Longing for you

The weather was dizzy and the afternoon seemed to be gray as I starred out the small window.

“Dear passengers we landed at Manchester airport in time and without any turbulences. I wish you all a good residence and hope to be able to welcome you at British airways again soon”, the pilot said through the speakers.

My bones cracked as I stood up after the long flight and made my way through the gate to pick up my luggage. England seemed to welcome me with his typical face and I never thought I would smile over rain and dark clouds, but I did.

I grinned like a fool in the middle of bags and cases with a flattering heart. My black suitcase went by and I heaved it through the baggage acceptance to the exit, while I couldn´t get rid of the excitement to be back and only two hours away from my home I had until 7 months ago.

My eyes wandered over unfamiliar faces until I found the ones I was looking for. I dropped my bag and headed into their direction. Their faces lit up as they recognized me as well and they opened their arms just in time for me to fall in them.

“Oh my god”, I squeezed happily as they hugged me so tight I thought I would be strangled.

“You´re really here”, Simon yelled into my left ear, while Taylor laughed into my right: “You look hot.”

We just stood there and hugged each other, while we let out way too many words without forming real sentences. I was so happy to see them and hear their voices for real without a screen or a telephone in between.

I stopped cheering happily as I got aware of the buggy for the first time. Two glancing, blue eyes were starring at us and I squealed.

“She´s the cutest thing I´ve ever seen in my life”, I let out surprised and Simon giggled.

“Isn´t she?”, he joined in.

“Well, you two could think about that again, when you´re wiping puke from your shirt or change the diaper”, Taylor sighed, but I heard so much love in her voice that I admired her even more for doing such a good job, being a mummy to her.

“Can I take her out?”, I questioned.

“Sure”, Taylor shrugged her shoulders and I reached out for that little girl.

“Hey, Rosy”, I said and picked her up. She smelt like strawberry shampoo and baby and I completely fell for her that moment. She squeezed happily, her face lit up and she took hold of my hair.

“I´ll take your bag and we can drive home”, Taylor suggested and I was happy to leave the airport behind. Simon carried the buggy, Taylor carried my luggage and I hold Rosy as we reached Simons´car and hopped in.

I was really here!, I thought blessed and smiled at my friends and Rosy. It felt so good.

Friday evening had been fun. Connor already waited with pizza for us as we arrived at their small apartment, which was a beautiful place with a tiny kitchen, a light living room with a big sofa and Taylor and Connors´ bedroom. I was allowed to stay in the guest room, which was as big as a broom chamber, but I didn´t cared since I was able to stay at their place at all.

Through dinner I found out that Rosy had already wrapped everyone around her tiny, little fingers. She was adorable, even when she was throwing around her peas and left her plate, looking like a hurricane just vandalized it.

I was too tired to do anything more and since Rosy and Taylor had a doctors appointment in the morning and Connor had to study for an exam, we decided to go to bed early. I quickly showered and changed into my pyjamas before I dropped down to my bed.

Two weeks. That was how long I planned to stay after I had used my money I earned at the grocery store to pay for the flight.

I couldn´t stand the thought of spending my vacation alone at home back in Germany and I had called Taylor to ask if she was alright with me being over here.

The sheets were clean and new and felt soft on my skin and I realized how my eyes and body was tired and exhausted and before I could think about any other thing I fell asleep.

Rosy bubbled some things and I wished I could understand what was going on in her little head. She looked cute in a floral printed dress and with tiny, striped socks, sitting there in her child seat.

“I pick you up as soon we´re done at the doctors”, Taylor informed me as she drove to the parking lot.

“Sure, I´ll be here and drink one coffee after another”, I laughed and unbuckled my seatbelt.

“Have fun”, I wished them and kissed her cheek.

“I´ll have with the fashion magazines in the waiting room”, she answered and I smiled at Rosy for a last time before I got out of the car and headed to the entrance.

The doorbell welcomed me with his familiar ring as I entered the time-out. The moment I smelt the pastries, the fresh bread and the smell of coffee I realized how much I had missed this place. The bakery was full with people and the air buzzed with noisy voices.

“I can´t believe it!”, I heard a voice behind me and turned to the counter.

“If that isn´t the famous Clary”, the woman behind it smiled.

“Diane”, I let out surprised. She was the boss in here and knew me from the time I were together with... I stopped myself before I could think the thought to an end.

“What are you doing here? I thought your family moved back to Germany?”, she questioned me and I stepped closer to understand her better in all the noise.

“We did, but I´m back for holiday”, I told her and she seemed to think about something.

