4. Zayn

She didn't reply my text, which was expected. Why was I still standing outside her window? Why was I even in this neighborhood?

Oh right, some twerp asked me to meet him around here else he'd ruin my life or something along that line. So here I am, not because I'm scared of someone ruining my life, that happened a couple years ago. I just want to know what is making him so confident.

I step out from underneath the tree I hid in when Meghan ran up to her window. I look up but her lights are turned off, she must be tired. Why wouldn't she be? How can someone with such a petite body play so much basketball? She's even captain and according to my buddy Jake, freakishly strong.

He'd know, she shoved him into the lockers a good number of times after he dumped one of her friends. She's such a mother hen.

Okay enough of the sister in-law Zayn, we have more pressing issues.

I walked to the end of the street and stopped in front of what looked like an abandoned driveway, where he asked me to wait.

I brought out a stick of cigarette from my breast pocket and lit it. I had a pack in my pants pocket but that'd be too much work so I always put three sticks in the breast pocket of my jackets each morning.

It was dark already and most cars were in their driveways. The stick had come down to half when I lifted my head and came face to face with a tattered guy that looked to be in his late 30s.

I didn't see him come, that's five points for stealth. As I looked around, I noticed they were other guys lurking in the shadows, cool.

'Well hello. Nice of you to finally show up'. I said drawing from the ciga and puffing it out.

'I'm not here to play with you kid'. He said and I just had to roll my eyes.

'Well obviously so get to the fucking point'. I snarled, getting as serious as I could manage.

'We've been watching you'. He started but I cut him off.

'Who are we?'

'The scorpions'.

Seriously? Scorpion? That's the name they could come up with?

'Interesting. So what have you learnt from the Zayn series?' I asked, already getting bored.

'The boss likes you, thinks you'll be good for the gang'.

'Well you can tell the boss I'm not interested. I prefer to be the only boss in my world'. I finally finished with the stick and dumped it.

'He knew you'd say that'. He said smirking all of a sudden. 'That's why he sent me with this'. He dipped his hand into his back pocket.

I half expected him to pull out a gun and threaten me till he eventually had to kill me but what he brought out was far worse. He handed it to me.

It was a photograph of me getting a supply of drugs. Seriously karma? Caught up with me already? Damn! I look good even in an alley. Focus Zayn!

Now I might not care about my life but I care about my parents, I never want to disappoint or hurt them even though I do it a lot already but if this photo went viral and everyone knew about the famous neurosurgeon, Dr Rodriguez's son being into drugs, my parents image would be damaged forever.

I look up to see tattered smirking at me.

'You have a week to decide Zayn'. He practically spat my name and walked off followed closely by shadow guys.

I looked at the picture again, I could frame it and position it on my nightstand, maybe that's not a really good idea. Then I'd have to explain to my mom when she goes to clean my room and find a photograph of me deep in illegal business standing proud on my bedside.

I shred and dump it in the nearest trashcan and walk home.

It's past 10:00pm when I get home and I meet mom and June laughing and watching TV, usually it'll be just mom but she looks happy now and I'm grateful to Malik for giving her someone to really talk to. I never did like June but she can't be that bad, scratch that, she can. You can never be sure with people.

'Hey babe'. Mom says once her eyes land on me. There's a bit of surprise in them which is expected since I seldom get back home this early.

'No study group meeting tonight?' She asked. I made up that silly excuse about a year ago and it's been working quite well. She believes I tutor my friends at night and crash at their places most time or at least she pretends well enough to believe it.

'Yes ma. I called cancel, I'm a bit tired tonight'. I yawned, getting into the act.

'You need a glass of juice?' June asked, looking me over.

'No, I'm fine, thanks. I'll just go up to my room'. I said with a little smile.

'Okay babe. Goodnight'. My mom said, I kissed her forehead before walking up to my room.

Once in my room, I fell on my bed not bothering to turn the lights on, I feel more comfortable in the dark. I get out my phone to see a text from Jake.

Jake: How'd it go???

Leave it to the guy to waste signs.

Me: The usual but with a twist, give you the details tomorrow.

Jake: Cool. Well, that's not the actual reason why I texted, not that I don't care just that this shit happens all the time.

Me: I get it, state your actual mission already.

Jake: A reminder of our literature paper that's due on Friday and most importantly; you promised to write mine.

Me: You self-centered bastard. You'll have to write your paper yourself coz I'm gonna be busy.

Jake: But you ain't doing nothing right now. C'mon man we all know you don't sleep.

Me: You know, you just might be the only person in the universe who takes advantage of their friend's sleeping disorder.

Jake: If we can't get rid of it we might as well make it useful. BTW, it won't hurt to add a 'best' to the 'friend'.

Me:Gosh, do the cheerleaders know how gay you could be?😂😂. Still not writing tonight, bestfriend, got stuffs on my head.

