Nothing Lasts Forever/ /Part 3.
[recap: Natasha turned an unsightly shade of red, narrowing her eyes at the pair of us with a look that said, 'of course I am'. I sunk into the sofa cushions, it didn't surprise me a few girls at school would steer clear of her.
"So it's settled. Tonight, we're sneaking out."]
I refused to believe I was doing this. I had never been one for rules, but this was stupid. I was about to spend an hour in a minibus to Wolverhampton, for a stupid party I probably wouldn't enjoy. I rolled my eyes as I slicked some lipgloss across my lips, my pessimistic attitude wasn't helping anyone, I needed to perk up. I fluttered my eyelashes, satisfied with the mascara coating them. I hadn't dressed up, I didn't even know where this party was, apparently every single detail had been kept top secret and would only be released at the last minute. It was all very James Bond. I flopped into Ella's lilac bean bag, grabbing my phone from her dresser as I did so. I smoothed out my short, floral skirt as something jabbed into my back. I fumbled around, trying to remove the shape but making sure I didn't budge the gold hair band jammed tightly into my hair. Tash's phone vibrated in my hands as I glanced to the screen, the details of the party lying on the screen. 'Wolverhampton Local Pool. Gills. Bring a swimming costume.' The number hadn't been saved in Tash's contacts, but something told me it was a temporary thing. My stomach did a few soft flips, I knew immediately this was illegal. As if something in my mind had suddenly clicked. I quickly grabbed the strap of my overnight bag, fussing through it looking for some sort of bikini or swimming costume, Natasha had told me to be prepared and I bit my lip hoping I'd listened.
Ella and Charlotte rushed into the room, Ella swiftly walking towards her drawers and pulling the top one open violently. She brushed a strand of brown hair behind her right ear, her eyes scanning the contents of the wooden box as Charlotte knelt beside her own overnight bag. "Either of you got swimming stuff?" Charlotte said, glancing from me to Ella, then back to me. I gestured towards my bag and shrugged, showing her I hadn't yet finished looking. Ella answered with a small nod, pulling out a simple white bikini from the drawer and holding it up to the light., scanning it with her charged green pupils.
"You're more tanned than I am, take this!" Ella chirped, throwing the bikini at Charlotte, holding back a giggle as it smacked her in the face. She flinched violently, crumpling her face and brushing the material from her nose. She mumbled some sort of thanks and ran out to slip it on underneath her clothes while Ella dragged a similar, orange bikini from the same drawer. "This should do." She frowned, moving out of the room and heading off to do the same as Charlotte. My fingers eventually brushed against the fabric of what felt like a bikini, and I pulled out the floral material. I rolled my eyes, I knew I didn't have any matching bottoms. I stared at the pink flowers on white pattern, narrowing my eyes as I slowly came to a dead end conclusion. I'd have to improvise.
Natasha burst in, the door smacking against the wall violently as her hair whipped across her face. "Minibus. Outside. Now!" She hastily spluttered out, a bright pink Forever21 carrier bag gripped in her right hand. I shoved the bikini top into my small leather satchel, slinging it over my shoulder quickly and rushing out of the room. Tash was already halfway down the stairs, her flip-flops smacking against each one with a stronger force. I could hardly keep up, and as I reached the door, Natasha flung it back. It smacked me straight on the forehead and my vision blurred slightly, a pounding headache ricocheting through my head. "Beth!" She screamed from outside as if someone was dying, I felt like I was. I blinked harshly, the throbbing pain slowly fading as I ran outside.
