Chapter 27 -- Date Night

I called Zayn around 4 and asked him if we would want to go on a double date. He said it would actually work out with his plan, so Vera and Mads are coming with us.

“Vera! Hurry up! Mads is here and Zayn will be here shortly!” I called from downstairs.

“One minute!” she called back.

I walked to the living room and plopped down next to Mads. 

“How are you feeling Lo?” he asked putting his hand on my leg.

“I’m okay. My face really hurts and my sides especially but I’ll be okay. Thanks for asking.”

Mads has always been one of my favorite people. He always cares about everyone.

“I’m ready!” Vera said walking down the stairs.

Mads walked towards her and kissed her.

“You look beautiful as usual.”

“Thanks babe.” she giggled.

The front door opened and I saw Zayn’s smiling face in the doorway. I’ve missed that face so much.

I skipped towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Hey sweetie.” he said and kissed me.

I put my forehead up to his and sighed.

“I’ve missed you so much. I don’t know why but I’ve realized it right now. I love you so much and I’m so glad to be near you again.” I said while looking in his eyes.

He looked down at me and stroked my cheek.

“I’m glad you’re mine again. I promise you that I will never leave you or let anyone hurt you ever again.” 

I smiled and he leaned down to kiss me again. This wasn’t just a normal kiss. He put a lot more passion into it.

“Okay enough with the love fest, let’s go.” laughed Vera.

Zayn took my hand and led me to the car. I hopped in the passenger seat as Mads and Vera got in the back.

“So where are we going?” I asked. Zayn reached for my hand and smiled.

“Let me guess. Its a surprise.”

He laughed “Now how did you know?”

“Oh just a lucky guess.”

As soon as we pulled into the parking lot my eyes grew wide.

“We’re going to the carnival?!” I giggled.

“Ya. I thought it would be fun.”

He walked to my side of the car and opened my door.

“I love carnivals.” I giggled.

“Good.” he said and put his hand on my lower back.

“Come on guys.” I said calling for Mads and Vera.

Zayn bought the two of us bracelets and Mads bought himself and Vera them as well. For about an hour the boys followed Vera and I on all the rides we wanted to go on. After getting off the tilt-a-whirl, Zayn entwined his fingers with mine. 

People kept staring at us because this was the first time Zayn and I were really out in public together and because of my face. We had been out together in New York but we kinda disguised ourselves so people wouldn’t see us. Suddenly two girls around 16 came up to us and stopped right in front of us.

“You’re Zayn Malik aren’t you?!” the brunette squealed.

“Yes I am.”

“Ew who is she? She looks like someone just pulled her out of the gutter.” the blonde snickered. I could feel my face turn red and the anger was boiling inside of me. I just wanted to slap that bitch in the face.

“You don’t know who this is?” asked Zayn.

Both girls shook their heads and stared at me.

“This is Lola Evans, my girlfriend. You have never heard of her?”

Their eyes grew wide and their faces suddenly looked sympathetic.

“Oh my gosh! Lola we didn’t even recognize you! We’re so sorry!” the blonde cried.

“We really didn’t mean it! We love your music!” the other one said.

“Its okay girls.” I said but I really didn’t mean it.

“Can we have your autographs?!” 

Zayn looked around for a second to make sure no one else noticed us.

“Uh ya sure.” he said and grabbed the pen and paper from the girls. He signed his signature and then passed it to me.

“There you go.”

“We really are sorry Lola, but what happened to you?” asked the blonde girl.

“Oh nothing. I just fell.”

The brunette looked at me as if she knew I was lying “Oh we see.” The two girls walked forward to Zayn and gave him hugs and I went to sit on a bench. I put my head in my lap and ran my hands through my hair. As I was sitting on the bench I got a mysterious text message from an unknown number saying "I'm watching you." My stomach tightened and then I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Hey babe, are you okay?” I looked up at him and sighed.

“I know I shouldn’t take it seriously but what those girls said really hurt my feelings. Do I really look like I was dragged out of a gutter?” 

“Aww babe.” he said and pulled my close. “You don’t look like you were dragged out of a gutter.

I looked at him and sighed. His brown orbs stared back into mine.

“You’re hand fits in mine like its made just for me, but bare this in mind it was meant to be, and I’m joining up the dots with the freckles on your cheek, and it all makes sense to me.” He stroked my cheek and then pulled me close.

“I love you so much Lola. No matter what anyone says, I will always love you.”

I looked at him and sighed again.

“I love you too.”

He leaned down and kissed my lips softly. 

“Alright enough with the lovey dovey crap you too.” a voice from behind us said.

We broke away and looked up to see Mads and Vera staring at us.

