Forever

Chapter Twenty

"Happy Thanksgiving, Princess."
Huh? I sit up and sunlight blinds me.
"Aaah!" I squeal. Zayn laughs, climbing on top of me. A shadow covers my eyes and I reopen them softly.
"You're dramatic."
"You're a wimp."
"Would a wimp...kiss you in front of your mom naked?"
My mouth falls open and then I frown.
"Let's not do that."
He laughs, pulling me up. I groan and let myself be carried to the shower.
"Just five more minutes." I whine.
"No, your family is waiting on us."
My family. My great little family.
"Let em wait."
"Jane."
"Fine. Get out then."
I shut the bathroom door and strip out of my clothes. The water is already on and I step inside. It stings my skin but in a good way. I let the water absorb me and take me to a new world.

∆

Everyone is engaged in conversation around the table. I just eat quietly. Keeping quiet stops you from being targeted. With my luck, they'll still target me. Zayn seems happy, my cousins talk to him with ease. Im jealous, they have never talked to me like that. At least someone is having fun. My phone rings: Chris.
"Hello?" I answer. I catch a few glances.
"Happy Thanksgiving, beautiful." He says.
"Thanks. I'm at the dinner table.."
"Oh shit. Call me back."
I slide my phone back into my pocket and continue to eat.
"So, are y'all getting married?" Aunt Pam says. Here we go again.
"Marriage? Who the hell is talking about marriage?" Dad asks. I slide my left hand under the table.
"You two never kept up with that girl." Aunt Leann says.
"Sissy." Mom says. Zayn doesn't seem scared at all.
"Tell em." Tia chimes in.
"Tell me what?!" Dad raises his voice.
"I'm gonna marry your daughter. Not now, she's obviously in school. This" -Zayn picks up my left hand-"is a promise ring or engagement ring."
He drops it. I Dont know if he's mad or annoyed.
"All these damn secrets." Dad says. Oh boy, isn't he right. He thinks the guy sitting beside mom is her friend from work. Dad meet Brad. Moms boy toy.
"I'll be back later. I have something important to do." Zayn says. I stand up too and he shakes his head.
"Stay. I love you."
"I love you too, so let me go!" I whine. He pecks my lips and carries his plate with him. Where is he going and what is he handling?
Mom and dad stare at me. Tia is laughing and everyone else is trying to coexist. I wanna go back to my dorm or the shelter of Zayns house. Away from here. Why is life so...twisted?