The Man Who Stayed [Ziam AU]

VI

The next day, in Arts class, Liam is looking for Zayn.

He's not around yet, and Liam is bothered about that. Not only because of the pairwork, but because he hasn't seen him yet.

Oftenly, if he goes to class, Zayn is already there.

Maybe he'll be late. Liam thought.

But, the problem is they already started the first class. And yet, Zayn is still not there.

Maybe he have a family meeting? Or outing? Gathering? Is he sick? Date? There's a lot of things in Liam's mind but he don't prefer the last one.

He's not jealous.

Okay, maybe a bit.

But all he can think of now is the bell rang for Arts. He simply sighed, sitting on his seat, taking out all the art materials he has borrowed from his mother.

Liam planned for this--what they're gonna do. They will talk about what happen in PE class, what is javelin for Zayn, everything. He want to spend this time with him because Zayn really barely talk. He thought he can make Zayn talk more. But well, not all things can be done. Especially if you planned them.

When their teacher greeted them, they stood up as a respect and allowed them to sit again, they all sat then a knock on the door was heard.

Liam quickly look who's there, hoping for Zayn.

But he's wrong.

It's the disciplinarian of the school. Someone in the school is getting a punishment for not going to his detention and yeah, they forcefully tell Marcus (Liam think) to go with them.

When the disciplinarian got Marcus, she knocked again.

"Here's Malik. I talked to him earlier, he have an excuse." She said and their teacher thanked her and Zayn nodded, going to his seat.

Liam, on the other hand, is already thanking all the gods above about it.

Zayn is here. He is here.

>>>>

"Hey, Zayn!" Liam greeted enthusiastically when he sat beside Zayn. They'll do the pair work now. Zayn just look at him and nodded, making Liam pout.

"You're so silent." Liam said, then Zayn just looked at him, finishing the pattern he was sketching yesterday.

Liam sighed, "I brought some things." He said, showing Zayn all what he had borrowed from his mum. Zayn gaped, He brought all what I should have bought the day we saw each other at the artshop. Zayn thought, and his expression made Liam smile.

It is pretty obvious Zayn like arts.
"Now, what are we going to do?" Liam asked innocently, mischievously moving the art materials in front of Zayn.

Zayn shook his head, "I have to finish this pattern for us to start, I got others, though. Pick what you want to paint or whatsoever." The lad handed him an envelope, which Liam immediately open, just wanting to see Zayn's artworks.

All of it is in an oslo paper, drawn neatly.

One is a sunset, a simple one but impressive. One is a heart, the real figure of a human heart, being 'taken care' of two hands.

"Done," Zayn uttered, handing Zayn the last sketch he had done for an option.

Two children, both boys, playing with a paper plane.

Liam never thought he will find drawings so deep, but here he was, thinking of what does his drawings mean.

"Um, they're from just, crazy memories." Zayn explained, coughing a bit. "The heart is about dad, mom, and me. That's all I could say. Now, have you chosen what you want to color?"

"Uh, should I pick this one?" Liam showed the latest sketch.

"I said you want, so you pick, silly." Zayn giggled a little.

And damn, that was an endearing giggle. He blushed when he noticed Liam was looking him with fond.

"You're cute, you know?" Liam mumbled, making Zayn arch a brow. "Um, not in a malicious way, uh, cause I barely see you blush and giggle. Yeah, so, uh, yeah. I better color this sketch. It's beautiful, by the way."

Zayn hid a smile. His heart is palpitating.

>>>>

"Done!" Liam whispered-yelled when he was done colouring the sketch Zayn made.

It was colored with different bright colors, making it look like coloured by a mature kid.

Zayn smiled timidly, "It had a life." He commented.

"Well, yeah, thanks for the color pencils." Zayn bit his lip, containing his smile from Liam's simple joke or comment (?).

He's been smiling at everything Liam does.

"So, while we still got 5 minutes, can we talk a bit?" Liam asked, making Zayn nod.

This was Liam's plan. They'll talk about something.

"So, um." Liam started, feeling shy, "Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?"

And yes. That was the first thing he had asked.

Zayn shook his head, and Liam nodded in relief.

"Um, best friends?" Liam asked.

"Two were gone, one was Lou." Zayn answered. "You?"

"Best friends? Of--"

"Girlfriend or boyfriend?" Zayn said. "I know your bestfriends, it's not difficult to not see people around with their greatest friends."

Not you, though. Liam thought but answered Zayn's question anyway. "I'm single, but not yet ready to mingle."

"Oh, I--"

And the bell rang.

"Okay class, don't forget your names on your pair artwork, then pass it forward, finished or not."

"See you." Zayn said to Liam, passing their work.
-:-:

• dedic to: BiancaSalgau :)

thanks also for the feedback, guys! :) xx