Live a little, would you?

One year I believe it was sixth grade; I had a huge crush on the new kid in school. He had caramel skin and jet black hair that he wore up from the front hmm…like a ramp! But it was cute. He also had beautiful hazel eyes he was really dreamy and reminded me of Aladdin. His name was Zayn and he and I had classes’ together theater second period choir fifth period and science seventh period.
Well that first day he arrived, I went home and told my mom that I liked him and that I hoped he would ask me out. And you know what I got “a boyfriend! No you are too young! “ .“But mom all my friends have boyfriends why can’t i?!” “Well all your friends have terrible parents! And you need to focus in your studies! So no boyfriends! Do you understand Hayley! No boyfriend’s period!” “Yeah okay I understand” I responded. Days went by and I never talked to him but once and it was his second week there and we just started talking about anything and everything. He told me that he came from England that he alongside his family came here because his dad’s job required them to, but in the middle of summer he was going to go back. He also told me that his mom was originally from London but his dad was half from Pakistan. He also had a lot of trouble sleeping and was getting used to peoples accents. I told him that I wanted to leave Texas because I have never been out of state. My plans after high school were to just leave and never look back I told him.
“You should go to England it’s beautiful” he said shyly I giggled and responded “yeah I’ll put it first on my list” and smiled and he smiled in return. He had the most dreamy smile ever, his straight white teeth and how he slightly sticked his tongue out when he laughs and how his eyes were 90% closed every time. Right then, Ashlen my so called friend interrupted our conversation and said out loud “Hayley remember what your mommy said no boyfriends sweetie. We all know you like him but leave him for people who can actually have him …like maybe me” she said smiling and biting her lip at Zayn.
I felt the blood rush to my cheeks I never knew if it was embarrassment or anger. After that it was obviously awkward to talk to him and after a while I just stopped trying. Then came the end of the year and I never saw him again.
NINE YEARS LATER
It’s a Saturday night and I am at a beach party I was only invited here because my cousin Layla was invited so I was practically forced to come. I knew my cousin was going to leave me to make out with some hot guy once we got here so I came prepared. I walk to the deck of the beach and take out my book and start reading. I read for an hour or two and later a guy walks up then stares at me I know this because I can feel his stare ,so I look up
“what the fuck are you looking at?!” I ask aggravated.
“You’re reading?” he said his deep blue eyes shining in the dark of the night.
I have never seen this guy and he is talking to me like I know him or rather he knows me. Maybe I do know him I just don’t remember so I try to think where have I seen him before?
.His long caramel hair and thin body and his wide perfect smile. Nope doesn’t ring a bell “who are you” I say. “Really?” he responds with a surprised look. Then takes off his shirt and says “live a little ,won’t you?” What the hell is that supposed to mean? I ask myself. He throws himself into the water and splashes all over my book and of course, me.
I wait for him to come out so I can scream at him but he doesn’t. I try to look closer maybe he drowned or something but I can’t see anything it’s too dark not even the moonlight helps, I reach my hand out to feel anything in the water at all but nothing. I am about to jump in when something grabs my hand and pulls me in. I start to freak out when I’m under water and when I finally come out he is laughing his guts out
. “Really funny, jerk!” I scowl at him. “you should have seen your face!” he said and continued laughing. I try to go back to the deck but he grabs my arm “look sorry” he says trying hard to not laugh “oh it’s fine I’ve been through worse” I say trying to sound sarcastic but not really.
“Here look” he says looking at the sky. Did he just forget what he just did to me “at what?!” I respond angrily. I get closer to him and look up, the stars are beautiful not like you see them every day.”That’s beautiful” I say in amazement. “That’s living” he says.
Wow this is the first time I have felt actually happy in all my life, I think. But I have to get home my mom said I could stay for a bit not all night so I swim back to the deck and he follows.
I get my books and start walking off “my name is Louis nice to finally meet you Hayley!” he screams from the deck. I don’t respond I need to get layla and get home “we’ll see each other again” he says walking behind me now “yeah I doubt it” I say laughing “we will, you’ll see” I walk off and he disappears.
