And so the day finally came, panic settling in.

Zayn was staying over for lunch, as well as my grandparents. It wasn't Zayn I was worried about, especially since he assured me that he would be well-mannered and respectful of them. I was worried about how they, or more specifically my grandpa, would think of Zayn. It was no secret that he was disappointed that Niall was no longer an option of mine, and I knew it would take a while for him to warm up to anyone else. I focused on making this first impression perfect, seeing this almost as an "audition" and my grandpa happened to be someone like Simon Cowell.

Zayn walked in, but before he could get out a greeting, I ran up to him, adjusting his clothes. I buttoned his opened button-up some, making sure he looked a bit more sophisticated than the wrinkly white t-shirt under it. Just as I was about to fix his hair, he chuckled and lowered my wrists back down to my side.

"They'll be here any minute Zayn, oh goodness."

"Calm down, babe. Everything will be ok. Worst thing that could happen is we don't get on well. Even so, that won't change my mind about you, and it hopefully won't change your mind about me."

"Of course not, but-"

"That's all that matters, honey." he stepped closer than we already were, and planted a kiss on my lips. He tugged at my waist, pressing our bodies together. It relieved me, and I relaxed, but only for a moment. Voices sounded outside, and a knock followed shortly after. I jumped, but Zayn just held me for a second.

"Everything will be perfectly ok. Promise." he kissed my forehead before turning to open the door for them.

"Hello Ma'am, Sir." he smiled, offering to take my grandma's coat. He was very gentleman-like, but I couldn't tell how it was all blowing over with them.

"Hello, you must be Zayn." my grandma greeted, shaking his hand.

"That's me. Em has told me a lot about you, it's a pleasure to finally get to meet you both." he continued, shaking my grandpa's hand as well. He only nodded in greeting, which Zayn returned respectfully. I hugged them both, as usual, saying my hellos. We quickly dished out the food my grandma and I had prepared, and I could tell that they were ready to get to know more about the boy that was possibly acting too polite...

We all gathered in the living room, and it was awkwardly silent at first. I didn't know how to open up the conversation, but thankfully my grandma did.

"So, Zayn, how did you meet Em?" she smiled sweetly.

"Through a mutual friend. I'm sure she's told you about Louis, crazy lad." he chuckled, as if remembering a happening of Lou's.

"She has mentioned him here and there. Are you all close?"

"Definitely. It all started when Lou first transferred here, some months ago. Em showed him around, and they became inseparable. He also befriended me and a lad named Harry, and he kind of brought us all together. I'm glad he did too, your granddaughter is lovely." he shot a glance over at me, and I couldn't help but to smile and look down.

"Well Em has nothing to say but good things about you, so I'm glad for you two as well." she could only smile, bless her.

"Believe it or not, Zayn has managed to get me interested in some sports." I spoke up.

"Is that so? Which ones?" my granpda questioned.

"Little bit of everything. But my favorite has to be football."

"Pro, or school games?"

"We watch the pro games together, but Zayn actually plays for the team at school, so I've sat with Lou and Harry to watch him."

"I always suspected Em was more of the quiet type, but after a really bad call at one of the last games, I've decided I was wrong about her." Zayn chuckled.

"You raised your voice? Football must really be entertaining!" Grandma joked.

"She did more than raise her voice. She flat out yelled, calling out the bad play properly. I couldn't believe it."

"That's my girl." my grandpa smirked at me.

"To be honest, I think I scared some students there. I know Harry bust up in laughter and Louis started to clap." I shook my head, remembering the scene as if it were yesterday.

Some more stories were told, and I could tell things were seeming alright between the three of them. Zayn, of course, was open and polite to them. My grandma was just a naturally happy person, so you can't really tell the difference with whether she likes or dislikes someone. She seemed intrigued with him though, so I took it as a good sign.

My grandpa, surprisingly enough, didn't snap or try to scare Zayn like I expected. He was actually quieter than normal. He spoke up when he wanted to, but for the most part, he just listened. I could tell he was trying his best to hold his tongue at times, when I noticed Zayn got just a tad carried away with his accomplishments, in hopes of impressing them. I appreciated his attitude nonetheless.

At the end of the day, everything was well, just as Zayn promised. My grandma took the initiative to hug Zayn before leaving, a sign to all that we need not be nervous about him being accepted. My grandpa gave him a firm handshake, followed by another nod. I didn't understand this gesture, but Zayn went along with it.

As they walked out the door, Zayn also said that he had to get going. I was sad to see him go, but he obviously couldn't stay as long as I wished (forever, if you were wondering), so I walked him to the door. He pulled me close, kissing me and hugging me goodbye. Our goodbyes were always dramatic, lasting longer than necessary and filled with "I'll miss you"'s like we wouldn't see each other for weeks. But, if you've ever been a teenager free-falling into love, you would understand the silly act. But, of course, something like 10 minutes later, I got a text from him, and our conversation continued for hours.

The things puppy love convinces you of are no doubt ridiculous, and I suppose at the time, I was buried chin deep in it.