i want to thank everyone who supported me last chapter, I've been feeling down for a v long time and reading all those messages made me feel so nice, can't believe so many of you read my book. this chapter was written since weeks and today i finally had the power to update it. I hope you guys like it.

can't believe no one had faith in my girl crystal 💀

try answering the hints, let's see if y'all dumb or dumber💀💀

do comment your feelings and theories (since the last chapter flopped so hard 💀) would mean a lot to me babies xoxo  ily guys 😭❤️

~

when we collide
33| january twelve

“Crystal?”  Zayn shouts, leaning from the staircase to look downstairs. “Where are my airpods?”  he shouts again but gets no reply. Rolling his eyes, he strolls down the stairs to find the house empty. “Crystal?”  he yells again entering the living room and switching on the lights.

He finds no sight of any human life but definitely the idiotic secret box on the table. Raising his brow, he walks to the table and takes out the paper from the cardboard box.

Even though you're acting like a straight a-hole, I'd like to say this, uhm... what is it? happy birthday? you better like this surprise bec sir, im broke rn

Zayn smiles hugely but then stops his smile. “No.”  he whispers, throwing the paper down and sitting on the couch.
“Okay, who am I kidding?”  he whispers, picking the paper again.

What's the sweetest thing about birthday, Malik? Your IQ is shit so im scared of doing this dumb clue thing so I'll give you a hint.
hint: cake  ;)

Zayn rolls his eyes, whispering a profanity under his breath even though a smile plasters on his face. He checks up to see the clock strike eight.

Where can he find a cake?

He almost face palms himself, what sort of dumb question was that? He rushes to the fridge, opening the door so fast that it probably would've ripped out.
He glances at the chocolate mousse sitting comfortably in the middle and he almost feels like crying.

Taking it out with the chit he closes the door with his foot. Setting it on the table he leans to grab a spoon while reading the slip.

I was so confused as to what i could gift to a person who has almost everything but then i knew what all i could do. Anyway, your first gift, it's the most deserted place of this house.
Zayn Malik, you helped me get my dream job, i thought it's only fair I'd help you.

The most deserted place? Zayn licks his bottom lip, the gears in his head rolling around.

What's the most deserted place?

Then it clicks, Zayn rushes towards the rooftop, sprinting upstairs as he walks inside the spare room and in to the balcony. Taking a deep breath he jumps up, his hands grasping the roof and pulling his body up. He slowly steps to the chimney, trying to locate anything around it but finds nothing.

What even?

He sits down on the roof, his feet dangling as he looks around. What if his dumbáss is not able to get all clues? Is Crystal going to stay where ever the héll she is for an eternity?

Possibly alone? Zayn jumps down at the thought of that, taking a deep breath and looking down the balcony. Where could–

The shed.

He sprints down again, entering the living room and opening the window doors into the backyard and rushing to the shed. He stares at it for what seems like a minute. It looks different. . . Cleaner? He walks to the door, pulling the sheet pasted on the door.

Clever, im sure you almost peed yourself trying to understand the clue, anyway, I hope you like it. It's nothing compared to the bakery but... :)

Zayn takes a deep breath, staring up the shed. He feels his nerves starting to climb up, why is he scared all of a sudden. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath and open the door in haste, entering in and slamming it close.

Ever so slowly he opens his eyes to meet the darkness, some light managing to enter through the window due to which he could make out a table. He moves back, almost cringing when he starts feeling the wall to find the switch.

Finally his fingers flick the switch and the light turns on. He feels his breath almost stuck in his throat because what the héll?
Holy shít.

Was this a bloody art studio? His hand find their way to his mouth as he stares at the scene, his mind blown away. The roof, initially loaded with spiders and webs had small sketches that he was sure were tore out of his sketch book. He notices behind it, books by almost each of his favourite artists, various guides, autobiography, almost everything.

He opens the small drawers to see it loaded with sealed paints of every possible colour, brushes stocked in compartments, labeled with size. He opens the small almirah to see canvases, packed up in plastic, a total of thirty lined up by size. Over it the compartment holding various pencils, charcoal.

A small chair in the corner and baskets above him holding small treats. This was an artist's dream.
He tries to breath but the profanities recklessly exit his mouth. He takes out his phone from his pocket, dialing Crystal.
A ring later she cuts the phone.

He wants to scream, he wants to hug her, he wants to pole dance on the bloody almirah, he could almost cry. He touches the rug on the ground, the whole design was so. . . Him.

