For Now ➸ Zauren

11.

July 4th, 2015

My family was having a barbecue. It was a tradition for the cubans to get together and blast spanish music, grill, and play by the pool. It was such a loving, carefree environment to be in.

Zayn and I had just finished eating some burgers, and we were relaxing on the hammock. "This is peaceful," Zayn said amidst the comfortable silence we found ourselves in. "I could do this everyday."
"I used to do this everyday. Well, not the barbecue part, but laying in the hammock by the pool with not a care in the world." My eyes were closed as I soaked up the suns warm rays.

I started thinking about how this was all going to come to a temporary end until I came back to Miami again. "You know, the only part of going back to England that is even remotely appealing at the moment is that you'll be going back with me." Zayn kissed my cheek.
"Don't dog my country," he teased. I laughed, and nudged him. "I'm not. You know what I mean," I rolled my eyes.
"I know. I know. It is nice here.. Maybe I'll live here someday."
"We can live together." Zayn took my hand in his, and pressed it to his soft lips. "That'd be a dream."

I turned my head to face Zayn. "I really love you," I smiled. "Like, it's insane."
"I really love you, Lauren. You had me from the day I met you."
"You two make me want to actually vomit." We both looked up. Dinah was standing there with a cheeseburger in her hand that was missing a bite.

I sat up, and so did Zayn. "What are you doing here? I thought you had your own family thing?" I questioned, placing my sunglasses on top of my head. "Way to make me feel invited.." Dinah joked. "Oh shut up, you know what I mean."
"I snuck away. You already know I had to grub on some cuban food and third wheel with my favorite love birds. I also wanted to spend time with my best friend before she freaking leaves me in two days." I pouted. I know Dinah wanted to sound like she was joking, but I know that she really was sad that I was leaving in two days. My family was leaving later tonight. I took Dinah's hands in mine. "I don't want to leave you."

"I don't want you to leave me either."

"Am I interrupting something?" Zayn laughed.

"Yes, our love fest." Zayn stood up, holding his hands above his head in surrender. "I'll be gone then." I knew he was just joking, and was probably hungry again. Dinah took his spot, and we started talking.

Zayn

Lauren and Dinah were having their girl chat. During the time here, they talked all the time but they didn't get to hang out just the two of them yet. I always in the equation. I kind of felt bad. Lauren was here not only to vacation, but to spend time with people she didn't get the opportunity to see often anymore.

I walked over to the picnic table that was layed out with food, and grabbed a paper plate. I started to pile my plate with oily potato crisps. Someone stood next to me. I thought it was just one of Lauren's family members trying to get food, so I scooted over assuming they wanted something beside me, but they scooted closer to me. I turned my head, and saw a girl that I hadn't really noticed before. She was around my age, and she was soak and wet standing there in her red bikini with a small smirk on her face.

"Hey," she smiled coyly. I nodded, but didn't say anything. She pushed her long, light brown hair past her shoulder. Some of the water from her hair splashed me. "I've never seen you around before."
"That's because I've never been here before." The girl nodded, and then raised her eyebrows. "You're the guy with the accent I've been hearing about." I laughed.
"Am I really the talk of the barbecue?"
"You are for the girls in the pool." I glanced over, and they all turned their heads in the opposite direction to act as though they weren't staring. "I'm Peyton. My best friends related to all these people." I nodded my head, but didn't say anything. I wasn't sure the response that she was expecting from me.