Been so long omg how is everyone doing?? A 7000+ WORDS CHAPTER BEC ITS BEEN SO LONG AND I love yall sm man, thanks for the constant support. Before continuing pls press the star button. Thankyou❤️ do drop in your theories and feedbacks xoxo

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when we collide
22| calculus or art?

Zayn walks down the stairs, his shoes making voices as he walks down, instead of using the lift, mind clustered with thoughts and mood absolutely pissed as he walks to his office.

He notices Margaret standing in the corridor near the printer, photocopying something. She turns briefly to look at him. Taking a deep breath he tries passing her without giving her any acknowledgement but she grasps his hand making him stop almost instantly.

“You smell so bad, Zayn. How many cigarettes have you smoked? To desperate to catch a cancer?”  she comments, looking at him in concern.

“Abracadabra.”  he says, catching Margaret off guard. He pouts sadly, Margaret immediately noticing it's fake. “Magic isn't real, you're still a bítch and I'm still angry.”  he whips his hand and continues walking down the hall without turning back.

“Zayn!” rolling his eyes he turns to see Jason, forcing a smile. “Welcome Director.” Zayn blushes lightly, still not over the promotion as he shakes his head. “Just wanted you to know that you'll be shifted to the bottom floor very soon.” Zayn nods at him, a smile covering his face.

“Thank you for the opportunity, sir.”

“You deserve it,”  Jason smiles at him, proudly. “Also, have you completed your art piece for the Mid Art Gala?”

“Is it Mid Art Gala or Met Art Gala?” Zayn asks confusedly, remembering Jason name it something else.
“Did I say that?” he asks, shrugging afterwards. “I'm old now, anyway, have you?”

“Uh-Yeah, I have. Just some final touches are left.” he replies, scratching the back of his neck shyly. Jason smiles at him keeping his hand on his shoulder. “I'm thrilled to see it,” he smiles. “Show me the work the day after tomorrow.” he says, passing him. Zayn swallows the lump in his throat and sighs.

“Also, I know you were late, young man.”  he shouts, laughing, as he makes his way to his room, making Zayn stand still awkwardly and sigh yet again. No matter what a catastrophe of emotions he was feeling he won't let anyone to get to him, not again.

Opening his cabin he's thrown off guard when he notices Lara sitting on his work chair behind the desk. She stands abruptly as she sees him. “H-hey.”  she whispers, shyly.

“What are you doing here?”  he asks slowly, staying still in his position. She picks up the coffee she bought and stands in front of him. “I brought your favourite coffee. Mildly strong with a little cocoa powder on top.”

Zayns stares at the portable glass and then at her. “Hah, dàrn it, I really need this.”  he takes the the coffee and takes a sip, slightly burning his tongue but loving the sensation.   “Thanks?” Lara smiles softly, shrugging her shoulders in response.

“You have any paperwork?”

“No?”  she answers, confusedly. “Why are you standing then?” Lara awkwardly smiles clutching her hair back because wow he was so blunt. “I- uh—”

“Be clear, Lara.”  Zayn complains, typing on his laptop as he sips the coffee. Zayn's calm, poised state accelerates Lara's adrenaline flow, undoubtedly.

“Just wanted to apologise, Zayn. I always mess up your life and hurt you and—”

Zayn looks up from the screen and tilts his head, staring at Lara who toys with her nails nervously. “I—”

“Why isn't Abano at work?”
Lara stares at Zayn, her eyes looking nervous. “We were in a fight. I ended up hitting his nose. He's on bed rest.”  Zayn chokes on the sip that he takes, coughing brutally. “W-what?”
Lara sighs. “Nothing, I can be annoyed too.”  staring at her for seconds he shakes his head, moving to his bag to check for a handkerchief, finding none.

Crystal always used to put one for him.  Shaking his head, he uses his jacket's sleeve to clear the coffee around his nose.

“You want water?”  she asks, worriedly. “No, thanks.”
He takes another sip, typing further on his laptop.
“Just wanted to apologise—”
“Lara,”  Zayn whispers, eyes closed trying to hold his patience, failing miserably.
“I don't want your sorry.”  he declares. A sigh escapes his mouth as he stares at his work table. He's sighing so much.