He picks up the paper again, turning it around.

I wish i could see your reaction, almost broke my knee while getting those canvases. Next station: Martha's house. Just go in whatever you're wearing.
So zayn? Grab your monet and let's (van) gogh.

“Oh god.”  Zayn whispers, chuckling slowly at the pun. Taking a deep breath, he closes the shed door rushing back into the house. Making sure he has his wallet and phone, he locks the house and walks to Martha's house.

With a smile plastered on his face he presses the door bell. What is he supposed to say anyway? Do they even know? They have to.

“I thought you'd never come.”  Martha groans, opening the door wider for him. “Uh?”
“Jeffrey he's here, make it quick now come on.”  she says in a hurried tone.
“Wait what? What am I supposed to—”  he feels someone tug on his sweater's sleeve, making him turn. “Come on, Zayn. I'm your chauffeur for tonight.”

“Jeez, Jeffrey.”  he chuckles, letting him pull Zayn in to his bedroom. “Wait!”  he yells right before Zayn opens the door.
“Something wrong?” Jeffrey whips out a blindfold from his pocket forcing Zayn to roll his eyes. “No we're not doing this, Sir.”  he objects in vain as Jeffrey ties the blindfold around his eyes. He lets out a groan in objection right as Jeffrey pulls him in.

“I've some clothes for you, wear them.”  Zayn frowns hearing that. “Yeah, how am I supposed to wear them blindfolded?”  he asks, turning his head in the direction he assumes Jeffrey is standing in.

“Don't tell me you can't make out a difference between a pant or a shirt.”  Zayn rolls his eyes.
“Go ahead, change.”
“Uhm, Jeff, privacy?”

“No, I'll make sure you don't open your eyes.”
“If you think I'm showing my bare body to a middle aged guy, then sir, you're absolutely wrong.”

“Come on, Zayn. We don't have the whole day, move it!”
“At least turn around! You can always take peeks to make sure.”
“Jesus, you nun, okay!”  Jeffrey rolls his eyes, turning around.

Zayn starts touching the bed to find whatever was supposed to be there. “This is disgusting, it looks like I'm feeling your bed.”

“Make it quick, kiddo.”  Zayn sighs, moving his hand around before it finds a soft material.
“I think these are pants.”  Zayn mutters. “Yes, those are.”

“Jeffrey, turn!”  rolling his eyes, Jeffrey turns around again.
“Woah, this fits so well. As if it's made for me.”

“Yeah, maybe it is,”  Jeffrey shrugs. “You decent now?”
“Not morally, but I think I'm in these pants successfully if that's what you mean.”

Jeffrey shakes his head, quietly turning around to see Zayn, rather awkwardly, feeling around the bed. He smiles slowly before shooting a text to Crystal.
This lad had a long night ahead.

༻❁༺

“Where are we going?”
“You wouldn't be blindfolded if I could tell you.”
“You think she's somewhere here?” Zayn asks.

“Telling by the movement of the wind, the tire patterns on road, I think so.”  Zayn turns his head in Jeffrey's direction. “Woah, you could really te—”

“Text, Zayn. She texted me.”  He helps him out of the car, Zayn almost managing to bang his head in the process. “What even—”  he feels Jeffrey's grip loosening on his shoulder.

“Woah, old man, you're not leaving me stranded. Are you?”  he hears the car door bang close making him whip his head back, trying to move his arms. “Woah, Jeff. The héll?”

He hears the car's voice fading away making him nervous. “What even?”  That's when a hand grasps his shoulder, making him whip back and slap the person hard on the arm.

“Zayn, the héll?!”  he hears.
“Woah, Crystal?” he asks, hearing only groans in return.
“Idiot, my arm hurts.”  she cribs.

“I was scared, okay? I'm sorry.”
“Oh please, you're not.”
“Obviously I'm not, hah.”

“Yeah, bite me Zayn.”
“Eat me, Hogward.”
“Kiss my àss, lamester.”
“That's not a word.”
“And you're not eligible guy material, I'm adjusting. You do too.”

Zayn smiles, shaking his head.
“Where are you?”  he says, leaning his arms slowly before he feels his hand touch her face and he pulls her into a hug.
“Thank you.”  he whispers, crushing her in his embrace.

“Are you drunk?” Crystal asks, alert. “Slightly tipsy.”
“Hold on, are you sober?”
“I mean. . . I'm sort of functional.”
“Yeah okay, you're drunk.”
“Jeez mum, shut up.”  he complains, pulling out of the hug.

