Penny For Your Thoughts?

Fifteenth

Zayn looks down at his plate of food. It's silent in the dining room of his parent's house and he can feel all eyes on him.

"Zayn, baby, try some of the pasta I made. It's vegetarian," His mother coos, almost begging him with her eyes. He takes a bite just for her and she beams at him.

"It's delicious, Mom. All of it. I just don't have a big appetite," He sees her eyes widen and he shakes his head. "Nothing to worry about. I just had a big lunch,"

His father puts his glass of water on the table, "Why would you do that if you knew you were coming to eat here at five?"

"I guess I didn't think it through," Zayn takes a few more bites of his mum's side salad she made for him, just to ease her mind.

"So, Zayn, how's the job?" His sister pipes up. He smiles at her as a thank you and clasps his hands together.

"The store is really doing well, guys. I uh asked for more hours since someone's birthday is coming up," He sneaks a glance at his younger sister and she bows her head in embarrassment.

"That's wonderful, Z. I'm so proud of you," His mother says once she's swallowed her bit of tofu.

"And how's the girlfriend? Uh, Penny?" Zayn feels his hands break out into a sweat. His sister next to him coughs. There's no saving this time.

"Um, darling," His mother clears her throat when she speaks. "Zayn and Penny aren't..."

"Him and Penny aren't what?" Zayn hated his Dad for being so stubborn and not taking a hint.

"They aren't together anymore, dear," She quickly stuffs some lettuce into her mouth and looks to Zayn.

"What? I thought Penny was lovely. Whatever happened to her?" Everyone fell silent, even Zayn.

"I think," His mother said through the tension. "I think they just had creative differences, my love. Why don't you finish the lamb chops I made you?" She points to his unfinished meat and he makes a face.

"What the hell does creative difference mean?"

"Daddy, language," the younger girl says and her father sends her a daring look.

"We just couldn't be together as a couple anymore. Nothing too personal," Zayn wipes his mouth with his napkin. Though he wouldn't ask to excuse himself during a time like this, he sure as hell wanted to.

"Oh," And with that, silence intervened again.