Long Lost and Refound - A Zayn Malik Story

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 - Long Lost and Refound

Saturday, January 28, 2009

Zayn's POV

I put up the last of the chairs and sighed with exhaustion, running a hand over my face. The cafe was finally clean, mine and Avery's untouched paper cups long emptied into the sinks and thrown out. I glanced over at Avery, who was curled up in our corner on a sofa, sound asleep in my jacket. Again, I touched my lips, almost not believing what happened earlier.

Of course, there was a fat chance that she'd back out by morning.

Almost instinctively, my camera was pulled from my pocket and raised to my eye. I squinted the other eye shut and focused the lens on Avery's gently rising and falling body, before capturing the quiet moment with a flash. She stirred for a second while I lowered the camera, but then she was still. I didn't bother to look at the photo.

I walked over to where she was. I pushed her hair back and pressed the back of my fingers to her forehead then flinched. She was burning up, her body working to replace the blood she'd lost earlier. I squeezed myself beside the sofa to push the curtain aside and peer out the window. My fingers barely brushed the curtain when I felt the coldness radiating off the window. Outside, the snow had lessened but it still fell. I dropped the curtain and looked down at Avery, whose body was steadily rising and falling. I shuffled out from beside the sofa and sat beside Avery's head, pulling out my phone.

"Hello?" I heard my sister's voice.

"Doniya?"

"What is it, Zayn?"

I looked down at Avery. "Can you come pick me up from Henrietta's?"

"Can't you walk?"

"Remember how I called you earlier about Avery? Well, she's not dressed properly and it's still snowing. I don't want her to be any more ill than she already is."

There was silence for a moment before she sighed. "I'll be there in ten."

The line went dead. I pocketed my phone and propped my elbows on my knees. Avery stirred beside me and I looked down at her once again. Her head shifted so her face was exposed. I found myself hesitantly reaching out. My fingers found her hair, gently stroking it. With her muscles slack with slumber, she almost looked peaceful. I knew that when she would jerk awake later, her eyes would open with fear and caution.

I stopped myself, my hand freezing. The fact that I knew something like that about her surprised me. Avery mumbled something in her sleep and she turned again, causing my hand to jerk back into my lap.

A honk sounded from outside. I paused before prodding Avery gently in her shoulder. "Avery..." I said softly, but she just mumbled again. I decided against waking her and stood, scooping her into my arms gently. I stumbled slightly from her weight, but I easily regained my footing. I shut the lights to the cafe before opening the door to the cold world outside. I could feel Avery tense in my arms, subconsciously gripping my t-shirt in her small fists.

"Shh, it's okay," I soothed into her hair. It was only after I opened the door to the car and lay her in the backseat that she relaxed and let go. I made sure her feet were inside before gently slamming the door shut. I got into the shotgun beside Doniya, whose gaze was intensely set on me. "Thanks, Doniya," I said appreciatively, buckling in.

She nodded and turned to the front, pulling off of the curb. "So..."

"Not talking about it."

"But--"

"Seriously, Doniya," I cut sharply, looking over at her. She glanced at me, brow furrowed. "I'm tired, can we just go home?"

She hesitated a moment before nodding.