ZAYN

“I think the weed may actually balance itself out. If having a memory that isn’t too great is the consequence for that kind of utter relaxation, it’s worth it.” Perrie could easily understand why one might choose weed over random memorization anyway. “And you get out of doing the shopping? I would say that’s a win win situation,” the girl pointed out with a giggle. “Another way being what?” Her brow arches as she looks at him. “The first few flights, you’ve traveled a lot, have you?” Or at least more than she had, but that isn’t unusual being that she’s hardly been anywhere. “I’ll have to take you up on that, you would probably be able to talk me down. Or at least keep me sufficiently distracted enough.” She finds herself grinning when he compliments her again, “I know just which emoji you mean.” Perrie is relieved that it’s dark in there because she can feel herself blushing again “if you happen to find it especially hard, you can always call me.” It’s a tongue in cheek comment, and a little forward she knows, but she has no problem putting it out there.

perrie: for all of the trophy wives who don’t work. Hence the high maintenance! I actually hadn’t connected that until now.

perrie: worked hard for the money?

zayn: must be nice.

zayn: the whole trophy wife kind of shit? it's typically easy to pick those kinds of people out.

perrie: a majority of the day was working. The weekends are usually a bit busier. How was your day?

perrie: I’ll be sure to do that!

zayn: you're busy doing hair during the week? that's wild. don't people work...or i don't know, have shit aside from annoying you to do.

perrie: my thoughts exactly

perrie: sometimes! Some days are better than others.

perrie: I did my best. And no one ended up screaming at me so I think that’s a win.

zayn: so aside from that how was everything else? or did you spend your entire day working?

perrie: long day at least the work part of it is over.

perrie: just things like pulling up photos of two completely different styles and saying they want a combo of both. When it isn’t even possible. Another wanted a ponytail so tight that it would appear to give her a facelift.

zayn: yeah, at least it's over. now you can talk to me. i can distract you.

zayn: yikes. do people ask for shit like that.

perrie: that probably sounded weird. My clients that were getting their hair done.

perrie: it’s perrie, jades friend. sorry I should have lead with that

zayn: perrie, jade's friend. how are you?

perrie: all of my clients today were especially high maintenance.

perrie: 🥺

perrie: hows your day?

zayn: all of your clients?

perrie lets out a laugh as she nods her head, “strange thing, innit? why can i sometimes remember random idiotic facts that i’ve stumbled across over the years, but can’t seem to remember the two things i had to go to the store for once i get there?” that was something that never failed to boggle her mind. she supposed it was because going shopping it was easy to get distracted, but it was still irritating. “no real use in getting all worked up, especially in anger, that never seems to end well for anyone. it hasn’t done you well, you say? was that one of those lessons that you had to learn the hard way?” she was genuinely curious. “yeah, we’ll do that, how prepared are you to deal with my panic attack on the plane..” perrie trails off, flying isn’t something that she’s done before and the thought of it is unnerving. though at the same time it’s something that she’s always wanted to do. “just making sure i heard you right,” the girl teases, her teeth grazing over her bottom lip when she feels his lips on her neck. “we might have to figure out a special emoji that i can send any time i need a compliment.” there was a part of her that wondered if he was pulling her away from her phone moments earlier so that the numbers wouldn’t actually have to be exchanged, she finds herself relieved that it isn’t the case. “i think i would like to do that.” lifting their entwined hands she guides his arms to circle around her waist, freeing her own arms to rest around his neck.

“I guess that’s why studying the brain is an actual science. Very complex,” Perrie points out. “But you sort of have a little bit of control over it. Think of it, it’s easy to memorize things you’re interested in versus things you’re not. If you’re invested in it it’s a lot easier to recall the information.” At least that’s how it seemed for her, which is probably why she was hardly ever able to remember test material and things of that nature in school. She was glad those days were over. “Good to know. I’m sort of the same way,” Perrie doesn’t usually get that angry, she finds that it’s a waste of energy so she avoids it. “Definitely a place worth checking out, guess every city has their share of shitty people to be fair. Hmm sure we should plan that,” she plays along, grinning at the same time. Her fingers fold between his and for a few seconds she’s very aware of their palms touching, maybe because it’s paired with the fact that she’s pleasantly surprised at how easy he’s been to talk to, she read him wrong from the start when she used to brush him off. “I doubt you have any trouble looking good overall,” she assures him. “So you’re saying that I look just as sexy sitting across from you at a table as I do dancing up on you? I’m truly flattered,” she ribs him playfully, enjoying not only their banter but also the way that his hips are swaying against hers “no but seriously. I am flattered.”

