Make the Most of It

24. Goodbye?

The next morning, Alex left after we decided to take everyone out for lunch. It wasn't much, but it was the best, most simple thing we could think of.

I was supposed to call the girls and Alex would be calling the guys. In order, I called Aria, Scarlet, then Ivy, all of which happily agreed to come along.

Then, I realized that maybe Alex wouldn't call Zayn. I had told her what happened between me and him yesterday, but I don't think all my friends are on a good place with him. They're all still stuck on the idea of him and his past. I called Zayn anyway. I deserved to have my boyfriend along as well, whether everyone liked him or not.

But, he didn't pick even after I tried calling him a couple more times. Knowing him, I was assuming he was probably still sleeping. So, I sent him a text of where to meet us, hoping he would see my text soon enough.

Once I was done calling everyone and I had freshened up, I drove to Panera Bread, where we had decided to meet.

I was one of the last people there. Only Ivy, Xander, and Zayn hadn't shown up. I guessed Zayn wouldn't show up at all.

I found the large table we had reserved for our big group. They all waved and said hi to me as I walked towards them. As I sat down next to Aria, she hugged me and Ivy and Xander also showed up.

"So how is everyone?" Luke asked. We all replied in a chorus of 'goods' and 'greats.' "So as you all probabaly know by now, Alex and I are engaged!" We all cheered for them as they kissed at the far end of the table.

Carter cleared his throat. "Save it for the honeymoon!" They pulled apart and I could see Alex's cheeks flushing a light pink. I smiled at their joy, only hoping to someday have that kind of love of my own.

Across the table from me, Scarlet nudged Jacob and spoke loudly so everyone could hear. "So when are you proposing?" she asked, playfully. This made Aria and Ivy bug their boyfriends too.

"What have you gotten us into?" Xander joked. I laughed along with the rest of them, but the only thing running through my mind was Zayn.

When the food arrived, a couple of us got up to wash out hands. As Alex walked along beside me, to the restrooms she asked, "Did Zayn every get back to you?" I shook my head.

"Why? Did you call him?" I asked.

"Yeah, but it went straight to voicemail," Alex replied.

"Same. So I texted him. Honestly though, he probably isn't even awake yet," I shrugged.

"Yeah you're probably right."

"Thanks for calling him. I didn't think you would."

"Why not? Just because we all may not approve of him doesn't give us any right to seperate you from him. I'm sure he makes you very happy."

I smiled as we sat back down at our table. "Yeah he does."

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Our lunch gathering went on for a long time. We didn't begin to leave until 2. As we left, we all hugged eachother 'bye' and congratulated Alex and Luke a couple last times.

As I was walking out to my car, I noticed that I had one missed call. I hoped and prayed that it would be Zayn. But, my heart sank when I realized that is was just some call from work.

Wait a second. It wasn't just some call from work. It was a call from a fashion company. In Milan! My heart raced in my chest as I stared down at the number. I had submitted some designs to many designers and companies around the world, but a lot of them hadn't replied. Until now.