when you sleep :: [malik]

"a change of heart..."

"I'm taking Imani to the doctor today," Justin explains as he trails Zayn into the office. "So, you can come with, or you gotta catch a ride home."

Zayn nods, tongue in cheek. He really did need to get his license.

"Look at you," he says, "being like, a real adult."

"Shut up."

Zayn grins. "It's fine," he nods. "I can get to my place," he says. "Thanks though, Dad."

"No prob," Justin grins. "Have a great day, son."

"Honestly, like," he nods, "just 'cause you said so, I think I will."

"Fuck you, Zayn."

He laughs.

Ironically, though, he is having a pretty good day.

And Zayn gets out of his afternoon meeting and nudges Liam.

"Hey, Li," he begins, "you think you could like, do me a favor."

"That like," he grins, "depends on what you're asking for, mate."

He pulls a face. "Ha ha. Was wondering if you could give me a ride after work, y'know," he says, "since Justin's got daddy duty."

"Sure. I'll take you home, then."

"Thanks, lad."

And Zayn's phone rings.

"You gonna answer that?"

"Uh..." Zayn pauses, looking up from the name and the picture flashing across his screen.

Liam gets a quick look at the caller. "You might as well answer it, Zayn."

He shakes his head. "I'm at work," he replies. "If it's important, she'll leave a message."

Liam only shrugs. "Suit yourself. So, anyway. We still meeting Jus for lunch? Let's find the food trucks, today--"

"Yeah, okay," Zayn replies absentmindedly, phone buzzing once in his hand. She left a message. "I'll uh..." He hikes a thumb over his shoulder, "I'll meet you in the lobby, yeah?"

"Sure. Hey," Liam calls, "where're you going?"

"Go on without me," Zayn calls, backpedalling through the office. "I'll meet you downstairs."

He plays the message in his office.

The door is closed as he stands near the window. He stares down at the streets below, into the sunshine and across the city at the buildings and the palm trees as he presses 'play' and puts Zhuri's voice on speaker.

"Hi. Sorry, I know you're at work, but...I don't know. It's one of those days and it's weird 'cause I'd be texting you about...stuff, and I can't because we haven't been talking, but, I miss you. A lot...I hope you're doing well, though. You look like you are. Well, you looked like you were when Justin picked me up so...yeah. Anyway..."

And the message ends there.

Zayn doesn't listen to the message only once. He plays it back a few times. Quite a few, actually. Enough for the texts to start coming through from Justin and Liam asking 'where r u mate?' and telling him 'bro i'm starving lets go.'