“Zee, I know you're hurt and an apology won't cut in but I'm really shít at thinking out of the box.”  she sighs. “I would've made it up to you.”

Zayn laughs lightly, placing his hands on the the work desk. “You really think I care about out of the box or inside the box? A guy like me won't even know where the box is,”  he shakes his head, staring at the door momentarily and looking back at Lara.

“I don't want your apology, Lara. I want the reason,”  he confesses, closing his laptop and turning his full attention to her.
“Why was I not good enough?”
Lara shakes her head ridiculously fast. “No Zayn, it's not you it was the situation—”

“Are you even sorry, Lara?”  he asks. “For loving you?”  she shakes her head, a smile playing on her lips. “There are a lot of things I'm sorry for but loving you can never be one of them.”

For unknown reasons, that makes Zayn even more restless.
“Then what reasons are you talking about?”  he asks after a while. Lara clutches her open hair back, only then Zayn notices she was barely wearing any makeup, just some mascara and foundation. Her hair was down and not in the typical bun.

It felt surreal to him. She looks so beautiful and soft.
“I'm sorry that I wasn't quite right for you when you were right for me. The timing wasn't right for us. That this world is a rutheless place that just wants to gain,”  she licks her lower lip in nervousness, risking to look up and regretting immediately when she meets Zayn's heavy stare burning holes in her. He was listening very intently.

Taking a deep breath she continues, “We were never lacking love, that's not even a question. If we tried filling our love in this room it'll probably burst out the windows and doors.”  she stops, meeting Zayn's gaze and smiling sadly. A smile so absurdly sad that it somehow breaks Zayn's heart all over again.

“You knew I loved you so much.” he whispers slowly. Lara smiles at him, eyes tearing up a little but somehow Zayn stops himself from drowning in them. She hesitantly pulls her hand up and starts sliding it across table.

Zayn knew she was about to hold his hand, but somehow he couldn't pull it back. She hesitantly put her hand over his and sighs, squeezing it a little. “I know, Zayn. Trust me I know. There wasn't a moment when you acted like you didn't but sometimes love can't fight the greatest of wars this world shows.”  she smiles, a tear finally slipping down her face that Zayn feels the water entering his boat. He could drown any second now.

“But our love wasn't supposed to win this war.”  she smiles.
“Someone wanted to take away everything you built up and I couldn't let it happen Zayn. You weren't emotionally or financially stable.”  she whispers.

“I couldn't.”  Zayn stares at Lara, turning his head a little and smiling. “Yeah? So for both of our promotions you cheated on me?”  he asks.

He turns to look at her and smiles. “Lara, you mattered so much to me that I could build a plane to fly to the moon and bring it down for you. You think this job mattered to me more than you?”

Lara takes in a deep breath, turning to the right as the tears flow down slowly.
“It was your dream, Zayn.”
“It was, I'd been waiting all my life. But you were most spontaneous thing that happened to me, man.”
Zayn clutches her hand, which was rather cold unlike his. Staring at their intertwined hands he continues,

“What do you think I would've preferred, Lar? Typing on this laptop to get some bucks or you in my arms right now and not sitting a table away from me with our hands barely touching yet hurting us so much?”

He laughs lightly, pulling his hand back making her turn.
“I would've been ready to sleep on the streets, probably starve for days. Give you the last biscuit I find somewhere without taking a bite in it, if it made you stay.”  he stands up slowly, making Lara stand as well.

“But now it's way different.”  he smiles. “Thank you for what you did for me.”  he walks to the window and takes out a cigarette, probably his fifth in a day, lighting it up.

“Zay—”
“If I was you, I'd leave by now.”
“Zayn cigarettes aren't the answer to everything. Love is.”  he hears her say, making him chuckle. He turns around blowing the smoke out and staring at her as he leans against the wall.

“If love is the answer to any question pertaining my life, I'll rephrase the question.”  he shrugs. “It's dead for me.”

“And then we had the most amazing mud cake.” Claire ends her story, a smile spreads on her face. Crystal claps her hands in response making Adam and Matt laugh hysterically.

