Chapter 6
Without the letters from the mystery writer advancing, I had decided to keep seeing Zayn.
And it was one of the best decisions I'd ever made.
I honestly can't say I'm falling for him, because I knew that I was already in love with him. When I'd first realized it I'd been visiting his home with him over thanksgiving break and I still have yet to tell him. I wasn't sure if the feelings were mutual, but I didn't let myself back out, out of anxiety. Hopefully he did love me back.
I was still close friends with my girls. One thing I'd learned about my Zayn was that he and Ronnie had previously had a thing, but they both seemed past it. That made things easy for me and not awkward. They seemed genuine about it too. She didn't seem one bit interested in him or spiteful about us being together and it made me incredibly happy to be so blessed with such incredible new friends.
Speaking of, it was a few days till I took off to go back home for winter break. Zayn would be with me and my family for a few days or maybe a week, but I wanted to be there the full break. I hardly saw them last break. It was time I found my family reunion.
"Are you sure you don't want to just come home with me for the last week? I promised Trish you'd be with her on Christmas anyways," I smiled as I packed my suitcase.
I glanced over at Zayn on Ronnie's bed who laid in a leisure. He smirked. "So now you're on a first name basis with her?" he questioned.
I rolled my eyes. "Babe, you were actually there when she said, 'now, dear, you can call me Trish, alright?'" I quoted, trying to imitate her accent.
Zayn snickered. "That was so awful I'm almost offended," he criticized.
I slackened my arms and gave him a dry look. He only laughed and then sat up. "Come over here." He motioned with his hand and I side glanced him as I set down the cloth in my hands, walking towards him. When I was in front of him he pulled me down into his lap and I giggled, laying my head against his shoulder. He kissed my forehead.
"I would do that, but you have to remember we already agreed on this plan."
I sighed, making a face. He was right. I'd told him that this was the best idea, but I regret it now. "Yeah, I guess." I paused. "I was just hoping we could have a New Years kiss..." I trailed off, feeling wistful. I wish I'd thought of it earlier because he did seem right. It was unfair to make him drop our plans and waste the ticket he'd already bought just for a petty kiss.
He frowned and then his knuckles brushed along my cheek. "Oh." He shook his head and looked down into my eyes. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I wish..." He sighed and I felt guilty so I stretched my neck so I could kiss him. The kiss was forgiving and gentle. I looked up into his brown eyes and smiled at him.
"Don't wish." I shook my head at him, putting my hand on the side of his face. "We can always try a New Year kiss some other time," I joked. He chuckled and I bit my lip. "Besides. I can kiss you here." I pressed my lips against his again, our mouths parting. I straightened my back and wrapped my arms around his neck. My fingers found their way into his hair while his did the same to me.
The door opened in that moment and I heard the sounds of disgust come from my roommate. "Gross! Not on my bed!"
Zayn and I stopped, my head falling forward into his shoulder as I laughed. "Shit, we're busted!"
Ronnie huffed and came over to us, whacking us with her jacket.
"Ah!" I squealed as she shooed us away.
"Damn, woman," Zayn grimaced, picking me up with him to carry me over to my bed.
Ronnie shook her head at us. "You nasties," she said. "Watch yourselves, because I'm watching you." She narrowed her eyes and gave us the universal "I've got my eyes on you" look.
I shook my head, touching my temples. I loved Ronnie, though. She grabbed whatever it was she'd been looking for and then left, closing the door behind herself gently.
I laughed to myself and said it out loud. "Gotta love Ronnie."
He joined me in my laughter. "Very true." He looked over at my clock and then sighed. "I think I need to go start my own packing."
I looked back at Zayn and stepped forward looping my arms back around his neck. I looked up at him and pressed my forehead to his. "Okay," I whispered. I loved looking in his eyes. His eyes were somehow always a shiny brown and they just made me happy. Something about them just held this hope. It was as though I could see all of his dreams within those sparks his irises held. I opened my mouth to say it. The three words almost left my mouth, thoughtlessly, but I remembered we had yet to say it and I chickened. I didn't want to be the first to say it; not now at least. I lacked the courage.
