through the dark ➳ malik a.u

seven - borrowing clothes

 The door flew open and I looked up from where I was reading on my bed. Lauren groaned and threw herself face first onto her own bed.

"It's so good to be back." She moaned, her voice muffled as she pressed it into her pillow, "My family are so boring."

Chuckling at her, I folded the top corner of my page and placed the book on my bedside table. "They can't be that bad."

"You haven't met my family." Lauren rolled onto her back puffing out her cheeks. Leaning up onto her elbows, she flicked her hair out of her eyes. "Did you enjoy travelling around London? Did you get a ride?"

Pursing my lips, I nodded. "Yeah, I got a ride."

"From who?"

"Someone from school."

"But who?"

"Someone from my art class."

"Who?"

"Just, someone."

"Oh God, you didn't..."

"Didn't what?"

"You got a ride from Zayn?" She groaned loudly and put her face in her hands. "Georgia, he's bad news!"

"Hey, hey! Nothing happened!" I defended, holding my hands up. "We needed to get work done anyway. He knows London, and I wanted to see London. Ever heard of killing two birds with one stone?" 

"I'd like to kill Zayn with a stone." She murmured, standing up and running a hand through her hair.

Rolling my eyes, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. "I don't think a stone would be a great weapon of choice if you want to murder someone."

"Georgia." 

"I'm glad you're back. It's boring here without you amusing me." I changed the subject, before standing up and pulling Lauren into a hug. She sighed before hugging me back. It was completely true, I really did enjoy having Lauren around. Even if it was just chance that we ended up in a room together. She was slowly but surely the best friend I'd made since being here. She never failed to make me smile whenever I needed it. And honestly, she reminded me of my sister a lot. They both had such positive personalities - in Victoria's case, in the darkest of situations - and they both had such a sweet, comforting vibe around them without even trying. "I've been meaning to ask, is there a track or something around here? I'm kind of feeling a run." I questioned. I'd always go a run or a jog whenever I wanted to clear my mind back home, even if it meant coming home to my father having a go at me or walking in on him having a go at my Mom or Victoria. 

We pulled away from the hug before Lauren answered. "Yeah, behind the cafeteria there's a track around the football pitch. It's probably empty right now because no one's as stupid as you to run in this freezing cold weather." she playfully poked my sides and I rolled my eyes in reply.

"The run will warm me up. I've not ran since I've got here and it's making me uncomfortable." I said as I looked through my drawers for my leggings and a tank top. I decided that I really needed to put some order into the drawers. After digging through almost every piece of clothing, I finally pulled out my black leggings and a tank top.

Lauren was seated at the desk as I got changed and tied my hair in a ponytail. I pulled on my running shoes before grabbing my iPod and hoodie. Lauren and I exchanged goodbyes before I left the room and headed downstairs. Once I reached the bottom, I stopped to put my earphones in my ears and choose a song before securing my iPod in my pocket. I stretched out my body to make sure I didn't end up injuring myself and soon I was jogging in the direction of the cafeteria. The running track was easy to find, as there was a group of boys playing soccer in the middle of it. My speed picked up as I took my first lap around the track in time to the beat of my music. 

It wasn't too cold while running. There was a light chill in the air but I hardly noticed it as I continued my third lap around the field. Distracted by the music and my concentration on the run, I didn't even notice the ball fly towards me until it had actually hit me in the face and knocked me over. 

"Shit." I hissed as I started to stand up and dust myself off. 

A figure was running towards me from the pitch, and continued to jog towards me after they had picked up the ball. "Are you okay?" a familiar voice called out as they reached me. 

"Yeah, I'm fine." I breathed and looked forward to see it was Louis who had come to collect the ball. 

Recognition crossed his face when he saw me and he smiled. "Georgia, right?" he said, pointing at me and I nodded. "I'm so sorry about that, are you hurt?"

"Honestly, I'm fine." I smiled at him reassuringly. "I didn't know you played soccer." 

"Oh, America. Here in the real world we actually play football with our feet and not our hands. And we don't give it a silly name." He stated jokingly. 