“What?” she chuckles, dodging her sight between the lads.
“We've heard that story billion times.” Adam laughs, glancing at his sister, who sarcastically smiles at him. “You can't even count that far, áss.”  Matt brings the bowl of doritos and puts it on the table.

“Why are there only doritos and instant noodles in your kitchen?” he asks, falling down beside Adam who was sprawled on the couch. Crystal rolls her eyes in response and smiles. “Well, you needn't know that.”

“So this is Zen's house?”  Claire asks, looking around and undoubtedly impressed. “It's Zayn.” Crystal whispers slowly.

“You shouldn't be caring anyway, Crystal.”  Crystal looks down at the hot chocolate clutched in her hands and shrugs her shoulder.

“I can't believe it's Christmas tomorrow and I'm still broke.”  Claire interrupts, sipping on the juice she found in the back of the fridge. “When are you not?”
Matt asks, shrugging his shoulders as he sips on his hot chocolate and makes eye contact with Crystal, making her smile.

“A coworker of mine literally slipped this paper in another colleagues desk saying 'santa saw your Instagram and he's buying you some clothes and a bible' I was wheezing!”  Matt shares, making Adam laugh whilst Claire screams at the story.

And then the doorbell rings.

Crystal looks up nervously. She wasn't scared of him but something in her instincts told her not to invite them. But she met Adam and then Claire and she just couldn't stop from inviting them because they were so warm and nice to her and something in her wanted to feel like she belonged. She definitely needed friends.

Till the time she breaks from her trance she notices Matt's already opening the door and before she could stop him it opens. Zayn looks up to see Matt smiling at him and he narrows his eyes.

“Did you not see the board on the main gate? Dogs aren't allowed.”  he says, making Matt shrug. “What are you doing here then?”

“I don't know? Maybe because I own this place, shíthead.”
“Crystal invited me.”  Matt shrugs back making Zayn sigh and stare at his face.

“Obviously, she did.” he whispers, passing him and entering the house to see a guy and a girl sprawled on the couch staring right back at him.

“Uh, hey?”  Zayn wishes, staring at the people he's never seen in his life sprawled like a panda, on his couch.

“So this is the Zen that cheated?” Adam asks, obviously trying to make him awkward but making Crystal cringe in the process while Zayn narrows his eyes.
“Hey, I'm Adam.”  he smiles.
“Hey, I don't care.”  Zayn shoots back.

“That was so gross.” Claire answers for Adam, making Zayn smile at her. “I can't possibly fathom the intensity of fúck that I don't give, sweetie.”

“Don't talk to her like that, twig.” Matt complains, standing in front of him. Even though he still towered over him and was still way buffer than him he knew Zayn won't mind hitting back this time. He hears Claire and Adam giggle behind him.

“Can you like stop calling me that?” he asks, irritated.
“Well you are skinny so why not?”  Zayn smiles at Matt, keeping his hand softly on his cheek catching Matt off guard.

“Skinny is a temporary calorific imbalance but stupid is a permanent genetic malfunction,” Zayn pouts sarcastically, making Matt glare at him and the giggles subside.

“Should've done the chemistry homework yourself back in highschool.”  he brings back his hand and walks a little in hanging his coat and muffler.
“Twig is working in a multinational company while you're selling vegetables, how depressing.”

He notices Crystal, staring at him. “Nice to meet your group of friends who laugh at someone's skinny body but I'd rather go and complete my cottage cheese sculpture than be here.”

“Cottage cheese?”
“Sarcasm kiddo.”

Stuffing his hand in his pocket he grabs the bowl of doritos and Crystal's hot chocolate. “You think you look like a queen doing all that nasty shít but you just look stupid, lad.” Claire declares.

“You shouldn't be caring about how a person looks considering ninety percent of your beauty can be cleaned my kleenex.” Claire's lower jaw drops as Zayn walks up the stairs, purposely swinging his hips.

“He's such an ásshole!”
“Can't deny that the man's witty,” Adam shrugs. “Goodness' sake, at least he didn't take my hot chocolate.”  he says sipping on it.

