I waited patiently in his bedroom for him to return. That's when I noticed the collection of old rock band posters plastered on one wall, and a corner of one was lifted up.
The corner flapped against the wall in the breeze the fan created. Every time it flew up, I could see that there was something underneath it. A newspaper clipping it seemed. I stood gingerly and crept over to the far wall with the posters. My eyes nervously glanced back toward the door every couple of seconds. But as more of the poster lifted up with each turn of the fan, I grew more and more curious. I peeled one end away from the wall to see the full newspaper clipping.
'THE EXECUTIONER WINS AGAIN'
The Executioner? Yeah I knew him. Who didn't? The Executioner was the most known and accomplished MMA fighter there was. Yes, he was amazing, but why would Zayn have newspaper clippings of him hidden behind posters?
I tore down the first poster with more and more following. There were more than just clippings. Pictures, autographs, trophies, metals, belts. All of The Executioner.
I read the headlines.
'OPPONENT IN HOSPITAL AFTER FIGHT WITH THE EXECUTIONER'
'THE EXECUTIONER FINALLY GOING DOWN?'
'EXECUTIONER LOSES HIS FIRST FIGHT!'
'THE EXECUTIONER IN HOSPITAL'
I remembered the story all over the news and sports channels. The Executioner had torn ligaments and muscles and broke his left shoulder blade during one fight. He won- barely- but he was in the hospital and rehab for months after that.
Something clicked.
The way Zayn babied his left arm. The scar across his shoulder blade. How he had the same tattoo on his forearm as The Executioner.
I looked closer in the pictures and sure enough, if you shave, cut the hair shorter, and took out the piercings, it was Zayn.
"Morgan...I didn't want you to find out like this.."
"You're The Executioner?"
He nodded his head slowly with a scowl as he set down the two mugs of tea.
"I don't like it when you snoop around my room," he said harshly.
I quickly picked up the posters and stuck them back to the wall quite sloppily.
"I-I'm sorry."
"You know what this means Morgan?" He inched closer and wrapped his arms around my own, trapping me next to his body. "You're dating The Executioner."
