Fate

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Leave it me to be in these awkward situations with an angry teenage boy who doesn't want to talk to me. I'd kept my focus completely on the book he apparently thought was stupid. I hoped he didn't mean it but he probably did. Of course, he thought it was a stupid project for him. Just because he had a talent for writing didn't mean he would love it as I did. It also didn't mean he'd care anything about writing a romance novel with me. What guy would? He was no different.

He also didn't seem to hold the passion for singing as I did. Again, no one said he had to. It did hurt me a lot more than any of it should. Writing and music were two things I loved and I didn't like others undermining these things. Especially, if he was doing one of them with me. I thought of the quote he'd written and it was all the more infuriating and shocking to me. I couldn't understand. So I'd focused on the world of Emily and not on him, not even sparing him a glance.

"You haven't said much," Zayn said suddenly.

I turned my attention from the screen to stare at him. "You haven't said much either."

"You've seemed upset."

"I'm not upset," I dismissed.

"You are. I can tell."

"Everything's fine." I shrugged.

"What part was it that I said? About the project?"

"Nothing's wrong. I'm not upset."

"Yes, you are. You haven't said anything and even when you're focused, that's not like you."

"Maybe I'm just working hard because I know you don't care about this as I do." I pointed out.

"I do care about it otherwise we wouldn't be here doing it."

"You think it's stupid." I frowned.

"Okay, so that's what I said you don't like?"

"No, I don't. It sucks to know what I'm passionate about is something you're not. I understand that not everyone is going to like what I do. But to completely undermine something we are supposed to be doing together? Maybe it doesn't matter to you but it does to me."

He sighed. "I don't think the project is stupid and I didn't mean it."

"You also apparently think music is stupid. Or at least singing is."

"You sing?" he questioned.

I frowned, averting my gaze. "Not really. It's just a hobby I do privately. Or with my mom."

"Wow."

"That's surprising?" I smiled slightly.

"You must be surprised about what Eric said."

"Yeah. So do you sing or don't you?"

It was his turn to look away as he turned cut his eyes to the window. "No, I used to a long time ago."

"Why did you stop?"

"Wasn't interested in it anymore."

"How could you not be interested in singing or music? It's a beautiful form of expression like writing is."

He shrugged. "I guess we're just different."

"Maybe, but you apparently have a talent for both of them. So maybe you should use it."

He turned away, running his hand through his hair. "Ariel, just drop it." He sighed as he slapped his hands against his pants leg.

"Okay, fine," I shrugged my shoulders.