Everything's Changed - Zayn Malik

Phone Time

I was frozen, staring at the phone in my hand. I snapped out of it, finally accepting the call.

"Hello?" I whispered.

"Alexis?" His voice made my legs turn to mush.

I sat down at the kitchen table, Alyson was still watching me intently with Cassius in her arms.

"Yeah," I answered with a shaky voice.

"Is this a bad time because I can call--"

"No, not at all," I interrupted. "I was just surprised is all."

"Oh," he chuckled. "Good..morning. Morning, right?"

"Yup," I smiled. "Just finished up breakfast."

I shifted the phone to my other ear and looked at Alyson anxiously.'

"Cool. Oh, tell Cassius I said happy birthday."

A lump formed in my throat.

He remembered. 

It seemed silly really, to be happy that he remembered that. But I was happy that he went back to being the nice, understanding guy I had hoped he would be.

"Lex?" He asked, my heart leaped at the new nickname.

"I will," I said, clearing my throat. "He had fun at his birthday party yesterday."

"That's nice. Sounds like fun."

"Yeah, it was alright. We--"

Alyson coughed loudly and I looked up, covering the mouthpiece on the phone. 

"I'm gonna go get him ready, don't worry about us," she whispered.

"Are you sure? It's fine, I dont want to force you to babysit," I whispered back.

She shook her head and walked away.

"Lex?" He asked again.

"Sorry, that was just.. I mean, my friend is here--"

"Oh, sorry. I'll let you go. It's not a big deal," he sounded uneasy.

"No, she took Cassius to the other room to give me some privacy."

"Oh, okay," he said, sounding relieved. 

"Yeah, I'm glad she stayed over."

"You live alone with Cassius?" he asked curiously.

"Yeah. For a few months now. Since we left my mom's house."

"Oh."

"Yeah. His father is gone. Well not gone, just out of the picture," I mumbled.

"I'm so sorry," he said, sounding a little uncomfortable.

"Yeah," I said slowly. "It's a long story."

"I've got time."

I sighed and began, attempting to give a short version of my story. I told him everything. About my love for Thomas, how he hurt me, the court battle to get custody of Cassius. When I got to the part about Jesse, tears threatened to spill.

I know I barely know Zayn, and he was probably just expecting a short answer, but I couldn't help it. He barely even got a word in. I could hear his breathing now and then but he remained silent.

"I'm sorry for venting to you," I apologized.

"It's alright, really," he said. "It's good to know things about your life. Don't be afraid to tell me things."

"Enough about me," I say, lightening the mood. "How's home?"

We talk for hours. Literally. We talked about food, made jokes, told funny stories. Alyson took Cassius to the park and I felt guilty dumping him on her that way, but she insisted. I found out so much about him. I almost forgot who he was; in that moment he was a normal guy, and I loved it. 

I was so happy that he remembered Cassius' birthday, it really surprised me actually. His call made me realize that he hadn't forgot about me, and I had hope for our friendship again. 

Before we got off the phone, he promised to text me soon, for real this time. I was exstatic. I know Alyson could tell right away once she got home, but she didn't push for every little detail of the conversation. Instead, we went to Chuck E. Cheese and enjoyed my son's birthday; it was definitely a day I wouldn't forget.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

-Zayn's POV-

I was.. what's the phrase? shitting bricks? Yeah, that. She finally answered after multiple rings, and I was relieved, but then I couldn't think of what to say. I tried to come of sounding calm and collected, but my mind was racing.

I managed to get passed the awkward greetings, and once I began asking about her son I felt like I was prying a little bit. She didn't seem to mind though, however her tone became very somber once she told me about her past.

It was fucked up, really, all that shit that happened to her. It was unbelieveable that all that could happen to one person. I mean, multiple bad things happen to people all the time, but hearing it from someone you know is just mind blowing. I felt a little uncomfortable, as well; I really did want to listen to her troubles, I just had no idea how to respond. 

I barely know her, yet I find myself wishing that I could wish her pain away, erase the bad things that happened to her. If it were only that easy...

Something she said stuck with me, though. As she concluded her story, she grew silent but then she said "Where there is no struggle, there is no strength."

I know I've heard that from someone famous, but when she said it I realized just how strong she truly is. Getting to know this side of her is refreshing, sad as hell, but she is definitely showing me the real her.

It would be a lot easier to get to know her if I wasn't so damn far, I thought. Nothing I could do about that, especially since I would go back on tour soon.

I kept thinking as I laid in my bed, growing sleepy. I reminded myself over and over again to text her in the morning. This girl was definitely keeping me interested, I really wanted to keep talking to her. I know she felt the same way, and it would be nice to have someone to talk to. If the damn time difference would get out of the way, that'd be great.

But I have to make this work, I thought.

I replayed our conversation in my head. I enjoyed her laugh, her cheesy jokes, her random thoughts. I chuckled at my thoughts and I knew I felt myself crushing on her.. maybe just a tiny bit.