Figure 8

47. Zayn. (PART ONE)

~Mason Nicole's POV~

I wake up to the sound of feet padding across the Malik's roof. I groan as I take in the fact that Zayn's out. As yesterday was most likely my last day to pretend like he never existed.

Well, that was good while it lasted.

"Mason." Collin yells out to me before walking into my room. "The Malik's are throwing a welcoming party for Zayn. We're all invited, and forced to go."

"I don't want to be around a bunch of neighborhood families for however long." I sit up and motion him to sit down on my bed.

"Yeah right that's what I said. So I talked to Zayn, he's invited all of our friends." He leans against my bed.

"Okay, I'll go if you go." I flip my hair out of my face.

"Alright, it starts at twelve." He grins."I'm surprised at how cooperative you're being."

"Yeah if I fight it everyone will just lecture me about maturity. He's out of psych, I'm happy for him." I shrug.

"Lying right out of your ass, proud of ya' love." He high fives me then walks towards the door. "Well be ready in two hours."

"Hey." I quickly add, he sits on my bed. "You're gonna start seeing someone therapy wise right?" I speak quieter.

"I'm alright Mas. I promise." He feels as if he's repeating himself.

"At least look up some places." I fix up his hair before placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not trying to get all sensitive and weird about it and treat you like you're on edge, but it'd help a lot Col. And I love you."

"I love you too crazy." He pulls me into a hug.

"Come on, no happy moments in my house." My dad groans walking into my room. "Collin you wanna smoke?"

"We're going to a neighborhood barbecue Martin." Collin pesters him.

"We're actually going to that?"

"Yeah dad, they're our neighbors, we have no excuse to not show up." I roll my eyes.

"Damn it. You wanna stare at your ex boyfriend for four hours?"

"As long as our conversation stays basic I don't care." I laugh lightly. "My forty year old dad shouldn't be getting high anyway."

"I don't find you funny Mason." He says childishly, and of course all is banter. "You know what? I'm gonna go be forty years old in the kitchen and cook you all a nice breakfast so you feel guilty for being mean to my old, bitter, soul."

"That'd be great, thanks love." My mom yells.

***
I look out my window and notice people starting to show up after my family got there. I insisted on coming once there was more people in order to get lost in crowds easier. I (not so) quickly apply my makeup before walking to his house.

I'm greeted by Zayn's older sister Doni. "Hey stranger!"

"It's been forever." I laugh. "You haven't been at the last 300 family dinners that we've had that's why."

"Oh god yeah, your family hosts a lot of dinners. They're great socialists though, and cooks." We walk and talk. "This has to be somewhat odd for you."

"Yeah a little. I just plan on keeping our conversation to a minimum. Makes the whole thing less awkward."

"If it makes you feel any better. Zayn was super happy that you were coming. He's gonna kill me though so don't get cocky."