“Crystal, I don't know how—”
“Shush, we've a long night. Come with me now.”  she whispers, holding both of his hands in hers and then placing them on her shoulders. “You're wearing your black coat, aren't you?”  he asks, rubbing his hands on her shoulder.

“Just walk, Zayn.”
“You're so mean, it's my birthday and you made me feel like shít.”
“Well you're an ásshole too.”  she replies, taking small cautious steps while walking.

“Oh, please. I'm just reserved, slightly bitter yeah and little complicated. It's one of my charms.”  he replies, placing his cold hand on Crystal's cheek to annoy her. She slaps his hand away. “First of all, all those traits are wrong and secondly,”  she stops walking. “You don't know how to count.”

“I'm cold, this place feels eerie. Where are we?”  Zayn asks, as he feels Crystal get distant. “Hey?” a sigh escapes his mouth. “Yeah okay, revenge, I get it.”

“Turn to your right.”  Zayn turns left. “That's your left, Zayn!”  chuckling, Zayn does so right when she says it. “Okay I'm going to ask you to take off your blindfolds hold on- oh my god I'm so excited!”  Crystal giggles.

“Can I take it off?”
“Yeah, whenever you're ready.”
Zayn smiles back, untying his blindfold. “This knot isn't opening. I'm going to go blind. Help!”  Crystal rushes behind him trying to pull the knot.

“Dámn Crystal, you want my eyeballs? just ask.”  Rolling her eyes, she pulls the knot again with her nail and it manages to loosen. Zayn pulls it immediately, his eyes twitch a little before he looks around to realise he's on the property. There's a small table in front of him and fairy lights around it.

Holy shít.

“Zayn?”  he turns around at that and comes face to face with a full length mirror, which he realises is the one that vanished from his bedroom this morning but all thoughts wash away when he stares at his reflection and at the maroon suit on his body. The high waisted maroon pants reaching a little above his belly button with the black shirt tucked right inside and the waist coat open.

He stares for what seems like years before he turns slowly to look at Crystal.

“You did not.”
she giggles, “Yes I did.”
“No, you did not—”
“I did it. Thank me already.” Zayn's head whips again in the direction of the mirror, he straightens his jacket a bit before turning again.

“How, where did you get the money I—”  Zayn stops, taking in a deep breath. “Saved it. Must've missed one zero when you initially showed me this because when I went again and focused more on the price, I was. . . shocked.”

She laughs. “But yeah, for you.”  She smiles while saying. Zayn pierces his lips together, brushing his hair back. “Come here.”  he wraps his arms around her, squeezing her so hard that a squeal escapes her mouth. Placing a small kiss in her hair, he moves back.

“I've no words, I–  hold on.”  he frowns, “Why are you wearing a beanie over a red jumpsuit?”  Zayn raises his brow. Crystal presses her lips together to hide a small smile before she takes a few steps back and removes the beanie from her head and her dark blonde hair flow around before falling on her back.

“Oh. My. God.”  Zayn whispers.
“Yeah, I got them bleached.”  Crystal giggles. “They look kinda nice to be honest, your advice was nice. I do feel like a new me.”

“This colour looks so good on you!”  Zayn yells, clapping his hands that it makes Crystal laugh almost immediately. “Remember the deal? You're getting your hair done pink.”

“Excuse me?”  Zayn laughs. “How about no?”  shaking her head, Crystal walks near him, clutching the collars of his jacket and straightening them. “It fits well.”  she smiles.

“How does it fit so well?”
“Well you did go for a fitting.”
“I did?”  he asks before it strikes it. That uniform crap she fed him. Shaking his head playfully he stares at her. “Oh yeah.”

“So? The cake?”  she asks.
“Fúck yes!”  he laughs, jogging to the table. Crystal opens the box with a small smile. “Crystal. . .” Zayn trails off, once he sees the badly structured-with the frosting going everywhere cake in front of him.

“It's salty.”  she says.
“Crystal, dude.”  Zayn whines.
“Come on, it's a tradition from today.”  she laughs. Zayn cuts the cake, not before whining and takes a bite trying to hold in his gag reflex.

“Alright, I'm just kidding.”  she laughs, placing another box and opening it. “Holyshít is that deadpool?”  Zayn looks up at her.
“Hell yes it is and you better like this cake because I've went through shít to make this again since it fell the first time.” shít like going to Matt's store since it'd be the only one open that late or maybe lying to you.

