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~

when we collide
31| píssed off fiancé

“Didn't think you'll talk to me.”
“Jesus Christ, Matt can you make this quick?”  Crystal snaps, looking around the road to make sure no one was around. It was pretty late, the night had fallen and so had her battery.

“Yeah.”  Matt replies, opening the shutters to his grocery store and sighing. “There you go.”

Crystal ducks down the shutters and enters the store, the loss of light creeping her a little. Matt enters behind her and moves behind the counter to trip down the mcbs. The light flickers on and almost blinds her for a second.

“Okay.”  she breathes, picking out her list and going over it. “Didn't really think you'll be here around ten thirty to buy. . . flour and vanilla?”

“I have no interest in having a conversation with you, Matt.”  she replies, walking down the aisles with Matt following her.
“Anyway, didn't think you'll let me come since you're ready to fúck me up before karma.”

Her eyes wander over the various brands of flours and she quickly picks two packets, ignoring the sigh that she hears from his mouth.
“Here.”  Matt whispers. Looking behind she sees him push a cart in her direction. She sighs, throwing the packet in the cart.

“Why the rush?” she hears Matt ask, making her roll her eyes.
“When I told you I'm not interested—”

“Crystal, look, I know that was out of lane but you need to understand how I feel.”
“Is this brand better or this one?”  she asks, raising alternative hands to show the brands.

“Crystal.”  Matt sighs, before taking one out of her hand and throwing it in the cart. She walks deeper in the aisles to chug things in her cart. Fifteen minutes down and she finds herself standing at the checkout area fighting with Matt.

“I told you, it's on the house.”
“I don't care about any house, take the money so I can go, it's late.”  she snaps back. “Crystal, come on.”  he replies. “As an apology?”

She stares at him for a while before rolling her eyes. “Your money, your loss, not mine.”  she takes all the stuff and puts it in her carry bag one by one.  “So, you're going home?”  he asks.

“Yes.”
“Can I drop you?”
“I'll call Zayn, thank you.”  she whispers back, picking up the stuff and walking out.

“Would you? But this doesn't look like Adam's place to me.”  he says, making her close her eyes and sigh. She turns around to glare at him before she turns back and looks around.

She could easily walk home, it's not that long of a distance. No way, she wasn't that dumb. Almost getting killed once was enough of an experience for her to never walk again on the roads, around night time.

“We can walk together, I'll drop you off.”  he says, making her sigh. “Fine.”  she tastelessly replies before she starts walking.

“You miss someone?”
Crystal walks slowly, ignoring him as she clutches tighter on the bags. “Do you?”

“My mum.”  she dryly replies.

“I really miss my sister, is it inhuman to miss someone so much?”  he starts, throwing his hands in his pocket. “She's on vacation?”

Matt gives out a dry chuckle.
“A very long one.”  Crystal frowns, biting her lower lip a little before asking. “Where did she go?”

“Bronchial cancer, last stage.”  she slows down a little before she turns around to stare at him.
“What w-when?”

“Her funeral was three days back.”  he answers, kicking a pebble slowly. Crystal walks slowly, looking down at her feet as she does so, completely flabbergasted and oblivious as to why she wasn't able to say anything.

“She's in a better place, away from all the pain y'know?” she breathes, glancing at Matt who takes off his beanie and passes it to her. “Your ears are red.”

She shakes her head slowly, declining, but when Matt persuades she takes it from him, placing it on her head.

“Is your mother alright?”  she asks, glancing at him again.
“I hope she is alright, with my sister.”  Crystal almost chokes, hesitantly and ridiculously slowly she turns her head to glance at Matt who has a small smile playing on his lips.

“What I– how?”
“She killed herself.”  he breathes. “I was about to start university when it happened. My dad isn't the most likely man to live with I guess?”

She stops walking, staring at Matt who walks a little and then stops when realisation hits him that she stopped walking.

“Coming?”
“W-why did you not tell me?”  she asks, making him smile.
“I'm like my father, which absolutely súcks y'know. My patience, temper everything.”

Then he chuckles, “Not really telling everyone my sob story.”
He shrugs. “Adam and Claire are my only family now.”  Crystal takes a deep breath before walking slowly.

“Look I'm sorry, Crystal. What I did that day, I never meant for it to happen. I just couldn't take the fact that you might have lied. I just needed closure and you never—”

“Leave it.”  she answers. “Do you know where your father is?”
Matt glances at her and shrugs before he goes to the bench on the pathway and sits down. Crystal stares at the sky before she sits beside him.