I can’t find Layla anywhere, where the hell is she! I look all over the beach and ask people if they seen her but no one knew where she was. I started to get mad, how can no one know where she is and we both promised to be home before twelve and its twelve fifteen. Ugh we are both so dead. I walk to the restroom stalls and guess who is throwing their guts out. If you guessed layla, you are so right. I should have guessed she was here , so I help her up and we walk to the car. We are in Houston but we actually live in dallas so that means 4 hours to drive, that mean four hours late ,that means my funeral.
So when we finally get home Layla is obviously passed out in the passenger seat so I walk into the house to open the door and get her in. Well, I have to practically drag her in, she is too heavy for me to actually carry. I get her on the sofa when my mom walks in with some oily green stuff on her face and in her robe she scared the crap outta me I almost threw a punch at her. “Hayley Elizabeth Rankfrod! Do you know what time it is?”
”yes I know mom” I respond rolling my eyes. I walk to the sofa to look at layla and my mom follows ”is she drunk? Have you been drinking? How can you be so irresponsible? You know I actually thought I raised you well, but after this! You disappointed me Hayley! I really expected better from you!”she scowled at me. “mom I didn’t-“ “Don’t you lie to me Hayley! I know, you can’t play me stupid! I am very disappointed in you!” I looked at her she was actually disappointed in me for something I just didn’t do and that just pissed me off I was sick of her rules and her thinking this of me its like she doesn’t even know me.”I’m so sick of this mom! How can you know so little of me I don’t drink i-“ “no you are not going to lie in my face you hear me! Now go to your room young lady!” You know what mom! fuck you! I just don’t care anymore I’m twenty one years old and I am so sick of following your rules-“
“I will not let you-“she says pointing her finger at my face “Shut up mom and listen for once in your life!” I interrupt
“I have tried following your rules all these years and tried to be a good daughter but when I do one mistake it’s like I’m the worst daughter ever for you and just FYI I don’t drink. And this is the last time I am going to pay rent for you hear me!”
I start marching up the stair when she says “Well, Hayley as long as you live under my roof you are!” she says trying to be strong but I see she’s surprised I have never raised my voice or even cussed at her before. “No I’m not because I’m moving out” and I slam the door and start packing just some clothes ill have to stay at layla’s until I can get an apartment.
I walk down stairs and find my mom still in shock, but once she catches sight of me her face changes to anger. “so are you really going to do this Hayley?” she asked almost unsure of herself to be angry or sad “yes its done, ill come for the rest of the stuff tomorrow” I say calmly but not quietly as I get Layla’s keys.
“Well I want it out by tomorrow or else I’m selling it” she says angrily “alright” I respond. Layla wakes up and looks over the sofa at me “what going on?” she asks in a drunk voice and her green eyes barely showing “nothing, let’s go” I respond and help her walk to the door.
“You are such a good cousin I love you, you knew that?” “Oh shut up Layla your drunk” I say back at her laughing and I get her on the car and then I turn on the engine and drive off.
In the drive to layla’s apartment I let myself digest what just happened and what I just did. I left my prison! No more rules to follow or getting scowled for something stupid like putting the right laundry soap on the colored clothes. I rebelled! I think and smile wider as I do. I can do what I want now. I can travel the world without thinking that my mom would get mad and even if she did I don’t care anymore. “I’m such a badass!” I say out loud “what? Why?” asks Layla dozing on and off.
“Nothing Layla you won’t remember if I told you anyway” I say without looking at her. ”oh I remember something, all right” she says looking at me with a smirk. “Oh really? What?” I ask curiously “oh I think you know” she says laughing now. “What!” I say laughing too
“I saw you talking with that guy at the deck” she starts “oh that? That was nothing” I respond her thought was so out of place. “he was a jerk anyway” I continue”so not interested” I say rolling my eyes. “Yeah, whatever” she responds one last time before she closes her eyes again “oh sorry Layla but we are finally here and you can’t fall asleep again I’m not going to carry you this time” I say loudly for her to wake up.