“I love it!” he yells, making Crystal laugh again. “Here cut it.”  she suggests, passing him the knife. “You cut it with me too.”
“It's your birthday, Zayn.”  she smiles slowly.

“We do everything together, remember? Partners?”  Crystal blushes slowly before passing him a smile. Zayn puts his hand over hers and pierces the knife through the cake.

Crystal tries to hold in the whirlwind of animals running in her stomach as she bites her lip to stop the smile. “Oh my god, can I eat this small deadpool?”  he asks, picking up the small fondant made deadpool in his hands. “Yes.”  she replies, a smile appearing on her lips.

“Why did you steal my room's mirror? I felt empty without it.”
“Yeah, diva. You really thought I was going to buy a new one for this?”  Zayn shrugs. “You're rich, ma'am.”

“But, jeez, Crystal. I don't know what to say I'm just totally lost for words. I was so heart-broken,”  Zayn laughs. “I thought you're acting but when I came back I was totally shattered.”

“Yeah, well. Remember it was on your sixteenth birthday to-do list?”  she asks, making Zayn frown. “Huh?”
“When this kid in your art class celebrated his birthday alone and you wanted to experience how it felt because you were so sympathetic.”  she says slowly.

Zayn pierces his lips together before it clicks. “Why do you remember that?!”  he asks flabbergasted. “That was our last day at Tony's. Remember?”

“Oh right.”  he mumbles before shrugging. “Yeah, whatever. Trisha Paytas voice, worst fúcking experience of my life.”  Crystal giggles before, cutting a slice of cake and waving at the guard.

Zayn whimpers before slowly taking some steps back. “How did he allow you?”  he asks just when she passes the the plate to him with a smile and he walks away. “He came to my bakery with his daughter.”

Crystal cuts another slice, passing it to Zayn who takes it happily. “Small world.”

Fifteen minutes down they sit on the blankets, taking rest with the table with the fairy lights around them as the wind splashes around. “So. . . I've something.”  Zayn bites into his third slice as Crystal breaks the comfortable silence.

“Yeah?”
“So, I- uh p-painted you?”  Zayn coughs a little before his eyes widen. “Are you kidding me?! You suck at drawing.”  Crystal passes a tight-lipped smile to Zayn before turning her face.

“Okay, jeez I'm sorry Crys, but I need to see it. Show me?”
“On second thought, it súcks. You're right.”  she complains, slowly taking a small bite of her slice.

“Crystal, come on it's only fair. I suck at baking but I tried. It's the effort that counts.”  he smiles. Taking a soft breath she takes out the canvas from under the table with a white cloth covering it.

“Promise you won't laugh?”
“I won't, Jaan.”  Zayn smiles slowly. He knew it, he so knew it. It was Crystal's weakness. That. Dàmn. Word.

Zayn pulls the cloth and turns the canvas towards him and with immense efforts manages to hold in his laughter. “I know it sucks.”  Crystal sighs.
Zayn pierces his lips.

“Crystal?”
“Yeah?”
“I don't think you should marry me.”  Zayn whispers, holding in his laughter.
“Why?”
“Man, if this is me, I'm one ugly chap.”  he bursts out laughing, staring at the misaligned eyes and huge ears. “Fúck you, Zayn.”
“Are these crayons?”

Groaning she tries to pull the picture out from his hands but he backs off chuckling. “I'm laminating this.”  he laughs before pulling Crystal in for a hug. “Thank you so much.”  he smiles in her hair. “This can be a tradition too. I'll make shitty salty cakes for you that taste like death and you can make unstructured, weird sketches for me.”  Zayn suggests, making Crystal finally crack a smile.

“Let's go home and watch a movie or something.”  Zayn suggests, holding her wrist in his hand slowly.

“No, I've something else.” 
“What?” he chuckles lightly. “Still?”

“Yes.”  she smiles. “You don't think I'll take the headache of getting you to wear this for netflix and chill, did you?”
“Jeez, Crys. What more? Do you have a monument to offer me?”  he laughs.

“No.”  she pulls him slowly with a smile. “Something better.”

༻❁༺

“Why are we going to the other side of London?”  Zayn asks, as he drives on the filled roads of London, passing glances to Crystal. “Don't talk to me.”

“Come on, Crystal. You really didn't think I'll give you my car ever again after you banged it once and almost killed us when we were coming to London. What does my head say? Stupid?”