“Yeah, but we don't talk much. I mean, I do handle some of his business.”  he replies, before smiling sadly. “I've never shared this with anyone.”

Crystal looks down at her hands, her fingers toying with each other nervously. “Was your father like that in highschool too?”  she asks, making him shrug.

“He was always the same. I remember coming home from school to my parents arguing all the time. I'd take my sister out and we'd return late till they were asleep.”  he sighs before continuing, “I just didn't realise how the arguments started going far than they should've.”

Crystal stares awkwardly at Matt, his eyes glistening with tears. She slowly leans her head on his shoulder in a supporting manner. “You'll be good, I'm sure.”  Matt laughs a little.

“I doubt that. Anyway, maybe you can heal my heart, Crisi.”  he says, slowly. Crystal stares ahead as a breeze hits her face. “Your beanie is warm.”

“That's a very visible way of ignoring me but it's okay.” 
“Did your father hurt your uh- mother?”

“Multiple times.”  Crystal sighs, sitting beside him. She couldn't really word anything so she sath right beside him for ten minutes, hoping that'd make him feel better.

But soon she gets up, picking up her bags and sighing.

“It's getting late, Zayn must be worried.”  she mutters under her breath. “I'm sorry, Crystal. I really thought that you'd be the one who will heal my heart. Maybe that's why I took it so far.”

“Something that needs healing is your brain, let me check, is it even there?”  she smiles, brushing his hair behind from his forehead. Matt smiles back, eyes shining due to the unshed tears.

“You're not like your father, Matt. I trust you on that.”  Matt won't force someone he loves, he won't hurt anyone like his father did.

Matt smiles slowly. “I highly doubt that.”

༻❁༺

Crystal retracts her hand back from knocking or pressing the bell and extracts the key from under the mat finding it way safer to have at least five more seconds before Zayn explodes.

She opens the door slowly, closing it behind her. She hears someone talking in the living room and slowly makes her way towards it.

She sees Zayn on his laptop, skyping with Trisha. Walking back she puts her coat on the rack and walks in the living room. “I know mum, I'm alright.”
“No Zayn, your mother is right here. You know you can call me whenever you feel anything—”

“Mrs. Malik, please calm down.”  Zayn rolls his eyes playfully. “Well I'm sorry if I want my son to be happy.”

“Mum, I'm okay.”  Zayn smiles slowly, but furrows when a ringing sound passes his ears. “Why do I hear bells ringing?”  he asks, slowly tilting his face a little.

“I hear bells ringing too. . . wedding bells!”  Trisha's distorted voice comes, making Zayn rolls his eyes. “Mum.”

“Love is in the air!”
“I'm wearing a gas mask, thank you ma'am.”  Crystal finally stands behind Zayn, leaning a little to fit the frame. “Hey, Trisha!”

“My beautiful girl, how are you sweetheart?”  she smiles. “Amazing, you?”

“Super excited! I finally got my clothes done. I'm so excited.”  Trisha claps her hands. “Zayn's getting married, this was my dream and—”
“Mum, I've work tomorrow, I should head away now.”

“Oh- uh Obviously, talk to me soon okay? I love you, sunshine. Bye Crystal, love you honey.”  Zayn disconnects the call and closes the window, opening his mails almost immediately. Crystal moves back, walking around to enter the kitchen and help herself with a glass of water.

“You ate?”  she asks, Zayn. Noticing him not acknowledging her but he replies, “Ordered takeout.”  Crystal bites her lower lip, chugging the glass and walking back to the living room.

“How was it at Adam's place?”  Zayn asks, making Crystal awkwardly swallow a lump in her throat. “It was fun, yeah.”  she replies, proud that she kept her voice solid for him to believe. He nods slowly, typing on his laptop.

“That's cool. I hope it helped clear your mind.”  he replies, calmly. Crystal stares at him for a second, he looked calm, way too calm. “Anyway,  I was meaning to tell you, my friend from college is returning tomorrow, with his fiancé. They moved to France for couple of months.”  Crystal notices him not making any eye contact or looking her way which sits an unusual feeling in her stomach.

