Ch. 18: Exes and Boyfriends

It's beyond awkward. I don't even think there's a word to describe the tension between the four of us.

Or maybe it's all in my head. I've always been good at having an overactive imagination. But I swear that it seems like Austin is about to explode at any second. His voice sounds forced as he grits through his teeth, "Zayn what a lovely surprise!"

His toothy smile scares me. Halley seems to be satisfied with everything that's happening and I'm just trying figure out how I got myself stuck in this situation.

Zayn doesn't even try to hide his smirk as he replies, "Yeah, I know. I was starting to get annoyed with the fact that I couldn't see Ally any time I wanted to."

Silence starts to fill the air when the waitress comes up to ask us for our order. Automatically she recognizes Austin and starts to have a fan girl moment. I'm only halfway through my order when she says, "So what would you like to have Austin. Trust me you can have absolutely anything you want."

She's biting her lip when Halley all of a sudden says, "Well we would like a salad, some spaghetti, a hamburger. And my lovely fiancée world like to have a cheese burger."

She quickly pecks Austin on the mouth before adding, "Isn't that right Honey?" She quickly asks us if we want to add anything else and we all shake our heads. With annoyances her voice she turns to look at the waitress to say, "Well don't just stand there. Take our order to the chef."

After this I stay quiet. I'm completely blown away by Halley's actions. All of this time I have never seen her so dangerous before. As we wait for the food to come, Zayn starts talking about the business back home and his trip up here. I nod my head at the right time and ask questions to keep him talking. Yet in the back of my mind I'm replaying the scene that would have happened if we hadn't been interrupted.

For a moment I thought, maybe even just for a second, we could go back. Like we could just push the rewind button and go back to the way it was. Back before everything got so complicated and confusing.

And maybe, just maybe, reach that time when things seemed so simple and sweet. When we used to utter soft whispers into each other's ears just to have a chance to be close to each other. When we used to spend every waking moment with the other. Back to the time when we used to say I love you just because we wanted to. Not because we felt like we had too.

I keep playing with my straw when I get an urge of someone's eyes burning a hole in my head. It happens so fast like a lightning bolt. His eyes cross mine for a split second. And I wait.

I wait for him to say something, anything. I wait for him to tell me in front of her that he loves me. Or to explain to me what the hell was he thinking.

But he doesn't. And I shift my attention back to my straw as I pretend to be engrossed with every little word that comes out of Zayn's mouth.

Somehow through it all, Austin and I manage to play our roles. But when we accidently touch to grab something off the table and look up, we both wonder what would have happened if we had been given a few more seconds.

It's strange to have Zayn in front of me. He keeps whispering sweet things into my ear, making me laugh and smile. But it's his voice that is echoing in my head. Our kiss feels distant as I wish him goodnight. And I pray to god when I close the door of my hotel room that he helps me next time l decide to act before thinking it through.

The next few days happen in a blur. We all manage to get a venue, obviously Halley had won since the start. Alice finally agrees on a cake topping with Halley, and despite my efforts to convince her otherwise, I have arranged for magazine journalists to come on the big day to cover her "Wedding of the Year."

And as l lay down on my bed, l can't believe we have three days left in Buena Vista. Tomorrow we have our dress fitting, the next day is relaxing at the hotel, or if you're me to start planning the bridal shower. And then we pack and leave.

I'm just glad that I won't have to ride back home in a car with Austin and Zayn. It's been bad enough to hear them bickering every time we go out. I'm not even quit sure why Zayn has to act like he needs to protect me from Austin. To be honest. I don't understand anything.

A/N: I know l haven't uploaded in a while and this chapters short But I didn't want to rush through some things to get the plot moving which will most definitely be in the next chapter that is about the girls getting their dresses. Also l want to let you know until December I won't he uploading frequently. If you'd like to know why, go to my profile. Otherwise I am so grateful for the support. You guys amaze me and I feel like I've let you all down but my hands are tied at the moment.

I can't wait to upload again and I hope you all have a good day or night.