“But it's my surprise, I deserve to have you blindfolded and I should be driving.” she whines.
“You're wearing this jumpsuit.”  Zayn mentions, almost mastering the art of manipulating her moods.

It obviously works.
“You noticed?”
“Yes, it looks really good on you. The blonde hair makes your face look so much more livelier.” Zayn compliments, catching the pink in her cheeks before he turns to the road.

“Hold on.”  he whispers as the GPS pings, indicating his destination has arrived.
“This restaurant.”  he smiles, shaking his head when he feels his cheek warm up.

“Crystal, dude.”
“Ew, don't dude me.”  she cringes. Zayn opens his door but stops when Crystal let's out a shriek. “What?!”  he gasps, holding a hand to his chest.

Crystal rushes out of the car to the other side before opening Zayn's door. “Mi'lady.”  she says before her eyes turn wide. “Hold on, what do you say for a guy?”

Zayn laughs slowly before shaking his head and coming out of the car, hearing Crystal slamming the door close behind him. “This way.”  she links her hand in his arm before they walk inside.

“It feels like I'm walking with a Prince.”  she whispers, glancing up at Zayn. “Don't flatter me please.”  he whispers back, passing her a narrowed eye look even though a smile plays on his lips. “Seriously, everyone is looking at you in this suit.”  she says.

“I think they're looking at us.”

They get escorted to a table and passed on the menus.
“I still can't understand a word on this menu, Crystal. What am I supposed to order?”  he whispers slowly, holding in a chuckle as he stares blankly at the menu.

“Are you fine people ready to order?”  the waitress asks, a smile on her lips.
“Yes, I'll take a—”

“Chicken lasagna for me and chicken kiev for him.”  Crystal smiles, Zayn abruptly backs up and stares at her. “Sure. Anything else?”

Once Crystal completes the order, the waitress walks away.
“Crystal? What even? Why didn't you let me order? Wasn't that the same thing we had the last time we came here?”

Crystal props her face in her hands and puts her elbows on the table, with a small smile.
“Don't you realise, Zayn?”
Zayn raises his brow. “What?”

“Well, you're the one good with words but well. . .”  she takes in a deep breath. “I realised we came a very long way and I thought we deserved a restart and what's better than your birthday?” she smiles.

Zayn furrows his brows in confusion yet a small smile plays on his lips. “What does that mean?”

“Let's reverse every bad memory we have in London with a new good one.”  Crystal smiles. “Okay?”  a smile spreads on his lips as he feels his cheeks getting warm. “Crystal.”

“And sadly all bad memories were during the night so. . . I had to wait.”  Crystal says, before grabbing a napkin and cleaning above her eyelids.
“That's why you're wearing this red jumpsuit?”  Zayn bites his lower lip to stop a smile.
She nods slowly. “I realised that you've literally everything that I could possibly give you but one thing; Good memories.”  she smiles.

“Jeez, you ordered the same thing we ate.”  he laughs. “How cheesy.”  Crystal slaps his hand making him chuckle. “You think this is cheesy? Just wait.”  Zayn raises his brow, giving her a challenging look.

Fifteen minutes later they start eating the food, right on time when Crystal chokes on something. Zayn passes her a glass of water, slapping her back slowly. “Dámn Crystal, you better not die on me.”  he laughs.

“Shut up, I'll die whenever the héll I want to.”  she sips the water again before sighing. “Why does this happen with me?”

Once their plates are empty and their stomach is full, the waitress comes with the bill. Zayn takes out his wallet but Crystal beats him up by slapping the exact amount of bills in the bill book.

“Excuse me?”  she asks the waitress who slowly smiles at her. “Yes?”
“Can anyone dance there?”  she asks, pointing to the music. Zayn bites his lower lip again to stop the smile from spreading as he shakes his head. “Yes, absolutely.”

“Thank you.”
“Crystal, jeez.”  he chuckles.
“Are you blushing?”
“No, I'm not. It's just too cold.”
“You're wearing a suit.”
“Yeah, so?”

She stands up from her seat and walks to stand right in front of him. “Do you wanna dance?”
“Crystal, this vicious cir—”  Crystal grabs his hand and pulls him up making him abruptly stop. “Shut up and dance with me, ásshole.”

Zayn smiles slowly. “Sure, blondie.”

༻❁༺

“Crys, I need to get something off my chest.”  Zayn whispers, as he follows the GPS.
“Is it your shirt? I hope it's your shirt or your jacket.”

