"What do you mean "we should take a break"?" I said while flopping to the floor.

After about 20 minutes into our phone conversation I had an awful suspicion that something was wrong with Harry. We were about to celebrate our 5 month anniversary and I was trying to figure out what birthday package I could send to surprise him. But as I kept asking obvious questions I could sense his voice grow uneasy.

"I just think we jumped into this knowing the challenge it would be and we weren't really prepared for it. I was being selfish and I can't tell you how awful I feel about that," he explained.

"So what, you regret THAT weekend too? You don't love me anymore?" I asked unmistakably hurt.

"No! Of course I LOVE you and I don't regret a single moment with you! I just don't think it's fair to you. I'm stuck here for Christmas and I won't be able to fly down there till summer, if that. Remember I said this could happen?"

"Yeah but what happened to me flying over there?"

"There's a small crew heading to Alaska for 2 months. We will be on a boat the entire time; it will be impossible to call you. It's just not fair to you. I can't give you the time and dedication you need right now."

I was hurt and drenched in silent streams of tears. I made sure he didn't hear me crying; it would only make matters worse. So we were 'taking a break' or 'temporarily breaking up' better yet said. How did this happen? Was it truly just bad timing for us? Are there couples that are truly meant to be together but they have to wait years to actually BE together?

"I was talking with my coworker and what she said made perfect sense. You're a senior and you need to enjoy your life right now, not be impatiently waiting by the phone for me to call."

He made it sound like I didn't have a life. But more importantly, who was this 'coworker' that was brainwashing MY boyfriend into breaking up with me? I immediately began to wonder if she was pretty or not. Did she have feelings for him and want to drive him away from me to have him all to herself? Why hadn't I heard about her before?

"SHE suggested that you break up with me?" my jealousy arose.

"No, Marley was just giving me her perspective on things; things that I knew but had overlooked. Brynn I love you but I feel like I have to do this."

"If you really loved me, you'd fight for me. Despite what this Marley woman has been telling you. Clearly her word matters more than mine," I uttered coldly.

"Brynn, don't be like that. We are just taking a few steps back that's all," Harry insisted.

"No, maybe you're right! Maybe we should see other people as you obviously have."

"No I didn't say that! We are not seeing each other. We just work together."

"Is she going to Alaska with you?" I asked sternly.

There was a long pause. "Yes."

"Then it's settled. Enjoy your break and your trip to Alaska!"

I threw the phone in my drawer and stormed out. If I strained my ears I could hear Harry's voice calling my name. But I was too hurt, confused and filled with a sense of betrayal. This bitch had been working side by side with Harry who knows how long and has suggested some 'good' advice as to dumping his high school girlfriend to join the big leagues.

If anything I was jealous of Marley. I'm sure she was incredibly smart to be working there in the first place. And he must have esteemed their friendship to listen to her advice. There was the presence factor; she was there present with him and I was not.

The old Brynn would have hibernated in her room and played agonizing love songs while crying into an empty pint of Ben and Jerry's. But not this Brynn, I was hardened. I was defensive and thinking about enjoying what I had been missing out on…like flirting and dating and…kissing.

No! I was a freakin' senior in high school! This was supposed to be a memorable year and I wasn't about to let my very first, or second, heartbreak from the same guy throw me down. Nope! But right now I needed my girl support so I drove to Janet's house.

"He WHAT?! I don't get it…it makes no sense!" Janet crossed her arms in shock.

"I know right! It's absurd. I tell you there has to be something going on with this Marley chick."

"It reminds me of that stupid quote 'if you love something then set it free…' whoever wrote that was a moron!"

"Exactly! Makes no sense! You would do the exact opposite if you truly loved someone. And THAT isn't considered SELFISH as he so claims it to be," I paced back and forth.

"What if he's just confused? Like maybe he did start feeling something for Marley and he needs time to figure things out. I mean she's with him every day…"

"Then why didn't he say that. He didn't have to cover it up to protect her. But maybe you're right. You can get confused with so much distance in the way…someone can come along and distract you and stir up feelings…" I rambled.