I swallowed and cleared my throat, turning the romantic atmosphere awkward as I let him go. "O-Okay." I laughed awkwardly. "I actually need to handle some gifts real quick. Be Santa for a moment." I ran my fingers through my hair, combing it nervously. "But I'll make sure we talk later tonight so we can discuss how we go about this, alright?"
He nodded slowly after a moment, no doubt trying to understand my strange behavior. "Alright," he agreed.
I smiled and kissed him one last time. "Okay. Bye, babe." I smiled at him hoping he walked out so I can stop hiding my embarrassment. I was scared my face was bright with color and I didn't want that.
I returned to my packing, trying to look occupied so he left.
"Um, bye." He seemed hesitant, but he moved to the door, leaving. I sighed in silent misery.
I should tell him, I thought. But my mind continued fighting itself as it also thought not today. I just sighed again, this time a bit more frustrated and I grabbed my purse.
Time to go Christmas shopping.
-
It was Friday after school and I was rushing everywhere to give all of my friends their rightful presents before I left. I didn't have too many close friends, thank god. That would be awkward because I don't exactly have a lot of money. I don't even have a job yet, something I needed to fix as soon as I got back. But that wasn't the focus of the day for me.
As I stepped into Starbucks I saw only two of my besties. Of course in that moment I grew sad and suddenly wished that my other girls were there too since I knew that they would get along well; but I ignored that feeling. I'll just introduce them all next year. I wondered where Ronnie and Jade could've been but decided they'd be there soon.
I took off my jacket as I came in from the snowy cold outside and Lexi gasped. "Awww! Don't you just look like a Merry Christmas!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands for me.
I laughed. I wore a comfy red sweater that had the design of a Christmas tree adorned in gold on it with a pair of red shorts and white stockings.
"I'm just happy she ain't walking around here lookin like a ho ho ho," Sasha commented, making me laugh even more. She came from behind the counter and before she could say anything Max replied, "I'll cover you guys."
Lexi came out from behind the counter too, jumping around adorably with her honey waves. They both wore their duty clothes as I call them: white button up and a pair of black slacks.
In that moment, Ronnie and Jade came bustling in. They were dressed in adorable sweaters somewhat like me, but their sweaters were more Disney themed. Ronnie's blue sweater had Olaf on it and Jade's grey sweater had Bambi in a Santa hat.
"Did you guys bring your gifts?" I asked, hoping they remembered also. They knew I was boarding a plane tonight so they all were supposed to have them.
"Of course we did!" Sasha insisted, giving me an expression of disbelief. "Do you really think so low of us?" she pouted.
I sighed. "No, no, I just..." I trailed off. "I'm just being stupid," I laughed.
Jade put a hand on my shoulder. "Aw. Well, don't worry yourself any more, love. I think we've all brought our goods." Jade smiled at the other girls who nodded in agreement and I relaxed myself with another sigh.
"Alright, ladies, I got a plane to board in a few hours. Let's not be too slow."
-
I was impressed with everything I'd received from the girls. They clearly paid attention to me and my interests. I had gotten an Oh Wonder tshirt from Ronnie after I had been obsessing over them and then moaning about getting one when I could afford it.
Lexi hand crafted me a pot for the plant I keep claiming to grow and also a little gift set she'd made to carry a bunch of her home made sweets that she knew I was obsessed with. As I walked away from Starbucks I had already begun devouring a cupcake.
From Jade I received a beanie with the words "I'm in charge" sewn in and she also got me a unicorn onsie based off a tale I told her about being the mystical creature for Halloween as a toddler.
Lastly, Sasha got me a collection of MAC makeup and a $50 gift card for Bath & Body Works so I could go check out the scents myself sometime. She's pretty spoiled with money by her rich parents.
I was heading back to my room to drop off the gifts I'd just snatched and then grab Marcel's gift, quickly, so I can rush and get it to him. I had about two hours before I had to leave for the airport and I was not going to waste it.