“He proposed for lunch tomorrow. I reckon if you're free tomorrow I could pick you up for lunch? In my lunch timings, They wanted to meet you.”  He says whilst typing, his fingers effortlessly typing without having to look at the keypad. Crystal stares at him impressively.

“Ironic.”  she replies, making Zayn sigh. He finally looks up but his eyes square on her head. He puts the laptop down and props his legs on the table to get more comfortable before he narrows his eyes at her.

“Whose beanie is that?”  he asks, making Crystal's hand involuntarily fly to the beanie. She licks her lips and forces a smile. “It's yours.”
“Yeah? Mine?”  he raises his brow. “You didn't wear that when you left.”

“I forgot it at Adam's place last time I went so he returned it today.”  Zayn puckers his lips, raising his brows as he nods. “I don't believe having a red beanie since that's my least favourite colour but since you're implying this, I'll believe it.”  he shrugs, standing up. Crystal nervously stares back. “Why'd my jaan lie to me?”

He knows. He knows something. Crystal returns the smile uncomfortably before Zayn snatches the beanie from her.
He examines it, nodding his head slowly. He leans a little closer to Crystal making her take a breath in as he sniffs her. She backs away a little.

“Woah, you smell really good. Didn't remember when I used this cologne but,”  he shrugs, “Obviously it's mine.”  Crystal stares at him a little as he hums, passing her and entering the kitchen.

“Zayn? Is everything okay?”
“Absolutely amazing, babe.”
Crystal bites her lower lip again, nerves hitting in her stomach. No way could she find a way out of this. She's fúcked up.

Zayn enters the living room falling down on the sofa. “Goodnight, Crystal.”
“You're sleeping here?”  she asks, nervously. “Yes, any problems with you?”

Crystal flinches a little at his voice, too chirpy for her liking.
“Uh, Zayn. . . I—”
“—I'm sleepy? I know. Why don't you go sleep then? Goodnight, sweetcheeks.”  Zayn passes her a big smile. “Please switch of the light while you take your exit, if you may.”

Crystal walks away almost immediately, switching off the lights and sprinting upstairs. Fúck, she's gone. She's so gone.

༻❁༺

Crystal walks down slowly, bright lights enhancing the living room as she hears birds chirping in the backyard. She stares at Zayn sprawled on the sofa and the duvet she laid on him late night all the way on the floor.

“Zayn?”  she nudges him. “Wake up, you've work.”  he groans a little from the nudging before opening his eyes and sitting up.
“I fixed you some hot water and laid your clothes.” 

Zayn glances up at her and stands up, stretching a little as a yawn escapes his mouth. “Thanks.”  he coldly mutters before walking upstairs.
Crystal sighs a little before she hears the front door open.
“Hey, Carolina.”  she smiles at Carolina who is quick to pass a smile back before she enters the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later, Crystal places a plate of peanut butter and toast on the table with some pomegranate juice and right on time she hears steps walking down. She turns to see Zayn tying the wrist watch.

Her heart scrunches when she notices him, definitely not in the clothes she picked for him.
Zayn enters the living room without passing any acknowledgement to Crystal as he shoves his laptop in his bag and the papers in the red binder. He straightens his jacket and tie before walking to the door.

“Mr. Malik!”  Carolina calls, making him turn. “Morning Carolina.”  he acknowledges her, passing a smile. “Good morning, your breakfast.”

He stares at the plate on the table and his eyes fly up to Crystal.
“Yeah- no I'm kinda late. I'll have something on my way.”  he has an hour. Crystal sighs a little.

“Oh, Alright, good day sir.”
“You too.”  he closes the door. Crystal is quick on her feet as she sprints behind him almost immediately. “Zayn!”
He turns around, raising his brow. “Can I help you?”

Crystal cringes a little but masks it. “Could you possibly drop me? I'm really late and I've some things to fix in the baker—”
“I'm late, I can call a cab for you.”

Crystal frowns, glancing awkwardly to the right. “Please, Zayn?”  he stares at her stone heartedly before sighing. “Fine, be quick.”  she rushes inside, closing the door behind her before she sprints upstairs.

Searching her room she finds the secret box lying in the corner on the table. Writing a quick note she places it inside the box and then places her phone near it.
Walking down she closes the door behind her, noticing Zayn tapping his foot on the pavement impatiently.

“Let's go— oh shít!”
“What now?”  he asks.
“I forgot my phone upstairs in my room. “Your room?”
“The one that used to be mine. . .”  she trails.
“The point? Go get it then.”