"Are we still talking about Marley or someone else?" Janet raised an eyebrow.

"Of course we are talking about Marley. Who else would I be talking about?" I argued.

"I don't know… a particular bartender we both know," she smiled.

"Absolutely not! Janet focus, we are trying to get to the bottom of why Harry broke up with me!"

"I think he did you a favor. I mean honestly Brynn, you weren't necessarily the life of the party when we went out. I saw how sad you got when couples were holding hands in front of us, and how you clung to the phone as though you had no social life. We're Seniors! let's have fun before we hit that long winding road to college."

"You're right," I hung my head and Janet came closer to wrap me in a bear hug.

---

I had missed last year's Winter Festival, but I wasn't going to pass this last one up. I anticipated it and so did my roots. Good Lord, I had been wearing my hair down all this time and hadn't notice my silver streak was about 5 inches long. Time to redo my hairdo!

Later that Saturday, on my way back home from my hair appointment, Janet called me sounding very excited.

"So I know we said we would go to the Winter Festival together…now don't hate me but I got us two dates. Two. HOTT. Dates!"

"Oh Janet you are a gem! How could I hate you for that? Who are they?"

"That's the surprise. My dad's going to drop me off in a bit so I can get ready at your house. Our dates will meet us at the dance."

"Why do I have a funny feeling about this…" I raised my tone in alarm.

"See you laterrrrr."

I had a very good idea who my date probably was but the adventure of finding out motivated me even more to look my best tonight. I had gotten my very own LBD. And this one had a low cut in the back with a classy modest collar in the front. I wore a long silver cardigan over it, in case my mom questioned about how revealing my dress was. But rest assured it was coming off the minute I stepped out of the car.

I parted my hair to the side and wore silver chandelier earrings that matched my high heels and let's not forget my bold pink lips. I was shocked at how grown up I looked, compared to that self-conscious girl that let her outfits get chosen for her back in the day at Izzy's… I rarely missed her but I always wondered how she was doing. Now it was my choice to wear the riskier outfit because I had the confidence to go along with it.

Janet wore a champagne strapless dress with black heels, my mom let her borrow, and a necklace. I helped finish her hair and makeup before we were ready to go. I was so excited to go to this cheesy school dance; I felt I had missed out on being a teenager as I focused on being in a mature adult relationship. Yes I was looking forward to having a stupid good time tonight.

We arrived at the dance a little later than the starting time and I quickly spotted Louis and Lilah. For a moment I hoped it wouldn't be awkward having a date that wasn't Lilah's cousin. But we had to face the facts; I wasn't going to be the pouty girl in the corner anymore. I was moving on…or trying to.

"Well that dress is a little different," Louis pointed out.

"Thanks…I think."

Just then I felt a tap on my shoulder, when I turned around no one was there but I had a hunch to who it was.

"Fool me once…"he quoted.

"Zayn, are you my date?" I asked putting my hands on my hips.

"No, I'm Janet's date. Gabe's YOUR date."

"Huh?" I was confused and disappointed, it showed all over my face.

"Oh wait. I have that backwards, yes, I'm your date," he winked. I punched Zayn's arm, knowing he said that on purpose. "I was just trying to get a rise out of you," he grinned.

"I should've known."

"You…you look amazing! Very different from your work clothes," he smiled, very impressed.

While I'll admit I looked drastically different he did not. Because every time I saw him his hair was gelled in a sexy faux hawk or he had messy bed hair…that he still managed to pull off in a sexy way. His work uniform required a black buttoned shirt; looking sharp and very GQ behind the bar. His job was to look sexy for all the desperate female customers, a gimmick to buy more and more drinks without realizing the fortune they'd spent.

He wore a black blazer with a dark blue shirt underneath. Finally a splash of color, only his shirt brought out the intensity of his amber eyes…a dangerous intensity. Unlike Harry who could transform his boyish looks, Zayn constantly looked...sexy and ready.

"How old are you? I just realized I never asked, I always assumed your age," I squinted.

