the one that got away, zayn malik

chapter thirty two

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
25th of september 2016

THE  evening light poured through the windows, casting a soft golden glow over the greens' kitchen. elizabeth stirred a pot on the stove, humming a familiar tune, while robert flipped through the day's paper at the table. olive sat beside izzy, sipping tea and pretending her schedule wasn't weighing her down. between interviews, rehearsals, and finishing touches on her upcoming album, she barely had a moment to herself. being home was supposed to be her sanctuary, a break from everything.

"earth to ollie," izzy teased, nudging her with an elbow. "you're spacing out again."

olive blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "sorry," she muttered, smiling faintly.

"you're always like this when you're busy. you need to chill." izzy leaned closer, a conspiratorial grin spreading across her face. "or maybe you're thinking about someone?"

olive rolled her eyes, but before she could reply, the doorbell rang.

"are we expecting someone?" robert asked, lowering his paper.

"no," elizabeth said, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "izzy, go check."

izzy hopped up, but her excited voice came moments later, echoing down the hallway. "oh my god. dylan o'brien?! you're joking!"

olive's heart sank. the tea in her hand suddenly felt too heavy, too hot. she froze, every muscle tense as footsteps approached.

"surprise." dylan stood in the doorway, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers, his trademark easy smile lighting up his face.

for a moment, olive didn't know what to do. her chest tightened as her family exchanged wide-eyed glances. she hadn't told anyone, but one of the reasons she left the LA so suddenly (even though she extended her stay) was to take a step back—from it all, from him, or the lack of him. she hadn't been ready to deal with the intensity of their relationship, the unspoken expectations. and now here he was, in her kitchen, meeting her family for the first time.

"dylan," she finally managed, her voice softer than she intended. "hi."

elizabeth stepped forward, breaking the awkward silence. "well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," she said, taking the flowers. "how lovely to meet you. i'm elizabeth."

"it's great to meet you too, mrs. green," dylan said, shaking her hand warmly. "thanks for having me."

robert stood and extended his hand next. "so, you're the actor, huh? nice to meet you. i've seen a few of your films."

dylan laughed modestly. "i hope they didn't disappoint."

izzy, meanwhile, was practically vibrating with excitement. "i can't believe this. can i take a picture with you later? my friends are going to freak out."

"izzy," olive cut in, sharper than she intended.

"what? he's dylan o'brien! it's a big deal."

dylan chuckled, brushing it off. "happy to take a picture whenever you want," he said, his gaze flickering to olive. "but, uh, i was hoping to spend some time with you first."

olive forced a smile, but her thoughts were a whirlwind. why didn't he tell me he was coming? why now? she was already juggling so much, and now she had to navigate introducing dylan to her family—a step she hadn't even decided she was ready for.

"of course," she said, her voice light, even as her mind raced.

elizabeth broke the moment, ushering dylan toward the living room. "dinner's almost ready. make yourself comfortable."