One Direction One Shots

Zayn Autism (4)

(I guess the format isn't entirely #4 but I feel like making this #5 would be weird..? I don't know man, I don't know.)

INT. LOUIS' LIVING ROOM - DAY

Zayn sits with his friends Louis, Liam, Niall, and Harry in Louis' cozy living room. The room is filled with laughter and playful banter. The boys are comfortable around each other, except for Zayn, who remains silent, his face expressionless.

Liam: (teasingly) Come on, Zayn, you've got to speak up for once! We're your mates, you know?

Niall: Yeah, Zayn, don't be so quiet all the time. Let loose a bit!

Harry: (grinning) Maybe he's just secretly plotting world domination, and he doesn't want us to know!

The boys chuckle, thinking it's all in good fun. However, Zayn's silence is not because he doesn't want to participate but because he struggles with verbal communication due to his autism. He tries his best to hide his hurt feelings, but deep down, the words sting.

Suddenly, something snaps inside Zayn. His body tenses, and his face contorts with frustration. He lets out an anguished scream, raw and piercing, before storming out of the house.

The room falls into stunned silence. The boys exchange bewildered glances, unable to comprehend what just happened.

Louis: (whispering) Did Zayn... did he just talk?

Liam: (nods slowly) I... I think he did.

Niall: (concerned) But why would he scream like that? We were only joking.

Harry: (realizing) Maybe... maybe it was something more than just a joke to him. Maybe we hurt him without realizing it.

The weight of their words sinks in, and guilt washes over the boys. They realize that their assumptions and teasing had unintentionally caused Zayn immense pain.

EXT. STREETS - DAY

The boys frantically search the neighborhood for Zayn, calling out his name. They comb through parks, alleyways, and familiar spots, but he's nowhere to be found. Hours pass, and exhaustion sets in.

INT. ZAYN'S BEDROOM - MORNING

The next day, the boys wake up early, their faces etched with worry. They make their way to Zayn's house, determined to mend what they had unknowingly broken. They enter Zayn's room, and their eyes widen with concern.

Zayn sits on his bed, his eyes bloodshot, and his face stained with tears. The room is engulfed in a heavy silence. His pants are wet, a clear sign that he hasn't moved since the previous day.

Louis: (softly) Zayn...

Liam: (gentle) We're so sorry, mate. We didn't know... we didn't understand.

Niall: (sadly) We should've realized that it wasn't just a joke to you, Zayn. We should've been more considerate.

Harry: (reaching out) We care about you, Zayn. We're here for you, no matter what.

Zayn looks up, his eyes meeting theirs. He doesn't say a word, but the raw emotion in his gaze tells them everything they need to know. He's hurt, but he also sees their sincerity.

Louis: (softly) We're going to learn, Zayn. We want to understand and support you better. Can you forgive us?

Zayn's expression softens, and he nods slowly, a glimmer of trust returning.

Liam: (gently) We'll do better, Zayn. We promise.

The boys sit beside Zayn, enveloping him in a warm, understanding embrace. They remain there, silently comforting him, knowing that actions and empathy can speak louder than words.

550 Words