Little Baby Steps (Zayn Malik)

Chapter 4 {A Little Backwards}

Zayn peered at his phone. It’d been three days, three whole days since their appointment at the hospital and he was yet to hear from her, something that he found a little strange. He knew they had to try they had to for the sake of their child, but he didn’t want to make the first move. To the world he was confident, he was sure of himself, some would even say that he was arrogant, but in reality, Zayn was nothing like that.

With a tired groan he lifted his phone from the side and scrolled down at her name, gazing with a look of hesitance at the word. He could have called her, asked her if she wanted to do something with him later and waited for her response, but something about it didn’t seem quite right. It was backwards, their entire relationship was the opposite way round than anyone else’s.

He shook his head and hit the call button, his heart racing as the dial tone echoed in his mind. “Hey, you’ve got Claire I’m either studying or hanging out with my mates, either way, I can’t get to the phone right now, so leave a message” her voicemail came, a sound that he was almost relieved by, at least he didn’t have to listen to her reaction as he rambled. “Hey Claire, it’s me Zayn... I was…uhh…um I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight…or tomorrow…or whenever, look just let me know ok?” he grimaced “Talk to you soon” he muttered before hanging the phone up and collapsing into the warm embrace of the couch…

…Zayn woke with a start as the sound of his vibrating phone echoed in the otherwise silent confines of his apartment. After blinking himself back to reality, his heart leaping nervously as her name blinkered across it. “Hey” he said, his voice clearly uncomfortable “I got your message” she said, Zayn mentally slapped himself, he’d sounded so…stupid in that message “You wanna grab dinner?” she suggested, her tone almost sounding hopeful. He smiled softly “Yeah, it sounds like a plan, when and where?” he asked, he listened intensively as she reeled of an address and time “I’ll see you there” he said

“Yeah, bye Zayn”

“Bye Claire” he said back as the line went dead. He smiled to himself, he couldn’t quite understand why, but talking to her just seemed to soothe him, he didn’t understand it, but he wouldn’t change it, he kind of liked it.

The rest of the day drifted by slowly, dragging Zayn unwillingly along with it. With a shake of his head he moved towards his bedroom, going through the wardrobe that stood in the corner for an outfit that would be suitable. After several minutes he picked out a white shirt and black trousers. Smiling at it, Zayn tossed the clothes onto his bed and made his way to the bathroom, switching on the shower and allowing the steam of the flowing water to cloud the room.

{Claire}

Claire peered at her reflection, her soft coloured cheeks flaming red as she gazed at the girl that stared back at her. Her hair, hair that usually flowed in frizzy waves down the sides of her face, fell in perfect curls. Her eyes, blue orbs that often stared blankly out of her head, shone brightly from the frame of mascara and eye shadow that she had applied. Her body, one that usually dressed in her favored artistic apron, stood slender and curved in a dress. Claire was amazed with the transformation and smiled at it gently, touching the soft skin of her cheeks to confirm it as reality.

The small restaurant was quiet as always, something that reassured Claire, she knew now, after several hours of obsessive googling, that Zayn was popular in the world of celebrity and that paparazzi often followed him, something that was deeply concerning for the girl. She hated the idea of the press following her, getting into her business she didn’t even like the idea of her closest friends knowing her life inside out. “Sorry I’m late” a voice stated, jolting her from her thoughts “I’ve never been much of a time keeper” Zayn stated as she turned to face him, a soft smile lighting her soft features “I’ve noticed” she giggled, he bowed his head

“I’m sorry” he muttered

“There’s no need to apologize Zayn or to look so nervous” she stated sweetly, her fingers touching his chin softly so that he lifted his head and stared at her “It’ll be fine” she smiled. He looked at her, his brown eyes flickering slightly with an emotion that she couldn’t quite put her finger to.

{Zayn}

Sitting opposite her, he couldn’t help but stare. The girl he’d taken home that night was beautiful from what he remembered. “You know” Claire stated, smiling softly as she sipped from the glass of orange juice that sat on the white table cloth ahead of her “You don’t look quite right in a suit” she observed as she giggled softly, Zayn blushed and peered down at his appearance, frowning slightly “I didn’t mean it in a bad way” she said “In fact, it’s sort of cute you know?” she stated, her pale pink lips curving into a warm smile, he raised an eyebrow “It makes you look quite innocent” she said with a smile

…”Favourite Fruit?” Zayn asked resting back in his seat as he sipped from his beer bottle, Claire looked at him “Are you serious?” she asked miling as she narrowed her eyes, Zayn nodded his head

“What’s wrong with that?” he pouted, Claire chuckled

“Nothing, it’s just not the usual clichéd question that often comes up”

“Well I’m not your usually clichéd knight in shining armor either, sometimes something unexpected is better” he said with a shrug “So, what’s your favourite fruit?” he smirked

“Mango” Claire stated with a warm grin

--------------------------------------------------------------------

“I had a nice time Zayn” Claire smiled as they wandered the streets towards her home, the cold  breeze blowing against their faces. He nodded his head and dropped his hands into his pockets, walking alongside her as a comfortable silence filled the air.

“Well I guess this is it then” she smiled as she stopped outside of a house, Zayn looked at her “I guess so” he stated as he looked down at his shoes

“Goodnight Zayn” she whispered kissing his cheek softly before turning to walk towards the house. Zayn lifted his hand to his cheek and smiled “Goodnight Miss Sanchez” he whispered…