Half A Heart

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Prologue 

Zayn was a small town boy. He never went anywhere but he did have the urge to go away from all those people who didn't have anything better to do than to talk about what didn't concern them. Everyone knew each other, and that really wasn't a good thing. When people know too much, people talk too much. After twenty years in Bradford, he just couldn't handle it anymore.

He even felt suffocated in the walls of his own home. His alcoholic father and he loved each other, of course, but it was really hard to live through every day knowing that it's going to be the same. Yelling, cursing, pleading, crying and fighting, every single day.

Zayn needed to get away and college was his best chance to do it. So, when he got into college in London, he took the chance and fled. He just couldn't take it anymore. He was sorry for leaving his mum alone, but his sisters were there to support her and to take care of her.

Another thing he was leaving behind was his best friend, Niall. Maybe it sounds weird, but that's what hurt the most. Niall was his friend, his brother. They went through everything together and they needed each other to get through the day. And he was leaving him alone. There was Greg, Niall's brother, but he was older than both of them. He didn't always get them and their problems, but helped them nonetheless. And Zayn loved him too, adored him. He had his own sisters, but he knew that he'll never have with them the same relationship that he has with Horan brothers.

That was a lifetime thing, and he knew it. They'll never leave each other.

When the day of his departure came, Zayn had a nervous pit in his stomach, but he knew that he had to leave. It was for the best. He was going to study and he was going to make something of himself. He's going to leave that shitty town once and forever. He'll be an English major and he's going to have a good job, a nice life with a person he loves. All of the people he loves will be next to him, all of them happy and satisfied he made it. And he'll tell them that he made it because of them. That's why he promised himself he won't cry. He'll go and he'll be strong.

His mom cried the most. She was happy he was doing something with his life, but he was her only son and it was hard to let him go. He hugged her tight and promised to call every day.

Niall took him to the train station. "Hey buddy", Niall smiled, but the tears in his eyes were obvious. Zayn knew him. He was suppressing his tears too. "You'll be okay, you know? We'll all be fine. I'll take care of your mom, and I'll take care of Greg, 'cause I know you need me to do it. The fucker might be older than us, but he's a right idiot."

The both laughed at that. Then they went silent. The silence stretched and it was interrupted when they announced that the train for London was leaving in five minutes. When Zayn turned to say goodbye, even so chocked up, he got an armful of Niall.

Zayn hugged him back just as hard. "It's gonna be fine, Ni. I just need to know you'll be okay. We'll still be in touch. We'll text and chat and Skype and I'll be back home as soon as I can. Don't worry, babe. We'll be okay. We always are." Zayn pulled back and took his bag in his hands.

Niall chuckled. "Stop it, we sounded so girly right now, man." His smile faltered but it was still there. The way his eyes crinkled was so endearing that Zayn thought about missing this train and taking another one, just to stay here hugging his Irish friend. "I'll be fine. Go now, you'll miss the train." They hugged again and Zayn started towards the queue to get his ticket. He took one last look towards Niall, but he was already gone. Zayn understood. It was hard on both of them.