Revenge - English Version

Prologue

ZAYN POV

- I... um... I wanted to... well... - My heart pounds unevenly in my chest, so hard it actually hurts. My throat is dry, and the words seem to escape me. The hallway is filled with laughter and carefree chatter, but it all becomes distant when I look at her.

Damn it, Zayn, stop being like this! Just say it already!

I've spent months imagining how this day would go—the last day of school before everyone heads off to college. Days rehearsing how I'd say it, whether I even should. For some reason, I start paying attention to the little details around me: the sweaty smell from too many people crammed together, the metallic sounds of lockers slamming shut, the scent of bread from the cafeteria. All of it should feel normal, comforting, but instead, it feels suffocating.

But I didn't want to end this year full of regrets. I wanted, just once, to have the courage to say out loud what I really feel.

- Zayn, right? Your name's Zayn? - I nod awkwardly, adrenaline kicking in. Oh my God, she knows my name. Is that a sign?

- Zayn, I've got better things to do than waste my time with you. So, can you get to the point?

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Alexa, the girl I'm completely in love with. She's the most popular girl in school. Normally, that would be reason enough for me to avoid even looking her in the eyes, but her beauty, her charm... there's something about her, something that draws me in, something I can't ignore. Even if the only reason she knows my name is because I do her school projects.

As I watch her, a wave of hope and fear crashes inside me. I won't let it stop me. When she asks me for help with her math homework, she's kind. I hope that's the real Alexa—sweet and caring. It has to be.

Surely, this arrogance is just a front she uses to fool everyone else. But not me.

- I. Like. You. - The courage I had slips through my fingers, and I can feel the regret growing inside me like a shadow.

I look at her, nervous, waiting for any kind of reaction. Anything would be enough. The crowd around us starts laughing, curious faces surrounding us like lions ready to pounce on their prey.

She stares at me for a few seconds, as if I'm some kind of idiot, until she finally realizes I'm serious. Her laughter echoes through the hallway, catching everyone's attention, and the students gather around with curious, gleaming eyes, like they're watching a play—and I'm the star of the biggest comedy.

If regret could kill...

- Sweetheart, you and half the boys in school. - She's laughing so hard she can barely speak. I shrink into myself, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole. My face burns, and my chest tightens. This was the worst-case scenario. Something I hadn't even considered.

At worst, I thought she'd just ignore me and pretend she didn't hear.

- But with them I have no problem? Now you? You really think you have a shot, Malik?

The crowd starts to grow, and the pressure rises. I feel like I'm in an arena, and they're the lions, ready to tear me apart. Oh God, why did I ever think this would work?

- I-I...

-Sweetheart, take a good look at me.

And I do, while she runs her hands down her slim body, a body every guy in school would want to touch, even just once. I can't deny it, even now, even knowing I'm about to be humiliated again—she is the vision of perfection. Her brown hair falls in soft waves over her shoulders, she's wearing a tight, short dress that shows off everything the fabric is shyly trying to hide, and her eyes are the most dangerously captivating brown I've ever seen.

She's a goddess who's enchanted me, and I'm just a mere mortal, incapable of reaching her. - Now take a good look at yourself, Zack.

- It's Zayn.

- Whatever! You're just a nerd, with those thick glasses and your preppy clothes. I bet the highlight of your life is going to the movies with your precious calculator. You're a boring, bland, and forgettable kid I only talk to because you do my math homework. If your grades weren't so good, I'd mistake you for the crumbs on the floor and step on you. Please, you'll never even be in the same league as me, you four-eyed loser.

Her words cut like a knife, and the wave of laughter that follows is an echo of my own failure. My face feels like it's on fire, and the shame is suffocating me. I'm so done with this. All I did was admit how I feel. Was this necessary? No.

- What's going on here? - And as if the universe wanted to play a cruel joke on me, Nate shows up - the dark knight.

- Oh, you missed it. Our Zayn here actually thought he had a shot with Alexa. - I glare at Daisy; I hate that girl.

- What? - Louis shows up behind her, laughing hysterically. - Oh, poor nerd, did you really think she'd want you?

My blood boils, but I know better. I can't fight them; I'd get destroyed. I have to stay in my place.

- I-I...- My voice trembles, but before I can finish, Nate steps up, grabs my glasses, throws them to the floor, and crushes them with one swift motion.

I don't know what happened in that moment, I don't know what spark ignited or what broke along with my glasses. But I know that even though I had no chance, I threw myself at him and punched him in the jaw with everything I had.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to knock him down; he only staggered back a little. And in that moment, I knew I was done for.

- You're so f*cked, Malik. - Nate spits out before raining punches and kicks down on me. The laughter of the whole school echoes, and the disgusted stares cut me like knives.

I'm so sick of being the punching bag, sick of being bullied and mistreated. "You'll never be good enough for us, four-eyes." Her words echo in my mind. They don't know who the real Zayn Jawaad Malik is, but one day they'll know. One day they'll be forced to know.

- Stop!- Caroline's sweet, firm voice cuts through the chaos like a beacon of light.

- Oh, shut up, stupid girl, unless you want some too. - Louis yells, but she ignores him. She kneels beside me, and I wish I could protect her, but I have no strength. I never have the strength - I can't protect anyone, not even myself.

I lift my head, barely able to look at her, my eyes wide with panic. She smiles down at me, her hand on my face, a tear sliding down her cheek and fogging up her glasses. Behind her, Louis raises his leg, ready to kick her in the back.

- Touch her with even one finger, Tomlinson, and I'll break it in six places and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. - I hear Liam shout, Caroline's brother and my best friend. He lifts her up, then helps me to my feet, getting us out of there. But I can still hear...

- Why don't you stick with your little nerdy friend, Malik? She's perfect for you. Learn that you'll never be good enough for us. - Nate yells, and the crowd erupts into applause.

I feel stupid and insignificant. Humiliated again, and once more Caroline came to my defense, and I did nothing for her. Once again, if it weren't for Liam and the respect people have for him as the school's best fighter, I'd be in worse shape.

Year after year after year. I've always tried to be good, always tried to help everyone. Why? Why does this always happen to me? What do they have that I don't? Why are people so cruel?

But one thing is certain: they don't realize something's changing inside me. One day, they'll swallow every word they said. They've dimmed my light, but I'm about to reignite it in a way they never imagined. Revenge won't be just a whim; it'll be the way I show them that the real Zayn Jawaad Malik isn't some four-eyed loser, but someone who will rise and never be in anyone's shadow again. The game is over.