Mad World (Zayn Malik)

Chapter 1

I sat slumped over the desk, with my maths book cradling my head. I absolutely hate exams, the only thing getting me through this one was the fact that this was the last exam I’d have to sit before being completely freed for holiday. “Ugghhhhhh,” I groaned.

“Suck it up, sugarcup!” my best mate Oliver slapped my back as he slid back into his seat next to me and set a cup of coffee in front of me.

“This may just be the end of the world Ollie,” I pulled my body up and grabbed the coffee, gulping it down.

“I sincerely doubt that Mads,” he sat humming to himself, drinking his tea as he flipped through his Sociology notes.

“How are you so positive right now? I’m certain death is near.”

“Just put everything in perspective, we have one exam left. Then you can go back home and laze on your couch and have your mum feed you again.”

“You make that seem like a bad thing, plus you know I’m not going home for holiday” I huffed.

He just chuckled in response as he ruffled my hair, standing up. He began packing up all of his books and such.

“What’s this? Are you leaving me?”

“I, unlike you, have nothing else to do to prepare. Plus I’m tired,” he smirked.

“Oi, don’t rub it in,” I cried, looking down at the maths text in defeat. Once Oliver left, I sat in silence. I pulled at my hair in frustration, my mum had always scolded me when I did that, always going on about ruining my beautiful ‘chocolate’ hair, as she called it. But it was a nervous habit that didn’t seem like it would ever go away.

I sighed, going over a couple more example problems, until I got to one I absolutely had no idea how to solve. It was one of those math problems that I had no idea how to even begin. I grabbed my coffee again, slouching in my seat and pushing my book away, giving up. I huddled into my forest green hoodie as I slid lower in my chair.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket. As long as I had completely given up I might as well distract myself from the inevitable depression as I fail my maths exam. After scrolling through my instagram feed and being utterly bored, I pull open my contacts.

He answers after only a few rings. “Why are you calling me at this ungodly hour?”

“Hello to you too then,” I laugh, leaning back in my chair the way my old Primary teacher always shouted at me not to do.

“What do you want Mads?”

“Aw Lou, don’t be sour, I’m only calling to catch up with my twin brother, since when is that a crime?” I pouted. It’s not as if I woke him, he answered too quickly for that to be the case.

“It’s 2 am, fine, how are exams?” I grinned in satisfaction at his obvious giving in.

“Why thanks for calling me to ask about my exams Lou, I knew you cared,” I laughed, cutting him off before he could protest. “I actually don’t think I will survive my Calculus exam, so take this as my goodbye as well.”

“I can’t believe people call me the dramatic twin,” he laughed. “You’ll be fine Mads, just remember to drink your tea and don’t think too hard, you’ll break your head.”

“Fuck tea, I don’t like drinking dead leaves, Lou.”

“You don’t deserve to call yourself a Brit,” he gasped. “You’ll surely fail!”

“Don’t be a twat! Is Eleanor there? She’s much better at consoling than you are, you fuckface.”

“Fine, love you too, Mad Mads,” I could almost see the smirk on his face as he called me by my childhood nickname.

I heard some shuffling on the other end. “Hey Madigan, you’ll be fine, Lou’s just in one of his moods,” Eleanor’s soothing voice filled my ears.

“Ah, he’s on his period, then?” I laughed. “I’m sure I will, I just hate Uni sometimes! How did your exams go?” Eleanor had finished her exams the week before, and I was ridiculously jealous.

“Oh I know! They were fine, I survived and so will you!”

“Ugh, you all are far too cheery right now,” I sighed.

“Oh come off it,” I could hear Lou in the background. “You’ll be fine, you were always the smart twin.”

“Just don’t worry, you’ll do fabulously,” El added.

“Yeah, yeah,” I succumbed. “Tell Lou I’ll call him when I’m done with the exam so we can talk about me moving, and all, love you guys.”

“Good luck Mads,” El ended, and I hung up and slipped the phone back into my pocket.

I looked around at my books and notes scattered around me on the table. Louis was right, it was an ungodly hour to be awake and studying, but my exam was tomorrow and I still didn’t feel as prepared as I wanted to. I yawned just at the sight of my book, I obviously wasn’t getting anything done and sleep would be more beneficial. I began the laborious task of packing up all of my supplies and haphazardly stuffing them all back into my rucksack.

 

I exited the library to the dark empty sidewalks, and began the trek back to my flat. I sighed, despite my always annoying him, I really did love my brother. It had been really hard my first term, being away from home and all my sisters and mum. But being away from Louis was always a lot harder on me. We were there for everything throughout the other’s life. When Louis left for X-Factor, I selfishly didn’t want him to make it, though I cheered along with the rest of my family. I knew he would make it, I had heard his constant singing my entire life. I just missed his constant presence.

I approached my building, looking up at the ancient brick monstrosity. I would miss this place during holiday. I only had one more year, studying Political Science at Oxford, and I was the last to admit it, but I was a little terrified of life after school.

I had an internship lined up in London in Parliament for the holiday. I was moving in with Louis for my time there to save on rent. I told him I didn’t want him to spend money on me, but secretly I was really excited, we hadn’t spent decent time together in ages. Our mum was thrilled of course. She loved seeing us spend time together now, though she used to hate it when we were young. She said she always knew when we were up to mischief because we’d lock ourselves in our room all day. And damn did we know how to make mischief, the Tomlinson twins were legend in Primary School for the number of times we were sat in the head’s office. Thankfully he fancied our mum, otherwise we probably would’ve been expelled ten times over.

I quietly entered my flat, or at least I tried to without waking my roommate. But quiet for me didn’t really exist. First my left boot accidentally flew a little too far and hit the sofa rather loudly as I kicked it off. Then I underestimated the weight of my books as I dropped my bag right onto my toe. “Fuck a duck,” I shouted in response.

“Just go to bed Mads, please,” I heard Mel call from her room in her usual ‘tired of your bullshit’ voice.

“Yeah, sorry Mel,” I called back, treading slowly to my room to avoid any other noises. I fell into bed, not even bothering to change out of my leggings and hoodie. During exams I held a strict comfortable clothing dress code. I barely wore bras even, though Ollie insisted that I did when we hang out. I passed out within a minute of my head hitting my pillow.