Jake: Cool! Meet me at the house of the dumbest blonde girl in school. She's got the good stuffs and lotta ass too. You won't even have your address on your head when you leave here.

Me: You're such a great friend. Be there in 5.

I rose from my bed and walked down the stairs passing the living room where mom and June were still seated and heading for the door.

'Where are you off to? Fixed an emergency tutor session?' Mom asked, I think I caught a bit of sarcasm in her voice.

'Yeah, emergency'. I said, turning the doorknob.

'Okay. Don't drink too much'. I paused. 'Coffee'. She added after a while. 'Not good for the health'.

I smiled as I closed the door behind me. I knew she didn't believe my crap story.

*

It's Friday and school is over but Jake and I are seated atop his car while he's staring into the screen of my phone.

'Man, this pic is lit!' I couldn't help but smile.

'I know right? I thought the exact same thing when I first saw it'.

'So he sent this today?' He asked getting a little serious. I nodded.

'To ensure I do not forget I have three days left'.

'What are you gonna do man?' I drew from my cigarette and let it out through my ears. Jake chuckled.

'What?' I asked, turning to face him.

'That was so theatric, like your brain was on fire, literally'. I scoffed.

'You are so weird'.

I turned my eyes to the entrance of the school as Meghan and her friends walked out laughing, her eyes fall on us and it's like she's conflicted on which of us to glare at first so she just look away. I get out my phone and type a text.

Me: Shouldn't you be home? Preparing for our date?

Meg_hen: It's just dinner with your parents, I don't need a plastic surgery for that.

Me: A little makeup won't hurt to cover up your hideous facial attitude.

She glared at me as she walked past to her car. They all are glaring except the short sweet_looking one who waves a little at me before shooting a glare at Jake who is shrinking beside me, I nudge him and laugh out loud.

'Dude, those bitches seriously hate you'.

'I know but it's been over a year, can't there just get over it?' I roll my eyes.

I never really paid attention to Jake's love life because it was mostly nonexistent until Katie, he was down for her I could tell but being the fool that he is, he messed it up, I don't know how, he never told me and I never asked.

I'm a bad friend, I know, more reason I can't understand why he still sticks around, probably because we've known each other since our diaper days.

I jump down from the hood of the car, suddenly remembering that I too have to get ready for dinner.

'I need to run bro'. I say while fisting his shoulder.

'Party tomorrow night, be there?'

'Sure'. I say, already approaching the Porsche I rode to school.

'Yo Zayn!' Jake called out and I turned.

'Easy OK?' He said, concern etched on his face.

'You are so gay'. I said and he laughed.

'Just for you babe, only for you'. I give him the middle finger and continue to my car.

I know Jake worries about me more than he let's on. He doesn't show it because he knows I appreciate his silent support more. He's been with me through all the shit I've had to go through in life and I try to be there for him too but fail woefully most times.

I drive into the compound a few seconds before my father, at least I won't be the only one getting scolded. My dad smiled at me as we got to the front door.

'Ready to meet your mother?' He asked

'Not really but what can we do?' He shrugged and opened the door. Nobody, good, then we heard the sound of heels clonking down the stairs.

'Gentlemen. At what time were you instructed to get home?' She said.

'Hey honey. How was your day?' Dad tried to divert her attention.

'Don't honey me, we can't be late for dinner with the Summers'. She said, finally getting to the foot of the stairs.

'We are not going to be late, we still have like an hour to get there'. Dad defended.

'My point exactly. Go get ready you two, hurry!'

Dad and I scurried up the stairs sharing small giggles like two year olds. I got into my room to find a suit hanging next to my mirror. Seriously mom? I take a shower and dress up in a pair of skinny jeans, white polo and black nylon jacket.

When I get down, mom is helping dad adjust his tie while ranting about whatever it is mother's rant about. Dad sees me and smiles.

'You look good son'. He compliments

'A trait he got from me'. Mom said, somehow managing to compliment herself before turning to look at me.

'Young man, what are you putting on? You can't meet our in-laws wearing that'.

'Why not? They are family now, I don't have to be formal with them, besides dad said I look good'. I said innocently.

'He has a point Linda'. Dad added and I snuck him a little thumb up.

'I know'. Mom said with an eye roll. 'Fine but please be of good conduct'.

'Best behavior, deal'. I said with a nod.

'Great. Now let's go!' She said opening the front door as I got out my phone to text Meghan.

Me: We're on our way. You ready?

Meg_hen: Five shots of whiskey and maybe.

Me: please

Meg_hen: Relax Rodriguez. It's just a little bit of acting, I can handle it.

Me: You're no good at acting Meg, everyone knows that.

Meg_hen: Good, so don't get your hopes too high.

I shook my head as I got into the car with one prayer in mind; I hope Meghan Summers don't fuck me over.