“That's why no one likes him. Not even in highschool.”  Matt whispers, sitting on the couch.
“He didn't like anyone too.” Crystal replies making all of them look up at her. “You're really supporting him?”

“I don't know? At least he was hospitable enough to not throw you guys out of his house?” Crystal replies, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
“He wasn't being hospitable, he did that because we're your friends, he wants to work it up to you.”  Adam replies. “You know what, the plan for tonight is on, I got to go home and change.” Claire whispers standing up and fixing her blouse. Matt nods in acceptance. “I'll come pick you up later.”  Crystal nods at him, staring at Claire walking out and after Matt embraces her he walks out as well.

"Thanks for having us," Adam smiles making Crystal smile too.
“Please apologise to Claire, she looks offended.”

“Uh yeah, she doesn't take good sarcasm well.”  he shrugs.
“Also, no homo, but I won't mind kissing him.”  he laughs, making Crystal laugh and push him out.
What even was that?

“Yeah, I'm ready!”  Crystal yells, running around the room to find her clutch in a total frenzy as the phone stays intact between her shoulder and ear. “I'm almost there, be quick.”  Matt responds, hanging up. She stuffs the phone in her clutch and sighs, applying a light shade of red as she straightens her foot length red bodycon dress, smiling at the mirror looking how she appreciated her body after a very long time.

Claire wasn't appreciating Zayn's attitude and it took a lot of convincing for her to not raincheck the carnival they were visiting today. For a change, Crystal was actually excited. She applies some mascara and blinks her eyes a little. Her eyes wander down on the vanity to see her engagement ring lying aimlessly.

Looking up at her reflection, she sighs. Tossing the ring in the drawer she walks out of her room and walking to Zayn's, finding it empty. Her eyes furrow as she walks downstairs to check the living room and finding it empty too. But her ears peek when she hears light piano music. She keeps her ear in touch with the main door, detecting the sound. Turning her head she enters the living room and uses the window door to exit to their lawn, walking to the front door slowly.

Peeking from behind she finds Zayn sitting on the lightly lit porch with a small casio keyboard that she had no idea existed in this house.

“It was my fault cause I could've sworn that you said, it was easy to find another for your bed,” her eyes widen when she realises she's never heard this song. Was Zayn actually singing an original?

“I've been staring at the hotel ceiling, drinking everything i've found this evening, trying to hold on to the sweetest feeling, so i'll never let you go, don't you leave me lonely.”  His voice was feathery, sounding so vulnerable but strong at the same time.
He opens his mouth and the words flow out to create this perfect melody that it was insanely hypnotizing, almost like Crystal was drugged.

“When my eyes open, morning pulls me into the view,” he breathes slowly. “I guess I'm only acting in the way that you do.
just being alone.”  Crystal tries to stay straight, she was no way going to step on a twig or on crunching leaves or slip like they say in movies. She couldn't miss this song because something told her it held a way deeper meaning. How did she not know Zayn was into singing?

“Only time tells me more than I hoped, all that I know is I'll be fine in a fortnight, lo and behold,” he starts changing the tune on the casio, his fingers pressing keys as if he's changing the lyrics or changing the sound. Crystal stares at him clueless yet her mind was boggled.

“I knew I shouldn't have let you go.”  he whisper sings, taking a deep breath in and continuing in his heavenly voice. “I've been staring at the hotel ceiling, drinking everything I've found this evening, trying to hold on to the sweetest feeling, so I'll never let you go, don't you leave me lonely.”  he sings, his sound completely minimalistic.

“I can see it coming round full circle my friend, on the tv they said they had reported you dead.” Zayn presses a final key and sighs. What were the last lyrics supposed to mean?

When Crystal feels that the song is done she walks slowly making Zayn look up at her. “I didn't know you sing.”  she whispers, staring down at Zayn. She expects a 'you heard that?' or a 'how long you've been there?' but all she gets is a smile as he keeps the casio keyboard down.

“You never asked.” he says, shifting a little, making space for her to sit. Crystal stares at the space he created but she stays intact, standing her ground. “How long?”  Zayn notices her coldness, staring at the empty space and smiling.  “Highschool.” Crystal's brows furrow at that. “Highschool? How come I don't know this?” she asks, her face utterly confused. “Never really mentioned it,” he shrugs “Just a hobby.”