The cool air made the last of the burning disappear as I climbed into the minibus, falling onto Ella's lap and feeling the pain return. "Beth I'm so sorry!" The words rung through my ears, but I hardly recognised Natasha's voice. Her high pitched shrieks echoed into something else⦠someone else. The 'so sorry' repeated itself over and over, slowly fading to the back of my mind. It disappeared, and the silence had suddenly become deafening. The voice was his, but why was it there? And why did I feel so safe with it? I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath and slowly shaking my head. I could hear Ella hissing to Natasha, things like 'what happened' and 'she'll be okay right', I let myself drift off, I was losing my grip on reality. Falling for a guy I'd met just hours ago. How unrealisticā¦
The car lurched forward, and I was vaguely aware of my surroundings. I let my eyelids slowly prise themselves open and glance around the crowded minibus, Natasha's blue eyes staring at me, springing to life as she saw me move. "You're alive! Excellent, we're her-" She yelped, rubbing the skin on her bare forearm where Cassie had pinched her sharply. "I mean, I'm glad you're okay." I rolled my eyes, feeling a slight tingling under my eyelids. I pushed myself up and gave Ella a sympathetic smile, it was dark outside and I could just make out the entrance to the pool. A boy was leaning against the front door, his leg propped against the wall. His eyes darted up towards our minibus, his green pupils glinting in the moonlight as he glared at the girls and Greg slowly filing out from the vehicle. I glanced to Louis, his eyes fixed on the front door as mine had been a few moments before. I could see the worry hidden behind his blue eyes. He blinked a few times and it disappeared before he turned to me, a bright grin on his face.
"I got through! Looks like we'll be heading to BootCamp together!" I took in a deep breath of excitement, shaking my head in disbelief. He had refused to tell me earlier, but it was worth the wait. I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed him, giggling lightly.
"I knew you'd get through!" I said, a grin still plastered across my face as I pulled away from him. He shrugged half heartedly, flicking some hair from his eyes, he needed a haircut.
"And I knew you would! I told you you were an epic singer, and what did you say? No Louis! Gosh!" He mimicked my voice, making me narrow my eyes and slap his cheek lightly. He flinched for a second before turning round swiftly and pushing open the door. "Come on Miss I Can't Sing But I'm Through To Bootcamp!"
"Wait! I haven't got any bikini bottoms!" I said, gasping as I realised I'd forgotten to ask Tash completely. I saw his smirk as he grabbed some white board shorts from his bag and threw them at me, stepping out hastily. I quickly followed, the shorts clutched in my hands. They would kind of suit the top. I looked up as I exited, seeing no sign of any of the others, only Louis stood beside me. "Where are they?" I murmured, following Lou towards the hooded figure.
"You here for the party?" The shadow sharply grunted, his emerald eyes glowing from underneath his black hood. Lou nodded. "Password?" I snickered, wow. A password? Seriously? I rolled my eyes, waiting patiently for Louis to give the simple instruction. But he didn't, and as I glanced up I saw his glare.
"Oh. Um... Gills?" My guess was far fetched, but most likely right, it had been the only other thing on the text. The boy snickered and cocked his head towards the door, a low thumping echoing from inside, the beat of a speedy bass track. Louis nodded vaguely, his hand pushing my back forward.
We stepped inside, greeted with a small reception. The desk had been jumbled, important papers strewn across the floor and a couple making out heavily in the two leather chairs. A handmade sign was propped messily against a shattered plant pot, set firmly in the spilled soil. '' I raised my eyebrows, watching as Louis opened the door that said pool and slipping through it. I rushed after him, I didn't want to be stuck with the couple.
The water was brightly lit by a blue underlight, glowing an eerie shade of aqua as the hundreds of teenagers screamed and swam about. At least fifty were sat on the side, their feet and legs submerged in the liquid. A familiar blonde head of hair ran up to me, her bare feet slapping against the tile. Her hair was still bone dry. "Beth! Save me!" She shrieked as a boy picked her up from behind, his hazel hair tangling in Tash's fingers as she desperately tried to push him away, stifling her giggles. "Liam! Get off!" She yelled, red in the face as he set her down with a grin. "Beth, this is Liam-"
"Payne? You auditioned for the X-Factor two years ago-"
"I was getting to that." Natasha huffed, Liam trying not to laugh.
"You must be Beth right? Tash told me you auditioned for X-Factor this year?" I wondered how I had come up in their flirty conversation. "I auditioned again too." He smiled, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. So Natasha had used me as a starting subject to pull, excellent. Tash tugged his arm, winking at me before grabbing his hand. He wasn't wearing anything except dark blue board shorts, and she was only wearing her blue bikini, I guessed they were getting into the pool. "Anyway, I'll see you at Bootcamp?" He waved, and I watched as they jumped into the glistening water.