She opens one eye to see if I’m looking at her and then closes it fast and starts laughing and pretends to fake snore. “Well you are gonna sleep in your car” I say turning off the engine and opening the car door. “because I’m not carrying your fatass again” and I close the door.
And lock the car, then the alarm goes off when I’m at the front door and I see she is walking towards me screaming “oh my god! Turn it off! my head is killing me!” I let the alarm sound a minute more then turn it off and start laughing.
I unlock the door and Layla walks straight to her room and collapses in her bed and immediately she fall asleep. I get covers from her hallway closet and lay them in the couch and lay down and I start thinking about how a long night it has been its nearly five in the morning and my life has changed drastically but I like it. Then I recall the party and the guy that was a jerk but made me happy for a few seconds but it was still something that made me happy anyhow. Wait? How did he know my name? I ask myself as I recall his voice in my mind and his image, how does he know me? Ugh I don’t know and I’m to tired to think anymore so I let my exhaustion take over and fall asleep.
I wake up early and get dressed because I want to go out, I never was allowed out that early so I just leave a note on the dining table to let Layla know that I took the car. I start driving but I don’t know where to go, then I get an idea why not just do things I wasn’t allowed to do before today.
“hm ..i know” I say looking at the road. I stop at a gas station and buy a pack of cigarettes and a light, when I’m back at the car I don’t know what to do with them so I put them in my sweater pocket. I drive to my favorite café and ask for tea and start reading “I am number four” by pittacus lore I think he has an awesome imagination, I mean to write a whole series about himself yeah sure It’s a little conceded yes, but awesome at the same time.
Anyway I was enjoying my book when I see someone sit in front of me “Told you we would see each other again” I look up to see those deep blue eyes I saw only yesterday and now I can tell he has a quiff haircut. I roll my eyes “who are you?” I ask more curious “really?” he responds more annoyed
“yeah, dude I don’t know who you are but you seem to know my name?” I say frustrated. He laughs, he has a wide smile the kind that makes you smile too, “You work in your uncles record company, right?” he asks “yes but how-“ he cuts me off “I work there too, you just didn’t put attention” he says looking at my book and slapping himself in the forehead like if he was disappointed or something.
I look at him and ask “What?” and I lift my book”you’re reading, that’s what?” he says laughing at me like if I was a little child. “So, I like reading!” I say almost baby like which made me feel more embarrassed “ugh I know im boring okay?” I respond almost crying because that’s all I do just read, other people go to parties and hang out with friend, and I don’t I just read and read and read.
“Wow, it’s okay! You don’t have to cry” he says patting my back to stop me from crying even more. “Here’s what we’ll do, I can show you how to have fun okay? You know live a little?” he lifts my head up so I can see him “sounds, good?” his face questioningly “yeah I guess “I say wiping the tears of my face with the back of my hand.
“Okay well, first of all you need to get rid of this” he says grabbing my book and throwing it into the trash can behind him. “that was my favorite book!” I protest “you said it, was. Second we need to change your name” he says “but what’s wrong with my name“ I respond “well nothing, but you just make it seem soo boring” he exaggerates his face while he says all of this.
“So let’s name you…….. YAY!-ley so it will be a happy name every time” he says proudly “okay” I say” it’s close to my real name so its fine” I continue, smiling. He grabs the spoon from my tea and touches my shoulders with it starting with my left “I king Louis, name you Yay!-ley my learning knight” he says pretending to be a king.
When he was done he pretended that people were screaming for him and he responded in a modest way “thank you! Thank you! I love you all as well! Thank you!” waving his hands around I guess to the imaginary audience.
While he is doing all this I just laugh and look around. “so what next?” I ask interrupting his daydream, he snaps back to reality “oh well? …hmmm?” he said putting his hand in his chin.
“well do you have about thirty bucks to spare?” he continues “umm.. yeah, I have more but for what?” I ask confused.
“okay, do you have a tattoo?”he asks with a grin “uh..no but” I stop when I realize what he is about to say I should do “oh my god! No! no! not gonna happen!” I protest “what could i even get I have not even a slight thought of imagination and or creativity” I respond desperately.