“Can you get it for me, please?”  she asks, pointing at her heels making Zayn roll his eyes. He passes her and enters the room, too pissed off for his own good. He notices her phone on the table and right near it the secret box.

He takes out the note, his eyes skimming through it.

I'm sorry :(  - C

Zayn stares at the page before putting it right back the way it was and throwing the box down to make it look like it fell down. He quickly walks down letting Carolina walk out and then closing the door and locking it.

Crystal turns around almost immediately when she notices Zayn walk down with her phone. Passing her phone he walks to the driver's seat making Crystal awkwardly scramble to the passenger seat.

“Did-did you see anything?”  she asks, timidly. Zayn glances at her before he fastens his seat belt and shifts a little to get comfortable. “No, was I supposed to?”

“No. . . uhm– nothing.”
Zayn takes in a deep breath before he turns to stare at her. He notices her hair looked messier than it was usually. Glancing ahead he leans a little, Crystal almost immediately backing a little as he grasps the seat belt and pulls it to lock her in, not before lifting his head to look up, his eyes squaring in hers. He notices her swallow the lump in her throat as her eyes nervously fly around his face.

Backing off a second later he starts the engine and moves on the road. Crystal takes a deep breath in as she stares at her fingers nervously. She feels the words lingering on her tongue but nothing coming out.

The bakery was close to the house, so it was now or never.
“You didn't wear my beanie today?”  Zayn asks, making her glance at him but her eyes fly back to her fingers. “Uh– I. . .”

“Morning. Zayn Malik.”  she turns confusedly to see him connecting to his bluetooth and continue conversing and in the name everything that is holy, she was so glad.

A minute later Zayn disconnects the call and drives in silence. It's when they stop at a signal that Crystal decides to speak.

“I was wondering if you could do me a favour?”  she murmurs softly. Zayn side glances at her and turns back. “That is?”
“So I was actually thinking about having like– my own uniform for the bakery so I did get everyone's measurements except Sam's.”  she stares at Zayn for a reaction. A frown, a smile, a smirk anything.

Nothing.

He nods. “Nice.”
She ignores that. “So he was a little busy and since you're sort of the same built I was wondering maybe you could go give your measurements since I wanted to give it to everyone together.”

“It's literally an apron.”  Zayn comments, slowly pressing on the accelerator to speed up.
“No, it's a full uniform.”  she bargains, biting her lip.

“Yeah? Does it have a beanie?” Crystal sighs, staring out the window. She knew she lied, he most probably knows she lied. What is she supposed to do now?
“Please, Zayn? I've made huge investment on this.”

Zayn parks in front of the bakery making Crystal turn to glance at it and then turn back. “What time?”

“Around two, It's around your dragged break hours.”  she reasons. “Then who will pick you up for lunch with my friends?”
That was serious?

“I'll catch the bus?”  Zayn shrugs. “Fine whatever, text me the address, and be at the place by three.”  he mumbles.
Awkwardly nodding, Crystal glances at her hands trying to muster something to say but she almost feels infuriated by her tongue not forming any coherent words.

“Open the door and leave, I'm getting late.”  Crystal stares at Zayn before sighing. She moves to her door, opening it and climbing out, slowly.

Just before she could mumble anything, Zayn speeds past her.
She awkwardly stares at the road before walking in, almost dragging herself.

༻❁༺

“Morning, Lacy.”  Zayn wishes, swiping his finger on the machine to mark his presence.
“Eve, Mr. Malik.”  she wishes, making him turn to meet her eyes, a huge smile on her lips.

“Sorry?”
“Birthday eve', Mr. Malik.”  her smile brightens. Zayn furrows his brows, opening his phone to see it was indeed eleventh of January. “Jeez, didn't realise.”  he chuckles before continuing, “Thank you.”

“You didn't realise your birthday? Seriously?”  she asks, eyes widening almost double their size. Zayn laughs slightly in response before brushing his hair back, involuntarily.

“Birthdays don't humour me that much.”  he shrugs. “What's the fun in becoming old?”
“Well, you don't look like you've aged at all.”  Zayn raises a brow, smirking slowly when Lacy embarrassing smiles.

“Well okay, I think I'll head out now. It was nice chatting with you, thank you for wishing.”  he walks to cabin passing the lift that opens and a girl exits.