My eyes did a quick scan of the room, my mind debating whether to put on my bikini and shorts or leave it, heading to the 'Ditch'. Not like I knew what that was. I bit my bottom lip, feeling a bit out of place. My eyes kept going, landing on the small area of sun loungers and Charlotte, lying on one and chatting to some girl. My feet almost instinctively moved forward, being on my own was boring and I hated not being social. Her eyes met mine and she waved, freezing as a confused look came over her face. I mouthed a 'what', seeing she was glancing over my shoulder. "Hey."
The familiar smooth voice sent shivers down my spine, and I turned with a goofy grin on my face. His brown eyes were the kindest I'd ever seen them, but the cheeky hint was there. He wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me tightly. "Never thought I'd see you here!" I finally managed, amazed by the coincidence.
"I could say the same, Zip." He winked.
"Shut up! I wasn't looking where I was going..."
"Too busy dreaming about me?" I looked down, realising I was still in his grasp, and stepped out. He looked down to the tile beneath our feet, running a hand through his hair and smiling up at me. "So... Do you wanna' go somewhere?" I nodded, maybe a bit too enthusiastically, but he didn't notice. He slipped his hand into mine, guiding us through the crowds of buzzing teenagers and closer to the back door. My heart pounded and my legs shook slightly, he was incredible, but I didn't want to fall for him. Not yet. Not now.
Zayn pushed the back door open, letting a refreshing burst of wind push my hair back. A small grassy hill was in front of us, and as Zayn led me up it, I couldn't help but smile. Today was one of the most incredible days of my life.
Before I knew it, we were at the top and he was sitting down, laying out his leather jacket for me to sit on. I giggled, sitting on the soft inside fabric and smiling at him. I glanced at his top, a light switch was drawn on it with the words 'Turn me on' written above and below. My eyes moved to his face, looking into his deep brown eyes nested behind a pair of clear lensed raybans. He wasn't looking at me, he was looking out at the fields in front of us, his hair billowing slightly in the wind. "I'm really happy you got through to boot camp..." He murmured, looking to the grass and running his hands through the shreds. I blushed. "I-I mean, I'm happy for you."
"I'm happy for you too." His eyes flicked up, meeting mine immediately as he grinned, placing his hand on mine in the grass. His free hand crept up my arm, cradling my face and rubbing his thumb gently along my cheek. I took a deep breath as he leaned in, his cologne filling my senses as I closed my eyes-
"Beth! Zayn!" Some shrieked from the door, making me reluctantly pull away from Zayn. Ella was standing at the bottom of the hill, soaking wet and crying. "We need to go!" I shot up, practically forgetting about Zayn and rushing towards my tear soaked best friend.
"What's going on?" A loud siren blared in the background, screams echoing from inside.
"The police Beth!" She yelled hysterically. "I can't find Lou!" I glanced around quickly, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly. I heard the thunderous crack as the front door was forced open, the sound echoing inside and exiting out the back. My stomach had dropped as my eyes darted around, catching Zayn running down the hill with a serious look on his face.
"Where's Tash?" I screamed, glancing back inside and catching a glimpse of a police officer tackle a blond haired boy to the ground. "You need to go Ella." I said sternly, she opened her mouth in protest but I pushed her off, moving towards the pool. I was pulled back almost immediately, Zayn spinning me so I could see his face.
"Don't, please. I'll find your friends I promise." I frowned, I couldn't let him do this.
"No." I looked back inside, a police officer who had just arrested a boy stood up, angrily glaring in our direction. He pointed.
"Shit." Zayn muttered, grabbing my hand, yanking me away from the door and towards the large woods. I didn't know what to do, and as I felt the tears fall from my eyes it all became increasingly unreal. I tore my hand away from Zayn's as the lights of the pool faded and the sirens were swallowed up. Salty tears rolled down my cheeks relentlessly as I collapsed on a fallen tree trunk, the rough bark scraping my bare thighs.
"Why the fuck did you do that for?" I yelled, sobbing. I was scared, shaken, I didn't know what to do. What about Charlotte and Cassie? I rubbed my left eye vigorously to keep the tears away, smudging my mascara and cursing under my breath.
"Well sorry if I didn't want you to get arrested!" He threw his arms into the air, exaggerating his frustrated tone.