Crystal breathes deeply, a cloud of smoke coming out from hed mouth due to the freezing weather. Zayn notices her red dress and the red lipstick. He loved that colour on her. But he won't ever say that again.

“Sit, Crystal,”  he whispers, confusing her ever more because did he just say her full name? He smiles up at her. “I don't bite.”

“You might. Who knows what's next?”  Crystal taunts, making Zayn smile and look straight.
“Nothing's next. But if you want something, you can tell me.”  he chuckles dryly. Zayn taking a taunt normally? Something was so wrong.

Taking a deep breath she sits beside him on the porch, staring straight at the main door and the empty street. The strong smell of cigarettes hits her almost immediately but she keeps her mouth shut. “Is that for someone specific? The song.”

Zayn smiles weakly. “Wrote it for Lara way back in time, didn't really sing it to her though,” he laughs. “Guess it's the only original song I've made so I sing it whenever I feel alone or in one of my moods.”  he shrugs. 'Whenever I feel alone' Crystal nods at him in response, keeping mum again.   “You never wrote me a song.”  a smile forms on her lips as she asks playfully, turning to see Zayn trying to stop his smile. They were actually having a conversation?

“Art and music don't come that way, Crys. The pain of losing someone creates it.”  he whispers. “What makes you think you won't lose me?” Crystal asks, noticing Zayn's smile widening, unlike the reaction she expected.  “Even if you're miles away not talking to me for years I can't possibly lose you. You'll always be a little part of me. Probably in the kitchen bakery material, or the fur slippers.”  he smiles, lifting his foot and wiggling his toes covered in her fur skippers.

He looks up at her as she neutrally stares back trying to hold in the catastrophe going inside her.

“Only death can do us apart, Rose.” he whispers, laughing lightly.  “Since Jack dies, I'm sure that's not happening anytime soon.”

Crystal laughs in response, shaking her head. “So I've to die for you to write a song for me?” she nods, humming. “Noted.”

Zayn shakes his head, smiling playfully. “Shut up, dumbfúck.”
A silence lingers upon as they sit silently. “You're going out?” Zayn asks, softly.  “Yeah, Matt and his friends invited me to this carnival, since it's Christmas tomorrow.”  Zayn nods at her and picks up his casio, placing it on his lap.

“You're not going anywhere? It's Christmas tomorrow.”  Zayn looks at her and shrugs. “Naah, going to stay home and eat some chinese take out and sleep.”  he says. “We can go somewhere—”

“I've plans with my friends, sorry.”  she interrupts Zayn, turning to play with her nails. He smiles noticing how she called them 'friends'. He stares at her momentarily and nods. “Yeah, obviously, works.” his fingers aimlessly play some keys on the casio. “Margaret? Not going out with her?”  Zayn stops playing immediately, a weird emotion passes his eyes which Crystal obviously doesn't miss but he masks it almost immediately, smiling at her.

“Oh no, she did ask me but I thought she might want to spend it with Jacob so I didn't interrupt.”  he smiles, not wanting her to feel like she stole his friends. “Don't worry, I'll just sleep, you go have fun.” Crystal nods, buying the lie oblivious to their fight yet momentarily thinking of cancelling for Zayn.

“Lara?” she whispers.
Zayn laughs. “She's not my anything that I'll spend Christmas with her.”

He unknowingly starts playing the tune of 'Can't help falling in love' by Elvis, humming lowly.

“You ever think about us?”  he asks abruptly, as they sit on the dimly lit porch waiting for Matt to cut in.

Crystal sighs in response, looking up at the moon. She might have broken up her promise of fixing her masterpiece, was the moon hurt like she was from Zayn? “Yeah. I do. I think a lot about how timing is everything,” she replies, pressing on her clutch to divert her nervousness. “We had chemistry, we cared for each other. The whole dámn universe except one thing; time. We weren't ready.”

They look at each other and just like everytime, there's so many emotions that move through their eyes and yet somehow, the timing isn't right. Matt's car parks on the road.

