How Did We Get Here // Luke Hemmings & Zayn Malik

Chapter 12: Bonding Time

What seemed like a 5 minute nap turned out to be 3 hour sleep. I was awaken by my phone buzzing. I reach over to grab the phone and see an unknown ID caller. I debated whether I should answer but I remembered I didn't have Arlene on my contacts. I slide the screen and answer "Hello?"

Arlene yelled "Hey!"

"I'm not death, why are you screaming?"

"Sorry, I'm hyper."

"Cool. So?"

"So yeah, I'm like two minutes away from your house. Listen I know I said at 1:00 but can I come over now?"

I stood silent for a while. "Um, yeah sure why not."

"Okay cool."

"Alright."

I hung up and tidied the living a bit. There wasn't any mess in the house. I rarely do any activities and my father is always working. I put my hair in a messy bun and sit on the couch waiting for a knock. After 20 minutes of waiting, there was a loud knock at my door. I rush over and open the door. Arlene, pushing her way inside, holding three bags of groceries said "Sorry. Went to buy some stuff to snack and eat later on." I nodded and grabbed the bags from her hand and walked over to the kitchen. I place the stuff on top of the counter and said "So, do you want to study now or just chill?" "We could study now and chill later." I nodded in agreement and started to take the things out from the bags. Gummy worms, chips, Ice Cream, pizza pockets, and other candies were the items she bought.

I put the ice cream and pizza pockets inside the freezer and the junk food on top of the fridge. I asked "Want to go to my room upstairs or you want to study here?" she bit her lip and hummed a little before responding "Your room." I was hoping she wanted to study down here because my legs are killing me.

She follows me to my room and as soon as I open my door she jumped on my bed, kicking off her shoes. I didn't get bothered by her behavior, but I haven't known her long for her to be prancing around my room. She sighed saying "the great and wonderful Dorian Gray." I smirked "were reading Dorian Gray, not Wizard of Oz." she rolled her eyes and fixed them on my many stacked boxes off to the corner. She quietly walked over, grabbing the frame that popped out. She examined the photo saying "This is your family?" she turned back to me, waiting for my answer. "Yeah."

She raised her eyebrow saying "Where are they? How come your sister didn't come yesterday?" I rub my arms together and changed the subject "I'll tell you after we study." Grabbing the frame and tossing it inside the boxes. She sighed and sat on the edge of my bed, staring at me.

I turn to my backpack and grab the book and handouts. I sat on the ground facing her and lectured her on the principle and objective of Dorian Gray. She was in awe, considering she had only read half the book, she understood the whole eerie concept. She questioned the influence of lord Henry's over Gray. She questioned Sybil's fate and Basil's role as a friend. She questioned me tons before I noticed it was two in the afternoon.

I closed my book saying "hey its 2:12." She looked at the clock and rolled over my bed. I laughed, getting up from the ground and asked "want to chill now?" She threw her thumbs up in the air. I laughed and headed down stairs, biting my tongue over the pain. I opened the freezer, grabbing the pizza pockets and popping them inside the microwave. I waited for the green light and heard thumping coming down the stairs. I ran over to the stairs and saw Arlene laying the floor, half of her body still on the steps of the stairs.