Zayn laughs. “So you're making dirty jokes now?”  she shrugs.
“Why not.”  a chuckle escapes her mouth. “No, it's not my shirt, blondie.”

“Can you stick with 'Crys' please?”  Crystal whines, glancing outside the window.
“Listen, I-I met Lara yesterday.”  Zayn turns to look at Crystal who turns to look back at Zayn.

“I kinda went to Matt's shop that day too since everything was closed, that's where I was.”  she mumbles back. Both of them stare at each other for certain seconds before they end up laughing.

“Listen, enough.”  Zayn chuckles. “Maybe you're dad was right, we're dumb.”  Crystal smiles slowly before shaking her head. “I know you met Lara.”

He stops the car abruptly before looking at her. “W-what?”
“She'd asked my permission before wishing you.”

“She did?”  he asks, making Crystal nod. “And I know you didn't take her gift and I'm happy you respected me.”

“Aren't you angry I went out? Without telling you?”  he asks, before glancing ahead again. “No, I knew you'd tell me.”  she smiles. “You can be anything but dishonest with me after everything's that happened.”

Zayn sighs. “And look, I'm sorry I lied. I really am. I'm sorry I embarrassed you in front of your friends but I swear to god Zayn, it was never my intention. I'd make it up to you.”

Zayn gulps as he stops the car in front of the hotel. “Yeah, it's okay.”  he sighs. “Why are we here Crystal?”  he mumbles, looking at the hotel where the office party took place.

“Come out.”
“I hate this place.”
“Damn Zayn, just come out.”  sighing he exits the car, looking at the empty street.

“What are we doing here, Crys?” Zayn asks, walking to her side. She smiles at him before looking at the entrance. “This has to be the place with our worst memory.”  Zayn mumbles.

“No.”  Crystal whispers. “I think it's my favorite.”  Zayn side glances at her trying to decide if she's being sarcastic but when he spots a genuine smile on her face he gulps. “You kissed me here for the first time.”

Zayn's eyes fly up to the empty balcony and he shortly smiles.
“You're just being nice.”  Crystal coughs before holding his hand and pulling him near the staircase. She takes a step back before pulling Zayn's engagement ring out.

“Woah, are you going to throw this at me again?”  Zayn laughs slowly. Taking in a deep breath, Crystal sits down on one of her knee making Zayn eyes widen.

“Crystal, the fúck?”
“Jeez, my knee hurts, how do you guys do this?”  Zayn chuckles, before passing her a small smile. He takes out one of his shoe sliding it towards Crystal with his toe. “Put it on it.”

She places her knee on the shoe and then looks up to pass a smile to him. “This is awkward.”  Zayn mumbles with a smile. “Okay so, I thought I'll write something that we notice about each other. You know. . . Like everytime.”  Crystal shrugs.

“But then I came with a better option.”  she smiles before taking out a paper out from her clutch.
“I made us an agreement.”
Zayn raises his brow. “I thought you're proposing me.”  Crystal bites her lip before standing up.
“On second thoughts, let's just stand by the car.”

Zayn chuckles again before throwing his arm around her shoulders and walking to the car.
“So what's this agreement?”
“Yeah.”  Crystal clears her throat.

“So three days back whilst I was pondering over the pathetic and miserable conditions of human race, I realised we, infact, might have something particularly sweet.”  she reads from the paper before glancing up to see Zayn with his lips pierced together to stop a smile. He nods slowly, as if listening to the agreement carefully.

With a smile Crystal continues, “While certain people walk straight in the hands of satan I've realised since the time we met we left that terrible route together to walk on a different route.”  she bites her lower lip with a smile passing a glance in his direction before continuing.

“I reckon you must be confused as to why this realisation dawned on me?”
“Absolutely, Ms. Hogward. Please enlighten me.”  Zayn nods. Crystal smiles shyly at him, sure that she hadn't smiled so much in so long, before continuing,

“I recently realised I can't really stay away from you without this huge feeling of terror and apprehension, which I might add, only stay as a reminder of warmth and joy that I'm filled with when I'm with you.”  Zayn chuckles slowly.

“Jeez, blondie. Did you just recite oxford dictionary to me?”
“Concentrate and please be professional.”  Zayn shakes his head before crossing his arms and smiling.

“Yes miss, I'm listening.”
She nods proudly. “Fortunately I'm extremely intelligent and intellectual and I do have a solution for his horrendously scary problem.”  she coughs.

