Vulnerable (Zayn Malik AU)

Chapter 2

So far, the first day of my senior year had been eery. Zayn appeared in every class of mine but one. And, I couldn't help but feel like he'd be in that class too if he could. It was advanced ceramics, and the only reason he wasn't in it was because he had to take regular ceramics first. Which of course, I TA'd for. It was nice to have a familiar face in all of my classes, but to be quite honest, the way he stared at me freaked me out. It was nice at first, it made me feel pretty...but now I feel like I have something on my face. Or I'm afraid I'm going to fall and him see it.

I'd rather not.

It was lunch time, and I met up with an old friend from grade school named Kendall. She's highly obnoxious and tends to shove her opinions down people's throats, but it was better than being alone, right? The two of us met in the quad - the place most of the students hung out at during lunch. There's a small section with some tables to sit at, but the majority of it is trees, a couple hills, and some trash cans. The only thing separating the grass is the 8ft wide sidewalks that go through it to help you get to classes. Buildings surround the quad, each brick structure dedicated to a certain subject. There is the science building, the math building, the theater, the library, the cafeteria, and - where I spent most of my time - the art building.

"Hello? Earth to Daisy?"

"Sorry, what?" I guess I was better at ignoring Kendall than I thought. I barely heard her acknowledge me.

"I said who's the creep by the tree? He's totally been watching me this whole time. To the right. But don't make it obvious!"

I turned to see Zayn sitting on a hill in the middle of the quad, his back leaning on a tree. He was staring right at me, the same smirk he had all day still plastered on his face. But Kendall thought he was looking at her...was he?

"That's Zayn."

"You know him?"

"Not personally, but he's in every one of my classes."

"Then why is he staring at me? Ew." I scoffed at her assumption. His eyes were nowhere near her. Why did both her and Lilly think he was looking at them when he was clearly staring at me? He was staring at me...right?

"I'm sure he's not staring at you...he's probably just lost in his thoughts." I said.

"You better stay away from him, Daisy. He looks like trouble." I never said I was going near him, so her demand was strange. I could tell it wasn't because she was afraid...she seemed like she wanted him to herself.

"I'm not the one who needs to stay away. He's practically stalking me."

"Oh, gosh. As if anyone would take the time to do that." Ouch. She continued to laugh and shake her head as she pecked at her salad. I couldn't help but feel like she was right...



•••••



After an exhausting 30 minute lunch with Kendall telling me about her 'fun-filled' summer that consisted of bonfires, parties, and boys...it was time for my last class of the day. I didn't know if I'd be able to deal with Kendall every day. She was exhausting. We're two totally different people. She's popular, the girl every guy wants, the girl that every one watches at parties. I've never even been invited to a party. I didn't even know bonfires were still a thing until she mentioned it. I thought that type of celebration ended in the 50's. Just shows how much I was kept in the loop.

My last class of the day was intro to art. I'd been looking forward to it all day. Everyone spoke so highly of Mr. Morningside, saying he's the most relaxed teacher. I was excited to see for myself. 

When I walked up, the door was already propped open. I walked in to find the room empty. Even Mr. Morningside was gone...leave it to me to be first. I looked around the room and saw it was covered with previous students artwork. The room was full of tables rather than desks, each of them able to seat two people. The rectangular desks went around the room in a large U shape, and two desks were in the middle to form a large square desk. I decided to take a seat in the very back of the U, hoping the class was small and I'd be on my own. I prefer to work alone when it comes to drawing. Not to mention art is generally an underclassmen course, so I figured I'd be the only senior.

Students began to pile in, and eventually the teacher did as well, shutting the door behind him. I was still the only one at my desk, but there were people filling the desks next to me. As I suspected, the class was full of freshmen. The only person I recognized was the boy to my right. He was in my advanced ceramics class earlier in the day. I never did catch his name, though.

"Good afternoon, class!" A tall man with short, burgundy hair stepped in. He looked like a cartoon character the way his jaw was square and he had a triangular goatee. He was wearing a zip-up, grey hoodie. Not the typical look of a teacher, and odd considering it was a bit warm outside. But then again, he turned the AC on high when he walked in. He was probably a fan of the cold and living in denial. He was definitely holding up to his reputation at that point. "I hope you're all as excited as I am to start the new year. A bit of you freshies look nervous." He laughed poking one the of the smaller freshman's cheeks. "Don't worry, this class won't be like any of your oth-" He was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Whoops. Forgot to unlock the door." He said and ran to open it. "Well hello. Nice of you to join us. You in my class?" I couldn't see who was standing outside as Mr. Morningside kept the door cracked talking to them. "Alright, son come on in. What's your name?" He asked stepping aside.

"Zayn. Zayn Malik."

Of course. Of flipping course, I thought.

"Alright well lucky for you I haven't completely begun instructions. Go ahead and take a seat anywhere." There were a solid 8 seats open.

My thoughts were frantic. He better not come all the way back here. He hasn't even seen me yet so that's promising right? Maybe he won't notice I have this class. Crap. He saw me. Oh god. No. Don't come this way. Stop. STOP. Sit there. Ok there. No there. Back up! SIT THERE. I was freaking out as he passed the last open seat before the one at my table. Of course he was coming right for me.

