Lacey

“Luce stop running off,” I called out annoyed.

“What are you doing?” Tamzyn’s voice came through my phone that was pressed to my ear.

“Trying to control Luce. I have to go Tam. Bye.” I said quickly before ending the phone call and chucking it in one of the many bags I was trying to balance in my hands. I could just see Luce run up ahead as I tried to catch up to her in my heels.

I almost shrieked in surprise as I saw her get lifted off the ground. My heart rate however began to calm down as I realised whose arms had picked her up.

“You shouldn’t run off on your sister Luce. That’s not very nice,” Liam said softly to Luce who was contently sitting in Zayn’s arms.

“Thank you,” I said the moment I reached them. Liam instantly lent forward and took the bags out of my hands. I shot him a relieved look and repeated my statement.

“Luce, I told you if you come shopping with me, no running off!” I scolded her. She pouted and hid her head in Zayn’s chest. I just rolled my eyes at her before offering Zayn a small smile which he returned.

“What are you two doing?” I asked them both.

“Just about to head home actually.” Liam responded.

“Oh don’t let me keep you then,” I said quickly, reaching to grab my bags back from Liam.

“I’ll stay with Lace.” Zayn said, quickly adjusting Luce in one arm and reaching for my bags from Liam. I went slightly red as Liam glanced between Zayn and I for a moment.

“Alright then. I’ll see you later Zayn. Bye Lacey.” Liam said politely before handing Zayn the rest of the bags and walking off.

“I can take some,” I said to Zayn, reaching for some bags but he pulled them out of the way.

“I’ve got it. Now where to next?” Zayn asked me. I bit my lip and before I could reply Luce beat me to it.

“I’m hungry.” She stated grumpily. Zayn laughed.

“Food it is then,” He said to Luce before turning around and walking back the way he came from. I stood there shocked for a second before I quickly caught up with them. Zayn shot me a smirk the moment I reached his side.

I held back my sigh. I didn’t understand him. One moment he was extremely nice and the next he was acting all cocky. I was still deciding whether this was a turn on or off.

Zayn turned suddenly and walked into a small cafe. It was small enough that not many people were inside to harass us today. And most people seemed to be grabbing their food and drinks and leaving anyway. Zayn led the way to a table in the back and set Luce down in a chair before taking his own. I sat down on the other side of him and glanced down at the menu. I stayed silent and ordered for Luce and I as Zayn and Luce chatted about whatever came to her mind.

I watched them both amused and surprised at how well Zayn was handling a young girl. He definitely did not look like a guy that would be so good with kids.

He glanced up at me after a while of my staring.

“You’re good with her,” I blurted out. Zayn smiled down at Luce before looking back at me.

“I have two younger sisters.” He replied. I nodded acceptingly and folded my hands in front of me, not really knowing what to do from here. I mean we had said we were friends but that certainly didn’t take the awkward atmosphere away, certainly not for me anyway. Zayn however was acting like nothing was wrong.

“Lacey, Zayn should come to party.” Luce stated suddenly snapping me out of my trance. I glanced towards her amused.

“Zayn is already coming,” I told her knowing that the boys would be coming to the my parents house in a week to perform for the guests as tomorrow night would consist of all the board members apart of the various record companies my father was part of.

“You’re going to sing for me?” Luce asked. I chuckled at her.

“Yep, all for you Luce.” Zayn replied smiling down and pressing a kiss to her cheek. She giggled loudly making me laugh really loud. Zayn turned to smile at me causing me to blush softly.

Our food arrived which successfully preoccupied Luce leaving the table in silence.

“So what were you and Liam doing today?” I asked Zayn softly, not taking my eyes away from my food.

“We just finished recording in the studio and thought we would look through a few shops.” Zayn responded. I nodded and continued to stare at my food.

“Was recording good?”

“It was the usual. Am I that ugly that you can’t stand to look at me when you talk?” I gasped and my head shot up to look at Zayn as he burst out laughing. I blushed hard and bit my lip trying to think of something to say.

“Why do you always do that?” I asked annoyed. Zayn’s face turned confused as he looked at me. “Have to be all cocky and make things awkward.” I muttered at him.

Realisation dawned on his face as he glanced down at Luce before looking back at me.

“Sorry,” he said shrugging. My mouth practically fell open; I certainly wasn’t expecting an apology. “You’re just too cute when you’re annoyed or angry.”

“Look I just don’t know what to do with us.” I said gesturing between us. “I don’t know what we are or what we’re doing. I’m just really confused.”

“You also think too much into things. We are what we are. Just let it be.” Zayn said smiling softly at me before going back to his food. I chewed on my bottom lip nervously, no longer feeling like eating. Zayn may be okay with whatever this was but I wasn’t, I wasn’t a person that could just let things be.

“Seriously I swear I can hear you thinking.” Zayn said rolling his eyes at me before finishing his drink and standing up. “Are you ready to go?”

Luce jumped out of her seat instantly and Zayn grabbed the bags before they both started to head out of the cafe. Quickly grabbing my bag and jacket I jumped up and caught up with them both as they left the cafe.

“Where to?” Zayn asked.

“Actually we’re probably finished.” I said quickly. Wanting to just leave the confusion Zayn brings whenever he’s around.

“No, remember sissy you need to find a dress.” Luce decided to pipe up. I glanced down at her annoyed before looking at Zayn to see him smirking at me.

“Well lead the way Lacey.” He said gesturing me forward before his free hand grabbed Luce’s and they followed behind me. Sighing I began to walk towards the stores I wanted.

After three more stores I ended up finding the dress I wanted. I walked out of the dressing room to see Luce sitting on Zayn’s lap playing with his fingers and chatting a mile a minute. Zayn glanced up at me; I was surprised how willing he had been to shop so far. He hadn’t complained at all.

“I’m just going to buy this one,” I told him before heading over to the cash register.

“Do you need me to drop you home?” I asked Zayn as we left the store.

“Yes please.” He nodded at me, taking my new bag out of my hand and picking up Luce again. I tried to protest again but Zayn wouldn’t listen. Sighing, I led the way to the car and waited as Zayn strapped Luce into her seat. By the time I had pulled out onto the road Luce had already fallen asleep.

“I think she’s in love with you.” I said to Zayn softly. He glanced back at her, a grin across his face.

“She reminds me of my sisters.” He told me.

“Do you miss them?” I asked softly, not sure whether he was okay with talking about this.

“Every day I miss them more. I’m going to see them in a week.” He told me, looking out of the window the whole time. I nodded in response.

I practically sighed in relief as I pulled up in the car park of his apartment.

“Thanks for today,” I said softly.

“Don’t mention it. I would invite you inside but it might be too inappropriate for her.” Zayn said gesturing to Luce and winking at me making my face heat up.

“Goodbye Zayn,” I glared at him and drove off quickly the moment he shut the car door. He always had to ruin the nice moments between us.

Arriving home I took Luce into the house before grabbing the bags and making my way back to my room. I threw everything onto the bed before diving on after them.

Zayn was annoying me more and more every day. He made me uncomfortable and awkward, so why was it that my heart was still racing and my stomach felt like it was constantly turning. I groaned and burrowed my head in my pillow, I needed to stop whatever this was now. Before it got too far.