Rolling my eyes, I playfully shoved his arm. "Whatever. Shouldn't you get back? They're kind of lacking a ball back there." I nodded in the direction of the group of boys standing around anxiously.

"Yeah, I probably should. I'll see you around, Georgia." he turned around but turned back once he was a few feet away from me. "Oh, and Zayn says hi." He winked before turning around and walking back to the team. My eyes narrowed after him. What did he mean Zayn said hi? He definitely wasn't playing, because in London he'd explained that he hated soccer - or football, whatever - with a passion.

Shaking my head, I proceeded to do a few more laps around the field before deciding I'd ran enough and heading back to the dorm. It was beginning to get dark outside, and it was weird to think that earlier that day I'd been in London with Zayn. 

When I got back to the apartment, I attempted to open the door but groaned when I realised it was locked. I'd stupidly not brought my key with me. It was my own fault - Lauren probably would have text me saying she was going out and I hadn't brought my phone with me. She probably just assumed I'd be at dinner. My hands rubbed over my face as I tried to figure out what to do since I really didn't fancy turning up at dinner in my sweaty running outfit. Realising that I had no other choice, I turned around and dragged myself down the stairs and back outside the dorm. This time I felt the cold so I pulled my hoodie tighter around my body. I was about to turn in the direction of the cafeteria before someone called my name.

Turning round, I saw Zayn jogging towards me and a warm feeling spread through my body. "Hey!" He said breathily when he reached me. "You look... well sweaty."

"I know, I look terrible. Lauren went to dinner and I don't have a key, so I can't clean up."

"You don't look terrible." Zayn said softly and my face began to heat up. "If you want, you can use my room. No-one's up there anyway."

"Would that be okay?" I felt strange accepting his offer, but I really didn't want to turn up like this. 

"It's fine, angel." He smiled warmly at me, but the moment didn't last very long. "Getting to see you all hot and steamy from a shower..."

"I'm not showering, you pervert." I shoved is arm to which he chuckled and gestured for me to follow him back to the boys dorm. 

We were standing in his room and Zayn gestured for me to go in the bathroom. Once inside, I took a breath before turning and locking the door behind me. I heard Zayn mutter something along the lines of 'no fun' and I rolled my eyes before facing the sink. The cool water felt good on my face as I splashed it and I breathed a sigh of relief. My hair was pulled from the pony tail and I brushed through it with my fingers, trying to make it look presentable. I moved some water around in my mouth before spitting it back into the sink. Looking in the mirror, I examined my face and practically groaned. My eyeliner was practically non-existent, so I used some toilet paper to rub off the remains before unlocking the door and stepping back into the main room. 

"Here." Zayn tossed a shirt at me which I caught before raising an eyebrow at him. "What? I thought you'd want to change your top."

"Won't it be a bit suspicious if I turn up at dinner wearing your clothes?" 

"I doubt anyone will know it's mine."

"What about my tank top?" 

"Just leave it here; I'll give it to you next time I see you." 

I thought it through for a second. Lauren was the only person who'd possibly notice I was wearing a different shirt, and I could probably just lie and say I got it from lost and found after my run or something - as disgusting as that was. Not wanting to stay in my tank top any longer, I sighed and walked back into the bathroom. 

"You could have just changed out here!" Zayn called out and I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

"Keep dreaming." I returned as I slipped from my tank top. 

"Oh, I will." 

Glancing around the bathroom, I spotted a deodorant on the counter and grabbed it. Even if it was mens it was better than nothing. As I pulled Zayn's shirt over my head, I was immediately engulfed by his smell. It comforted me in a way that I couldn't explain. Once again, I walked back out of the bathroom to see Zayn sitting on his bed waiting on me. 

"Ready?"

"Yup, let's go." I said and walked towards the door. My hand reached for the handle but another one stopped me. 

"You look really good in that." Zayn whispered into my ear and I was overly aware of his body behind me. His breath was felt on my ear as he spoke, and I resisted the urge to shiver. My silence apparently amused Zayn, as he pulled away laughing to himself. He pulled the door open and stepped out of his room. "Come on, angel."

