A Penny For Your Tears [Z.M]

Forty Six

Time, they say, is the greatest healer. It provides a basis of reflection, allowing us to look past the damage done and enable growth and most importantly, forgiveness. Such was the case for Zayn and I, time passed and we slowly found ourselves getting closer again, learning how to trust again and be honest with each other. We weren't together romantically, no, Zayn needed more time for that and in all honesty, I wasn't sure if we ever could be intimate with each other again. And, I was ok with it. I loved Zayn enough to understand why he didn't want that kind of relationship, and I loved Zayn enough to know that perhaps that was even for the best. Watching your parents get murder right in front of your eyes at a young age was traumatic enough and then kissing me, knowing that those same lips kissed your parent's killer, yeah that must be a hard pill to swallow. It wasn't anybody's fault that that was the way things were and he had never outwardly told me that this was the case but I wasn't stupid, besides I valued the friendship we had now and though I longed to kiss him again, for him to hold me and tell me how much he loved me, I'd rather have him as a friend in my my life than not at all.

Harry and I's friendship had never been better, I admired him, because for the longest time he had been put in a tricky and awkward position, having both been friends with me and loyal to Zayn. But, thankfully, it all worked out in the end and he constantly tells me how he's still rooting for Zayn and I to get back together even though I keep telling him that that probably won't be happening.

Slowly but surely, the others began to look past what happened as well, Liam and Niall, since they never knew that much to begin with, were the first to text me asking how I was doing, even stopping by once or twice with Harry to say hello. Alexia and Louis, however, especially Louis, they were still tough nuts to crack and whenever I was at the base or in their general presence they never failed to remind me of how much they disliked me.

"What is she doing here?" Louis sneered one day when Zayn had asked me to accompany him to work, Alexia stood behind Louis, a scowl on her face as she crossed her arms against her chest making it clear that she felt the same way. Zayn rolled his eyes before responding;

"I asked her to come here, if you have a problem with it, Tomlinson, pick it up with me." Louis' eyes narrowed and he took a menacing step forward.

"Well I do have a problem with it Malik," He mocked, "Don't be fucking stupid Zayn, look past whatever she offers you in bed and see her for the trouble she is. She's Barletta's girl, Zayn, she fucked the dick that killed your parents. Even if she's not double crossing us, we all know he's going above and beyond looking for her, he'll bring hell once he finds that he's here with you. She's not worth it, Zayn, she really isn't." The room was silent, Liam and Niall looked at each other wearily while Harry shot Louis a glare before taking a step forward, ready to break up a fight if need be, even Alexia had released her arms, her scowl being replaced with worry as her eyes darted between Zayn and Louis.

"Louis." Zayn said darkly and Louis' tough exterior faltered, slightly intimidated by Zayn. "What do we do here? What do we stand for? What do we risk our lives for? And you're going to stand there and tell me that she's not worth it? So what? We should put a stamp on her and send her back? What the fuck is wrong with you? I can't even recognize you anymore. This goes against everything we stand for, everybody, Louis, everybody is worth it. "Zayn looked down at Louis with such a deadly gaze, I felt afraid for him.

"Liv, go with Harry, yesterday he,Sander and Jonathon came back from a mission, saving fifty girls from traffickers in Paris, it'll be nice for them to talk to you and see that there is still a life left them for them to live, that this isn't end. " I nodded, knowing that Zayn wanted to speak to Louis and Alexia alone, I followed Harry who was already waiting for me at the door and we left the office and walked into the warehouse.