Everything's Changed - Zayn Malik

Still here

I rubbed my eyes and tried to get them to stay open. Rolling over, I grabbed my phone from the bedside table to check the time. It was almost time for me to pick up Cassius. I groaned and finally got out of bed. I quickly showered before putting some sweats and a t-shirt on.

As I brushed out my hair, I heard my phone ring. I froze. Walking to the nightstand, I peeked at the screen.

Zayn was trying to FaceTime me. Oh, no. It was 10:28 and I needed to go get Cassius by 11.
The phone kept ringing. I'd been waiting since Monday to talk to him. Time had gone by so slowly. It was grueling.

I gulped and accepted the call. After the screen adjusted, I could see him perfectly. It was so surreal.

"Hey," he smiled.

"Hi," I grinned.

"Are you busy?" He questioned.

"Ummm," I started. "Do you think I could call you back?"

I looked down shyly and shifted my weight from one leg to the other.

"Oh... Yeah. I'm sorry, I should've texted you first or something," he said slowly.

I shook my head, "I just... I have to go pick someone up. It won't be long. I'll text you when I'm done."

"Okay bye," he said, looking disappointed.

"Bye."

I put my phone in my bag and headed out the door. It was about a twenty minute drive to Thomas' house and I thought about Zayn the whole time.

Why didn't I tell him about Cassius? Was that wrong? What would he think?

I sighed as I got off the car and walked up to the door. The thick wood door opened suddenly and I saw Cassius grinning at me through the screen door.

A grin quickly spread across my face.

"Hi, Cash-nash!"

He opened the screen door and I scooped him up, resting him on my hip. Thomas came to the doorway and smiled at me.

"See ya later, buddy," he told Cassius.

"See you Sunday," I said, barely looking at Thomas.

He nodded. It was always awkward when we exchanged Cassius, but it was better than having to see Betsy.

"Bye, Papa," Cassius waved.

I set him down and we held hands as we walked to the car. After buckling him up in the back seat, I got in the drivers seat and pulled out my phone.

To Zayn: I'm on my way home. I had to pick up Cassius. Can I still call you when I get home?

~~~~~

-Zayn's POV-

Who's Cassius? I thought.

I wracked my brain, but couldn't remember her ever mentioning the name. Granted, we hadn't talked much, but I considered her a friend. I guess I still needed to get to know her better.

Did she have a boyfriend? No... I thought. Maybe it's her dog. No, that's stupid.

My mind was racing. I had my own things I needed to tell her, but now I was doubting whether I should. There was no use confiding in her if she wouldn't do the same.

I shook my head as I continued to look at the message I'd received. I finally replied, telling her that she could call me whenever.

I could sense there was something different when I'd called her. She seemed preoccupied and didn't really look at me, defeating the purpose of FaceTime.

I laid on my bed and closed my eyes. It felt good to be home, in my own bed, after being on the road for so long. It felt even better to be home alone; I liked being able to just chill out and not worry about anything.

I was dozing off when my phone began to ring. It was Alexis; a voice call, not FaceTime.

Taking a deep breath, I answered it.

"Hello?"

"Zayn?"

"Wrong number, sorry," I paused, then laughed.

"Very funny," she said sarcastically.

"What are you up to?" I asked, hoping she would tell me where she'd been, or who she'd been with.

"Umm," she started. "I'm at home now, I picked up Cassius and I'm making lunch now."

There was a pause. I felt like she wanted me to ask who that was, but I waited to see if she would just explain.

I could hear her take a breath before she began.

"Cassius is my son, by the way," she said, pausing again.

I was baffled; never would I have guessed she had a son. She'd never mentioned it before. I mean, I'd only known her a few days, but...

"Hello?" She questioned.

"Yeah, I'm still here," I said, steadying my voice.

"Guess you weren't expecting that," she said slowly.

"How old is he?" I asked, hoping I didn't sound judge-y or nosey.

"He's going to be two," she replied. "On Sunday, as a matter of fact."

"Nice," was all I could manage to say.

"Yeah..." She trailed off. "Do you want me to let you go?"

"No, no. Sorry. I'm just--- I just don't know what to say," I fumbled my words. "Not because of what you told me but.. I mean-- well.. let me start over. How've you been?"

"Pretty good. It's my day off. Works been wearing me out," she said.

"What're you going to do today?"

"Just spend time with Cassius. Maybe go to the park or something. What about you?" She asked.

"Well it's getting late here already, I'll probably just go to bed soon," I said.

I heard a child cry in the background.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I gotta go again," she said apologetically. "Text me if you want... if you don't go to sleep soon."

"Okay, yeah. Umm bye," I said awkwardly.

I threw the phone on the other side of the bed and laid staring at the ceiling.

Since I'd met Alexis, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I know that sounds so cheesy and stupid, but it's true. I didn't neccesarily think of her in a romantic way, but I felt like it could become romantic in the future.

But what now?

She has a son. How would I even go about this situation? She probably did have a boyfriend, so what was she even doing talking to me? Well, that's not fair, maybe she was looking for a friend. I didn't know what would happen, and I didnt know if I should even text her. Here I was feeling bad, ready to tell her the truth about Perrie, and now I wasn't really sure if I should. I sighed and rolled over, my thoughts still racing through my head; soon I drifted off to sleep.

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hiiiiiii! so things are going to start getting a little more interesting, i just didn't want to rush things too much. lol i hope you're enjoying it so far! dont forget to check out the story i'm cowriting (going somewhere new). it's a 5sos fanfic and i absolutely love it so far :) i have so much fun writing! i hope it shows haha xoxo