“Yes you do!” he says almost angry “ you just need help getting to it, but don’t worry ill help you with that, okay?” he says more calmly “alright superman” I say sarcastically rolling my eyes. He gets up and says “believe it or not I am.
“I’ll rescue you uncreative mistress!” he says laughing and winking at me “ugh… whatever” I respond annoyed but with a smirk in my face. “okay so what should I get?” I ask feeling secretly exited “how about something that will remind you what I am trying to teach you?” he says looking at me like I’m supposed to know what he is talking about “to live a little?” I say, well technically I ask
. “How about enjoying life to the fullest” he says imaginating the words in the air in front of him, “okay sounds good but, where should I get it?” I ask thinking for a moment “how about my wrists so ill remember it all the time?”I say with a huge smile in my face.
He looks at me with the same smile as me “I like it! Let’s do it!” he says jumping out of the seat and grabbing my arm as he pulls me out the café, I barely had time to leave a few dollars on the table. “where are your wheels?” he asks excitedly “ right here” I start walking to the car “but it’s my cousin layla’s, not mine” I say absentmindedly “ooh cousin?” he says with a flirtatious look on his face “is she hot?” he asks curiously.
“Umm.. I don’t know?” I respond feeling weird about the question “but she is better looking than I am, that’s for sure” I continue. “sweet!” he says nodding his head “you smoke?” he asks looking at my pocket were I put the smokes and the light “yeah-no?” I respond quickly, then he grabs them gets one out and lights it “you mind if we share?” “umm no?”I say unsure “anyway you can’t do that?” he says changing his face serious “do what?” I say opening the car door.
“put yourself down!” he says getting in the passenger seat. When we are both settled I start the engine “you’re supposed to love yourself” he says expectantly “value yourself. How can you love others without loving yourself first?” he says with a concern gaze.
“I mean she is not as better looking as me but, she’s alright” I respond flicking my hair to one side and smiling almost laughing. It was weird to say that stuff, I mean it was normal for me to say those things that put me down I’ve done it all my life but I knew he was right. I need to love myself and value myself as well.
“I’ll try to teach that to you as well” he says thinking out loud. He offers me the smoke and I take it I put it in my mouth and try to smoke then start coughing then says “you don’t and that’s good”before he throws the whole pack out the window that can fuck up your life “oh okay” I say surprised I brush the conversation away “so where to? i say breaking the slight silence “oh I’ll tell you the way.”
When we get to the tattoo shop I start to get nervous the place is called Tattoo Tattoo ironically enough, we walk in and the walls are covered in drawings and there are purple egg shaped chairs it was really cool. A bald men with a huge beard and rather large body walks up to us and asks “Louis how are you doing man!?”
“Jake! I know long time no see huh?”Louis says as he and Jake hand shake with a pat on the back “so what can I do for you?” he says looking at me now and shaking my hand which he almost breaks ”yeah men miss creativity over here wants to get a quote, oh her name is Yay!-ley” Louis says nodding his head
“in her wrists” “how many letters?”Jake responds “like twenty-three I think “he says counting in his head “but you know im you’re lifetime friend so can there be a discount” he says smiling at Jake “For sure!” Jake responds any ideas of how you want the letters to be?” he asks me but it took me a while to respond I was lost in thought “uh yeah!....no, I don’t know really” I said shily.
“Oh that’s okay ill figure out something and show it to you and see if you like it?” he says to me but I don’t respond I’m getting really nervous “that alright with you?” “ha yeah! For sure!”I say trying to sound confident; I even add some thumbs up.
“Alright then” he says wanting to laugh at me and he walks to the back of the shop where they have all these papers and pencils and a lot of lights. My heart is raising and I can’t calm down I’m shaking out of my wits so I grab Louis arm really, really hard “ouch!” he says sqinting and trying to take my hand off of him.