"Why are people staring?" I muttered to Zayn as we entered the cafeteria. There wasn't a lot of people staring, but I couldn't not notice that the noise in the room lowered a little and the occasional group of people whispering to each other.

"Because you just walked in with me."

"Modest, as always." I sarcastically remarked. 

"It's true though." He defended. "See you, angel." and with that, he walked off to sit with Louis and Liam at their usual table, leaving me with butterflies.

Trying to ignore the stares (and some dirty looks from girls) that I was still receiving, I walked over to my friends. Lauren was staring at me with narrowed eyes as I took a seat next to Harry.

"What? I met him on the way in." I asked before she could comment.

"It's not that. Were you wearing that earlier?" she nodded at Zayn's shirt and I tensed up.

"Yeah, I was." I lied, hoping that I sounded convincing. 

"I thought you were wearing a tank top."

"Nope, this." I continued my lie. Lauren seemed to believe me and started to dig into her food again. I didn't like lying, but I didn't want to explain about the Zayn situation. Honestly, I didn't even care that much about changing my shirt - and as much as I hated to admit it, I enjoyed wearing his clothes.

My thoughts of Zayn were interrupted when Jessica spoke up."So what, are you guys fucking?" Her tone was harsh but I was the only one that seemed to notice.

"What? No. We're not even friends, as such." I replied shaking my heads. The truth was I didn't actually know if Zayn and I were friends or not, but I wasn't in the mood to try and explain that to my friends. "We kind of have to speak; we're partners for a project."

Jessica pursed her lips, "Sure." 

"Okay, can we please just - just drop this and eat! If the woman says nothing's going on then nothing's going on!" when Lauren finished speaking I mouth a 'thank you' in her direction and she smiled in return.

The whole way through dinner I felt Jessica continue to look at me occasionally and scowl. Even though I tried my best to ignore it, I couldn't help but wonder what the hell her problem was. I remembered meeting Riley, and I wondered how he was so sweet and related to someone so seemed to hate me for no reason at all. Knowing that my next move could either go okay or horribly, I took the chance.

"Hey, Jessica," I asked and she looked at me with furrowed eyebrows. "In London, I was in a café and I met your cousin, Riley. He says hi." I was proud that I sounded sweet and not totally bitchy, which was how I wanted to ask her. Honestly, I didn't have a bad opinion of her at all; I just wanted to know why she had a bad one of me. I'd decided to try and make conversation and be nice to her just to see how she would act. 

"Oh?" Surprise crossed Jessica's face and I scanned it for any other emotion. "I didn't know he had a job."

I nodded. "I can't remember the name of the café, because I found it by accident. But we got talking and he mentioned you." 

"I need to call him. It's been too long." She simply said, her voice sounding slightly strained. "In fact, I'm going to do that right now. Bye guys." Jessica quickly stood from where she was sitting and rushed out of the cafeteria. 

We all stared after her, equally as confused as each other. After a few moments of awkward silence it was brushed off, and we continued our usual dinner time banter with each other. There was a few times that I would look over at Zayn and he'd already be looking at me, and didn't even attempt to hide it, which made me feel strangely nervous yet I kept looking.

**********************************************************

"Can I come to your room tonight?" Zayn blurted out in the middle of art. It was now Thursday, and had almost been a week since Zayn and I's trip to London. He'd still been acting pretty strange. And by strange I mean he was being nicer than usual. And by nicer I mean he wasn't a hundred per cent ass, only about ninety per cent. 

"Forward much?" I asked as I finished off my drawing. We were currently working on pencil sketches. The group project that Zayn and I had to do together was an out of class project, and didn't have to be finished until the end of the school year. 

Zayn rolled his eyes at me. "You wish, sweetheart."

"Sweetheart? What happened to angel?" I smirked at him to hide the frown that was threatening to form on my lips. Despite the nickname bugging me at first, it had kind of grown on me knowing that he didn't call anyone else what he called me. 

"Do you prefer angel?"

"No." I muttered, avoiding his eyes, "I was just wondering."