“Come on let’s go on more rides.” Vera said and grabbed my hand. She pulled me up from the bench and dragged me towards the haunted factory.

I looked back and saw Mads and Zayn laughing at us. As I turned my head back towards Vera, I swore I saw Lance standing behind the cotton candy machine but when I looked back he was gone. For the rest of the night, Vera dragged me on every ride she wanted to go on. I put on a fake act and pretended like I was having fun but I was to distracted by what I thought I saw earlier. I never did hear if the police caught him or not.  Vera, Mads, Zayn, and I had just finished the tunnel of love when Vera suggested we go on the ferris wheel as our last ride. We got in line and her and Mads instantly got on. I watched as an empty seat pulled up and Zayn and I got in. We started riding to the top when Zayn grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I totally forgot that he was afraid of heights. I looked at him and moved closer so he would be less scared.

We stopped at the very top and I think he got over his fear “The view is beautiful from up here.” he said. I just stared out into the sky. We could see the ocean and the waves crashing against the lighthouse/pier but I couldn’t get Lance out of my mind. 

“Sweetie, are you okay?” Zayn asked. I heard him but I wasn’t paying any attention. I was crying inside. I could feel myself begin to shake but I was totally out of it. 

“Babe, you’re shaking.” I was still focused on my own thoughts when Zayn wrapped his leather jacket around me. I hadn’t realized it but tears started flowing down my cheeks.

“Sweetie? Lola?” Zayn said and started shaking me.

I broke away from my thought and looked at him. By this time I was literally sobbing.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?” he asked with a worried look.

I just stared at him and cried. I cleared my throat “When Vera was dragging me towards the haunted factory, I swore I saw Lance standing near the cotton candy machine, and when we got off the tunnel of love I swore I saw him sitting on a bench and he was waving to me but every time I looked back he was gone.”

I felt Zayn’s grip tighten around my shoulder and around my hand. I looked up at him and his jaw was clenched and his eyes were filled with anger.

The ferris wheel started moving again and it was our turn to get off. Zayn stormed off the ride, basically dragging me with him. He looked around to see if he saw Lance anywhere.

“Zayn it could have been my mind playing tricks on me.”

“Hey sis. Wasn’t the ferris wheel so fun?” Vera said approaching us with Mads close behind.

“What’s wrong with Zayn?” Mads asked.

I explained to the two of them how I swore I saw Lance and now Zayn is being all protective.

Vera grasped my hand tightly “Lola, we need to get you out of here then.” 

Vera held my hand, and Mads put his arm around my shoulder and we walked to the car. Zayn was trailing behind us and when we approached the car we all gasped. Someone had shattered the passenger seat window. Zayn ran up to us from behind and looked at the car. I knew he was even angrier and he chucked a rock across the parking lot.

“Zayn.” I said and put my hand on his shoulder. He turned around to face me and his eyes were red and watering.

“It’s okay.” I said and put my hand on his cheek.

He grabbed my hand and held it close to him “I promise I will protect you. He’s not going to hurt you again.”

I stroked his cheek and he kissed my forehead. 

Vera and Mads had called the police while Zayn and I were having our little love fest. Thankfully the L.A P.D were at the carnival and they rushed right over. They asked us multiple questions and we answered honestly.

“Now Ms. Evans, you believe that this is the same man who had attacked you just a few days ago?” asked one of the officers.

“Yes I do. I could have swore I saw him a couple of times tonight while we were at the carnival and I know the police still haven’t found him yet, so yes I believe its him.”

“Alright thank you. We’re going to send out some officers tonight to look for him. We are also going to send some over to your house to watch it and make sure you’re safe.”

“Thank you so much sir.” I smiled.

“You’re very welcome. Stay safe.” And with that he walked away.

“Come on, let’s go home everyone.” Zayn said and took my hand.

As we were driving, I kept staring out the window looking at the stars passing by as we drove. Mads and Vera were snuggled up in the back and Zayn was driving. Zayn suddenly squeezed my hand, breaking me from my thought.

"Babe, what are you thinking about?" he asked, with concern in his eyes.

"How am I ever going to feel safe?" I asked with tears filling my eyes.

"I'll protect you, I promise." he said.

"What if thats not enough." I cried.

"I'll do anything to keep you safe. Maybe I'll marry you, who knows." he said while stroking my hand with his thumb.

"You would marry me, just to keep me safe?" I asked.

"If that's what it takes then yes, but I wouldn't just marry you to keep you safe. I would marry you because I love you." he smiled.

"I love you so much too Zayn, but I think marrying me would make the situation worse and make Lance angrier." I explained.

"He's not taking you from me again." he said sternly.