“If I have to suffer so do you bitch!” I say almost screaming from fear. He just laughs and now and then squints his face from the pain. The drawing is done and it’s really pretty is a nice cursive and it almost looks like branches are appearing “it’s really creative” I say amazed. “Well let’s start, it may take about thirty minutes so just relax” he says rubbing the paper with something then pressing it to my right wrist. I hear the rrrrrrrrrrrrrr of the machine and I stare at it as he moves it closer to my skin and i yelp.
When it is all done my arm is tingly it’s not hurting a lot but anyway “I did it” I say out loud. I start smiling like a moron as we walk out the shop, I was so excited I couldn’t function Louis had to go through my stuff and get the money. The rest of the day was cool Louis helped me move my stuff into layla’s apartment she was okay with it she had asked me earlier in the year but I said no, I was too scared of leaving. When we were done Louis and Layla started talking and flirting, I just let them be they made a cute couple and Layla was really happy and he didn’t look like he wanted to just play around with her, he tried to impress her but most of the time he was just embarrassing himself. It was cute but it made me jealous of them two because I have never had any boyfriends and or friends. I was always the nerd and or the loser, oh and most of all I was always the ugly duckling I walk to the living room and lay in the couch and get a flash back of my sixth grade year that was the only guy I talked to ever ,well apart from now Louis. I remember that I wanted to travel the world meet new people and see new things but that dream was fading slowly and so was the memory of Zayn Kilam all I had left was his smile that I remembered well, I loved his smile.
I breathe loudly and without even thinking say “Zayn” out loud then Layla and Louis look at me with smirks in their faces “who is Zayn? YAY!-ley?” Louis asks but I don’t respond I cover my face so they won’t see my red cheeks “you are still thinking of him Hayley?” says layla “YAY!-ley” interrupts Louis with a smile “well YAY!-ley “ she responds laughing.
“that was nine years ago!, there’s a slight chance you’ll see him again” she says sadly looking at me “wait why?”asks Louis confused “she had a crush on this guy in sixth grade who was from England” she said turning to him.
“So what happened did he ask you out? Were y’all boyfriend and girlfriend?” he says intrigued “no aunt jane told her she couldn’t have boyfriends and then he moved back to England” she answered for me “well that sucks!” he says rolling his eyes “yeah” I say under the covers.
“well we were gonna go out to dennys you want to come?” asked Louis trying to change the subject “no I’m fine y’all go I just want to sleep” “are you sure?” asked Layla “yeah I’m fine I have work tomorrow so ill need to wake up early that means you too Louis” I say looking at both of them. “yeah mom ill be in bed by ten” he says in an annoyed voice, I just laugh it’s funny how we just met officially anyway and it’s like we know each other forever , it’s like we’re best friends, I think to myself and watch them walk out the door. I stare at the darkness and think again of Zayn and I let a tear escape my eyes and eventually fall asleep.
The next morning I wake up at six I try to be quiet as I walk to the shower in layla’s bedroom but then I see she is not in her bed “what hell?!” I say surprised she never wakes up this early. I walk onto the restroom and she is trying to put her hair in a bun but I guess it doesn’t come out like she wants it to because she keeps doing and undoing the bun. I walk in “what are you doing? I mean up this early?” I say turning on the shower.
“uh nothing I just wanted to wake up early” she says shakily “ha ha yeah right, you mean you wanted to get up early for someone?, maybe a guy? I don’t know maybe Louis? I'm just guessing here excuse me if I’m wrong” I say sarcastically at her she just starts giggling and covers her face with the towel beside her “no” she says under the thick towel “ummm hum” I say I help her with her bun then I tell her” okay you look beautiful , now get the hell out ! I need to take a shower because you know I have a job and I’m responsible” I giggled out.
