Beautiful

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Zayn's POV

"I can't believe it's already been a week since we won," Elle says. "Time passes too quickly." I simply nod, not having any specific words to say. Today's just our day to do nothing. And that's what I plan on doing unless something decides to ruin it all.

"You know, I'm really sorry about my uncle that day," I tell her. She looks over at me.

"Why? Nothing happened..."

"But he went off. For some reason, I was scared he was going to hurt you."

"Wait a second," she says. "What did you think he was going to do?" I freeze up and don't answer her. There's no doubt in my mind if he was drunk that he would've hit her. Or worse.

I shrug off the question. She doesn't pry for an answer. It's better left unsaid than spoken. She's probably assuming worse than I am.

I swing us gently in the hammock placed in her backyard. It seems I spend all of my time here at her house away from the madness at my own. It's fine though. She's my escape from the world and into our own.

I look to her as she faces the sky with her eyes closed. The sun shines on her, making her hair shine and her skin glow. She smiles to herself. I can't help but stare in complete awe. Elle looks like an angel. I'm not exaggerating for any reason. And in a strange way, she's my angel, my saving grace. How could she have actually approached me in the first place? I was the outcast. She was the popular girl. How could two separate people come together like that? I guess they can because we did.

I grab her hand gently in mine. She turns and looks at me with her light grey and blue eyes. Her smile doesn't fade, but grows bigger. I give a small grin in return.

"You're really beautiful," I tell her. Her cheeks begin to turn a bright pink.

"You know, I think I've figured you out," she says.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I've figured mostly everything out. I know the answers to all of my 'Why?' questions. There's just one more thing I can't put my finger on," she says.

"Let me know when you figure it out, Sherlock." She laughs.

"You'll be first."

We both look to the sky, searching for clouds or simply thinking. The breeze gently blows, rustling the treetops and wind chimes. A gentle ringing fills the air.

"Tell me a story," she says.

"What kind?"

"Tell me about your mum. What was she like?" she asks. I take a deep breath, hoping I say the right things.

"She was the best, really. She did everything for me. She supported me, helped me, and she loved me a lot just like any mum would. You know?" She gently nods as a small smile forms on her lips. "She would've loved to meet you. I can imagine her face if she saw you. She'd treat you like you were her daughter. And of course, she'd offer things to gossip about. She would've asked me if you were her future daughter-in-law. I don't know, Elle. You would've loved her."

"And I would've loved to meet her. And my mum is absolutely in love with you. She even asked if you were her future son-in-law. Weird, right?" I laugh and agree.

"What about your dad? You don't talk about him much," I ask. She tenses up a bit. I'm afraid I struck a deep nerve. But she relaxes again and begins to explain.

"I loved him my whole life. That is until he left us. After Tyler, uhm, passed, he divorced my mum, left her all custody of me, packed up, and left. I haven't heard from him since I was eleven. It's been seven freaking years, Zayn. I'm sure he's got some whore for a girlfriend now. I'm not sure. He could be in jail for all we know. He was a really good person. Until Tyler's death. He didn't take it well. He started blaming us. So things didn't work well. I feel better off with just mum now. You know?"