"How old did you 'assume' me to be?" Zayn cocked his head to the side while slipping his hands in his pockets.

"I don't know 24-25?"

"I'm flattered. I'm actually 27."

I was shocked; he was much older than Harry. 5 years older. Which reminded me, Harry just had his 22nd and I hadn't called him to wish him a Happy Birthday. How could I? I was still grieving over our break up. This was me grieving, at a school dance with my gorgeous coworker. I knew I had felt a different attraction to Zayn, perhaps because he was older and had a certain suave personality. Not that Harry was immature, he wasn't. Maybe it was just the stubble that I found on Zayn's face that Harry lacked.

I kept noticing girls staring at MY date, and for some bizarre reason I remembered what Niall said one time, back in his slutty days. "I get to hook up with them and they get to show me off to their friends." I don't know why I thought of that. But was I trying to show Zayn off like one of those girls? I mean we weren't hooking up. Zayn didn't strike me as a 'committed relationship' kind of guy. Though, who wants to get back in a relationship? Certainly not me! I just needed to be careful.

Zayn asked if I wanted to dance, so I accepted his hand as we walked over to the dance floor.

"Here we are, dancing together as friends," his smile told me he was up to no good.

"Yup, dancing…like good friends."

"Except I don't think 'friends' look at each other like we do," he instigated.

"Yeah well, you know it's considered illegal for you to be staring at me like that," I smiled looking away. "I am a minor you know…and you could be my…father or something."

"Ouch!" Zayn laughed aloud. "Well then you shouldn't have worn this dress."

I felt his hand move from the safety of my upper back down my spine. He had a valid point, I didn't know how to respond to that. It wasn't like I wore this dress for him; I found out he was my date less than an hour ago. He was so easy to look at though. I could see the drool on some of the girls that danced around us. They didn't understand how we were there together. For all they knew I was there with an older college guy. We'll just leave it at that.

"So Philip left early tonight and the gang is going to have a little party at the restaurant after closing hours…do you want to swing by?" Zayn suggested.

I instantly thought of alcohol. I said I wanted to have a stupid good time didn't I? And I was in the mood to try that Screaming Orgasm again.

"Are you going to teach me how to make more drinks?" I smiled deviously.

"Whichever one you want," his tone entranced me.

"Okay." That wasn't a hard choice to make.

---

"Look who decided to show up late to work," shouted one of the waiters laughing as he set up the chairs.

Someone else was counting the money and stashing it in a dated envelope while others finished sweeping and mopping. Louis, Lilah, Gabe, Janet and I went to sit at a booth while Zayn went behind the bar to change the music and take out 6 glasses. Again, my friends were coupled up while I sat by myself; no thanks! I went to join Zayn behind the bar and offered to help.

"You know you shouldn't even be drinking 'Miss I'm a minor'." he smiled.

"Oh like you really care," I shook my head.

"Actually that would be TWO violations for me to get arrested," he laughed nervously.

"Then I won't tell if you won't," I said putting the glasses in order.

"Then I have your permission…"

"Permission for what?"

"Permission to stare at you…like this," Zayn got closer to reach around my lower back and grab a bottle right beside me.

The little hairs on my back shot up instantly, what a great excuse to rub against me. He then went back to the corner to pour in another mix. I took a step closer, unsure how this night would turn out.

"Can I do one? You'll have to help me though, I always spill it."

He took one good glance at me and nodded. Standing directly behind me he grabbed my wrists gently as though I were a puppet. Leaning his mouth right beside my ear he began to dictate the next steps. I reached for a bottle of Coconut Rum and he skillfully maneuvered my hands to imitate his swift moves. Each time I felt his hot breath hit my ear another wave of goose bumps emerged; like fans in the game stands.

Soon after preparing the first drink he allowed me to do the following one by myself, still instructing me ever so closely. I would have been done already except I was greatly distracted and performing slower on the last drink. Zayn's hands that were once coaching me on my shoulders were now traveling down my bare back. He also parted my hair so that all of it lay over the front of my shoulders.