"Stop acting like you care!" I stood up, shoving him violently and watching him stumble, clenching his fists and glaring at the mossy dirt beneath his sneakers. His foot caught a large rock, ripping the side of his sneaker. I could hear his toes collide with the large lump, resulting in a lot of cursing. "I'm sorry!" I rushed out, grabbing him and sitting him down next to me. "Is it broken?"
"Uh... I don't know." He chuckled, glancing at me for a brief second before pretending to be interested in the tree opposite us. "Look, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have dragged you away-"
"No I was wrong. You're just trying to help." I smiled, in the hope he'd turn and see me, but he didn't. He kept his gaze focused on the tree in front of him, his eyes not moving a millimetre. The silence gave me time to think though, about what would've happened if Ella hadn't come out, if we'd had just a few more seconds. There was no denying I liked Zayn, I just wondered if he felt the same. "How are we getting back? I mean, I guess you live somewhere pretty far off too?" He nodded.
"Yeah, Bradford actually. You?"
"Wolverhampton... Let's get going." I stood up, holding out my hand and wiggling my fingers. I saw a small smile dance across his lips as he slipped his fingers through mine and began walking back towards the pool. I probably looked a mess but appearance had slipped my mind when I was running into the forest, away from the police. We walked most of the way in silence, only when we got close to the pool again was it broken by a comfortably familiar voice.
"Beth?" Male, for definate.
"Lou?" I saw a shadow approach us, their tangled hair and ripped clothing becoming apparent as he got closer. "Lou, what happened?" His eyes were on mine and Zayn's fingers, interlocked between us. I let go immediately, grabbing him in a quick hug.
"I was shoved into the lockers, someone was a bit drunk and chose me as a punching bag, but I'm okay. I managed to slip out with Cassie and Ella..." He glanced behind me. "Where the hell are Natas-" My phone rang loudly, interrupting Louis.
"Hello?"
"Tell Louis to answer his bloody phone!" Someone screamed at me, I quickly checked the caller ID, it was Greg. I heard muffled yells before someone spoke again.
"Sorry about that Beth, it's Charlotte. Me and Greg are halfway home, are you guys okay?" So where was Natasha? I shook my head.
"We're fine, but no one's seen Tash." Charlotte didn't care, as much as I loved her, she seemed to hate Natasha. But I heard her defeated sigh as the car pulled up somewhere, most likely Ella's. But I couldn't tear my mind away from my cousin. "I'll talk to you later." I hung up, I turned to Louis, fresh tears stinging my eyes. "She isn't with them." I squeaked out, a pair of arms wrapping themselves around my shoulders, hugging me to their warm body tightly. I went numb, what if she had been arrested? She was probably alone, scared, cold, helpless... A shiver ran down my spine like an electric shock as I jolted to life, hearing the end of Louis and Zayn's conversation, Zayn's breath tingling my neck as he spoke.
"I'll take her home. I promise, I don't have anything to be doing tomorrow anyway." Zayn pushed.
"No, I don't know you. You could be some rapist or whatever." I shook my head, alerting them to my presence.
"I'll go home with Zayn. Find Natasha." I mumbled, grabbing his hand once more and scuttling away from Louis before he could speak another word. I just wanted to get out of here.
"This way." Zayn said softly, directing me alongside the pool building and into a car. I didn't pay any attention, just silently climbed into the passenger seat and buckled my seat belt. I fumbled with my phone in my free hands as Zayn did something outside. I decided calling Natasha was my final life line, if she didn't pick up we were all in serious trouble... And maybe danger. I clicked her name, listening to the dial tone.
"Hello?" The voice was male and my imagination immediately kicked into overdrive.
"Where's Natasha you freaking perv!" I yelled, hearing a loud curse word erupt from someone in the background.
"Shut up Beth! I'm fine! I'm at Liam's." Zayn grabbed my phone, ending the call almost immediately and frowning at me. I parted my lips to speak, but he leaned in, sliding a hand down to my back and pulling me against his lips. They were warm and moved perfectly in sync with mine as we kissed, his cologne filling every single one of my senses and filling me with a euphoric feeling.
Suddenly, everything had melted away and it was just me and him, alone in dark. Our hands and lips entwined with one another. I could've stayed in this moment forever.
