*Taylor's POV*

You know life is getting bad when even the internet starts to bore you. Three times now I closed my computer because I ran out of things to do, went to the fridge for something to eat, realized we didn't have anything, then went back to the computer. It was a vicious cycle. I tried to practice a few cheers and stunts because tryouts were tomorrow, but I could only do that alone for so long. It was much more fun with Gaby here to practice with.

Finally, I heard a knock at the door. A very impatient knock, actually; eight loud, fast pounds against the mahogany wood. I darted down the steps to see who it could be. Gaby wasn't supposed to be back for at least another half hour.

I unhinged the lock and swung the door open only to find Zayn. Zayn Malik. I didn't know why he was here, or how he knew where I lived in the first place- though thinking back, he'd probably asked Gaby.

Before I'd even had the chance to say anything, he took a step closer so our bodies were pressed close together. Each of his hands found my cheeks and he pulled my face to his. Immediately, his lips met mine and parted them gently. I felt almost an electric current between us, pulling us together, as ridiculous as that sounds. The way he kissed me just felt so right, and so comfortable. I saw bright colors flash behind my closed eyelids and my hands ran into his soft hair, my fingers tangling in the black locks.

"Zayn?" I gasped when I pulled away, taking in as much air as I could.

"Oh, uh, hi, Taylor."

"Yeah, hi. Can I, uhm, help you with something? Do you want to come inside?" Were we even going to acknowledge that mind blowing kiss? Or did I imagine it?

"Are your parents home?"

"You think I would let you kiss me like that if my parents were home?"

"Alright, yeah, good point." He stepped past the door frame and into the house, looking around for the first time at the interior design.

I walked in front of him, my mind still spinning slightly, and led him with me to sit down on the sofa in the living room. I expected him to say something, but he remained quiet. I watched as his hand traced a pattern on the white couch cushions.

"So are you going to explain what's going on, or...?" I finally asked.

"Yeah, that was kind of the plan."

"Oh, so there's a plan? Care to enlighten me?"

"Yes." He smirked, making me melt a little inside. "Niall told me about what happened with you two."

My eyes widened a little. I hadn't expected him to say that. "What did he say?" I couldn't help but wonder. Did he think I was good? Hot?

"Honestly, he didn't say much. We were discussing that night, and I mentioned that I liked you." The signature smirk returned, "You're fit. And then he told me what happened because he thought I should know if I had any intentions of seeing you again."

"And you did?"

"I do now."

I crawled across the couch so I was closer to where he was sitting. "You're fit too." I giggled. Fit. That sounded so awkward. I wanted to tell him he was hot, but apparently that was the translation anyway.

And just like that we were kissing again. But for longer. Much longer. After what I guessed to be about ten minutes, I lied back on the sofa, grasping at the neckline of his gorgeous gray V Neck to pull him down to me so our lips would stay connected. He hovered over me, continuing to kiss me somehow fast and slow at the same time.

Goosebumps ran through my body causing my frame to shudder as he made his way up my tank top. His big hands were warm against my skin, and my breathing seemed to become shaky.

"Zayn..." I whispered against his soft lips when he dropped the tank top to the ground.

Suddenly, we were interrupted by a loud "Taylor! What are you doing!" from a voice I only knew as Gaby's. Zayn quickly jumped back, as if he thought moving fast enough would prevent what they already saw; something I'd learned long ago wasn't true.

"We weren't going to do anything, I swear!" He proclaimed, assuring them. "I was going to stop in five seconds!" I rolled my eyes, hoping that was a lie. Secretly, I knew it wasn't. I'd felt him becoming hesitant, which is why I'd said his name anyway.

I grabbed for my shirt, covering up what my bra didn't.

"What exactly did we just walk in on?" Harry asked, his voice sly like the smart ass he always seemed to be. "Malik, would you care to explain?"

"Shut up, Harry." Zayn half joked, glancing over at me while I pulled my shirt back over my head and adjusting it to fit nicely over my abs.

"Am I the only one who is extremely confused right now?" Gaby announced. Oh, she was so innocent and sweet. Sometimes I wondered how she stayed that way with me as a best friend. "Taylor, what about Niall?"

"What about Niall?" I asked. "I told you, there was nothing there..."

"Maybe not for you.." Harry mumbled under his breath, though it was so quiet I probably heard him wrong.

"Niall knows I'm here. I would never go behind his back like that." Zayn explained.

"Well, I guess that makes it better then..." Gaby gave her small nod of approval as her and Harry walked further into the room, sitting on the other couch.

"Have you spoken to management about this?" Harry asked. "Are you two official?"

I glanced over at Zayn, awaiting his answer, only to find him looking at me. He wiggled his eyebrows twice, a smile forming on his perfect face.

"We're official." I nodded, sliding my hand over to grab his.

"I talked to management before I came. They said we can go public, if Taylor was all for it. Supposedly, it'd be good publicity."

"What the hell!" Harry's jaw dropped and he jumped up from the couch in protest. "That's not fair! I was told that Gaby and I had to remain private for at least the next few months!"

Zayn shrugged and I bit my lip, wondering how Gaby felt about that. Judging by the glimpse of disappointment in her eyes, that I'm sure only I saw, this was the first she'd heard of it.