Joelle
A week passed and I hadn't even gone a day without seeing Zayn. We hadn't labeled our relationship, but we hung out every time we could - when he wasn't recording or rehearsing for tour and when I wasn't working. I didn't even know how we managed to find things to talk about, since we never really talked about significant things. It was mostly about our friends, the weather, what it was like to be wanted by millions of girls, and how previous dates had gone horrible wrong.
Two weeks passed, and still I had yet to go a day without being Zayn. I refused to acknowledge the growing feelings towards him, because the last thing I needed was love. He was goofy, always coming up with funny jokes or doing some funny dance moves. He also enjoyed pranks, which I found out when I got a phone call saying 'they knew what I did'. Unfortunately on his part, he had forgotten to block his number, so it wasn't much of a prank. I just didn't want to be one of many girls that had fallen for his charm and tilted smile.
Love was a game and it would always have a winner.
"I have an announcement to make," Blake stood up from his chair, taking the whole family by surprise. He grinned. "Is everyone listening?"
He waited to make sure every single one of us nodded and when we finally did, he gave a cheesy thumb's up. It was like he was speaking to a bunch of friends instead of family. Blake did that, though, he never acted as though family was forced upon him. Even when he was a teenager, he'd make sure to spend time with us instead of always going out to parties. We were all like that - family was a huge part of our lives, not something we were ever burdened with. Which made me feel worse for not telling them that I had become good friends with Zayn, because I always told them everything. There wasn't really a reason for me to keep it from them, except that I wanted to keep it a secret.
"As you know, my stores in New York and LA are doing fantastic and a month ago I sat in my office thinking 'why don't I bring it closer to home?'. It didn't make sense as to why I've been focusing in the states when this is my home. There are so many places I could get brilliant shots out here, so in two months, I shall be having the grand opening of my London store. This is your official invite." Blake was smiling so widely that it made my heart swell over with pride. If only everyone could have their dream come true, like his did.
"Oh, honey! I'm so proud of you!" My mom was immediately on her feet, taking him into a hug and mimicking his smile. My mom was born in America, which is why we referred to her as 'mom' instead of 'mum'. I found myself going between the two, depending on the situation. Sometimes 'mum' seemed better suited for her, and some days I couldn't help but want to cry 'mommy!'. She was a very loving woman, the only thing she ever thought of was other people. She loved to make other people happy. She also called everyone 'honey'.
"Are you going to live here now?" I questioned after we had all abandoned our food to do a family hug. I prayed that his answer would be yes.
"Part of the time. I'll be splitting my time between the four stores as evenly as I can. But I'll be here for the next three months to get the store up and running. I leased out that little spot next to Starbucks and that little boutique." He explained.
They continued to discuss the little details of the store, and I glanced at my phone to see what time it was. When I realizedit was half past eight, I issued out a swear word. In my head, obviously, since if my mom heard that kind of language? She would ground me - despite the fact that I lived on my own now. Then, as if reading my mind, a text showed up on the screen.
From: Zayn
Are you gonna be late today? :P xx
I scooted back in my chair and stood up, which confused my parents since we had all just sat down again. "I'm so sorry, I made plans and I'm going to be late if I don't get going. Thanks for dinner, mom. Congrats Blake, let's get coffee tomorrow?" I attempted a smile, trying to avoid the questions as to who I'm hanging out with.
"Bye!" They all echoed out as I hurried out the front door. I felt a tinge of guilt hit me as I found a cab and got in. They all had my best interests at heart, yet lately, I was constantly lying to them. I just wish I knew why I felt that they couldn't know about Zayn, even though we were only friends. At least, I think that's what we were. We went on dates, but that didn't qualify us as girlfriend/boyfriend, did it?
I hadn't ever been in this situation before, so how did I go about it? He hadn't asked me anything officially, it wasn't implied was it? What would I do if he actually asked me? There's no way I could say no, because I - without a doubt- knew I liked being with him a lot more than I liked other things. It wouldn't be easy, though, because I swore to myself long ago that I wasn't going to let myself be vulnerable enough to fall in love.
"Ma'am?" The cab driver tried to catch my attention, but I seemed to be in my own little world. "Ma'am? You're here."
Once I had come back to reality, I thanked him and payed my fare. Sure enough, I had arrived at the park that Zayn had told me to be at 9. It was 8:57 and I was feeling like a champion, especially when I reached the 'meeting' bench and he wasn't there. Immediately, I whipped out my phone to text him.
"Are you going to text me and brag about being here first?" His heavy accent made me snap my head up.
I blushed. "Of course not."
"Out of our countless dates, you have managed to be late to more than half of them." Zayn chuckled, coming close enough for me to smell his cologne. My heart immediately faltered as I heard him say 'dates'.
"Whatever," I said in response before both of us settled into silence. Without having to say anything, we both started walking along the sidewalk.
I had been in this park only once before, and I wondered why I hadn't been here more often. It was close to my flat and my old house, and it was flawless. Fairy lights were strung between trees and the path was paved with little flowers lining the way. For part of it, at least, then the path ended completely. The grass had been worn down after that, as people continued to walk past the sidewalk. It was like a walk in the forest, except you never left the city. It was a nice way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
"I'm going to ask so you don't freak out on me," Zayn broke the silence that we had fallen into. Not that either of us disliked the quietness, because we were both quieter people. We liked listening - even if no one was talking. I talked more with him than I ever did with other friends, usually only feeling comfortable talking with family members, but we still spent at least a third of our time together just watching. Watching the people, watching the wind, watching the world go on.
"Okay?" I turned to him with a tilt of my head. The lighting made him look even more perfect than he usually looked, with the shadows playing games across his face.
"May I hold your hand?" The question was innocent and wasn't one you were used to hearing. Most guys would just grab the girl's hand, assuming that it wouldn't matter; and it usually didn't. But this boy that I had met just over a month ago, knew that I would rather him ask than just do it.
"Listen, Zayn-"
"I know you're not going to fall in love. It's handholding, it's not going to make you melt into a puddle of love."
As he usually did, he persuaded me with his words and I let him take hold of my hand. It was strange, something I wasn't most definitely not used to. But in a way, it was reassuring. I knew that he was there and that I could be myself around him.
"We have a tour rehearsal tomorrow, it's one of the last ones before we head out. I was hoping you would come."
That's right. He had a job that would take him all around the world, leaving me behind. He'd forget all about me, I knew it. I even knew it before today, I just hadn't let myself think about it.
"Sure. I get off work at four," I informed him, my eyes focusing on the lights in front of me.
I think he felt the lack of excitement from me, as he turned slightly to look at me. Zayn was probably calculating what was for my strange mood tonight, but I couldn't help but be preoccupied. How had my life come to this? It wasn't fair, I wish that I could just go back to the time when I didn't even think twice about any type of relationship. Before I met him, my life had been focused on enjoying my summer and my job. I wasn't supposed to get wrapped up in this life.
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