“We must wed at once.”  he points a finger in the air to make a point and Zayn almost feels so much warmth in his stomach that he could possibly feel an oven inside him. Dàmn, she looked gorgeous, that blonde hair and. . . Zayn was sure he didn't mind the term.

“Your hideous baking skills can't possibly compliment my pathetic painting skills any better than the moon can hide from the night sky,”  Zayn almost chuckles again but pulls it in as he stares at her face, her eyes flying across the sheet of paper that she recites from.

What more could he ask for?

“By marrying, sir—”
“Yes.”  Zayn says, pulling the sheet out of her hand. “No Zayn, let me complete—”

“Shush.”  he says, placing his finger on her lips. “You could've just said 'you jerk with black hair marry me' and I'd say yes in a heartbeat.”  he smiles. “You accept you're a jerk?”

“Quite the recitation though, Miss Hogward.”  he tucks back her hair and Crystal could almost feel Zayn hearing the zoo going haywire in her stomach.

This feeling. No way.

“Can I have my ring back?”
Crystal drops down the one shoe she holds in her hand before taking the one knee posture again. “Jeez, Crys. Stop.”  Zayn laughs.

“Give me your hand.”
“No, this is awkward.”  he laughs.
“Just do it, Zayn.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to propose you dumbâss.”  she snaps. Rolling his eyes playfully Zayn places his hand in hers, almost feeling his cheeks heat up in embarrassment yet shyness.

“Zayn dumbàss Malik, I promise to make chocolate mousses for you for the rest of my life, we'll have cycling races every Sunday morning and movie nights on Friday night. We can build pillow forts and sit on the roof for as long as you want. I'd allow you to eat three instant noodles a week and never ask for the AUX cable again, so can you please say yes because my knee is about to break.”

Zayn laughs. “No, I think I'll pass.”
“Zayn, say yes.”
“Uh. . . Nah.”
“Zayn, I'll kick you where the sun doesn't shine.”
“Am I supposed to be scared, nun?”
“Zayn.”  she whines making him laugh. He pulls her up by her wrist before smiling. “Yeah, okay.”

“Yes, Zayn Malik loves charity cases.”  Crystal taunts with a smile. “You didn't just go there.”
“I so did.”

“Well atleast I don't fake beanies. I'm calling Margaret so she can drive me till this town is just a bad memory.”  he smiles.

“Atleast I don't wear blue bras to office parties being Ariel the mermaid, Zayn.” 
“At least I don't mess up between coffee and tea, Crystal.”

“Like you did with salt and sugar? Mr. Revolutionary salt cake.”  Crystal crosses her arms to look smarter as a playful smile plays on her lips.
“Also, atleast I didn't give away an engagement ring on the first date, sir.”  Zayn groans at that.

“That still embarrasses me, dude, what was I thinking?”  he laughs.
Crystal smiles slowly, Zayn was possibly the best surprise of her life.

“Zayn?”

“Yes?”  he whispers back.
“Can I hug you?”
“That will cost you twenty poun—”  he feels her arms wrapping around his neck and he smiles before engulfing her in his. He pulls her into him, breathing her in and there it was. . . roses and lavender.

He briefly kisses her neck before breaking the hug. “So, shall we call it a day?”
“No, there's one memory that's left.” Crystal replies.
“I can't recall any.”

“Zayn, we need to fix that memory. Come on.”
“After that I'll teach you how to paint.”

Crystal grimaces. “After that we'll go and sleep.”
that makes him laugh. “Lead the way, jaan.”

༻❁༺

“Crystal, what the fúck are you thinking?”  Crystal side glances at Zayn with a timid smile before glancing outside the car window at the empty street. “You don't think I'm leaving my car or allowing you to do— CRYSTAL!”

A wave of wind hits her as she leaves the car and closes the door behind her. “Crystal this isn't safe come on.”
“Calm down, Zayn.”

She walks to his side, slowly slipping her hand in his and looking up at him, she notices Zayn eye their hands before he looks up at her too. Passing a smile, she pulls Zayn in the alley. He looks around, making sure no blue eyed âss was ready to jump him again even though this alley was faraway from that one.

Crystal stops almost near the other end of the alley and turns.
“What are we doing here, Crys? It's pretty dark and gloomy—”

“You lied that day.”
Zayn furrows his brows at that.
“What do you mean?”  he asks, tilting his face a little in confusion. “That night when we were right here, when you almost kissed me.”

