31- cigarettes

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Aylin's POV

After a night filled with drama, sleeping in and a relaxing bubble bath after was all I needed to feel okay again. What with Adam, Audrey and Clinton's dumb game, I didn't know how to feel. To top it off, Zayn drunkenly confessed that he's in love with me.

A part of me can't wrap my head around it. It seems preposterous that his feelings for me could be that deep after such a short time, but the other part of me is elated.

I've had enough time to process the entire night. Although it's a bit fast-paced, it's not impossible. I came to realize that if Zayn was just drunk and overwhelmed, saying any and everything at the top of his head without meaning it today, I'd feel hurt... because another realization that hit me right after is that I might just feel the same way about him.

I figured that I should tell him today, that is, if he remembers saying it at all last night. God, that would be embarrassing if he didn't.

"Aylin, how far are you?" Luna comes into view, so I flash her a grin when she spots me on my bed, still sitting in my towel after drying my hair twenty minutes ago, "Seriously?"

"I had a lot on my mind."

"So it impaired your ability to move?"

"Shut it." I grab my clothes and slowly start dressing. Dad decided that it's a beautiful day to take his daughters out for brunch while mom is enjoying a spa day with her friends.

Ever since the second health scare, he's actually been consistent with his diet and hasn't touched a cigarette since. As for being on my case, that seemed to stop too. I'm definitely not complaining.

Once I've finished up, Luna and I both head downstairs where dad is sitting impatiently with an empty bowl in front of him, "I had some oats. You girls take so long."

"It was Aylin."

"Couldn't decide what to wear." I shrug.

"You girls ready now?"

"Yup." My sister and I respond in unison before making our way to the car and heading off to some restaurant that overlooks Lake Michigan. Since the sun is out, dad insists on sitting outside, even though there's still an icy breeze lingering in the air.

"Beautiful day, huh?" He speaks up.

"It is." I smile, looking around to take in the scenery. I should really start running again. If dad can get into it after years of no exercise, I'm sure it would be easy for me to get back into the swing of things after inconsistent training.

It falls silent since Luna the chatterbox is on her phone, leaving dad and I to talk. Unfortunately, I can't think of a word to say and by the looks of it, neither can he. As I watch him look down at his menu, I notice that he seemed to have gained some weight. It makes sense, since he's been eating a lot more. I want to tell him that I'm proud of him for ditching the cigarettes, but the words just won't seem to come out.

"So how's work been?" He inquires.

"It's been good. Worked over hours this week."

"I know. You didn't make it for dinner. You sure they're not overworking you?"

"No." I smile, "I wanted to stay. Gets things done quicker and knocks me out right after I eat, so it's a good thing."

"Are you still on those sleeping pills?"

Wow. I'm surprised he remembered that, "I only take them when I really can't sleep, but work and Zayn keeps me busy."

His brow raises in that way I know all too well, but then I realize how he may have interpreted what I just said.

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