But he spins almost immediately when he notices the flock of chestnut brown hair walking to the exit. He jogs right behind.
“Lara, wait!”  Lara spins almost immediately, holding the box in her arms closer to her.

“Hey, Zayn.”  she greets.
“Uh– where have you been?”  Zayn asks, staring down to take her appearance. She was posing a normal hoodie and leggings with sneakers. Her hair was down and her face was plain.

A small scratch was on her cheek, noticing that Zayn's eye fly back to hers. “Yeah, I- uhm quit.”  Zayn takes the box from her arms and nods in her car's direction. “I know that,”  he says, starting to walk. “I mean about the trial.”  she glances at Zayn before looking down, scrunching her sneakers with the ground.

“Yeah, it's soon. Nothing big, a personal law suit.”  she breathes out. “Thanks for asking.”  Zayn shrugs. “Does he wander around? Abano I mean.”

“No, I've applied for a restraining order too.”  Lara answers. “But I don't know.”
“How's your face? Does it–does it burn?”  Zayn asks hesitantly, making Lara smile.

“No, not anymore.”  he nods in reply. “So you're going?”  Lara looks up and bites her lip in nervousness. “Yeah, at my sister's place for a while. Don't know where the world takes me after that.”

She smiles. “I-I heard you're getting married.”  Zayn licks his bottom lip before nodding. He notices Lara stare at her shoes before she looks up at him, a smile playing on her lips.
“Well, congratulations.”

“Thank you.”  he whispers.
“Where's my invitation?”  she asks, making Zayn awkwardly smile. “Just kidding.”
She takes the box from his arms and places it in the car.

“I'll see you around?”  Zayn asks, making her turn. “I hope you don't.”  she smiles before opening the door. “Lara?”

“Yes?”
“If you ever need a friend, I'm one call away. It was nice seeing you today.”  Lara eyes Zayn momentarily before staring at the wheel with a smile.

But you can't be friends with someone you adore so much.

“Noted.”

Can you?

༻❁༺

Zayn exits the building and stretches a little. On other days he'd have texted Crystal that her work was done but man, was he pissed. She was lying straight to his face.

After giving his measurements at the place she asked him to, he sits in his car and checks the time. He starts driving to the the café that his friend Jake had messaged him about.
Upon reaching, he parks his car taking out his phone and calling him but when he gets no answer, he shrugs and enters the place.

Zayn has this weird anxiety of entering cafés, restaurants without confirming anyone's in. So he either calls them before heading inside or waits outside till they reply to his message. Weird flex, he knows.

He almost immediately spots his friend Jake, sitting next to his girlfriend Chantelle and a smile spreads his lips. Jake spots Zayn and stands up, a smile slapping on his face as they quickly embrace.

“It's been long buddy.”  he laughs. “Héll yeah, man. Hey, Chantelle.”  he smiles, side hugging her before they sit in the booth. Zayn sits next to an empty seat. “Where have you been?”
“I had to change my number in France so I left my phone here and lost almost all contacts.”  Jake rolls his eyes. “So when we came back I was quick to hit you up.”  he explains, Zayn's smile increasing in size.

“He's been annoying me nonstop that we need to meet him, we need to meet him.”  Chantelle laughs. “And would you see, we're gone for months and you get married?!”

Zayn and Chantelle were acquaintances in college, nothing serious but through Jake they did share a small connection. Zayn used to spent half his time with this lot. “Yeah. . . I guess.”  he laughs. He quickly shuffles in his bag and passes the envelope to them. “Wait, so did you invite, Lara? Is she coming right now?”  Chantelle exclaims, making Zayn hiss a little as he bites on his tongue a little harder than he intended.

“It's not her, we broke up a long time back.”  he explains, passing a small smile. “It's actually an arranged marriage.”

Jake smile widely, almost shocked. “Seriously?”  he eyes widen. “Yeah, here.”  Zayn replies, shyly. He passes them the envelope and sits straighter.
“I can't beleive this.”  Chantelle smiles.

“Jake, he's getting married before us!”  Chantelle laughs, before turning to look at Zayn.
“Did you invite her? I want to meet her, do you have a picture? Oh my god.”  she laughs.

“Real happy for you man.”  Jake smiles, reading through the whole of the invitation. “How's work?”  he asks, making Zayn shrug whilst he passes Chantelle his phone to show a selfie Zayn clicked at the London Eye.