“whatevs , my daddy has that covered for me and if you let him you wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore, either” she responds as she closes the restroom door behind her. You see I work for my uncle Mike he owns this huge records company named MikeRankHigh I help him around not with a lot but he calls me his assistant and he pays me very good . I think more than what I deserve but I don’t argue he always has tried to help me, ever since my dad died which was a long time ago I don’t really remember him but my mom said he looked a lot like my uncle. Well, anyway Uncle Mike has been like my dad ever since, he loves me as much as he loves Layla. I am so thankful for that, but when he said that he would pay for an apartment when I turned twenty. I just couldn’t again I was still scared I never had thought about leaving my house, my mom, or even Texas I just got used to being here and my dreams of traveling everywhere had long faded. But I now know I can do it well a little bit at a time anyway. I finished getting ready and drive to work I have more fun because I hang around with Louis he is so funny he makes everything so hilarious. By the end of the day everyone else who works there started talking to me and even a few asked me to add them on facebook. I giggled and say “yeah leave me your name and ill add you” but I don’t have one so that’s my homework tonight.
The rest of the week was so cool, I talked to people more and I learned that people didn’t work there because they loved it some had it tougher and others wanted to become famous so they are secretly waiting for my uncle to notice them but my uncle is always busy. On the weekend Louis, Layla and I hanged out at the lake and went to the mall to just try on stuff and not buy anything it was really funny the people that work there got so pissed. Louis and Layla were getting really close and sometimes they would disappear and leave me wondering the mall until I found them sitting really close to each other at a food court. On Monday uncle mike said he had a huge announcement to make on Wednesday. Everyone was so exited they wanted to know what it was,so on Tuesday morning I asked uncle mike if he could tell me what it was and he responded with another question.
“remember how you wanted to travel the world?”he said staring at his computers desktop “uh yeah?” I answered confused “what does this have to do-“he cuts me off before I can finish the sentence “ if you could travel the world where would be the first place you would go to?”. so I told him what I told Zayn nine years ago “England is the first on my list”.
“But why do you ask? “ I ask still confused “because I want to shut down the company for a few weeks and go on vacation, the business is going great so I think we all deserve a break. I thought ill ask you because I remembered you always wanted to travel.”
He said looking at me with a smile he had big brown eyes and dark hair sticking up he was fourty but looked twenty still. “So we are going to England on Friday, what do you think? You exited?” he said getting up the chair to walking towards me.
I couldn’t respond all those faded dreams were re-appearing and I felt a bunch of butterflies in my stomach from the excitement “uh yeah! “ I say screamy “o-okay” uncle mike responded giggling.
The rest of the week was sooo looong! I was ready to go, I had already packed my bags and I helped my uncle reserve the hotel and get everything fixed for everyone. Because everyone who worked at the company was going to go so we divided the work but I didn’t whine i was too exited. On Thursday I couldn’t sleep I was up until two in the morning and we were going to leave at seven the flight is 8 hours and 50 minutes long so we are gonna get there at five-ish. Layla had to put something in my tea so I could sleep, and I did well I even slept in a bit I had to rush good thing I had everything ready. Louis picked us up and we drove to the airport we got there in time and everyone got together and started talking about how exited they were I was quiet only because I wanted to scream so much I just kept smiling like an idiot. Anyway by eight in the morning we were lifting off and the suspense started.
While we were in the air I was so happy and exited I was glad Louis and Layla were sitting with me I fixed it that way because it would be embarrassing if there were other people sitting here. But I think it was a bad idea because Louis and Layla were a bit too flirtatious it made me feel awkward, my seat was by a window so I stared at the clouds to avoid feeling more awkward. When suddenly Layla whispers something to Louis and they both look at me “what?” I say curious to know what she just told him “dude have you seen the plane hostess? It’s Ashlen “ she says with a mad face. The thought of Ashlen made my stomach hurt and I guess I made a face because Layla then said “don’t let her get to you again okay she is so not better than you alright?”
“okay” I say swallowing hard, then Ashlen passes by and stares at me and Layla and she makes eye contact with me and laughs then she turns to Louis and says “ hi I'm Ashlen, I'm your hostess and if you would like I can change your seat to a more” she stops and looks again at me “decent aisle a good looking men like you doesn’t deserve to be alongside well you know” she continues with a smile. I just stare at her even now nine years later she is still a bitch but then Louis winks at me and grabs my hand then turns back to her “excuse me! This women is my girlfriend! How dare you say that those things!” he says with an angry face. Everyone is looking at us now “i-I” Ashlen says surprised “you thought you could just come here and insult my girlfriend! How disrespectful! I demand an apology to my girlfriend in front of all these people! And to be moved to first class!! “ he screams at her again she is speechless then a men walks to our seat and asks what the problem was Louis told him well, he sort of shout it out. “I’m very sorry,sir” he says apologizing “we will get you to first class seats and Ashlen here is going to apologize” he turns to Ashlen and gives her a face and went back to where he came from.