"Sure you were angel." 

"Why do you want to come to my room?" I changed the subject, fighting of a smile. 

"I want to do something for the project, like I want to do a portrait of you." 

"This isn't going to be one of those 'draw me like one of your French girls, jack' moments, is it?" I groaned. 

"No." Zayn replied with a laugh. "But if you're down with getting naked for me..."

"Stop." I held up my hand and closed my eyes, knowing that Zayn would most likely be smirking down at me. "Lauren will be downstairs with everyone else anyway. It should be fine. Why do you want to draw me anyway?"

"I want to put a portrait of you on the final piece since it is about you." 

"No need for the tone. What time?"

"Whatever time suits you."

"I'm fine whenever. What about six?"

"It's a date." Zayn replied just as the bell signalling the end of the double period sounded. Before I could comment on him calling it a date, he was striding towards the door with his leather jacket thrown over his shoulder. "See you then, angel!" I heard him call without turning back. 

The rest of the day and the few hours after pass slower than I'd like them too. By the time dinner rolled around, I was falling asleep on the spot. I'd left early to have a nap before Zayn came over to work on the project. I had a good hour which seemed like enough time to have a quick nap then prepare, but I was obviously wrong. 

"I'm coming!" I shouted as I walked over to the door rubbing my eyes. It was pulled open to reveal Zayn standing outside it with a smirk. "I'm sorry I was sleeping and forgot! Just give me two seconds."

Zayn's eye's moved up and down my body, and lingered at the bottom of my t-shirt. My mouth dropped when I realised what I was wearing - which was literally just a baggy t shirt over my underwear. 

"Shit!" I hissed but I was frozen on the spot. 

"You know we could just do the naked drawing, you're already pretty much there." Zayn said in a low voice that made goosebumps appear over my body. 

"Shut up, just - just give me a second." I stuttered as I speedily walked back into my room and grabbed jeans and a t-shirt. "Wait here. And don't touch anything." I warned as I made my way into the bathroom. It was probably a bad idea leaving him standing in my room but I kind of had to put clothes on. I was still so embarrassed that I'd even opened the door to him like that. After fixing my hair in the mirror, I walked back out to find Zayn seated on my bed.

As I throw the shirt in the clothes hamper, I caught Zayn's eye and he was smirking at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He leaned back onto his elbows, his smirk growing. "That was my shirt. You willingly wore my shirt just to nap." 

All the colour drained from my face but I tried to hold my groaned. "I was half asleep, I didn't even notice. I just grabbed the first piece of clothing I saw." It was true, I hadn't even noticed I'd been wearing his shirt. Sighing I reached into the hamper and pulled the shirt out before throwing it at Zayn. He put it next to him and stood from my bed. 

"Sit down on the desk chair or something." He said and I sent him a dry look. 

"Yes, sir."

"Sir? I like that."

"Don't get used to it."

"I'd like to."

"Shut up and draw." 

Zayn grinned as he sat back down on my bed and crossed his legs, facing me. He opened the sketch book I hadn't even noticed in his hands, and looked up at me. "Sit straighter, and at least smile or something. You look like I'm forcing you to slaughter your family." 

I winced a little at his choice of words, but he didn't notice. Following his commands, I sat up straighter and simply relaxed my face; I wasn't smiling the whole way through this. 

"I said smile not look a little less pissed."

"I'm not smiling, I feel stupid."

"Please?" 

I sent him the most overly-dramatic smile I could create and Zayn rolled his eyes at me. My expression returned to the way I had it before. "I'll smile when it's needed."

"Fine." He muttered and began drawing. 

Awkwardness flooded through my body as we sat in silence. Zayn was pretty concentrated on his work and I watched him. Occasionally he'd look up but that was it. I felt extremely stupid just sitting here as he drew me, not even being able to move my limbs. 

"Are you nearly done?" I asked impatiently. 

"Just need to do your pretty face." He flashed me a dazzling grin as he said this and my heart fluttered. 

"Seriously? That was quick." 

"Quick's the only way I know how."

"Oh my God, shut up." 