When I opened the door to my room I was immediately greeted with a present on my bed. It was in a fancy, decorated box with a gorgeously tied ribbon. I frowned, unsure of who could've left this for me. I thought it maybe was Zayn and as I moved closer I decided I just had to find out myself.
I untied the ribbon easily and it fell off, gracefully. I lifted the top and when I looked inside my eyes widened and I gasped.
"Oh my god," I whispered. Before me I saw a vintage record player. Looking at it I had no clue how I would possibly use it, but I admired the golden phonographic horn that was so beautiful to me. It reminded me of a flower somehow, but I was in awe as I touched it gently. I picked up an envelope that was nestled in the box and saw my name written on it in bubbly hand writing that made me smile.
It was Marcel.
I opened the envelope and read the message.
Dear Li-Li,
I'm assuming that by now you're preparing to leave and that I won't see you again till 2016. I'm okay with that, by the way. Before you tell me anything like I shouldn't have spent all this money, I just want to clarify that it was my grandmothers. She gave it to me long ago and she's quite frankly dead. I would love it for myself, but I have other trinkets to remind me of her. So I hope you graciously accept this gift.
Merry Christmas, love.
- Marcel
I felt my eyes water a little at the kind act and sighed. I picked up his gift and felt less extraordinary as I carried it to him. How could he get me such an amazing gift like that? Buying the gift would've been expensive, but it was an actual possession of his dead grandmother and he gave it to me. Now I feel shitty.
I knocked on the door of Marcel's dorm and when he opened the door I immediately threw my arms around him in a tight embrace.
He flustered immediately while I began to gush to him about the record player.
"Jesus Christ, Marcel, why would you give me your grandmothers record player? I mean I love it, and I love it, but still! You should have just gotten me a gift card for Starbucks or something!"
I pulled back and he blinked and then chuckled quietly. "I think you drink enough Starbucks as it is," he commented.
I narrowed my eyes, playfully. "Hey. Don't criticize my Starbucks fanatics."
He laughed and wiped his glasses off with the end of his sweater vest and kept his eyes to the ground. I tilted my head to the side and sighed, showing him my gift for him.
"I feel... like an awful gift bearer after what you got me," I admitted, bashfully. "But... I know how you like simple things and I thought you'd like the other thing so I got you only two items..." I trailed off.
He took the gifts from my hands and then looked down at the bag. I raised my eyebrows to encourage him to open the damned thing already. He peeked in the bag and first pulled out a Rolling Stones TShirt. His eyes widened and his cheeks flushed. His mouth was stuttering out random sounds as he searched for words and he swallowed.
I giggled. "I kind of snuck around your room last week," I admitted. "Sorry, babe, I just was at a loss of ideas but then I found a poster of them hidden away behind your nightstand. I don't know why you're keeping your edginess a secret, but it's safe with me, I guess." I bit my lip and smiled at him. "But I was hoping you'd like it anyway."
He next pulled out the pair of boots I saw and gave them a funny look. Marcel still seemed stunned, but he smiled finally and pulled me in for a hug. "I love it," he mumbled in a voice deeper than usual. He rubbed my back slowly and I smiled in comfort. "I'll wear them till their torn at the soles."
"I'll miss you," I laughed. Marcel and I usually saw each other at least once a week. Sometimes for our studying sessions but then other times we just hung out like a normal pair of friends. Marcel was more than my private tutor. He was my friend that I knew I could count on and I felt so blessed to have him in my life.
Marcel kissed me on the forehead and then let me go. "You have a plane to catch. You better hurry," he told me.
I rolled my eyes and giggled. "Of course, of course." I leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek and held his hand tenderly. "I'll see you soon." Our hands had to release each other as I walked away until finally I was leaving.
Time to go catch that flight.
-
After a long plane ride, finally Zayn and I were in my beautiful home town, Sacramento, California.
Okay, maybe it's not that beautiful. It's relatively simple honestly, but still. It was where I was raised.
We were on our way to retrieve our luggage when Zayn said, "I'll get it."