"Alright. Now that that's out of the way....what was I saying?" Mr. Morningside asked the freshman he had poked earlier.

"That this class was different?" The short brunette tried his best to remember.

"Right! This class isn't like the others. In here, we don't take tests. I'm not going to waste your time, or mine. In fact, you don't even have assignments persay. I'm going to hand out these little drawing books. We'll call them 'portfolios'. As you can see, it has a blank, white cover. You can decorate it however you like, just make sure your period - 6th - is in the top right corner, and your name is visible." I shifted awkwardly as Zayn made himself comfortable next to me, his arm getting much too close to my own. "In these pads, you are going to draw whatever you like. Whatever inspires you." Mr. Morningside said as he handed each student their own portfolio. "I want to see creativity, passion.....art. The only way you'll fail, is if there are any blank pages left in this book. And if you run out of room before the year is over....add your own pages. There are 175 pages per book, and it's never enough for me. I add my own pages every year. Yes I do one too. I've done about 16 of these books. And I never run out of ideas. There are inspiring things around you everywhere. It's whether you choose to see them or not that matters." I got my book, and I couldn't help my excitement. New supplies always made me happy. Weird I know. I'm a bit nerdy when it comes to that.

I pulled a permanent marker from my pencil pouch and began to decorate the cover of my spiral book. "Every day when you come to class, bring your book. If you don't bring your book, I'll be giving you a blank piece of paper to draw on. I'm not expecting major works of art here. But, you will learn new techniques along the way that I hope you are excited to try." He continued. "I'll never force you to draw. You can't force creativity. But, I will make sure you have paper in case you become inspired. It's up to you to finish the book by the end of the year. So...good luck." He smiled and turned on the radio before taking a seat at his desk. I noticed that unlike all of the other teachers he didn't have a computer. All he had were his art supplies. I'm really beginning to like this teacher, I thought.

I continued to draw a pattern on my cover. I put my name at the center of the page, and the period in the corner as the teacher requested, drawing around the words. It was coming together nicely if I do say so myself. But, as I was trying to keep my focus, I couldn't help but be annoyed by the eyes on me.

I looked to my left to see Zayn watching my hands draw the intricate design. I cleared my throat, hoping it'd make him look away, but it didn't work. His eyes moved from my portfolio to my eyes, a small smile creeping onto his lips.

"Alright, Malik. What's your deal?" I whispered. The class was loud, but I didn't want to risk anyone hearing me except for him. I couldn't take it anymore. All the staring was driving me insane.

"What do you mean?" He chuckled. He still had that same, odd accent. Memories of the frightened boy I once saw flashed back at the sound. 

"You haven't said more than three words to me all day, and you're watching me like a hawk. Why?" I dropped my marker and crossed my arms, expecting an explanation.

"Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about?" 

"You're kidding right."

"I wish I was...but I'm not. I haven't been staring at you, love." My stomach fluttered at the way the last word rolled off of his tongue. But, I couldn't help but be embarrassed. He wasn't staring at me...just like everyone else, I had assumed.

"N-nevermind then. Sorry." I mentally hit myself for stuttering. Come on, Daisy. Don't look so pathetic.

"Quite alright." He smiled. "Could I bother you for a pen?" He asked and I tried to regain my composure so I didn't look like a total fool. I reached into my pencil pouch and grabbed one of my many pens. "I'll be sure to give it back." He reassured me.

"Keep it. I have tons." I leaned forward and continued drawing, allowing my hair to fall and cover my blushing cheeks.

By the time class was over, I made sure to hi-tail it out of there and rush to Lilly's truck. Of course being the person she is, she was taking forever. I slung my backpack off and onto the top of the cab as I leaned onto the door.

"Are you stalking me?" The familiar accent startled me.

"Hardly." I scoffed.

"Well you are standing by my bike....I feel it's a valid accusation." Zayn adjusted his bag and zipped up his jacket, getting ready to hop onto his bike.

"You parked by my bestfriends truck. And if anyone's a stalker it's you." The last bit fell out. I wanted to die. He already said he wasn't staring, and I had come to terms with the fact that it was all in my head. So why did I say that? Dang it, Daisy.

"Whatever you say, Dais." He laughed as he got onto the bike and put on his helmet, quickly roaring the red motorcycle out of the parking lot. My stomach was clenching and I tried to steady my breathing. There was only one person that had ever called me 'Dais', and it was Lilly....but the way he said it made my heart pound.

"Were you just talking to Zayn?" I jumped again as Lilly's voice rang from around the truck.

"Yeah, thanks to you." I said and got into the truck, pulling my backpack in. "You took forever." I scolded her.

"My class is across campus. We can't all have art class right by the parking lot, you know."

"Whatever."

"So tell me about you and loverboy." She cooed.

"Nothing to tell. He freaks me out."

"Why! He's smokin. I'd fuck him any day."

"Lilly!" I screamed. I hate her vulgar mouth sometimes.

"I know, I know. 'Would you kiss your mother with that mouth'. I get it." She mocked me. "I'm just saying, Daisy. The boy's hot."

"Boys like that don't go for girls like me, Lil. So it's really none of my concern." I said staring out the window.

"If you say so...."