Rogue (Zayn Malik)

Chapter 17: Bad Day

Quick note: who likes the new cover? :)

***

Soon as I left my home, or old-home, I called up Ellie. But even after trying her over five times and only reaching her voicemail, I decided to return back to my apartment. Nothing good came out of my late night ventures anyway.

Reaching the building, I took my time climbing up the cramped up space and rethinking the events of the night when suddenly I dashed straight into someone.

"You're a selfish prat who thinks about nothing but himself." A girl with highlighted brown hair and prominent lips screamed facing upwards. I got no chance to reply because then I heard Zayn's voice from above scream just like her.

"You're the good kid. You're always there so you help out." His tone was oozing sarcasm.

While for me, I was only standing by watching them two fight it out before the girl saw me and angrily shout at me too.

"Watch where you're going."

"Yeah. Sorry." She looked aggressive and I wasn't the one to pick a fight.

"Don't yell at her." Zayn called out again. "And don't call again."

The girl, who looked older than Zayn in age, only huffed and stomped out of the building in a matter of seconds. And I got so shaken up by the screams that I only stood by, like I had been, forgetting what I was doing.

"Sorry for that." He said from two floors above, standing in the stairway and looking down at me.

"It's fine." Lie. I wasn't fine.

And it wasn't his or the brunette's fault. I just wasn't feeling too good.

"You don't look too good." Boy, he had some eyes to read me from two floors above. "Come over. I've got some dessert leftover."

Having no better idea, I climbed up to his flat and sulked down on his couch. He, being a sweet heart, brought me the cake as promised.

"Bad day?" I asked.

"You have no idea." He slumped down beside me stretching his legs and taking three-fourth of the area available. "You?"

"Same." It's believed sharing reduces the emotional pain my half and is a severe coping mechanism but nobody would have ever told you that talking means reliving it, and it's not something you want to do when your wounds are fresh and you're taking desperate measures to heal them. "What is up with the whole world deciding on getting married now?"

"I don't know." He replied after a pause not quite catching what I was saying. "But I'm sorry for Don again. She was just mad. She didn't mean to yell at you."

"No, it's okay." I understood. "Ex-girlfriends can get noisy."

And Zayn found that funny.

"She isn't my--" He continued laughing in his peculiar way of mocking me. "That was my sister, Doniya."

"Oh God."

Why don't I think before talking?

"No, it's okay." The laughter wasn't going to die out any soon or so it seemed.

"Stop now." I said embarrassed.

"Oh. Wait." He suddenly stood up and raced to his bedroom keeping the mockery on hold. "Xavi sent this for you."

He handed me a white rectangular box. "What is it?" It had the letters 'gift box' printed in black over the lid.

"Open up."

"An Empire State miniature?" This was beautiful. The show-piece was barely the size of my palm but it was all metallic grey and heavy and an exact replica.

"We left in such a hurry that we forgot. He got this from the gift shop, for you."

"Oh my." This was a lovely gesture. "Can you thank him for me?"

"You can do that yourself. Xavi will come to the party."

"Shit." I'd completely forgotten about that.

"What?"

"The party? I don't have anything to wear for the party."

"What's with girls and having closets full of expensive clothes but nothing to wear? Seriously." He scoffed as if my words held no importance.

"I'm serious." But as I pressed my brain looking for something, I found it. "Wait. I have the dress you got me."

"No, you're not wearing that."

"Why?"

"Because it's too pricey for the kind of place we're visiting tomorrow."

And I had to take his word for it.

"What kind of place is it anyway?"

"It's a fighting club, Anya. Men outnumber women in these kinds of places. You can't go looking like Audrey Hepburn in there."

"I've never been to something like that." That was true. Except of course that night niall took us to that fight.

"You wouldn't want to go after you've seen what's it like at fighting clubs." He was serious.

"Well, I'm just curious. Can I ask you something?" I decided we need a change of topic of discussion.

"Shoot." He got up the second time to bring over a packet of chips and some beer.

"How do you know the Payne's?"

"Long story, really. Chips?" I wasn't the least bit hungry, all thanks to the wonderful meal I had so I plainly shook my head when he offered me.

"I've got time."

He thought for a moment and then smiled at me.

"Alright. But it has to stay between us." He knit his eyebrows in utter concentration and seriousness.

"I promise it will." I replied making myself more comfortable and nodded.

Earning only a smile in return, I knew he trusted me. So, that night, let me in on his secret.

***

Thanks to every little beautiful person who's reading this story. I love you ha! Message me a link to your story--I'll give it a read!

And the rest--ya know the drill lol

Vote/comment/fan and I'll find you in your sleep and ... Give you a cupcake lol
Don't worry about me creeping up on you in your sleep. I'm not that weird ... Or am I? XD Hah! Relax.

Anyway--off for now! This story is confusing (to me too) but I'm writing anyway. Go read other stories of mine! I've been told they're good too :)

Until next time

Maddie xx