And that's probably how the case is always going to be for the both of them, just like thunder and lightning. Their timing will probably always be slightly off.

He exits his car and smiles at her. “Uh– I'll go. Have fun?”  Zayn smiles awkwardly, pulling at his sweater paws. Crystal glances as he opens the door but stops and turns. “Take care of yourself, Crystal.”  and just like that the door closes.

“You look stunning, by the way.” she hears Matt say, making her turn and smile. “Thank you, Matt.”  she searches behind him. “Where are the others?”

“I tried so hard but Claire was so set that she won't come near this place again.”  he laughs, making Crystal hiss and then chuckle.
“Anyway, Adam stayed with her, they'll meet us at the entrance.” he smiles. Crystal nods. Matt stares down at her and smiling he pulls her in an embrace slowly, making Crystal almost stop breathing as his cologne hits her nose. She closes her eyes, hugging him back and smiling.

“Let's go.” she breathes. “You carried your pass?” Matt reminds her, making Crystal stop abruptly, her eyes widening instantly.

“Shít.”  Matt laughs, swatting her arm. “Crisi, you would've been standing on the entrance like a total fool.” she laughs, strolling in. “Come in, let me grab it.”
They both enter the house, Matt falling on the couch while Crystal checks the drawers.

“I kept it somewhere here only.” she mumbles as she searches the drawers. But she looks up confused when she hears cars screeching outside. “Did Claire and Adam decide to show up?” she laughs, making Matt shrug.
“I highly doubt that.”  she walks outside the window door and peeks outside. But her breath gets knocked out of her body as she runs back holding up her dress and running to the main door to lock it.

A scream coming out of her mouth. “What's wrong?” Matt asks, scared shítless. She notices Zayn rushing down the stairs and staring at her. “What did he do?”  that makes Matt roll his eyes. “Twig you better stop—”

“OH MY GOD ZAYN OUR PARENTS, THEY ARE OUTSIDE!”  A low pitched scream exits Zayn's mouth catching Matt off guard. “You're kidding me!”  he screams, rushing to the main door and opening it ajar to peek outside. Indeed he saw his father and Cecile talking as Jack took out the bags from the car. He shuts the door triple locking it and turning around.

“WHAT DO WE DO?!” he shouts.
“WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME?” Crystal screams back. Matt stares at both of them scared shítless.

“SAY?!”
“Why are you asking her, it's your life.”  Matt says, making Zayn groan. “Is it? Is it my life? Because I feel like I'm no more an active part of it. Shít happens and I'm like alright so we're doing it like this? Cool.”

“I don't have the energy to pretend liking your wit.”  Matt answers. “ZAYN WE DON'T HAVE THE WHOLE DAY?!”

“HIDE HIM SOMEWHERE!”  Zayn screams loudly. “Excuse me, I'm not a dildo—”

“MATT GO HIDE!”  Crystal screams, making Matt stare at both of them absurdly. “Cool, I will. But what explanation do y'all give when you're in a dress and he's looking–” Matt looks up and down at Zayn. “. . . homeless.”

Crystal freaks out, weird voices escaping her throat “Go wear a suit, Zayn, hurry!” she screams.
“Get it downstairs! Till then let me hide him.”  Zayn yells back.

Crystal rushes up the the stairs, folding her dress till her knees. Zayn looks around the area. “Come here shítface, fúcking hurry!”  he opens the shoe almirah in the hall. “Go inside.”

“Excuse me, do I look like a pair of boots—” Zayn pushes him inside the almirah making him gasp. “I've been very patient with your white boy áss.”

“Are you dumb?!”  he screams back. Crystal rushes down the stairs throwing the suit on Zayn's face. “WEAR IT!”  he closes the door and slips on the pants throwing his pj's at Crystal making her scream.

He wears the shirt and the jacket over it. The doorbell rings making both of them jump. Crystal hurries, pushing his hair back to make it more presentable as he picks up the clothes looking around to find a hiding place. He rushes to the kitchen throwing them in the fridge.

