Soft Spot (Zayn Malik)

VIII

Chapter VIII: Never Really A Proper Goodbye

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Around two o'clock, I woke up to an empty bed. I creased my eyebrows, panic overflowing my veins at the thought of Zayn just leaving without even saying a goodbye. I didn't really feel like dealing with Precious and Shanon the next morning. I mean, it's not like I mind - they're very interesting and welcoming people, I just can't help but feel awkward around them. Didn't Zayn took me out to 'properly say goodbye' anyway?

"Shh," I heard him whisper, "I'm here."

I sighed in relief, knowing that he hasn't left. I don't think Zayn is the kind to just leave without any warning. After all, he did wait for me to wake up in the hospital before he left the first time.

I forced to open my eyes and propped myself up on the bed with my elbow, looking for the familiar shadow in the room. I rubbed my sleepy eyes groggily before finally spotting him by the window.

"Can't sleep?" A smile filled his tone.

"Zayn?" I whispered softly.

"I'm right here." He raised his hand up, puffing a smoke out of his mouth.

"Are you smoking?" I frowned.

"Just a 'lil to get rid of stress."

"That's not good for you, Zayn."

"Neither is staying up," he chuckled, "you have school tomorrow, Arvi, go back to sleep."

I climbed out of bed almost angrily and dragged myself towards him, getting the drag of cigarette out of his mouth and quickly extinguishing it on the ashtray when we were a couple of inches away.

"Go back to bed with me." I whispered, locking his hands with mine.

"Alright." He whispered back, tugging me into a tight hug right after.

I hugged him back before leading him on the bed like it was my own, going back to our previous cuddling position. He played with the long strands of my hair, and we endured the undefeaning silence between us.

"What time do you have to leave?" I whispered, barely destroying the peacefuly silence between us. I'd have to admit that I liked it better when we didn't argue.

"Five." He whispered back.

"Why do you have to leave?"

"Stuff."

"It's not proper to ask me with one word responses." I smirked.

"It isn't proper either to mock someone." He smirked back.

"Don't leave." I sighed.

He entwined his fingers with mine, pulling me closer if it was even possible due to our current position. I rested my head into the crook of his neck, taking his scent in - now a mixture of smoke and cologne. It was a comfortable smell though, and it was odd because I hated the smell of smoke.

"I don't want to leave," he murmured, "I want to stay here and keep you safe. I want to stay here and hold you forever, just right here."

"That would be nice." I smiled.

"Mhm," he smiled back, "would you still be mine by the time that I get back?"

"I guess it depends on how long you'll be gone, Zayn." I answered, surprised at the fact that I was letting him hold me as his possession again.

"No," he grinned cockily, "you'll always be mine."

I just smiled at his words, letting my energy collapse into his body. After that, we fell silent. But it wasn't awkward at all. It was actually a pretty comfortable silence. The silence where you could just fall asleep to. And with that, I did. I fluttered my eyes shut once again and fell asleep wrapped in the fifth ass' arms.