane? I'm not breaking into someone's property!”  she whisper yells, walking back but gets pulled back when Zayn holds her wrist.
“I've done this a lot. This isn't someone's property. Right now the decision is at court.”

“Its stuck between two brothers. Who's going to get how much land. So nothing is really happening. I discovered it when our company got an order of sixty paintings to sell to one of the brothers. That's when I discovered this paradise.”

“What's paradise worthy here?” Crystal hisses, almost choking when she notices a guard crossing the area. “You'll know, c'mon now.”  Removing his jacket, he passes it to her. “Try covering your face.”  his hands slide down her wrist to hold her hand, not intertwining their fingers yet.

“Be ready.”  before she gets to say anything, Zayn starts running catching her off guard. She tries regaining her balance looking absolutely ridiculous in the large jacket she's wearing. Glancing around twice he starts climbing the fence. “We've exactly two minutes before the guard comes back. C'mon.”

“No way, I'm not coming. You're fúcking dumb. Just take me to some dumb river or cliff please. Can't we act normal.”

“But is there anything normal about us?”  Zayn smiles, Crystal shakes her head trying to hide the smile on her face. Zayn helps her climb till the top.

“My poor parents, thought you'll take me to dinners and movies. How am I supposed to tell them the first thing we did together was break in someone's property.”

Zayn chuckles lightly, jumping down to the other side. “Jump.”
“ARE YOU NUTS!?”

His eyes widen as he quickly places a finger on his lips to quiten her down. “I'll catch you.”
“Go shove a pole up your àss, Zayn. Never ever.”

“Crystal, THE GUARD IS COMING. WE'LL BE LOCKED UP. JUMP DOWN YOU DUMBFÚCK!” Zayn whisper yells. Crystal sees a little far, noticing the guy coming near with the torch moving around. She breathes loudly and jumps, closing her eyes. When she feels she didn't hit the ground she opens her eyes to see Zayn holding her.

“Told you, you'd land safely.”
“Shut up, áss. This isn't funny.”  he puts her down and starts walking. “What even is this place?”  she asks staring at the open barren land.

“The last to reach the tree in the centre eats snails!”
Zayn sprints, laughing loudly to which Crystal gasps trying to catch up with him but miserably failing. “Loser.”

“You cheated.”  she sees him climbing the tree and throwing a box down explaining it wasn't his first time.
“Aren't you filthy rich? Go buy yourself a land like this.”

“Where's the fun in that?” he smiles but then turns back to glare at her. “Also I'm not filthy rich okay?”

He walks to the centre of the field carrying the box and dumping it. “WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?”

“Look up, snail.”  the vast expanse of inky blackness darkens on Crystal immediately as she glances up. The horizon was covered with thousands of stars, a light breeze rustles the leaves as she looks it was easy to believe it was endless, that it went on forever.

“Don't stand there awkwardly, come join me.” He breaks her trance, smiling warmly as he lies down flat on the ground and drapes the blanket over him. Crystal sits down beside him turning to look at him for further guidance.

“Why are you in such daze. Lie down comfortably.” He smiles again, smiling back she lies down beside him, draping the blanket over her as well. For moments they stare at the sky looking so captivating and clear.

“This is probably the only place in London where you can see the night sky clearly.”  Zayn mumbles.

“I'm breathless. This is so captivating.”  Crystal breathes.
“I know right?”

“Why do you come here?”  Crystal asks, turning to face Zayn who stares at the sky.

“Everyone has a their place. A place they visit when they need to get away - from everything. This is mine. Here, the world is soft and quiet to me - almost bearable, in fact. This place is warm even if it's chilling and it reminds me of a lot of things - like cold coffee in the morning and wine in the evening, ideas, but most of all, it reminds me of who am I.”  Zayn whispers softly while Crystal soaks in every word that comes out of his mouth.

“It gives my existence a meaning when no one really appreciated me. I feel like it's screaming at me that yes you're Zayn, and you've become someone you dreamed of becoming at a mere age of 7, when you hardly knew what breathing was.”

“I'm not boring you right?”
“I was loving Poet Malik.” he passes a smile and then stands up much to Crystal's displeasure, trying to search for something in the box to take out a balloon lamp and a marker.

“Hold it.” He urges, passing it to Crystal as he starts searching for something in his pocket. She looks at him with her brows furrowed before he takes out a lighter.

“You haven't told mum. Right?” she lightly shakes her head. He stares at distance momentarily and then smiles, “Good.”

“Shall we?” He points towards the lamp. Staring at him for moments, sighing, Crystal nods. He lights the between and the size of the lamp increases eventually. He grabs the other end. She feels the breeze quicken as her hair flies around wildly. Clicks open the marker, he scribbles 'Crystal' and 'Zayn' on the lamp.

“Can I tell you some poetry maybe?” she asks. “Before we leave this lamp.”  Zayn nods lightly, his eyes glooming under the light of the lamp.

She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and then opening them.
“Talk to me. Talk to me about all the things that keep you awake at night,”  the breeze brushes past them wildly. Zayn's hair flies wildly, his eyes hopefully glistening. The lamp that both hold at two ends trying to escape their grasp. Zayn feels weird. Weirdly warm. And it wasn't the place this time.

“About the words like daggers that make you crawl back to the little corner in your chest.” And Zayn knows how their worlds would part one day.

“Talk to me about the love you wished to give and have, about saving the world with your own two hands.”  He knows how a day would come where he’d never see her again. How he’d live his life as she lives hers, much further. And he knows, that they are bound to part ways.

“Talk to me, love, because sometimes silence alone isn't enough.”  He knows. But for now, he'd love for her to stay and be with him. He'd love to not feel alone.

“I'll be waiting for the day we might come here again. I don't know if we'll be married or what the circumstances will be but that day I hope I'll be so in love with you that I could scream on the top of my lungs that I can even die for you.”  He whispers, gently leaving the lamp making Crystal lose her grip too as it starts floating in the sky.

“Until that day, we should wait. Thank you for whatever you did today for me.”  Zayn moves ahead embracing her as her head collides with his chest.

As soon as he saw her it was like nothing had happened. They were straight back to highschool years, her talking and cribbing about loads of work and how much she hates the world. It seemed like a lifetime since he’d last saw her.

They sat for hours and just forgot about everyone else. Shít happened but when it was time to part ways she asked if he was coming back to stay. He brushes Crystal's hair lightly oblivious to her smile while she had no idea how difficult it was for him to say no.

Zayn hugs her a little tighter, not knowing what will happen tomorrow as he glances up at the lamp which had managed to travel a fair distance.

He wasn't looking. But he found something he didn't mind keeping. The red lipstick was just a big plus.

_____________
Sadly my health isn't good atm but i decided to update.

Also i feel, the length of my chapters is too long and annoying. Should i decrease it to maybe 3000 words/chapter rather than 6000words/chapter?

Thoughts?

Also next chapter I'll be introducing a new and major character of the book. Y'all should get ready ;]

Character questions? (inline here) also it's not only zayn and crys you can ask any character any question.

Last chap character questions
ZAYN:

Q. Can you promise to not hurt Crystal?
Jeeez, y'all act like i hurt her all the time.
Okay maybe i do, but it's never intentionally. I rly care about the girl. So yeah wtvr i promise mum.

Q. Lara or Crystal?
You might as well come kill me already? Sorry. . . I can't. Crystal is amazing and her effort is top notch but Lara has made a too deep spot, it won't be erased so easily im-

Until next time x