The doorbell rings again, they run around as Crystal tosses Zayn's ring while he tosses back hers. They slip it on as Crystal takes a deep breath while Zayn rushes to the sofa with one pair of socks and wearing the other shoe without socks.

Crystal looks behind one last time to reassure Zayn has his shít together, he tries giving her a thumbs while trying to pull down the tie that was stuck on his head. Looking in front she opens the door. “SURPRISE!”

Crystal opens her mouth, making a very shocked face. “Dad!”  she jumps at him hugging him tightly as he pulls her up in the air, laughing. “I missed you so much doll.”  he whispers, fiddling with her hair that was now out of the bun due to the frenzy.

“Hey, Crystal.”  she sees Trisha hugging her as well. “Mum!” she giggles.  “Sorry to disturb the reunion but it's freezing can we please go in first? Show some hospitality.”  Everyone turns to look at Jack who smiles sarcastically.

Laughing she opens the door wider for everyone to enter.
“Where's Zayn?”  Yaser asks, putting his suitcase in the hall as everyone enters the living room.
“Crystal, let's go!”  Zayn makes a typical entry rushing down the stairs looking much collected than before. He stops as he stares at everyone in the living room and musters a shocking face that it almost amuses Crystal.
“Oh my god!”

Trisha gets up first, rushing to Zayn and hugging him tightly. “I miss you so much, baby.” she kisses his cheek. “Missed you too, mum.” he moves to hug Doniya and then waves at Yaser who nods in response. He greets Cecile and Sebastian and moves to stands beside Crystal.

“Both of you were going out?”
They nod ridiculously fast. “Yeah, we thought it's Christmas tomorrow so. . .”  Crystal smiles making Trisha and Cecile smile at them, lovingly.   “We thought we'd surprise our kiddies on Christmas!”

“Wonderful.”   Zayn mutters.
“Why are there pajamas in the fridge?”  they turn to see Doniya staring at the fridge and then looking up. Yaser shifts to get a better view. “Uhm,” Crystal mumbles, smiling at them.
“Explain Zayn.”  he looks at Crystal, trying to keep his smile intact. “Yeah it's—”

“When did you buy a new car?” Yaser asks, making Zayn nervous. “It's a friend's car.”  he replies, Crystal feels him almost shaking under his father's gaze.

“Which restaurant were you off to?” Jack asks, excitedly, staring at them.
“The Juby's.”
“Ramon's.”

both of their head whips towards each other.
“Ramon's.”
“The Juby's.”  both of them close their eyes again, when they repeat alternate options yet again. “First Ramon's and then dessert at The Juby's.” Zayn balances smoothly, making everyone nod.

“We ruined your plan.” Cecile mumbles, a sympathetic smile on her face. “Oh no it's cool. We can just sleep, they can have their outing.”  Trisha replies, making Cecile nod at her as the others hum. “We all can go?” Jack suggests, making Crystal glare at him. She so wanted to go with Matt.

“Amazing idea!”  Zayn says, making Crystal stare at him. “Who'll get us reservations?” Sebastian asks.

"Don't worry, I'll easily manage that.” he replies.
“No but, we were going together.”  Crystal tries bargaining.
“It's Christmas, a family outing is amazing, plus they came all the way here to surprise us, they deserve it.”

Crystal opens her mouth to reject but then she notices the excited faces of her mother and Trisha as Jack and Doniya start a restaurant hunt on google, she ends up closing her mouth.

“Let me get some water and we can go.” she mumbles, smiling as she walks to the kitchen. Zayn walks to the hall, exiting the living room and opening the almirah after confirming everyone's seated. “I'm going to kill you for this, twig.”

“Don't make me lock you.”  he whispers threats, as Matt slowly tiptoes out. “So the plan is cancelled?”
“Yes, sweetie.” Zayn smiles, batting his lashes nervously. “What are you even fighting for man? You literally let her slip away.”  Matt whispers.

“Ironic that you're saying that.”  Zayn replies, eyes turninh into slits that it makes Matt smile. “Yes, I'm saying because I know how dumb it it to let a girl like Crystal slip away.”  Sighing he walks straight to the exit but before Zayn can stop him he passes the entrance of the living room unknowingly and catching Yaser's eyes.

