CHAPTER 6

ZAYN CARTER

The night air was crisp as I walked beside Arienne, pushing the mini shopping cart with one hand, the other tucked lazily into the pocket of my varsity jacket. She walked a step ahead, arms crossed, like she was bracing for an interrogation.

I smirked. "Relax, trouble. We're just getting juice, not signing a life contract."

She shot me a glare. "Maybe I wouldn't be so tense if you weren't so damn annoying."

I let out a low chuckle. Cute.

Arienne was something else shoulders squared like she was ready for a fight, but the oversized sleeves of her Korean-style outfit made her look too soft to pull off the whole 'tough girl' act. Strands of her wavy hair kept falling into her face, and she'd tuck them behind her ear only for them to fall again. Messy. Distracted. Kinda hot. Not that I'd tell her that.

We walked through the aisles, the shitty grocery store lighting making everything look washed out.

"So," I started, grabbing a random bottle of juice. "What's your favorite?"

"Apple," she said without hesitation.

I pulled a face. "Basic."

She scoffed. "Excuse me?"

"Apple juice is what people drink when they have no taste," I said, tossing the bottle back onto the shelf. "Watermelon's where it's at."

She folded her arms, trying to look unimpressed. "Watermelon? That's such a weird choice."

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice just to mess with her. "Weird? Or elite?"

She blinked, taking a small step back.

Yeah, thought so.

I grabbed a bottle of watermelon juice and held it up. "See? Perfection in a plastic bottle."

She pretended to inspect it, lips pursed. "Hmm. I don't know, it looks kinda... mid."

I let out a dry laugh. "You wouldn't know quality if it smacked you in the face."

"Bold words from the guy who thinks a varsity jacket is an everyday outfit," she shot back.

I looked down at my jacket—black and white, sleeves pushed up, like always. "And still look better than half the guys you know."

She opened her mouth, then shut it, huffing. "Arrogant ass."

"At your service," I said with a mock bow before tossing the juice into the cart.

We made our way to checkout, her still glaring at me, me still enjoying every second of it.

"You know," I said, watching her pull out her phone, "for someone who acts like she can't stand me, you sure spend a lot of time looking at me."

She nearly dropped her phone. "What? I do not—"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Right, keep telling yourself that, trouble."

She muttered something under her breath, paying for the juice while I leaned on the counter, watching.

As we stepped out into the cool night, she exhaled, looking almost... relaxed.

"This was fun," I admitted.

She shot me a suspicious look. "Are you being serious?"

I shrugged. "Maybe."

For a second, she looked at me differently. Like she wasn't sure what to make of me. Like maybe, just maybe, she didn't hate me as much as she wanted to.

Interesting.

I shoved my hands into my pockets, smirking. "We should do this again."

Her eyes narrowed. "What, argue over juice?"

"Nah," I said, leaning in just enough to see her tense up. "Just to see you flustered again."

Her mouth parted, but she quickly looked away.

"You're impossible," she muttered, shaking her head as she started walking ahead.

I chuckled, catching up to her easily. "And yet, here you are, still stuck with me."

Maybe tonight wasn't so bad after all.

———————-

ARIENNE CALLOWAY

By the time we reached home, our moms were still deep in conversation, while Jenni laughed at something my mom said. Lily ran around the living room, giggling as she tried to get Zayn's attention, but he just dodged her effortlessly, looking half-annoyed, half-amused.

Dinner was lively—Lily talking non-stop, Aunt Nicole and my mom reminiscing, and Zayn being his usual cocky self, throwing smirks my way every chance he got.

Eventually, they left, Jenni carrying a half-asleep Lily while Zayn lazily saluted me at the door.

I sighed, shutting the door behind them before heading to my room. Finally, peace.

Collapsing onto my bed, I let out a deep breath. Today had been... something.

And I had a feeling tomorrow wouldn't be any quieter.