Forever and Always (A Zayn Malik FanFiction AU)

Chapter Three

Reese’s POV

I wake up in the morning and get ready for work. I hear the shower running and am glad Zayn is giving me a ride. I don’t know how I feel about him being back. He’s been gone for so long and going that long forcing yourself to believe the one person you care about is dead, is a hard thing to get over. I throw on a pair of slacks and a nice shirt. Today is arts and crafts day which really means broken crayons and mini paint fights day. In that case I might as well keep my hair up in a sloppy bun.  

I hear the shower stop and remember Zayn doesn’t have anything to change into. I go over to my dresser and pull out a pair of sweats and an old sweatshirt of his and walk to the den he is staying in. I open door and see a naked Zayn. My eyes rake over his body a few times before turning away.

“Um sorry. I should have knocked.”

“It’s fine. It’s not like you haven’t seen any of it before.” Even though I’m not looking at him I can hear Zayn’s smirk in his tone.

“I brought you something to change into.” I toss the clothes to him but keep my back facing him.

“Wow how’d you get these?”

“Before your family moved they let me go through a few of your things and I pick a couple of oversized sweatshirts and sweatpants to take. Are you dressed now?” I ask getting tired of having this conversation with my back turned.

“Yeah yeah I’m dressed.” I turn and face Zayn and see he’s smiling.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. I just can’t believe you have this.”

“I have more if you want them back you can...”

“No! No. You keep them.” He licks his lower lip before smiling again.

“Okay. Well I’m ready whenever you are.” He nods and we leave my place.

I give him the directions to my job but we mostly drive in silence. I’m just still trying to wrap my head around having Zayn back in my life. It seems surreal. Almost like I’m dreaming. I touch his hand that is on the gearshift and rub my finger lightly along his knuckle, just to make sure I’m not still sleeping and he won't disappear under my fingertips. We finally get to the school and I go to get out the car before Zayn stops me.

“Um, I will take your car to Tomlinson’s auto shop, and have Louis check it out for you.”

“Thanks. You can pick me up around 4. If that’s okay. If you have something else to do I can...”

“It’s fine. I will be here at 4. You have a good day at work Reese.” Zayn gives me his classic smile and I return it.

“Thanks. Bye.” I exit his car and watch him pull off.

God what am I doing? What are we doing? Hell what are we? Nothing makes sense. It’s not like it made sense before, but I knew how to handle that. This. With Zayn being back. I don’t know how to handle this. I walk to my class and am almost there and then I see those puppy eyes.

“Hey Reese.” Liam smiles and I do my best at returning it.

“Hey Li. I’m sorry about last night. I forgot about something and...”

“It’s fine Reese. I saw you get in the car with that guy.” Liam’s face drops slightly and I feel bad.

“I’m sorry Liam. It’s just Zayn and I have a complicated past and...”

“He’s your boyfriend?” I sigh at Liam’s question.

I don’t even know what Zayn and I are. I open my classroom door wider so Liam can step in and decide to tell him my entire history with Zayn. From our childhood to now. I watch him take in all the information and sigh when I finally finish.

“So you see. I don’t know what Zayn and I are yet. It’s complicated and I don’t even know what the 'it' is.  And I don’t want to drag you into anything until I’m sure what’s going on. You’re a good guy Liam and you will make someone really happy one day.”

“Thank you for being honest with me. I hope you and this Zayn guy really work things out.” Li gives me his puppy smile and goes back to his classroom to get ready for his second graders.

The day goes by quickly and the next thing I know it’s  4pm and I’m getting into Zayn’s rental car. I smile and so does he as we drive back to my apartment. Once inside I flop on the couch completely drained from work.

“You tired?” Zayn asks and I nod while yawning.

“Yeah.” He smiles and sits down with his legs stretched on the couch. He pulls me into his lap so I can rest my head on his chest. “You always were my favorite pillow.” I feel him laugh and drift off into a nap.

I don’t know how long I was out but it must have been a while. I look up and see Zayn is sleeping too, his lips parted and a soft snore escaping them. I smile and move the hair that has fallen into his face off of it. I just stare at him and watch as his face turns from peaceful to painful. His features twist into an uncomfortable position and he starts muttering incoherent words from his mouth.

Then he moves almost like he’s trying to run. I try nudging him awake but it doesn’t work. He stays in this nightmare before jerking upward knocking me off the couch lightly. He jumps up and looks around taking in his surroundings and when his eyes land on me he breaks into tears. I shuffle over to him and pull Zayn into my chest rocking him back and forth.

“It’s okay Zayn. I’m here.” I whisper lightly and he keeps crying. He grips tightly to my shirt and I keep rocking him back and forth. “I’m here babe. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Promise?” His voice comes out as a whisper and I nod.

“I promise Zayn.” He nods and his whimpers turn back into snores and he falls asleep in my lap.

I have no idea what that was. I’m just praying that it wasn’t what I think it was.

And that Zayn is not suffering from Post Traumatic Stress disorder.