Flawless // z.m

Fifteen.

I showered and dressed quickly, knowing Zayn didn't have much patience. I skipped my hair and makeup routine entirely when I saw that he was fully dressed and swinging his car keys around his finger.

Zayn lived about ten minutes away from me, which was convenient for us. He travelled between my apartment and his at least four times a day because he was always forgetting something. I was one trip away from telling him to just leave a few things with me, but that would surely send him running, and that would shatter me.

Zayn pulled around the large water fountain and killed the ignition. Whilst I was staring up at the building, he walked around the car and opened the door for me and handed off the key to the valet. "Have it parked around the side; I'll be back in ten minutes." He gently held my hand as I struggled out of his car, and shut the door behind me before slipping a fifty dollar bill into the young valet's hand. 

I walked slowly, taking in everything from the brick driveway to the yellow lit building. Zayn was taking long strides in front of me, and my arm stretching out completely as he tugged me along. The lobby was beautiful and white. Statues of things I couldn't make out lined each wall all the way down to the dark brown reception desk.

"Good morning, Mr. Malik." The woman behind the desk gave Zayn a tight lipped smile which he return, "good morning ma'am" she greeted me. I waved awkwardly and followed Zayn to the elevator. 

His apartment was exactly how I pictured it. It was clean and untouched, like something out of a magazine. There was no evidence of Zayn even living here. The pillows on the couch were still fluffy, the dining table set with crystal clear glass ware that was ready to be used. The lights in the living room were dim and bright white to match the walls. The black furniture contrasted greatly against the white and it almost had me frowning. Everything about it was so plain.

"I'll just be a few minutes," he mumbled and dropped his keys on the kitchen counter. "Make yourself at home." With that he disappeared into his bedroom.

Zayn came out of his bedroom with beads of water still trailing down his neck. His raven hair was still damp and dripping water, blotching the white t-shirt he wore. "Have you just been sitting there?" He cocked an eyebrow at me when he stepped into the living room. 

I hadn't moved from my spot since Zayn left about fifteen minutes ago. I was too afraid I'd break something or stain his impeccably clean apartment. "Uhm... yes?"

Zayn shook his head and chuckled softly. He grabbed a leather jacket from the closet near the front door and held his hand out for me to take. I jumped to my feet and dusted off my jeans before I happily took his hand and laced our fingers together.

Thankfully, the Shedd was practically empty. It helped that it was a Wednesday and it was nine in the morning, meaning most of its usual guests were at school. 

Zayn gave me a glare that made my knees buckle when I offered to pay for my own ticket, and forcefully pushed my hand away from the counter. "What did I tell you before? Don't disrespect me." He practically growled. My eyes widened and I shoved my credit card back into my bag before nodding and letting him pay.

We walked around all the exhibits, stopping to pose for pictures and to ogle at the animals. I stopped at the whales for longer than what was necessary, just watching as they glided through the water with ease. Zayn took one look at them before turning away and taking a seat at the bench.

"Want to head for the sharks?" I slowly turned away from the whales, frowning when they all swam away from the large glass. Zayn shook his head and tapped a finger on the empty spot next to him. I took the seat and folded my hands underneath me.