If Time Stands Still

44- sh*t happens

Zayn's POV

"This is the one thing I hate about dogs." Michael says while I'm crouched down, scooping up Daisy's stool on the pathway.

"Yeah, well." I shrug, "Shīt happens."

He chuckles, "I knew you'd say that."

After disposing of her stool, we continue walking my puppies along the trail while Aliyah and Audrey, unfortunately, run their laps.

Not my idea. Not even Michael or Aliyah's idea - but Audrey tends to visit them without notice, Michael informed me.

"This is the second shít your dog took. What are you feeding them?" He asks.

I shake my head, "It's not the food. I spilled milk this morning and they lapped it all up."

He pulls a face of disgust, "Are they housetrained?"

"Yeah, thank God."

Within minutes, we catch up with the girls who are now chatting on the bench about some restaurant with amazing food, apparently.

"They have the best shrimp." Audrey says, "I haven't been there in ages."

"Well, we don't have any other plans today. We should go." Aliyah looks up at Michael, then me, "Got any plans, Zayn?"

"Me?" My brows raise instinctively, "Uh..." My eyes land on Audrey who's already staring at me, "I don't have any solid plans, no." I answer, but I'm uncertain whether going out with them would be a good idea, "But I was going to feed these two when I got back and just have a chilled day in looking after 'em, so..."

"Come on," Michael takes Acorn's leash now as we all start walking, "it's a beautiful day. Staying indoors should be illegal." He pats my back, "Acorn and Lily will be fine."

"Daisy." I correct him.

He turns to face me, "I like having you with. Don't leave me with these two."

I chuckle. I can understand why he says that. They've been talking nonstop about everything and nothing, "Alright, yeah."

Since the park is just a five minute walk away from our apartment complex, we take a leisurely stroll just enjoying the fresh air in silence now. There's something about nature that makes everything feel better, and it's not just due to the blunt I smoked before meeting up with them.

I feel Daisy's leash slip out of my hold, so I look to my left where Audrey is now walking my puppy.

"You seem like you're in a good mood." She speaks up.

I sigh and shove my hands in my pocket, "And why wouldn't I be?"

She shrugs complacently, "I don't know. Usually when people post sad love songs on their Instagram story, they're upset about something... or someone."

I scoff, "I just liked the song."

"The entirety of My Dear Melancholy?" She gives me a knowing look, "Doesn't seem like a coincidence."

"What are you implying, Audrey?" I reach for the leash in her hand, but she puts a hand to my chest to stop me.

"How's things with Aylin?"

Of course she'd ask.

Aylin is the last topic I wanted to talk about. It's been six days since I've last spoken to her and it was awful until I took Luke and Clinton's advice. It's still bad, but I'm doing okay. I've stopped checking my phone every few minutes when I realized it only makes me feel worse, but shít, do I miss her a ton.