Instead of going to class, Jaimie grabbed his belongings and walked out of school right after the bell indicated it was time for the second part of the day. He would have football practice later that afternoon, but he would miss it again because he couldn't find the strength.
Walking out into the pouring rain, the young teenager rode the bus until he was close enough and walked home the rest of the way. With music playing loud in his ears, head low, Jaimie faced the rain. The cold rain sent shivers down his spine, but he used it to motivate him to keep moving and stay alert. He walked up the driveway, took out his key and opened the door.
Immediately, Julia's head popped out of the kitchen.
"You're early!" The woman frowned. "Way too early. Everything okay?"
"Yes," Jaimie responded dripping in the lobby.
"Where's your umbrella?"
"I forgot," Jaimie dropped his backpack on the floor with a splash. He didn't forget his umbrella - he just hated umbrellas and found them unnecessary against heavy rain.
"You're not going to football?"
"Not feeling well."
"You sick?"
The boy inhaled, taking off his blazer. Even answering questions exhausted him. "Yeah,"
"Wait, I'll get you a towel." The governess handed him the towel and the teenager dried a bit of his face. "Go take a warm shower or you'll catch a cold. Give me those."
Jaimie handed over the blazer, but quickly remembered something in his pockets. He went to retrieve the joints discreetly, finding them dry.
Then, removed the shirt and pants, giving his clothes to the governess. He placed a kiss on Julia's cheek, thanking her and then marched upstairs.
His mind was empty. Nothing going on inside but wind. He couldn't dare to focus on anything. He didn't like the idea of skipping classes and he knew that it would come to bite him in the ass but mentally...he was not in.
Closing the door behind him, the young man stood in his room in silence for what seemed forever. Just...the numbness taking over him.
The sound of thunder at a distance woke him up as Jaimie walked around his bed, opening up the window to the pouring rain. Sitting with his back against the bed, he opened the last drawer finding a lighter. Lazily, Jaimie lit one of the joints and took a big inhale watching the rain fall. Blowing the smoke into the air, Jaimie began to feel lighter. Slowly sinking into this numbness that allowed him to just exist in this plane.
Again, he thought about his dad and wondered what he was doing. For many, this relationship might seem odd. After all, Zayn was not biologically or legally Jaimie's dad. And it was true, it had been a decision that both Liam and Zayn had taken while married. Looking at it from a practical point of view, his mother was Cheryl Cole and his father was Liam Payne. Zayn had been just...someone.
And yet, Jaimie missed him. That longing translated into a physical ache at a point. He missed their conversations.
"How do I explain my family?" Jaimie asked once while eating ice cream. They were making time before watching the latest installation of a very popular comic book franchise. "Like...it's weird. You're my dad, but not really."
"Why wouldn't I be your dad?"
"Well...You know how babies are made, right?"
Zayn scoffed "Yes."
"But you didn't sleep with my mother nor did you give your sperm. So, technically, you are not my dad."
"Poppy is not your sister, then."
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FLO: I Am Not My Father's Son [Zarry Stylik AU]©️
FanfictionJaimie Payne is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Sitting atop his Payne pride, Jaimie refuses to acknowledge the space his dad, Zayn Malik, has left in his heart. To him, his Zayn abandoned him multiple times and disappointed him a few more...