After we got into the auditorium, I didn't talk to anyone. I blankly stare at the script. Thank god Mike interrupted our conversation there and dragged us here. For God's sake I paired up with zayn. Tessa and Mike get along well after they get paired. Actually Mike is a social butterfly. He really makes me and Tessa comfortable around him.
Tessa and Mike went to Dr Kevin to change some mistakes on their script. As expected, Zayn and I left alone at the auditorium. I started " I'm sorry for earlier, I should have to admit that I knew you but I'm a bit shy. I don't want to feel uncomfortable around me". He was staring at me for a long time and said " I don't feel uncomfortable around my fans". Did he just say that I'm his fan? Oh yes. For him I'm just one of his followers but for me you're more than an entertainer. It hurts. Reality hits hard seriously.
"Well, are you?" He stammered "Are you feeling uncomfortable around me?" "Of course not" Then I complimented him about his content on YouTube and instagram account. Then he tells about his channel editor and his YouTube journey.
After some time we started to prepare our script for the ceremony. Mike and zayn grab us lunch from the cafeteria. We shared blueberries and raspberries with them. The day went too well. At our room Tessa went to take a shower after our dinner. I felt relieved for agreeing that I knew him but at the same time I felt dissatisfied. Is that all? I'm just a hosting partner and a crackhead follower for him. Above all I lied to him about this simple matter. I feel ashamed. He might think that I'm a liar who lies about every single thing and I rolled on my bed for an hour without even realising Tessa got into the room and slept on her bed.
Tomorrow is the ceremony. So, we practised our script on the next day. I fell asleep on the table. Evening sunlight from the window wakes me up. I blinked for a moment to realise where I am right now. There I find zayn looking at me blankly. I raised my head hurriedly from the table.
"Are you tired?" He asked while he arranged his booklet. I checked my phone for the time and said " Yep, I have been burning the midnight oil lately. Where were Mike and Tessa?". He grabbed his phone and turned to me " They went for a walk. Come, let's go." I took my bag and we went out of the auditorium. Tessa ran to me when she got back from the basketball court. " Laurel, you look so tired. So I didn't want to disturb your quick nap" She looked down and frowned. When I followed her gaze I witnessed two upper buttons of my shirt were unbuttoned enough to show my cleavage.
Then I buttoned it as soon as possible. Then we four walked to the science exhibition. Along with their creative inventions, they arranged the food court behind the men's hostel. We spent time together. Mike and Zayn introduced their friends to us. All of them were very friendly towards us.
We spoke about a lot of stuff for the past two days. We shared our college experience from studies to our favourite professor and annoying professor. Then the topic ends with the ideal type of men for me and Tessa. Tessa said that she likes gym bros who treat her maturely. Then they looked at me for my reply. When Mike asked me about my ideal type, well that's your friend Zayn. But I can't tell them that.
I swallowed a lump from my throat and said "I like bikers" . I don't know why I said that. At the moment it just crashed on my mind. I can't tell him about my four year obsession over Zayn. They may think I'm childish.
When I looked at Zayn with continuous running thoughts in my mind. He frowned at me. I can't read what he is thinking. He usually frowns his thick brows when he concentrates on something. But If someone sees him now, they mistook him as he gets annoyed. Then we shared our number before we got into our college bus.
Tessa sleeps soundly on her bed. I guess she is tired as well. I unconsciously smiled when I thought about Zayn today's smile, his accent, his mischievous words, his outfit, his walking style, his stare. Oh wait his stare. He stared at me in the evening when I got up from my sleep. Suddenly I got a forest full of butterflies in my stomach. What were his thoughts at that time? Why did he look at me like that? Did he think that I'm crazy? Were I drooling there? Di.. Did he see my unbuttoned shirt? No, omg. I'm overthinking again. Not every stare have meaning behind it. Then I fell asleep.
Today is the ceremony. As a hoster we should wear formal elegant clothes. Tessa wore her Elegance Unveiled Ivory Pearl Mini Dress. It has the prettiest pearl details around the sleeves.
I wore my Petal and Pup Laurel Dress along with my regular dragon pendant necklace. It's one of my favourite gifts from my dad. I really miss him. When we entered backstage of the auditorium, Mike wore a classic graduation look with a navy pantsuit, a white button down, and a burgundy tie. He greets us from the door. He smiled and told us that we look goddess.
When I entered the room, Zayn was standing in front of the mirror wearing a black suit, a white linen button down, moccasins and layered necklaces. When I get closer he smells like Musk combines with Amber and Sycamore Wood. He looks at me through the mirror. He started from my toes where I painted my nails beige. Then he slowly moved his stare from my lemon green spool heels to my dress and stopped his stare at my pendant for a long time and finally met my eyes.
"You look good" He said by looking at my reflection in the mirror, then he walked to the door and left.
Seriously, is that all? You look good. Then what is the meaning behind that eye scanning from toes to head. Yesterday even Mike asked us whether we had gotten our room safe in chat. But he didn't type a single word. Then what is the purpose of sharing contacts?
We smoothly finished our hosting along with my certificate and trophy for my presentation about STD awareness. Fuck you Kevin. Yes, I won. Dr Kym, she is always right that I did well.
Zayn didn't talk or smile to anyone apart from the stage. He is grumpy for the whole day. But this face suits him so well with his outfits. He looks like a grumpy billionaire from a fictional world. I really fought with my eyes to get away from him on the stage. On our way to the food court Tessa picks her call from her mom and goes away to talk to her.
Along the way, I found a half dead aralia plant without water. That was one of my bucket list plants. I squatted to get a closer look. There is a big shadow behind me which hides me and Aralia fully. I didn't turn but I knew who was standing behind me. Musk smell, Zayn
"What are you doing?" He asked. I got up and turned to him. "Just looking at the plant and indecisive about something" "What is it?" I asked him if I were allowed to steal plants from his campus which was already half dead. He sighed. "Did you get annoyed? You are the one who asked me the question first. First of all, why are you following me?" If today is his bad day, that's none of my business. Why did he show his tension to me? Actually I'm the one who gets annoyed in the first place. He didn't speak to me at all other than hosting.
" I don't get annoyed by your answer but…" He gave a long pause and said "I'm not following you" Then he looked behind me. I turned to find where his gaze was. Shoot. It's a men's hostel building. Tessa interrupted us and said " Oh, Zayn you are here. Then will you join us for dinner at the food court?" He looked at my annoying face. I signalled him to say no to her with my eyes. But he is Zayn. He says yes.
I rushed before them to the food court. They were talking and laughing from behind. Now I'm the grumpy one here. I don't know what is the cause but I feel angry at him and Tessa.
Suddenly a man wearing a helmet came out of the food court on a motorbike. He wears all black. His shirt, his pants, helmet, gloves, shoes. Everything is black. He parked his vehicle in front of the men's hostel.