boys //ziam

chapter eighty-one

...

liam is actually relieved that zayaad is taking zayn to his place. he needed some space. he's happy that zayn made some progress, but generally his patience has been wearing thin. especially the snide remarks zayn tends to make.

he falls into his bed and closes his eyes. it's too early to fall sleep, but he just wants to rest. but like clockwork, he hears a knock on his door.

"come in theo," liam says. the door open and theo walks inside.

"how'd you know it was me?" theo asks.

"you're the only one that bothers to knock," liam says. "are you feeling okay?"

"yeah. i'm just checking in on you," theo says. "are you okay?"

liam smiles. "i'm okay, zayn is spending the weekend at his brothers, in case you're looking for him."

"want me to keep you company?" theo asks with a grin.

"sure bud," liam smiles to him.

theo grins at that and sits next to liam.

"so, how's school?" liam asks.

theo groans. "why is that always the default questions adults like to ask?"

liam chuckles. "you're right. but i do want to know,"

"schools sucks," theo laments. "and i don't want to talk about it."

"why? are you having some trouble?"

theo groans. "no, it's just boring and it sucks and i haven't spoken to you in ages i'd rather talk about something else."

liam smiles sympathetically. "you're right. forgive me for my overbearing adult ness." liam says. "how are you really? i've been so focused on myself i know i haven't been the best father lately."

or if i've ever been. liam thinks to himself. theo deserves so much better. all his kids do. if it was the other way around zayn would be stronger.

"i'm okay, and it's alright dad," theo says. it always melts liam's heart to hear theo call him that. "i know you're trying your best."

liam's phone starts ringing before he can say anything else. it's zayaad.

"sorry, i have to take this," liam says. zayaad rarely calls him unless it's absolutely important. he answers the phone. "hello?"

"liam, you need to get here," he starts with.

"why? what's happening?"

"it's zayn. i don't know what happened, he remembered something about harry and he's been shaking since. he won't say anything or respond to me, i don't know what to do," zayaad says frantically.

"try to give him some space, i'll be there right away," liam advises knowing that zayn remembered something about harry might lead to zayaad being all over him to get more information and might make zayn panic more.

"i'm sorry theo. i have to go,"

"it's okay," theo says. "is zayn okay?"

"he will be," liam assures. "take care of your siblings i'll be right back."

...

jordan feels uncomfortable as he knocks on elias door. he knows elias is at home because he asked if he could come over and elias gave him a cold reply.

elias opens the door and jordan walks in. "we need to talk."

"yes we do," elias says. jordan sees that elias is packing.