Further On (Zayn Malik)

Chapter 27

Chapter 27;

We get back to the house late, we just caught a movie and the boys are knocked out. Arielle carries Joel while I carry Noah upstairs and she still seems a little off.

"Are you going to tell me who that was?" I ask her as she takes off her clothes and puts on a big t-shirt.

"It was Olivia." She says flatly.

"Yeah, but who is she?"

"An old friend." She says distracted as she pulls the blankets over her belly.

"Stop being coy. Tell me exactly who she is."

"An old high school friend. She had the biggest crush on you but I didn't know about it until I slept with you." She explains. "She's the one who told my parents about the virginity thing."

I knew it.

"She hated me." She stares into the distance. "She didn't mind telling me a few things she thought about me. She made sure I had zero confidence left."

"Then why was she your friend?" I ask, snuggling up to her.

"I just lived with it. I didn't want to be alone at times. When she found out me and you....ya know, she told me that it was the most stupidest thing I've ever done, I'm going to hell, God hates me, she said it all. Then she told my parents and they got mad at me and asked me who it was and-"

She breaks down in sobs, unable to finish her story.

"I hate talking about it." She sniffs. "It still hurts me."

"It's okay," I console, rubbing her back.

"I disappointed so many people in my life." She begins. "I disappointed my friends, my parents, you."

"You've never disappointed me."

She nods and looks up at me with tears in her eyes. "You just don't remember the things you've said to me."

"Why. Why did she have to come back into my life and resurface these memories. I hate it!"

"Calm down." I caress her head.

"Get off of me." She pushes me away.

Here she goes...

Sighing, I sit up against the headboard, running my hands up and down my face.

"She made fun of me when we were around guys." She mumbles.

"Don't call or text her."

Her eyes widen. "No, I have to. She'll be mad at me if I don't."

Was there ever a time where there wasn't someone running her life? It makes me feel like an even bigger asshole. Had I known what her mom and friends put her through I would've. . .  I wouldn't have done anything. I was young and stupid and taking all my anger out on her and she, not even once, deserved any of it.

"I'm calling her first thing in the morning." She decides and pulls the covers back over her.

"Can I cuddle with you again or are you going to push me away?"

"I'm hungry." She pouts.

I roll my eyes and get out of bed to fix her something to eat.