“Who's that?”  Crystal stops immediately as she holds the tray of glasses looking at Matt who stays still at his place and she knew Zayn was somewhere behind the wall losing his shít.

Matt turns slowly, trying to muster a smile as he waves. “I've seen you somewhere.”  Sebastian utters, making everyone look at him and then doing a take two at Matt. He smiles even widely.
“I highly doubt, sir.”

“Who are you?”  Yaser repeats as Zayn enters the room with Matt by his side, completely confused as to what to do about the situation. “I'm Matt, hello sir.”
“Matt, I've heard that name.”

Crystal looks around, staring at Zayn who looks like he'll pee in his pants any moment. She's the one in charge now. “That's Matt, Zayn's bestfriend.”

Both Matt and Zayn whip their heads in her direction giving her an ugly look. “Weird, how long?”
Both of them turn towards her again waiting for her to say something. “Highschool.” she smiles. Trisha smiles confusedly.
“I really haven't heard about you, Matt right?”  he nods, smiling at her, warmly. How was he supposed to tell her that she obviously doesn't know about a guy that made her son do his homework and bullied him every now and then?

“He's your friend too?”  Sebastian asks, making Crystal look at him. She shakes her head, ridiculously fast.
“No.” she answers smiling.

“How did you end up as friends?” Trisha asks, smiling.
“Two of our classes were same.” Matt answers. “Really which?”
Which? What did the twig study? Cottage cheese sculptures?

“Uh, Calculus?”  Zayn side glances at him nervously.   “Zayn didn't have Calculus.” Yaser replies.

“Uh he didn't?”  Matt laughs.
“I took an extra class, to try out y'know.” Zayn replies. “Extra credit.”

“In highschool?”
“Second class?” Trisha asks further, smiling to meet a new friend of Zayn's. Zayn's head pains with so many questions.

“Art.”  Zayn answers. Matt gives him a disgusting side look, leaning a little closer to whispers. “Don't involve me in that gay shít.”

“So Matt, who's your favourite artist?”  Matt runs his tongue over his lower lip. He didn't know shít. “Peri Peri Palo.”
Everyone stares at him. “Never heard of him.”

“Uh- yeah. . . He's underrated.”
“Oh my god, is this opera? Here's some water.” Crystal laughs, keeping the tray a little harshly on the table. “Matt didn't you have to go to your aunt's place for dinner?” Zayn asks.
“My aunt died when I was two.”

Zayn closes his eyes, trying to hold in his anger. “The second aunt.” Matt catches on and nods, laughing. “Right, obviously. Just came to grab my charger that I forgot here yesterday, duh.” he laughs. “My car as well.” Zayn and Crystal join him. Their family stares at them weirdly, confused as to what they were laughing about.

“I'll go.” he says, nodding. Waving at both of them he walks the halls, but stops immediately taking back steps when Martha enters the house. Zayn takes a deep breath in. Here goes nothing.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, waving at Zayn's family and passing a smile to Crystal's side. “You know him, Martha?” Trisha asks, confused as to how Martha knew her son's highschool friend but not her.

“Yes.” she grimaces, holding the basket of cookies in her hands “He's Crystal's friend.” Zayn coughs awkwardly as Matt steps closer to him to find closure.  “Crystal, you said he's Zayn's friend?”

“He is.”
“she's saying he's your friend.”

Marths stares at them confusedly. “Didn't you dislike him Zayn?”
“I-—”  Crystal opens her mouth.
“CAN WE GO AND HAVE THE DINNER I'M STARVING.” Zayn screams, making everyone stare at him. “MATT GO MEET YOUR AUNT.”  He nods, rushing outside and closing the door. He takes the cookies from Martha and smiles. “Thank you, we have to go. Merry Christmas in advance.”  he closes the door after she moves out confusedly.

He picks up his wallet and motions Crystal. She picks up the glasses and withing fifteen minutes they exit the house.

“Amazing house, Zayn.”
“I swear I've seen him somewhere.”

__________________

Thoughts?

What do you think will happen next?

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STAY TUNED!

CHARACTER QUESTION? (INLINE)

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