“It's fine, nothing new.”
“Did your dad come around?”  Jake asks, hesitantly. “I mean. . . You know him better, mate. If it wasn't for you I'd be at the street.”

Jake shakes his head. “It's all chill, Zayn. That's what friends are for. So. . . Crystal eh?”  Zayn smiles slowly, shrugging a little.
“Jake, she's so pretty. Look.”

“Why don't you guys order something?”  Zayn asks, making Jake shrug. “Ah, nah mate. Let's wait for your girl.” 
“Yeah.”  Zayn looks down at his phone to check the time. Fifteen minutes past three.

She probably missed the first bus. “So Zayn, how did you guys meet?”  he looks up immediately and smiles. “Yeah uh, we were best friends since highschool.”

“Woah, for real? That's so cute.”  Chantelle gushes. “How about you guys? what happened to France?”
Jake shrugs. “Dad asked me to take over his restaurant and I couldn't really hurt his feelings, it's his dream. So yeah,”  Jake shrugs, “I dropped France.”

Zayn awkwardly smiles. Dropped France for his father? Look at Zayn doing shít for his father. Maybe his father is right after all.

“And I couldn't let him go, so I thought I'll help.”  she smiles. “Sweet.”  Zayn replies, sipping his glass of water.

“So, y'all have had sex or something?” and choking on it.
“Jake!”  Chantelle giggles, covering her face to stop.
“Jake, the héck bro?”

“Zayn, we're open about this, why are you so jiggly about it now?”  Zayn shakes his head.
“Have y'all?”  he asks, again.

“Uh. . . no?”  Jake nods, slowly. “Well, why? Don't you want—”
“Jake, shut up.”  he snaps, glancing at Chantelle choking on her water. “Come on man.”
“I mean. . . Haven't really given it a thought.”

“Seduce her, Zayn.”  Chantelle laughs wholeheartedly at Zayn's expression when Jake suggest it almost so seriously that Zayn feels absurd. “I'm as seductive as a cabbage.”

“Oh hell nah, brother. You're a sexy, brutal man.”  Jake laughs. “You sure I can't punch your guy, Chantelle?”
“Oh no, you can't.”

“Not even a little breaking of the nose?”  he asks, innocently, making Jake shake his head and smile.

“Excuse me, are you guys ready to order now?”  the waitress stands by their table for the second time. Zayn quickly looks down to notice it's half an hour past three.

Jake awkwardly smiles at glances at Zayn. “She's probably stuck in traffic, why don't we order something?”  Zayn suggests, making them smile and nod.  Zayn quickly texts Crystal and looks up at the table before passing a smile.

Almost an hour later, when they've situated a good conversation and the plates are all empty is when Zayn accepts Crystal stood him out. He stares at the delivered messages and unconnected calls and tries to maintain a smile.

“Actually Zayn,”  Jake starts slowly, a hesitance in his voice, “We had to meet Chantelle's parents and uh—”
“It's okay, you guys should head in, I've a meeting in an hour anyway.”  Zayn tries smiling through his embarrassment.

Chantelle passes him a sympathetic smile alongside Jake as they stand up slowly,
“I'll call you later, mate.”  Zayn nods slowly. “I'm sure she got busy somewhere it's all cool. Some other day.”  Jake suggests.

“Yeah, some other day.”  Chantelle supports with a smile.
They are quick to head out and Zayn sits back in his chair staring at the plates and eyeing the rings littering his fingers.

He was pissed for sure, but now, now he was fuming. Darn, that was embarrassing. He stares up at the clock to see the clock strike fifteen minutes past four.

He sits comfortably, how he wanted Crystal to come in and him to see her walk of shame, but he loses it when the clock strikes five and he sips the last of his third ice tea. Taking a deep breath, he stands up in agitation, grabbing his bag and paying at counter before stalling out and throwing his bag in the back of the car.

Maybe he should've confronted her yesterday, because boy did it not help with all the infatuation that collected in him right now. He can only hope no one faces it.

༻❁༺

“Where were you dear?”  Martha asks as Crystal enters the bakery engulfed in her enormous hoodie. Her face the only thing visible with the hood cap on.
“Had an appointment.”

“For?”  Martha curiously asks.
Crystal shrugs. “something.”
She enters the kitchen to see Sam fumbling with the refrigerator.
“What are you doing Sam?”