I smiled at him and didn't stop him from going to get our things. I stood in place, waiting for him. I was suddenly bumped into and I couldn't help but wonder why this seemed to always happen at airports to me.
I couldn't help my slightly upset huff, but I noticed somehow that they had dropped something. "Um, you dropped something!" I called at the person. They were walking away so quickly that I bent down to pick up the cross necklace. I chased the fedora wearing male, saying, "Wait!"
My wrist was grabbed and I gasped, turning around quickly. I saw Zayn wearing a confused expression. "Liyah?"
I blinked and swallowed, trying to catch my breath. "Uh."
He looked where the one I had chased disappeared; he was no longer in sight. "What was that about?"
I opened my mouth, but I couldn't think of a way to tell him what happened. "Um. Well." My mind was blank and I blurted, "They had a puppy."
Zayn's expression was baffled and I'm sure mine was too. I had no clue which part of my brain triggered my mouth to say that, but I knew that it sucked with improv.
"You...?" Zayn was trying to piece it all together as he ran his fingers through his hair. "You were chasing a pup owner," he stated.
I could only marvel at my stupidity mentally as I gave him a helpless smile and shrugged innocently.
He chuckled and shook his head. "My favorite things are your weirdest traits."
I laughed with him and my hand moved into my pocket. I held tightly onto the necklace and then dropped it in my jacket's pocket.
I guess I should keep this for keeps sake.
We had to take a taxi to my place and I had to think before I remembered my address. In the car we took a ten minute nap since sleeping on planes isn't always favorable.
When we got to home I got out of the car and stood in front of the house I'd grown up in. I didn't have a long visit for Thanksgiving, sadly. Because it was an American holiday there wasn't a long break like there was in America. Over in England it was only four days like it once was here when I was in elementary. That and Zayn also wanted me to meet his family, so we'd tried to juggle it.
When we entered my house I was greeted by the warmth of the heater and the squeals of two girls I'd missed a lot.
"LIYAH!"
A smile immediately sprouted on my face and I opened my arms as a reflex so the two younger girls could run into my arms. We were laughing in joy and I was near tears. I was excited to spend time with them again since I only had a night with them last time.
"Oh my god, Ari! Your-Your makeup!" I exclaimed. "Lena!" I took in their images and couldn't help but notice how they'd matured. "Your hair!" Lena's locks once were an ombre color, but before me appeared a blonde woman it seemed. They'd both changed so much in the past month.
They laughed and nodded. Ari moved to Zayn saying, "Hi, Zayn."
Zayn smiled at her kindly. "Hi, love," he said, hugging her.
"Liyah! Zayn!"
At the voice I turned around with another radiant smile. "Mom!" I ran to my mom and held her tight. As much as I loved my friends, my mother was just so important to me. She was the only parent I really had and I knew she missed me as much as I missed her. I pulled back from the hug and she cupped my face in her hands.
"Welcome home, baby." She kissed me on the cheek and I giggled. "I'm making your favorite."
I gasped. "Sweet potato pie with marshmallow frosting?"
She nodded at me and I cheered. "Okay, hold on. I'm going to go put my things away." I began to rush upstairs with the one suitcase I brought and the bag. I didn't have to ring much. It's mostly a bunch of presents I'm carrying since I had enough clothes left here.
I heard my mom greet Zayn and then Ari and Lena went to the kitchen so when I got to my room I stood in front of my mirror and took out the necklace I found. I looked at it and sunlight through my window gleamed off of it. I bit my lip and couldn't help myself as I put it on.
I stared at my reflection and decided I looked good in it. it nearly felt wrong wearing an item that didn't belong to me, but still at the same time it just seemed... right. As though I were meant to find this necklace and wear it.
I just knew it was now mine.
-
SHIT. IT'S BEEN FOREVER. I'M SORYY.
I've just kinda been showing favoritism with my updates oops.
COMMENT FAN AND PROMOTE PLS. IMMA TRY AND UPDATE SOON EITHER THIS WEEKEND OR EARLY NEXT WEEK.
I love you guys. <3
- Angie Bear