Perrie was never the best student so she identified with that on some level, even if that wasn’t something that she would advertise, “probaby because we start focusing on other things more than learning.maybe our brains can only hold so much information before they’re just like, nope no more room here.” Laughing, the blonde nodded, “maybe just wiser in life experience not actual knowledge?” that sounded like it might make some sense so she went with it.”remind me never to piss you off because if that’s your casual -i hardly know this person- glare, then i do not want to be on the receiving end of the -you’ve actually made me angry- glare.” so far she thinks that with his help, she’s done a good job of turning her night around. maybe it’s turned out better this way than it would have had it actually gone to plan. “i’m jealous. is it as incredible as it looks on tv?” the question sounds silly, but she has to know. “going for a week is better than not going at all. so it really is the city that never sleeps? loads to do. i hope some day ill get to go on a holiday like that.” until then, she would just live vicariously through those that had the chance. “i would be extremely offended if you did complain about it.” and wasn’t she already offended enough for one night? taking a step forward she closed the little space that was left between them, vowing not to think about being offended any more, her earlier troubles floating away as her body moved in time with the music. “i may have taken dance classes until i was 16. but that doesn’t always translate on an actual dance floor.”

“it gets harder the older you get. guess our brains just don’t pick things up the same way. you’d think it would be the opposite but it isn’t,” her words are getting a little rambley, she’s not completely sure that she explained that the right way, but it seemed to make sense in her head. “wow, you’ve perfected that glare haven’t you? look, im all in for the fun, im here, aren’t i?” prior to talking with him, her plan would have been to go home, put on her pajamas, cuddle with her dogs and wallow in the pity of being stood up. the blonde is nodding as he explains, and it takes a second but now she understands the abbreviation, “oh! yeah. ok. now i get it. that’s that big venue right?” now it’s starting to ring a bell even though she hasn’t been there, she’s heard of it. “did you stay long in the states?” perrie hasn’t been anywhere quite that far, only to places that she could travel to by train and she’s a little envious of his experience. the femme gives her friend a look back, jade is the one who asked zayn to sit with her for a bit, so this is mostly her doing. at least that’s what perrie would say if the situation called for it. “good? i dont know if i would say so, but i like to think i have some rhythm,” her shoulders roll in a shrug, “is it because you just love this song so much? or because you wanted an excuse to get more touchy feely” teasing him was amusing, because he would probably just give her a witty response. “dont overthink it,” its a suggestion not just about his answer but about the situation at hand. with the alcohol flowing through her system its a lot easier to let her body feel the beat of the music, her arms slinging over his shoulders.

“it’s amazing how well children can absorb things like that isn’t it? being able to speak multiple languages without overthinking it, brains are maddening. it seems so hard to learn another language as an adult but children pick it up like -that-” her fingers snapped in time with the last word. “im positive that they do, that’s why i know they’re the right ones to ask. i have to wonder if you’re so suave and charming when you’re wasted,” the blonde teases him, having to grin upon noticing his cheeks heating up. she makes a mental note to ask jade, even if they do keep it just between them, she wouldn’t give him too hard of a time about it. everyones got their drunk stories. reaching across the table she gripped his wrist lightly to turn his arm to get a better look at the letters he’s pointing out, “what’s it stand for? keep it in solidarity, i approve of that.” even if it isn’t any of her business, she prefers the version of the story where neither of them cover the tattoo with something else, it gives it a bit of an edge. the apples of her cheeks tint pink when he mentions exchanging numbers, even though she’ll blame it on the alcohol, “we should do that.” her hand makes a move to grab her bag but shes quickly distracted by him standing, “oh. yeah. sure.” instead of her phone, perrie grabs her glass and polishes it off before standing, knowing full well the alcohol will hit her once she’s up, it always does. “let me get jade to watch my bag,” taking his hand, she uses her other to grab her bag and walk the few feet to the bar where she hands it off to jade to throw behind the bar.

