Stand - Zayn Malik AU

Chapter One

Ella

After the fifth day at the hospital I was ready to go home. I was ecstatic to get out of this dreaded building. I have been fine for three days now but my mother insisted on me staying longer, just to ensure that nothing else was wrong.

A groan escaped my lips as I slid out of the uncomfortable hospital bed and pull down the thin fabric of the hospital gown. I dragged my feet towards the little bathroom and shut the door. The white and blue tiled floor sent a chill up my body. I turn towards the mirror and let out a faint gasp. The girl in the mirror doesn't look like the girl I saw just six days ago. Her usual dirty blonde hair would reach just below her shoulders in loose waves, now it's tangled and random strands fly in different directions. Her usual bright blue-grey eyes would shine now they have turned a pale blue and bags surround them with a black eye on the left. I take a moment to look at the damage.

There's a faint hand print on my throat. It's laced with red, purple, and blue swirls. He was gripping my throat so tightly that night. There's also a black and purple bruise covering the whole left side of my face. Jacob didn't rest when it came to hitting me, even when I was unconscious. The right side of my face has stitches from the lamp and my wrists and stomach have bruises as well. That night when I closed my eyes, I was honestly ready to go. I don't get why he did this. I don't understand what I did to make him hate me. He really messed me up. Mentally. Physically. Forever; I'm going to remember this entire thing forever.

Possibly one good outcome came out of this mess. I met many lovely people in the hospital. Gloria is the sweet old German woman in the next room. I'm not sure why she's hospitalised but I know it's terminal. She doesn't like to talk about it. Austin is the rebellious teenager with an amputated leg who's fighting against osteosarcoma. I don't know much about cancer, other from what I learned through a John Green novel. There is also a wonderful, outspoken, Italian man named Vince. He is never afraid to speak his mind and sometimes starts arguments with the nurses. He had a few ulcers. Vince was supposed to be getting released soon in the next couple days.

I couldn't stop staring at all the damage Jake has caused me. After letting out a sigh and forcing a lump down my throat, I grabbed the small mail cart that was left in the corner of my room. My mother always told me that I was destined to work harder at anything than anyone else ever was. Because of my extended stay, I thought helping do little things around the hospital would give me some sort of normality after what he took from me.

I gulped down, remembering the pain I've been trying to suppress for the past few days. I didn't want to think about it. I didn't even feel comfortable with doctors touching me. My mom understood what I went through and requested a female doctor in exchange- but regardless I felt empty. I felt like he stole my whole life. I wasn't ready for any of what Jake had done. I don't think anyone could be ready for rape. All I can really do now is get better and try to move on. Slowly but surely.

Doing my normal rounds of delivery, not many of the patients had much to say this afternoon. It's kind of like there's news that makes the tension really thick. Why? I wasn't entirely sure, but being the curious person I am, I intend to find out.

"Austin?" I mumbled, fumbling through various letters to find his. He looked up at me with eyebrows peaked. "Why is everyone quiet today?"

He scrunched his shoulders up and down. "It's probably nothing. Johnson was really sketchy today, but that bloke is unpredictable. It'll blow over soon." I blinked at him a few times and nodded.

Dr. Johnson was one of the doctors here. He seemed fine enough, from stories I've heard at least. My doctor was Dr. Jackson and she's been decent enough. Nice- That's the word. I'm not sure what dictates a platonic doctor-patient relationship considering I've only been sick enough for a medic once before.