A Little Bit Like Heaven

Chapter 17: Leaky Parts

ZAYN

“Bye, Zayn.” Caroline walked with me to my car to bid me goodbye while Simon and her dad worked on a couple of things.

“Bye, Caroline.” I smiled back. I hesitated beside my car looking at Caroline again. She looked so lovely in that summer dress of hers, it was unfair.

“It’s funny how it’s all moving so fast huh?” She smiles sheepishly tucking her hair behind her ear. We’ve made a couple of bad choices and maybe we were just too proud to admit it.

“You know what’s even funnier?” I asked.

“What?”

“The fact that we’re having a baby and getting married but we haven’t even gone to a single date yet.” The amusement park thing wasn’t really official it was by chance. Still, even though it felt like a million years ago the memory of her kiss by the tunnel and when I slept on her lap never failed to make my heart flutter.

“Maybe we should do that sometime.” She teased back but I saw a sort of glimmer in her eyes. I was about to open the door of my car when an idea popped in.

“What about tomorrow?” I perked up looking at Caroline for a reaction. Even from my spot I could see her reluctance but with a sigh she broke off in a smile.

“There’s really no point in saying no, huh?” She smiled at me. We exchanged phone numbers and after a minute or two I was in my car.

“See you tomorrow.” I waved at her.

I saw Caroline waving at me through the rearview mirror and all of a sudden a warm feeling rushed through me. It was a small gesture, a seemingly ordinary thing to do but somehow I could picture myself looking at the rearview mirror ten years from now and smiling entirely to myself.

In the car my musings got deeper as it always did when I was driving. It was all moving so fast. It seemed like yesterday when I was living my normal life going about my daily routines. By this hour I’d be in the studio laughing and talking with the guys but I knew that wouldn’t be possible anytime soon.

Speaking of the guys I haven’t told them what happened yet and they were probably at my flat hanging out and anxiously waiting for me. A quick glance at my phone confirmed my theory. There were about ten messages collectively from the lads asking where I was and when I’d be back. I texted them to meet me back at my flat before climbing inside my car.

I really had to think about my future from now on. Like how Caroline and I was going to work out this marriage and how we were possibly going to raise our child. Management and Caroline’s dad was both pressuring us into this. I’m afraid that once that pressure is gone we’d end up resenting each other and I don’t want my child to grow up in a forced marriage. I parked just outside my flat and opened my car door hurriedly opening my door.

“Hey.” I was surprised to see Harry standing behind the door waiting for me no doubt the rest of the band was hanging out here somewhere. Their concern was touching.

“Zayn.” Harry greeted me at the door breathlessly. Niall’s head popped up from the corner of my living room and smiled at me.

“How’s it go?” He asked. I took off my coat and hanged it in the rack.

“Zayn?” Harry’s voice was filled with concern.

“Just-just let me get to the living room first so I could tell you all together.” I passed by Harry and Niall’s surprised faces and walked into my living room where Louis and Liam were perched on the couch. At the site of my disheveled face they perked up.