perrie found herself pleasantly surprised at his response, it was an interesting tidbit she probably wouldn’t have learned had she not taken the opportunity to have this conversation, “that’s cool. something you’ve learned from childhood?” those who were able to speak multiple languages was something the blonde was envious of, being able to seamlessly translate in your own head. “so its quite amusing then? might have to ask jade to persuade liam on spilling the beans on that,” she joked. “the story behind it makes it more than just the tattoo which makes sense. you promised you would cover it and then didn’t? don’t keep me in suspense,whats the tat?” the closer she looked, the more she could see just how many tattoos he had when they were looked at more individually. “on your scalp?” the thought almost made her wince, “what did that feel like? the scalp is a place for nice touches!” perrie chuckled. “minus hair pulling but thats only in certain situations.” her smirk was partially hidden by bringing her glass to her lips again for a drink. “its been a while since i’ve had a dye job like that, took lots of conditioning treatments to get me to where i am today.” which was actually not an exaggeration but she took pride in her hair, it was one of her nicer features, she thought. “that makes sense. its sort of nice having a hair stylist handy. or so my friends and family tell me. i could do that. we’ll just have to figure out what shade you like,” normally she might tell someone to keep their hands to themselves but right here and now she doesn’t hate it, in fact, she leaned into his touch just slightly. 

“Second language and you’re fluent, that might qualify you as being bilingual. Impressive.” Picking up her drink she took another sip before setting it down. “I can’t agree or disagree on your fun drunk scale rating yet. You’d have to be sufficiently drunk so this doesn’t count,” at least not yet. It could, perhaps, if he continued drinking. “But so far I’m having fun so that counts for something.” Perrie could always give credit where it was due. “So then I guess if you cover it up, it’s like another form of expression, double up. That’s fair. Have any not turned out to your liking?” Tattoos were something that always intrigued the blonde and her eyes travel over his arms, observing the ink. “Might have a chance at that,” she tells him with a coy grin. “I’ve dyed it almost every color of the rainbow. I’ve tried to chill with it though so it isn’t crazy unhealthy.” She has to admit that she’s surprised at how easily the conversation is flowing, she really only counted on him hanging for a couple of minutes before peacing out. “Do you only let your sister do your hair?” People could be very particular about that kind of thing, and she was curious.

“Your sarcasm is almost undetectable,” the blonde retorts, her own reply holding a tinge of sarcasm, they seemed to have similar humor in that regard so she was fine with the banter. Banter tended to make conversations more fun anyway. “A stubborn drunk, are you?” Perrie laughs. She isn’t all too surprised, it seems that a lot of people can get more hard headed when drinking, especially when they’re drinking hard liquor for some reason. “If you’re not sold why don’t you just wait until you are? Too impulsive? Lack of self control?,” she teases as she raises her brows at him. She nods in response to his question, tucking her hair behind her ear she turns to show him the numerous piercings up her ear lobe and through her tragus, then points out the obvious piercing in her nose. “There are a couple more but they aren’t usually for public viewing,” now it’s her turn to bat her lashes innocently.

“can you hardly handle the anticipation?” the female chuckled along with a slight roll of her eyes. “people tend to hear what they want to hear and see what they want to see, especially when alcohol is involved,” and sometimes even when no alcohol was involved. it all depended on the person and what they hoped to acheive in any given situation. perrie raises her own glass in a silent agreement before taking a sip. she’s happy to let the liquid wash over her, starting to warm her insides, which is probably evident from her cheeks turning just a slide shade of pink. “but how come you don’t just get what you want the first time?” she inquires. “daring..hmm, i have a decent amount of piercings if that counts. but i don’t really do things with the intent of changing it, unless you count changing up my hair.”

“i reckon if this conversation continues the way it has been that you might learn a little more,” she wouldn’t say that she was necessarily an open book, but she didn’t usually purposefully withold information either. “i don’t think it’s a purposeful thing. you don’t have any intent to mislead people. but you’re charming and i think that people might sometimes read a little too much into that if they so choose to.” that’s why she did her best to take it at face value, she didn’t always have the best read on people, especially after the way her night started, just because someone might seem interested doesn’t mean they necesarily are. “i might not mind either, either,” she admits with a grin and a shrug, they can both be vague to keep the other guessing. “no one likes disappointment.” that she could say with confidence. “hmm so you change your mind a lot… even with things that are supposed to be permanent. that’s very telling.”