Zayn stares at Crystal waiting for her to continue. “You lied that you didn't want to.”
“I didn't want to.”  Zayn replies hesitantly, looking around the alley before staring at her.

Crystal walks closer to him, her hands flying to the collar of his shirt and grasping them in her hand, she looks up at Zayn with a determined look. Zayn stares back, trying to maintain the determined look too but it all flies out of the window when Crystal pulls him back into the wall. Her back hits the wall and Zayn's hands instantly fly to her sides to stable himself.

“I don't like liars.”  he gulps slowly before a smile forms on his lips. “Yeah, you kinda looked like you would've taken out my kidney if I would've said yes that day.”

Crystal leaves his collar, straightening them before she locks her arms around his neck.
“Well.”  she says.

“Well?”
“You're pretty dumb, you know?” she whispers, gazing at Zayn who raises one of his brow at that. “Why, thank you.”
“Thank you? I insulted you.”
“Well. . . I just heard 'you're pretty' in that sentence.”  he replies, before he stables himself to stand straight, walking even closer that the small gap between their bodies get erased. Placing one of his hand on her waist, he looks into her eyes.

“Aren't you one héll of a narcissist?”
“Yet you're so near a narcissist. Where are you morals, jaan?”
Crystal presses her lips to stop the smile that almost makes it on her lips. “Why do you like that nickname so much?”

“I just do,”  Crystal could swear that the brown eyes she's staring in could be the death of her. Zayn to her was so strikingly beautiful that it almost left her breathless to have him so close to her. She could feel her heart ache and she didn't want to admit but—

“So where were we?”  he asks with a smile.
“We were mending mistakes.”  Crystal whisper-replies. “Yeah?” he breathes slowly.

“Crystal?”
“Yeah?”
“I didn't thank you, did I?”
She finds her hands tangling in his hair, slowly scratching the back of his head. “For?”

“For everything.”  he smiles. She realises what Zayn was doing, he was redoing their conversation.
“

You won't kiss me right?”  she smiles untangling her hands from his neck and cupping his cheek with her right hand while placing her left hand on his chest.

“You'd be lucky if I did.”  he whispers, before leaning in a little, his lips barely brushing hers. “Can I?”  he breathes.

And that makes Crystal smile.
“You better make this memorable—”  and she feels his lips slowly brush her, lightly pecking them to test the waters before he kisses her again. His arm slides along her back to guide her closer as their lips move. Zayn runs his fingertips up her forearm, leaving a trail of goose bumps. A smile forms on both their lips and it almost makes it difficult to kiss anymore.

“Stop smiling.”  Crystal whispers, disconnecting their lips as Zayn places his forehead on hers, a smile playing on his lips too.
“Why don't you first?”  he whispers back. Crystal feels his breath hitting her lips as he speaks.

“I can't stop.”  she whispers, a giggle escaping her mouth before she opens her eyes to notice Zayn already staring in hers.
“Why'd you stop?”  she whispers.

“You want me to die of breathlessness?”  Crystal rolls her eyes before pushing him away, a chuckle escaping out of Zayn's mouth. “You know how to ruin the mood sir,”  she shakes her head with a smile. “You're so stupid.”

He grins slowly, before holding her hand in his and starting to walk out of the alley. “Guess we'll never lose the glint of friendship because I can't help but annoy you.”  he replies with a smile.

“And well, that's a pro of being best friends I guess, you help me through my stupid decisions and you love that.”  he says, crossing his arms as he stares at her.

she laughs in reply. “I don't know, maybe?”  Zayn stands still, passing her a smile before he pulls her into him. She hits his chest and his arm almost involuntarily circles her waist before he pecks her again ever so slowly whispering,

“I sure hope so. You're the only smart decision I've ever made and I'll be the happiest if it stays that way.”

______

holyshít, i had no idea so many people read my book, y'all were so motivating and moving and omg i was totally shook.
To be honest, updating this took a whole lot of effort, i was second guessing sm but then i thought, fk it, zayn and crys are literally my soul my children and i can't abandon like that.

to whoever you are, supporting me in the last chapter and if you're readinh this, thank you so much for the love. I owe you big time and im so grateful you read my book. Love you x

Do drop your feedback! What do you think will happen?

Adam's party is so close, what do you think will happen there?

I don't think I'll ever be over zayn and crystal kissing sjskjsks ;-;

until next time❤️ don't forget to vote xoxo