“How long are you staying?”, she asked and I still felt happy to see a familiar face.

“Two weeks”, I replied and got out of my jacket.

“Clary, I wouldn´t ask if it weren´t really important, but we have some staff problems right now and we really need a temporary substitute. Of course I´ll pay you really good!”, she added as she saw my expression.

“Diane, I´m on holiday and I don´t know...”, but then I thought about it for some seconds. The flight nearly had taken all of the money, which I had saved and Taylor and Simon had school over the week, which meant I had to stay alone at home anyway. Why shouldn´t I take the offer?

“But I don´t have any experience with working as a waiter”, I informed her.

“Oh, dear you´ll learn”, she said.

“Is that a yes then?”, she waited nervously. I took a swallow and nodded my head in approval.

“Oh, dear you´re such a sweetheart! Can you start right now?”, she asked and I looked around the bakery.

“Sure”, I answered and I followed her back into the kitchen.

“You can start off here and wait the tables later alright?”, she said over her shoulder and I agreed. I hadn´t expected to be alone in the huge kitchen, but I was surprised to find a young guy there, being busy with some cupcakes.

“Just start with washing your hands”, Diane told me and I cleaned them under the hot water jet. As I turned she already had hurried back to the counter.

I looked at the guy and realized how good-looking he was. Tall, thin, black hair and with quiet a dark skin color.

He looked southern and I wondered where he originally came from. His tight up sleeves showed a line of tattoos and his jeans revealed a little bit of his boxer.

He looked concentrated while he decorated some cupcakes in front of him with cream. As soon as he finished the last one he looked up and starred at me with cold eyes.

“I´m Clary”, I introduced me shyly and lifted my head to a stupid wave. His eyes got warmer and he smiled over my dumb gesture.

“I`m Zayn”, he said with a deep and roaring voice.

“Just got hired?”, he asked and I frowned.

“Something like that”, I let out.

“Well, I welcome you anyways. Diane is a really good boss, so don´t worry”, he blinked at me and I started to relax a little bit.

“You need help with them?”, I asked and pointed to the mint green cupcakes.

“Sure”, he implied me to come over. I stepped through the kitchen and stopped next to him. He was taller than I thought first and I felt like a kid next to him.

“Can you put chocolate flakes on top? Meanwhile I put the cream on the next ones”, he asked me and I nodded. We worked silently for some minutes and I pretended to be really busy and challenged with the flakes before he started speaking again.

“How did you got the job?”, he asked and I started to explain why I knew Diane and he listened quietly.

“So you´re going back to Germany in only two weeks?”, he asked surprised after I had finished and I agreed.

“That´s sick! I never had been out of my home town until my Mum got her new job over here”, he told me.

“What are you doing?”, I asked him.

“Doing? Like with my life?”, he raised his eyebrows.

“Yup, I mean do you still go to school or are you planning to study something?”, I explained my question.

“I finished school last year and now I´m working here”, he informed me and I did something stupid.

“That´s all? You really wanna work in a bakery for the rest of your life?”, I asked unbelievably and shut up quickly after I realized how personal questions I just asked a stranger.

“Well, I don´t know. I moved with my Mum and my sisters since she clearly can´t do all of that on her own and I was happy to find a job at all. And I really like to cook and bake, so I figured I could do this for a while...”, he said and I heard sadness in his voice.

“I´m sorry”, I apologized, “I didn´t wanted to make you feel uncomfortable. I was just curious.”

“No, I mean you´re right somehow. Just working in a bakery probably isn´t my dream job, but for now it´s perfect”, he calmed me down. I was fascinated by his pretty hands with strong veins, which seemed to never did anything else than decorating cupcakes.

“Any plans for the weekend?”, I asked to change the subject.

“Not at all, I don´t really know much people over here under the age of 60”, he uttered and I had to laugh.

The next thing I said was really spontaneous, but I just felt like doing it. He seemed so nice and his eyes were gorgeous when they lighted up when he smiled.

“Some of my friends and me decided to party tonight. Wanna join us?” He looked down at me and thought about my offer for some seconds.

“You think they´ll be okay with me coming?”, he asked unsure. I thought about Connor, who got along with everybody, Taylor, who loved every male attention she could get and Simon, who never had anything against anything.

“Nope”, I said with popping the p.

He smiled: “I think my Mum would stop to drag me out of the house, so I´ll be honored.” I grinned back and got a little bit lost in his sparkling eyes.

“Cool”, was all I said before I turned my attention back to the cupcakes. That would be an interesting night.

Notes