I looked up hoping my friends hadn't noticed what was going on but they were too busy doing their own thing in the dim booth light…not that dirty thing. Just too into their dates to impatiently wait for the drinks that were taking years to get there.

Each gulp of hard air made it impossible to remain calm. I had been abstinent from any form of sensual touch for almost half a year and I had forgotten how good it felt. No I'm not a sexually depraved maniac, but you tell me it doesn't feel amazing to be caressed after so long.

Finally I pulled through to finish the last drink. But I was enjoying Zayn's hands rubbing my back as though he were giving me a massage. In a daze I was awoken by Gabe signaling us to bring the drinks over. I abruptly turned around and looked into Zayn's eyes that were clearly hungry for a 'Brynn a la mode' but this just couldn't happen.

"We should take the drinks over," I turned and walked out. Whew! It was getting too hot in there.

I carried 3 drinks and Zayn followed with the rest. We were all seated in one of the family booths, having a good time with the music and sharing funny stories. After their drinks Louis and Lilah left, but by then the rest of our night crew had arrived and were scattered around the tables nearby.

I was quiet, I didn't have funny tales to tell, besides I was too entertained listening to everyone else. Zayn wouldn't take his eyes off me and signaled for us to move to a different table. He quickly prepared us some lighter drinks and we were now less distracted to talk.

"So I don't know much about you for having worked here as long as I have," I initiated.

"Well, what would you like to know?" he replied.

Before I could ask him my first question my phone began to ring. I excused myself for a moment as I saw who it was. Walking outside I then answered.

"Hi."

"Can you talk?" Harry asked.

"Sure," I was polite but wanted to cut right to the chase of whatever we were about to discuss.

"I know things ended ugly last time we talked. I understand why you haven't responded any of my calls but I feel I owe you more of an explanation."

"Okay. What would you like to explain?"

"I wasn't completely honest with you because I was afraid of hurting you unnecessarily."

"Well too late for that, Harry."

"I know but…I've just been confused."

"Would any of this confusion have to do with Marley?" I interrogated.

"Kind of."

"I knew it!"

"But it's not like that. It's not what you think…I didn't mean to question what I was feeling…it just happened."

"So something happened between you two?"

"No! Nothing has happened. We were just talking one day and I was slowly starting to …feel differently about her. But I kept struggling with it because I know that I love YOU. I couldn't understand why I was feeling so confused."

"Because you are with her everyday whether you like it or not; that's something that I have no control over and I obviously can't be there…"

"I'm sorry. I'm terribly sorry. I feel awful. I never meant for you to get hurt."

"So now what, are you going to start dating her?"

" No…I don't know. No, I mean…she's great at what she does and we've become a great team. But I can't focus on anything else right now."

"And if you weren't so busy?"

"I don't know Brynn! If I wasn't so busy than I could have more time to focus on our relationship!"

"I don't understand. Are we taking a break or are we breaking up for good? You are confused about your feelings towards her and they've come in between us. You are clearly VERY confused!"

"I wasn't expecting this to happen, Brynn! Please, I don't want to lose you."

"Well it's going to be hard to just be friends right now. I can't handle that...I have to go, my friends are waiting."

I hung up and tried my hardest to bite my tongue and refrain from crying. I was in such a great mood too! Damn It! What they say is true…the ones you love have the power to hurt you the most. Here I was feeling convicted of my little thoughts towards Zayn and he was going through the same thing. Except I would never have let something happen…he on the other hand broke up with me instead.

I walked back inside, trying to seem indifferent. Sitting at the table where Zayn and now another friend were chatting away. Once he caught sight of me, glass about to shatter to the floor, he grew concerned. After signaling our friend to leave us alone, in perfect time for me to shed one large tear, he leaned over the table.

"You want to get out of here?"

I simply nodded.

Notes

Ahhhhh.... Okay I've never really been a Zayn girl, but I'll admit he's one attractive cutie! And I think this role suits him well :) Stay tuned Liam dolls, he's coming soon :)

Lets chat about this, what do you think is going to happen? Remember, I'm a big fan of Surprises and the unexpected ;)

enjoy your Sunday!