The Man Who Stayed [Ziam AU]

IV

Monday came and all Liam got in the weekend is the sweet but meaningful smiles of Karen. It is strange.

Does she know he is bisexual? If yes, why is she okay with that? If no, why does she kept giving those smiles?

It was unusual, but now it is often. But all in all, Liam can only think of the stupid project they have to work-on in Arts.

"So, yeah, guys... This is for doubles.. and I will pick your partners." their teacher said and the students groaned in annoyance.

"Not again!"
"Don't wanna be paired with some useless wimp, ugh."

Whinged the class, but there, Liam is just silent.

"Shh! Shut up now. It's my order. Now okay, let me pair you." Sir Bills, the Art teacher, told then held his class record.

"Hm, okay. Salmon with Molina. Tophy with Emenie..."

And so on. Liam just wait for his surname and tapped his hands.

"Malik with Payne."

He heard his teacher said and that enlighten his mood.

I'm going to talk to him! He happily thought.

"Okay, so now that you get your partners.. I want you to go to them, talk about what you should sketch or paint, and after two minutes, I'll dismiss." Sir Bills said to the class and Liam stood up, earning to see a Zayn Malik waiting for him, not in a smile but still. He is waiting.

"Hi," Liam said and smiled. "Can I sit?"

Zayn nodded.

"Okay, thanks." Liam seated then tapped his fingers, feeling an awkward scene between them.

"So.." Zayn whispered. "I have paintbrushes at home."

Liam grinned, "Yeah, I saw you last Saturday in the artshop, buying a paintbrush. Do you saw me?"

"I.. wanna try those paintbrushes, maybe you can bring variant colors of paints." Zayn didn't answer the question.

Then the bell rang. Without Sir Bills saying he's dismissing,

Zayn stood up and quickly left the room. "Excuse me."

That was not enough. Liam thought, sighing.

>>>>

"Hey, seems like Liam's sad, huh?" Niall stated when he saw Liam coming towards their table.

"No," Liam said and sat beside the blonde. "Just tired, bit sleepy." He lied, keeping to himself that he is disappointed that Zayn doesn't like to talk to him. He then noticed there's no Louis around.

"Where's your boyfriend?" Liam asked Harry.

"I don't even know, he said his coach will talk to him." Harry shrugged and Liam nodded.

After few minutes, Louis came.

"Hey," the lad greeted.

"And where the hell are you?" Harry asked and Louis smirked.

"Jealous." The latter said and sat beside him.

"Okay, so, Ed told me he will throw a party this weekend. Everyone is invited too." Niall stated after he eat his meal. "Just going to ask you if you can come with me?"

"Maybe I can." Liam said.

"Hey, Louis, let's go?" Harry asked his boyfriend.

"Oh, um, I don't know." Louis face-palmed.

"Why so? Tommo, huh. Being an anti-party?" Niall teased, chuckling.

"No." Louis answered, "It's just Z-- nothing. Okay, I might be going."

"Alright!" Niall exclaimed, but Liam think about why Louis has to decline. "I will tell Ed, be sure you'll come. I'll drag you out of your houses if you don't!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Harry said and chuckled.

>>>>

It was their PE (physical education) class that day when their teacher said they will be throwing javelin.

Liam was kind of tired, so he groaned in annoyance, knowing he'll be needing to change clothes and do things there and then.

He glimpsed at Zayn... the boy seemed interested. Or excited otherwise, in the look in his eyes.

When all the other boys left the boys' room, Zayn stood up from his seat, grabbing his PE bag, and Liam decided to go first in the boys' room and wait for Zayn. He is sure the Zayn will change for PE clothes.

Liam went to a cubicle where he decided to change clothes, and well, when Liam started to hear footsteps, he casually walked out the cubicle he was in because he's already finished changing and he's pretty sure Zayn already walked in.

There, Zayn stood, gaping when he saw Liam.

"Hi, Zayn." Liam greeted and started to brushing his hair with his hands like it's necessary. "Are ya goin' to change clothes? I like javelin. Do you?" Liam lied.

He don't actually like javelin, neither he hate it, but well, he's in a neutral phase so maybe, he can grow to like it? Since Zayn looked really excited about the stuff.

"Well, yea. Um, it's cool." Zayn said as he started to grab his PE clothes from his bag. "Aren't you going there?"

And Zayn lost it. He's talking too much for his liking.

Without waiting for Liam's answer, Zayn stepped in the cubicle Liam was in and started to change.

And yes, Zayn is growing weirder than Liam thought.

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