So now it’s been three hours of flight its cool in first class I sit by the window again and let Louis and Layla sit somewhere else I put my earplugs in and listen to Wade Bowen’s Saturday night and stare at the clouds I get to thinking of my dreams of traveling and the fact that zayn lived in England and I guess he was a symbol to all those dreams that when I didn’t see him again those dreams left with him. After all this thinking I start to dose of and eventually fall asleep.
We have made our destination. We will land in eight or seven minutes. Please stay seated.
I start to put my stuff together and take my ear buds out, I see Louis and Layla in the seats across me and they turn to see me and we all just smile widely. I am a little more excited than them they have been here before but this is the first time I have ever been here and they try to be as excited as I am. We finally land and we are all getting off I’m so excited and I finally get to the door and the London City Airport It’s so cool I guess its because I know its in London that I believe its cooler than the one in Texas.
We got off the plane and went directly to the hotel we were going to sleep but its five in the afternoon here so I said we should go wonder around the streets of London. They both looked at me surprised because I was asking them to come and hang out I was proud of myself too. Anyway we decided to go visit some old friends of Louis and it ended up being a party it was cool I lot of people were there and kept arriving. a lot of guys talked to me and asked me for my number but I just said I didn’t bring it with me, somehow every time someone came in I expected them to be Zayn but obviously it never was. We went back to the hotel and my uncle left me a gift in my room all wrapped in neon green and with a black bow I ripped it open, it was a cannon camera. I started snapping pictures the moment I figured out how to use it, I asked Layla and Louis if they wanted to go up to the roof of the hotel so I could take pictures of London. I started snapping pictures and Louis and Layla were on the opposite side of the rooftop I turn to look at them with my camera ready and snap pictures as I do and I see they are really close, too close I would say and I keep snapping pictures and then they finally meet lips I just keep taking pictures I get close to get the sunset. Then they both stop kissing and look at me with uncomfortable faces “oh don’t mind me …..uh keep kissing” I say “no you just made it awkward” says Layla and starts laughing then Louis and I join in “sorry I just I don’t know it was your first kiss I just wanted you guys to remember” I say giggling. “its okay” Louis said “now we can laugh about it too” “yeah I guess so “ I reply smiling. We stayed there for some more hours and then we went to our rooms to sleep.
The next morning I went up to the cafeteria in the hotel and saw Layla and Louis sitting together and decided to leave them alone today I don’t want to be making things awkward with them so I took my bag and hanged the camera around my neck.
I went to see the big Ben clock tower i started to walk around to find a good angle and snap a picture so I started walking backwards and then I bump into someone and I ended up in the ground “ouch!” I say taking the dirt off my palms “oh god! Are you okay?” a guys voice says
“uh yeah” I say looking at my camera. He gives me a hand so I can get up and he picks up my bag I finally look at his face he had a straight chin jet black hair in a quaff caramel skin and beautiful hazel eyes the ones that I’ve seen before nine years ago, it’s Zayn I think to myself
I start smiling he hands me my bag “here, sorry” he says looking at me “wait? Have i-? Do I know you?"he puts his hand in his chin "Sixth grade right, in Texas?” he says smiling I just stand there, after all this time we finally meet again. After Layla said that I would never see him again. I smile widely and say “you remember?”
He laughs “how can I forget you Hayley the girl who talked to me once and never talked to me again” he continues rising an eyebrow, I giggle “yeah sorry it was just awkward”
“I also remember you had a huge crush on me, from what that Blondie said” he laugh looking at me “well that was then” I say trying hard not to blush.
