A Little Bit Like Heaven

Chapter 16: The Game Plan

ZAYN

“Zayn? Where the hell are you lad?” Simon said impatiently on the other side of the phone. I was in my house feeling heartbroken after I told my family what just happened. The surprise and the disappointment was palpable in their shocked faces but thankfully they’ve accepted my fate.

“I’m in my parent’s house, I just told them the news.” I rubbed my face with my palm and sighed again leaning against the bathroom sink. The rest of my family was in the living room trying to recuperate from my news.

“Well, that’s good. Forewarned is forearmed but we have to go, it’s almost lunch.” Simon said urgently.

“I’m going, where are you?” I opened the bathroom door and walked slowly back to the living room. On the phone a loud honk echoed in the background and I guessed Simon was driving somewhere.

“I’m on my way to get you.” Simon said.

“Okay, thanks.”

“Who was that,  Zaynie?” My younger sister asked me all wide eyed. Somehow looking at her I felt guilty and small. I was supposed to be the example, the big brother who always does the right thing.

“Simon, I’m going to meet Caroline and her father now.” I announced. My mom smiled at me and wrapped her arms around me.

“Don’t worry Zayn, we’re here for you.” She patted my back to reassure me.

“Thanks mom.” I hugged her back. My dad got up from his spot on the couch and walked beside me.

“Whatever happens, you’ll still be my son. Even if this family of hers ties you up in a tree I’ll personally go there just to free you.” My dad said with a straight face.

“I love you dad.” I hugged him tightly needing his strength and comfort now more than ever. I remembered the first time I rode my bike and how he kept his hand at the back of my bike to help me learn.

“Good luck, son.” He patted me in the back. Outside I heard Simon honk his car and after a couple of seconds a loud anxious knock sounded on the door. My mom opened it and in came Simon.

“Zayn, we have to go we’re late.” Simon pointed at his car. I nodded and headed for the door.

“Hey, Mr. Cowell?” My dad called Simon’s attention as we were going out the door. “What’s going to happen to my boy?”

I smiled at my dad’s concern. My mom walked beside my dad and looked at Simon with a lost expression. Is this what I’ll become once I turn into a father? They say a parent’s love is one of the purest kind of love there is. I was now twenty years old and I wasn’t even legally able to drink but here I was starting a family.

“Don’t worry, we’re going to take care of Zayn here.” He placed an arm around me and steered me in the direction of the car. I waved goodbye to my parents before hoping into the car and riding off to who-knows-where.

CAROLINE

I sat in the garden with my dad on my side patiently waiting for Zayn and Simon Cowell. I was nervous needless to say we were going to plan our future and that to me was the single scariest thing about this whole experience. I was nervous as hell.

 I don’t want to make any decisions that would ruin me or make me miserable. If my mom was here she’d let me choose, she’d guide me but ultimately it would be my decision and Zayn’s that would matter. But in their eyes we were incapable this was a teenage pregnancy to say the least. I wouldn’t even try to deny that my naivety was what got me here.