Zayn grinned at me. "I need to to smile or at least not look like you want to murder me."

"But I always want to murder you."

"Georgia."

"Fine, fine!" I tried my best to smile and make it look natural, but Zayn caught on. 

"Jesus, you look like a serial killer."

I gave him a sarcastic look. "Always appreciate your compliments, Zayn." 

"I'm going to make you smile." Zayn stated, and I wasn't sure if it was to me or him. He stared at me thoughtfully as he plotted what he would do next. A grin spread across his face when he obviously got an idea, and his eyes sparkled. "Are you ticklish, angel?" 

"No." I answered a little too quickly with a little too much tension.

Slowly, Zayn placed his sketchbook to the side with a smirk on his face and I tried my best to look like I wasn't scared at all. I sat up straighter in my chair and tried to avoid Zayn's eyes, which had an evil glint in them. 

"Are you sure?" He asked as he stood from the bed. He must have noticed that I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, because he advanced towards me even quicker. 

Laughter escaped my lips the moment his hands met my sides. 

"Zayn... stop!" I managed to breathe in between laughter. 

Despite my complaints, Zayn continued to attack me. Trying to escape him, I managed to stand from the desk chair only to be tackled onto the bed in a fit of laughter. Both my hands were pinned above my head with one of Zayn's hand as he tickled my sides with the other. 

"Seriously!" I cried and he stopped with a grin. 

"You're cute when you laugh, angel." Zayn smirked as he continued to hover above me.

I tried my best to pretend like I didn’t love every second of him being so close to me. Goosebumps formed all over my body as I became aware of Zayn practically straddling me with his knees at either side of my hips. My eyes wandered up his body and landed on his lips. It took all of my strength not to bite my own lip as I imagined how his lips would feel against mine. 

"Are you done?" I asked as I placed my hand on his chest and tried to push him off me, distracting myself from my thoughts. 

"Maybe."

Rolling my eyes, I pushed against his chest one more time, to which he responded and moved away from me. 

"I can finish this now anyway." Zayn said, pulling his sketchbook and pencil onto his lap again to finish the drawing. Curiously, I stretched over to try and see but Zayn pulled the book away from me. 

"Why can't I see?" I asked pouting my lip. 

"Because it's a surprise." Zayn replied a hint of amusement in his voice. 

"You're not drawing me naked are you?" I poked his arm and a grin spread across his face. 

"Not this time." My nose scrunched up and I got off the bed with an 'ew'. Zayn chuckled at my reaction, "I'm joking, angel. I'm done anyway." 

"Oh, okay." 

"Miss me already?" 

"You wish." I sat down in my previous position on my desk chair and hoped Zayn didn't notice that my cheeks were still hot. 

We sat in an awkward silence before Zayn cleared his throat. "I really should go." 

"Yeah, I need to go get the others in the rec room so I'll walk you down." I said casually and I swear Zayns eyes lit up but I couldn't explain why.

We walked downstairs together in silence and I thought over everything that had happened. Like in London, it seemed like Zayn was fun and happy then suddenly everything would turn quiet and awkward and I had absolutely no idea why. Was this what I was to expect whenever I spoke to Zayn? If it was, i didn't know if I wanted to continue speaking to him; a relationship or friendship or whatever it was that was going on seemed exhausting with his mood swings. 

"So uh... I'll see you later, yeah?" Zayn scratched his head as we spoke outside the rec room. "Saturday as usual?"

"I'm actually staying with my Mom for the weekend; I haven't seen her since I came here." I responded with a gentle smile. 

"Oh, okay. I'll see you around." And with that, Zayn walked away leaving me more confused than ever. 

A/N - It's hereeee! I hope you all had an awesome christmas because I know I did! I'm going to try my best and update again before New Year but I'm not making any promises ;) 

The support I've been getting for this is incredible and way beyond my expectations! I love you all! Please remember to vote, comment and follow!xx

EDIT: Fanfiction #727? Wow i'm actually wow thank you!!! it doesn't seem like much but tat's 200 places ahead of where I was before! Thank you!xx