“Hey well I was just about to go get some tea you want to come?” he says smiling I think he didn’t believe me I guess “oh yeah sure lets go, I don’t know anything around here anyway” I response “how long have you been here love?” I laugh I think it’s funny that he called me love “I got here yesterday at five” “oh okay so you are still exploring?” he says “yeah pretty much” I say.
We walk to this sort of café and we sit down he ordered tea for both of us "Are you staying long?" he ask "only two weeks" i respond looking around it was a cool cafe it had like Christmas lights everywhere, really dreamy.
"so i see you are fulfilling your dreams to travel" he says smiling "oh yeah, i am now" i say turning to the waiter who brings us our teas and we resume our conversation.
"What do you mean, you are now?" he says confused "oh just that this is the first time i traveled anywhere, really" i continue sipping on my tea.
"oh and why didn't't you before?" he says putting sugar on his tea "my mom she is just to controlling" i sort didn't want to talk about it i just didn't, i guess he could tell my face and tries to change the conversation.
"well Hayley love, you kept your promise" he smiled with his tongue between his teeth. god how i missed seeing that smile.
"What promise Zayn?" i ask confused what is he talking about? i ask myself "you came to the first one on your list, England" he says smiling "thank you" he continues then he puts his warm hand over mine and says
"I'm glad we saw each other again" he looks at me with his beautiful hazel eyes "i also hope this is not the last time".
i smile " it wont i promise" i respond he lets go of my hand and smiles at the table i can tell his cheeks turn pink under his caramel skin "just don't let it be like today" he says laughing and raising an eyebrow at me "what do you mean?" i ask " oh love, you falling on your bum because some idiot bumped into you" he says gigglinging
I giggle too "okay you are not an idiot okay it was an accident but i think i can make it happen" i say smiling the i grab a napkin and find a pin in my bag and write down my phone number "here" i say handing him the napkin.
We start to get up and he the rips the blank half of the napkin and writes down his own number "here don't forget this" he hands me my pen and the napkin
. "thanks "i smile he does too and he kisses my cheek and we walk out the cafe and we go our separate ways.
The next morning Louis and Layla went to look for me in my room to tell me they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend. "oh my god! you guys awww I'm so happy for you!" i practically scream at them and hug them both jumping from excitement.
"So what did you do yesterday we didn't see you all day" said layla as we walk to the couch near my bed and she and Louis never let go of their hands.
"oh well i wanted to leave you lovebirds alone so i went to take pictures of the big Ben tower and you wont believe who i bumped into" i say "who?" says Layla "oh was it Adele? ed sheeran? wait was it someone famous?" asks Louis.
"no one famous guys but someone Layla said i wouldn't see ever again" i say with a wide smile. i see Layla's face her mouth wide open Louis has to close it and then he looks at me with a smirk and we start laughing.
" i knew you were going to meet gain, i just didn't tell you" he says trying to sound right. "oh my god! so what happened?!" Layla says intrigued " nothing happened we went to get some cofee and i gave him my number and he gave me his" i say and start to jump and Layla holds my hands and jumps too Louis just stares with a smile in his face. so then they both talked me into inviting him to go out to some sort of club so i did and he said he was going to invite some friends and i just thought that was perfect that means i can bring Louis and Layla. so we started to get ready and , well technacally dress me up because both Louis and Layla were deciding in making me look "sexy" said layla "but not alot and she needs to be confortable" responded Louis. so they were done an hour and a half later and we decided on a trench coat dress, my red hair in curls to make my face round. i tell Layla that i dont want any make up i just dont like it. i like to show of my freckles and my brown eyes naturally. im also wearing leggings and some black classy heels i stare at the mirror "i..i look awesome!" i say turning to look at Layla we both smile at each other then louis says "yeah sure" with a sarcastic face i give him a look and stick my tounge out at him, Layla slaps the back of his shoulder "be nice!" she says "ouch i was kidding she looks great!" Louis whines out rubbing his shoulder. i laugh at them theyre so cute but we need to get going "can we go now?" i ask them "oh yeah" Layla says walking to the door "lets rock and roll!" says Louis getting the keys.

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