40. Annie
Annie
The next day I try my best to not be anxious. To keep my thoughts from wandering to what’s going to happen when Dan gets here. We spend the morning with the parents and Kiley eating breakfast, then when they prepare for dinner, Zayn and I go to the backyard to wait and get some alone time.
Kiley joins us later, and we just hang out. I read a little bit. Zayn and Kiley spend some time catching up. With all the recent galas and date nights, they haven’t had their normal weekly calls.
This trip has been so nice, to see this side of Zayn.
He’s calmer, his shoulders relaxed. He laughs more, and I’m realizing that he’s just slowly opening back up.
It’s as if he was a flower that was moved to a dark room and closed up because it was missing sunlight.
And then because of me and the support he’s getting from friends, he’s starting to bloom again.
Starting to brighten from all the light around him.
“Kids, it’s time for dinner,” Darla hollers from the house.
I put my bookmark in my book, then follow Zayn and Kiley inside, placing my book in our bedroom before heading into the kitchen.
Zayn holds out a chair for me at the table and I take a seat, thanking him.
Sounds of laughter and chatter travel from the front of the house. It’s time, and I know I said I could handle this, but my stomach is starting to feel like a storm on the ocean.
“You say the word and we leave this dining room, you understand?” Zayn says, and I only have time to nod before Dan stands before us.
Not much about Dan has changed except the woman on his arm.
His hair is still buzzed, he sports a clean-shaven face, and he still wears the same bland color of tan.
The woman with him is the opposite, dressed in a brightly colored patterned dress.
She smiles, not knowing who I am, not knowing what is about to happen.
But I do.
Because I know Dan. And even more, I know Zayn.
“Zayn, I forgot you were bringing leftovers,” is the first thing Dan says to greet us.
My hand is tugged up by Zayn’s and I tug it back down, making sure he doesn’t punch his brother already. The night has barely started.
“Hi, I’m Annie. I’m Zayn’s girlfriend,” I say across the table, making eye contact with Dan’s date, choosing to ignore his comment.
“I’m Carrie.” She smiles, the discomfort apparent on her face.
“I was thinking you might change your mind and come alone.” Dan tries again, this time a little more subtle with his remarks.
“I wouldn’t have left Annie.”
“Right, girlfriend is it?” Dan takes a sip of the wine that was placed in front of him. He’s ignoring his own date at this point.
“Yes,” Zayn grits.
Dan opens his mouth, about to dig himself into an even deeper hole, when his parents come into the room.
“Alright, who’s ready to eat?” Darla smiles as she takes a seat.
Let’s get this awkward dinner over with.