𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃𝐒 .

15.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯.

speak of the devil.

as if stung, the somewhat persuadable boy let out a yelp before swinging the curtain shut, immediately regretting his reaction as he sunk spinelessly to the bed, throwing himself upon it, a mix of emotions cascading over the hawaiian who couldn't quite help but to be slightly excited to see the boy even in spite of what had just been told to him. nobody was perfect, right? so who was he to judge who he was told that zayn was? it was a bejewled thought that shone and radiated with the perfection of discrepancy and ease, but at the same time mahi'ai doubted he'd ever forget just how nina's words felt- how they branded into him with dis-ease and left a foggy residue behind that made the boy's chest beat hard.

"t'at is not adonis." the hawaiian stated, abruptly standing up from the floor as he hurriedly inspected himself in the mirror, patting away at his black curls he was greatful to have finally done in the morning rather than let them be like he usually would've. mahi'ai gave no mind to the rather unimpressive outfit he wore- a simple black, long-sleeved shirt and some sweatpants, disregarding his immediate want to change it.
"sure ain't." the girl snorted, causing mahi'ai to stop hesitantly, conflict consuming him at whether or not to engage with the boy outside out of respect for what the girl had said, a rather overextended proposition the naturally obedient boy had came to. nina turned around on the bed, offering her usual smile in face of the obviously timid boy's conflict. "i ain't no helicopter bitch mai-mai. you gotta live yo live. i mean i bet he got some good dick-"
"good w'at?" the boy questioned.

"but that's all you should get from him!" nina contributed. "i ain't saying cross the street if you see him walkin on the same path but i would keep it friendly wit him. y'know?"
"yea." the fifteen year old said, nodding despite the fact that that was exactly what mahi'ai didn't want- to be friendly. even so, it was likley the only thing the boy would do in the first place- smiile a little, joke a little, laugh a little, knowing at the end of the day it didn't really matter. he was not what zayn had trained his eye on, and while it hurt mahi'ai, fundamentally it was something he had known since literally the day he met him so why should what nina said even have the extent of effect and upshot it had in him? she was right- simply be friends, and get a new crush- because that was so easy when the unassuming boy who was used to wear scraps was so unknowingly gravitated towards the brunette he had given thought to putting effort into what he was wearing- or more so, had even questioned it. the realization made mahi'ai a little uncomfortable, stilling before he was spurred on with a honk from the loud car otuside. mahi'ai reached over, grabbing his phone before scurrying out of the girl's room. "be right back!"

the hawaiian ran down the hallway, stopping in the kitchen to smooth down his curls and throw nina's two large, howling doberman's who charged towards the door treats from the little container that sat on the table across the door, her instructions for when they needed to be distracted. anticipation beat fast in mahi'ai's chest, who reminded himself that he would not need to see the boy for more than a minute as he carefully let himself out, careful not to let the dogs out who were content with the over-portion of snacks the affectionate boy had gifted them. the chilly, dark night seemed to enclose the boy as he stepped out of the house he swore shook from the volume of the music the black car bumped. unintentionally, mahi'ai once again patted his hair down, walking over to the car window and peeking his head in.

"get in." the brunette said, adjusting the volume so that his rather dominant words mahi'ai followed without much of a thought could be heard despite what he had just told himself. the fifteen year old opened the door, scooting into the passenger seat before he shut the door, unable to tell whether or not it was his nerve or the familiar, heavy herbal smell zayn always seemed to have about him that choked up the visibly uneasy hawaiian, who's golden eyes twinkled so brightly even in the dark as they met the olders. "hey."