“Delivering the cake for Ms. Honkins' daughter's birthday party.”  he mumbles, taking it out before placing it on the counter top. “That was due at five, Sam.”
Sam looks up. “Yeah, that's what I'm doing.”

Crystal stops tying her apron, slowly turning to eye Sam, gulping the lump that suddenly formed in her mouth. “Sam?”
Sam stops taping the box as he looks up but takes a step back when Crystal stares at him with wide eyes.

“Uh– yes?”
“What's the time?”
“The clock is right behind you.”
Crystal glares at him, making him shrug. “It's ten minutes past five.”    For the first time, Sam hears Crystal curse. He looks up at her sitting down on the floor with her hands covering her face.

“Uhm—  Crystal?”
“No, no, no, no.”  she mumbles.
“Damn it!”  she yells. Running around she tries to find her phone and a minute later finds it on charge. Unplugging it she checks the notification and she promises on the name of everything that's holy, she sees herself being carried by satan.

Zayn♡ (22) missed calls
Zayn♡ (15 unread messages)

Will she open them? Hell no.
Is she scared? Is that a question?
“Crystal, are you okay?”

“Sam are you dating?”
Sam awkwardly eyes her. “Uhm, why?”

“Just tell me.”  she shrieks.
“Y-yes.”
“Okay imagine this, you've messed up real time, like big fat mess up. Two three times. What do you do?”   she asks desperately.
“Uh–  cry?”

Rolling her eyes, she pulls the hoodie on her head. “I'm so dead.”  she bites her lower lip in nervousness. “You want me to drop you?”

“Yeah, in Satan's hands.”  Sam rolls his eyes before picking up the packed box and walking to the door. “Standing here won't help. It's about rain so you might as well come. I'll drop you.”  Crystal sighs in response.

She dials Zayn's number quickly, waiting for a response, but the phone disconnects. “He cut my call!”

“What did you do now?”  Crystal eyes Sam, narrowing them in infuriation. “Why are you saying it in that accusing tone?”
Sam shrugs. “I mean. . .”
“Stop, stop!”  Crystal jogs through the drizzle and enters the cafe, noticing everyone eyeing her. She looks around, really not understanding why she expects Zayn to be here.

She walks to the counter, a redhead smiles at her. “Welcome to Lizzles.”

“Hey, can you tell me if this guy showed up hair. He was wearing a coat, brown hair, hazel eyes, taller than me. Probably with two people.”  the girl bats her eyes before it clicks.

“Oh, yeah the black coat hottie? He was around here half an hour back. His friends left earlier. What about him?”

“Yeah, the hottie.”  she mutters back, smiling forcefully. “So he barged out?”
“Yeah, don't know, probably got stood out.”  she shrugs. Crystal sighs and looks around again slowly before thanking her and walking out.

“You know, probably get him some flowers or something.”  Sam suggests, leaning against the door as he tilts his head slowly.
“He's way too hard to crack, Sam. I messed up so bad this time.”

Sam smiles sadly. “Just apologise.”  he says.
“Easier said than done.”  Sam awkwardly smiles again.
“Well. . .”  he trails off.

“Why do I always end up in these situations?”  Crystal murmurs, before looking around, as if she'd spot her guardian angel and let her know she's not doing her job at all.

After ten minutes of aimlessly standing, she catches the local bus back to home with only a couple of delphinium flowers in her hand to help her from her misery walk.

She walks from the bus station, walking slowly on purpose before she stands in front of the gate. Zayn's car wasn't in view. She slowly walks to the door and sits down on the doorstep. Blowing in her hands she rubs them together before pulling her hoodie down to cover her hair.

Almost ten minutes pass and Zayn's car parks right in front. Crystal is quick to stand on her feet, taking in a deep breath and clutching the flowers behind her back, almost scared she'll break them. She hears Zayn talk to someone on phone as he slam closes the door.

He's pissed off.

He walks in front, eyeing Crystal before he shakes his head. Disconnecting the call he walks to open the door but Crystal shoves the flower in his face making him back down. He eyes the flowers. Blue delphiniums? His favourites.

Taking a deep breath he tries walking past Crystal. “I'm so sorry, Zayn.”

“Yeah, no shít.”  he unlocks the door, walking in and hanging his coat on the rack. “I didn't mean to do that, Zayn.”
“Do what? Embarrass me in front of my college friends? Make me look like an absolute fool?”  he rolls his eyes.

