Talk To Me [Zarry]

TWO

A new update as promised! Comment and vote, I'd love to engage with you all!

"Malik!" Zayn was suddenly pulled into a classroom, the door slammed shut behind him causing him to raise his fists in self defence.

"Woah relax mate it's me." He lowered his hands, frowning as looked at the slightly older man in front of him.

"Professor Sanders?" The man chuckled and pulled Zayn in for a hug. Professors Sanders was the University's youngest professor, being Zayn's senior with just eight years. The two had known each since Zayn was in primary school and he was in secondary school. And as he used to tutor Zayn, the lack of formality between them was a norm. 

"God you need to stop calling me that." Sanders rolled his eyes and Zayn leaned back against the wall, laughing. 

"Uhm, I kind of have to? And you're not allowed to tell me not to, otherwise you're displaying signs of favouritism which, according the code of conduct, is a punishable offense. " 

"Yeah well smoking weed on campus is also a punishable offense." Sanders quipped back and the two laughed like the old friends they are. 

"No but seriously why did  you grab me like that? Can't control your feelings for me any longer?"

"No,I'm struggling, every time I see your face it reminds me of what I can't have. "

"Professor please, I'm your student don't put me in this position." 

"Well, I can't help it!" The two took a step a closer to each other, staring intently into each other's eyes. They stayed like that in silence for awhile until Zayn could no longer hold it and he cracked a smile before the both of them burst out laughing.

"Ok, we've really got to stop this before someone overhears and takes it seriously." Zayn spoke, chuckling as he wiped away a tear. 

"Yeah, you're right." Sanders laugh as quickly as it came and he quickly became serious "But quickly before class starts, the reason why I pulled you here is because I need your help. There's going be a new student in your social studies class, he suffers from traumatic mutism." Professor Sander's crossed his arms as he leaned back and Zayn frowned as he tried to understand his relevance in all of this. 

"I don't understand, what has all this got to do with me?"

"Traumatic mutism means that this young man is able to speak but due to a traumatic event his brain has made him unable to do so in certain situations. So he might not speak for weeks and then suddenly he will for a day, it's something he cannot control. Now, of all your peers, you are the most understanding person I know. The others won't understand the poor guy's situation or will accuse him of faking it but I know you will never do such a thing."

"But-" Sanders took a step forward, sighing as he placed a hand on Zayn's shoulder. 

"Look, I know you hate stepping out of this bubble you've created for yourself and I know this is way out of your comfort zone. But Zayn, this guy's been through hell and he'll need a friend like you." With the way the professor was looking at him and the pleading tone of his voice, Zayn felt like he had no choice but to cave in.

"Fine!" Sanders jumped up for joy before pulling him in for a hug. 

"This is why I love you!" 

"Whatever you say old man." Zayn responded with an eye-roll as he went to sit by a desk as class was going to start in five minutes anyway. 

"God I'm only eight years older than you, will you stop saying that." The professor spoke just as the first few students rolled in so he couldn't say anything more, instead giving Zayn a pointed look. Zayn pulled out his laptop, editing some tattoo designs he had made both for himself and to be sold further to whoever wanted them. He was interrupted by a shadow looming over him and he looked up to see a taller man standing next to him, he was clutching his school bag awkwardly, dark brown curls wild around his head and an uneasy smiled adorning his face.