This Isn't Happening

Chapter 3. My Neighbor

His name was Zayn.

Zayn… Zayn… Why was that name so strangely familiar? I looked into his dark brown eyes, trying to study his face. Zayn…

Oh. That’s why I knew the name. I felt stupid. And I must’ve looked stupid too, because a small chuckle interrupted my thoughts.

“Well this is a first- no screaming or crying. I mean don’t you recognize me?” my neighbor asked.

“Uh, well I guess I didn’t want to wake him.” I replied, my eyes flashing down to a sleeping Ryder in my arms. I laughed, trying to ease the awkwardness. “You’re from that band. One Direction, right?”

Zayn smiled and laughed along with me. “Right.” For the first time he saw my son. “Well isn’t he a cutie?”

“Only when he’s sleeping.” I said and Zayn laughed once more. “Anyway… I’m Ellie and this is Ryder, my seven month old son.”

It was quiet for a solid minute. All I could hear was Ryder’s light snoring.

Finally the silence broke. “When I saw the moving truck pull in across the street earlier today, I figured I better be the polite neighbor and introduce myself.” I could’ve sworn his accent had been stronger five minutes ago. But now, it was easy to tell he traveled to the States a lot.

“Everybody’s been polite here…” I mumbled more to myself than to Zayn. “Much nicer than the people back at home.”

He heard me anyway. “You’re from the US, right? People there are nice.”

 “Sure they’re nice. When you aren’t as young as me with a kid. People are really judgmental.”

 His face fell, and for a second nothing but concern washed over his face. “I guess I shouldn’t be keeping you out here in the dark.” His eyes wandered to my front door before he spoke up again. “I’d love to help you unpack… That is if you need help. I mean you got all the way here by yourself.” He suddenly stopped talking. He looked embarrassed-almost as if he had said too much.

I giggled at his shyness. “That’d be great.”

 Zayn’s eyes lit up again. “When’s a good time for me to come over tomorrow?”

“Uh, well little man here is normally up by seven, but with this time zone change, who knows?”

He didn’t hesitate to answer. “I’ll come around nine.” He said with a smile. “Goodnight, Ellie.” Zayn put his hand on Ryder’s head. “Goodnight to you too, Ryder.”

One more smile was exchanged between me and Zayn before I turned to inside for the night.

*   *   *   *

 

   

Even with the change of time, Ryder was awake at seven on the dot. Back at home, it’d only be two in the morning. This five hour ahead thing was going to take time to get used to.

“Oh little boy, don’t you want to let mommy sleep?” by the sound of his answering giggle, I was going to take it as a no.

I rolled off the couch and looked into the pack-n-play at Ryder, who was definitely wide awake. I changed his diaper and then took him to the kitchen for breakfast.

     Last night I had found a bunch of his things in the boxes, including his highchair… So I put him in his chair and heated up his baby cereal, which was basically warm mush. Yummy.

     After he ate, I put him on the floor with a bunch of toys. I really hate this time zone change, I thought as I sat down on the floor beside Ryder. I needed to call my mom or my best friend, which happened to be Chase’s sister, Taylor. I just needed an adult conversation… I glanced over at my son who was currently being entertained with some set of light up toy keys.

    As if my prayers were being answered, there was a knock on the front door.

     It was only eight o’clock, but there was Zayn, standing on my front porch, his cheeks flushed red from the morning chill outside. “You’re early.” I said, a smile spreading across my face. “Come in, come in.”

     Zayn walked inside carrying two cups. “I hope you like coffee.” He handed me a steaming cup of Starbucks.

     “Thank you.” He just smiled that warm smile of his.

     “Sorry it’s such a mess.” I said with a hint of sarcasm in my voice.”

     There was that laugh again. “Not bothering me.” he said, playing along.

     “If you just want to wait an hour or so, he’ll lay down for a morning nap. Then we can get busy.”

     Barely looking at me, he nodded and sat down beside my son. Anyone was a sucker for that toothless grin of his, including my neighbor.

Me, Zayn, and Ryder played with the toys until Ryder’s eyes got heavy and he fell asleep in Zayn’s arms. I went to pick him up, but Zayn shook his head. “It’s okay, Ellie.”

I sat down on the floor again and couldn’t really believe what I was looking at. Zayn was so good with Ryder- like he was meant to be a part of his life.

Maybe my neighbor, THE Zayn Malik, could be his fatherly role in life. Heaven knows he’s going to need someone…