“Honestly Crystal, if I was you, I wouldn't dare try talking to me right now.”  He walks in the kitchen opening the fridge to take out something to drink but then ends up settling on water.

Crystal eyes him as he sits near the window doors, eyeing the small backyard they had.
“Zayn, I'm—”

“Fine Crystal, I'll let you off. Not just for today but yesterday too. Tell me though, where were you on both days?”  he asks, taking out a packet of cigarette and lighting one. “Zayn, what number is this?”

“Answer.”  he snaps. She tries to make words but nothing flows out. “You weren't at Adams, were you?”   Zayn asks, making her throat dry. “Take my name and say you were there.”

“Zayn—”
“God's watching Crystal.”  Crystal facepalms her and sits beside him. “Zayn, I was at his place.”
“Were you?”  he challenges back.

She hesitantly nods.
Zayn fishes his phone out before pressing a contact. Crystal eyes him and the phone. “Hello?”  he says, before switching it on speaker.

“Yeah? What happened?”  Crystal's eyes widen a little.
“Just wanted to apologise for coming at your place yesterday and yelling like that.”   you know that feeling where you feel the pit in your stomach fall down floors? Almost like your stomach is falling down. Crystal clutches her stomach when the feeling seizes in.

“It's all chill, don't worry,”  she hears Adam's voice. “Is that all—”  Zayn hangs up the phone before taking a big puff that Crystal almost feels his cheeks might hollow and burn.

“Crystal? Can you please leave me alone? I don't want to fight with you,”  Zayn sighs, “But I'm so hurt right now it's better if you let me come around.”  Crystal pierces her lips awkwardly before nodding.

“Atleast accept the flowers.”  Zayn takes the flowers from her hand. The slight touch of his hand with hers making her even more nervous. “I swear I don't mean wrong, Zayn.”  Zayn sits the flowers in his laps before nodding and looking in the opposite side.

Sighing Crystal gets up and walks away, leaving Zayn alone with the lively flowers and the hollow cigarette turning him dead.

༻❁༺

Zayn slowly falls in his bed, stretching a little as he increases the heater before snuggling in his blanket. He was glad Crystal slept in the other room. He almost felt his heart beat into a supersonic speed when he saw that beanie on her head.

Who else could that be? But he pushed his impulses down. They had withered through so much, he wouldn't let these incidents bring it out. He sighs a litte when he relives the embarrassment at the café.

Atleast he can try to forget this, Crystal couldn't hurt him more than this and that was safe.

He closes his eyes, almost drowning in sleep but his phone starts blowing up, making him groan and balance on his elbows as he rubs his eyes before grabbing it.

He scans through million messages to realise.

Holy shít, it was his birthday. He's twenty seven. That's thirty minus three. He sits up straighter, scrolling down the messages from his colleagues and acquaintances.

Before Trisha calls him.
“Hello?”

“Sonshine!”  she chirps, “Happy birthday.”  he smiles a little, switching on the night lamp.
“Thank you mum.”

“Your father is wishing you too.”  she says, making him shake his head. He has a mouth too.
“Yeah uh— tell him thanks?”
“So what have you planned? Where's Crystal?”

Zayn furrows his brows. True though, where is she?
“Uh she went downstairs.”  he lies. “Aw, are you guys celebrating?”  Zayn tilts his head.
“Yeah, I mean I've really no idea.”

She laughs. “Okay I'll drop it then. I'll call you tomorrow? Have fun.”  he smiles.
“Love you mum.”  be it his tenth birthday or his twenty seventh one, his mother was always the first to wish.

After answering Margaret's call and replying to some messages he checks the clock to see it strike twelve thirty.

He picks his shirt, throwing it on. What was he expecting? Something definitely. He tiptoes through the empty halls slowly to open Crystal's door but what he sees breaks his heart.

He closes the door slowly, not wanting to wake Crystal up but he's almost certain the sound of the pit falling down his stomach could be enough to wake her up.

She forgot his birthday.

_____

Sorry for the long due, exams had me clutched but finally managed some time out sjsksj.

Theories?

What do you think will happen?

Who's your favourite antagonist from this story?

Slightly heartbroken that my country lost at the mens cricket World cup this year, i wasn't ready for this *sighs*
But congrats to england!

Character questions? Inline x

Until next time xoxo love you guyssssss!