Vulnerable (Zayn Malik AU)

Chapter 8

"DAISY!" I was robbed the warmth of my blanket, a screech falling from my lips as the fresh cold air nipped at my newly revealed skin. "Dude! Did you not set your alarm?! Get up!"

I rolled over to see a frustrated Lilly. "What time is it?"

"It's 7! Get your ass up!"

"What?!" I jumped up, grabbed my bra and a plain white t-shirt, quickly throwing them on. Lilly and I changed in front of each other all the time, so she didn't mind. The second I got my arms and head through the shirt, a new pair of jeans were thrown at me. I slid on the ripped, denim pants, and ran to get a pair of socks out of my dresser.

"Do you want your boots or..."

"No hand me my old Nikes."

"Daisy, those things are trash." She scorned my favorite sneakers.

"They're comfortable." I said as I pulled on my mis-matched socks.

"Yeah because you've worn them way past their intended lifespan."

"Just hand them to me."

I slid them on without even untying them. I hadn't tied them in at least a year, so I was able to just slide them on and off. Lilly's never liked those shoes. They're a little ripped up, but they still did their job...and that's all that mattered.

I sat down in front of my mirror and grabbed my makeup bag.

"You don't have time for makeup!"

"Just foundation! C'mon! Make yourself useful and go toast me a poptart, please."

She huffed all the way to the kitchen as I covered my face. After about ten seconds, I was done and stood up. I took my hair down from its bun, and grabbed my backpack, heading out to Lilly.

"Alright let's go." I said as I passed the kitchen. It was Friday and our projects were due in Econ. We couldn't be late.

"Your poptart is still toasting!"



•••••



"You don't think he's gonna make us present do you?" Lilly asked as we got out of her truck.

"I sure hope not...I don't understand ANYTHING Zayn had me copy."

"He did all the work for you? Lucky. My partner had no budget and seriously did like nothing." She complained.

"Dais!" I heard someone call from behind me. I turned to see Zayn jogging up to me. Wow. We must really be late. "You ready to turn in our project?" His lips curved up and I couldn't help but smile with him. I like the way he says 'our'. We share something, and he's proud to say it. I don't know why, but I like that.

"I was born ready, Malik." I said confidently as the three of us walked to class.

"Ha alright, Toomey." He nudged me with his elbow, and I couldn't help the laugh that fell from my lips. He makes me so giddy.

We walked into Econ right as the late bell rang, and I freaked out a little inside. I made a mental note to never let that happen again.

"Running late as usual I see, Zayn." Our condescending teacher said. For a short grey haired man with chipmunk cheeks, he really had no right to judge people. Especially Zayn. "And Daisy! how unlike you!" I ignored his comment and followed Zayn to our desks. "Alright. Now that everyone's here, please copy today's objective."

I pulled out my planner and looked up at the board.



Friday, August 23rd:

-Homework: CH2 vocab

-Present Projects



I'm sorry...WHAT? We have to present?! He never said we'd have to present. I mean, yeah, I was afraid we would but I thought I was just being pretentious. Oh my gosh.

I tried my best not to panic as much on the outside as I was on the inside.

"I'll draw names at random. We probably won't finish today. If you don't go today, you're lucky. We won't continue. I just want a couple of groups to come up so others can see if they did it correctly." So I don't HAVE to go up. Thank goodness.

Mr. Trig reached into a cup full of popsicle sticks that I assumed he put our names on, and began to draw. "Alright. Toby and Ashley?"

"We didn't do it."

"Um...ok? I gave you a week, but that's alright." He said sarcastically and reached back into the cup. "Peter and Mariah?" He called, looking for their faces. "They're both gone... convenient." He reached into the cup again. "Ah! Daisy. Would you and your lovely partner like to show us what you've got?"

"...not really." I slouched into my desk.

"Great! Come on up!" Obviously I didn't have an option.

I looked at Zayn, positive my face was already red with nerves, but he turned to me with a smile. "I've got this, Dais." He said, grabbing my wrist and tracing light circles with his thumb. "C'mon." He stood up first, and I complied, following him to the front of the class.

"So what did you two come up with?" Mr. Trig took a seat in an empty desk up front as if he were one of the students and Zayn and I were leading a lecture. I could practically see my face start to glisten with sweat.

"Well, I make $600 a week, and Daisy makes a measly $200." He made me sound so cheap. "So we decided I handle the groceries, utilities, toiletries, and anything I need for myself. She pays for gas and what she needs."

"I see...so why are you handling everything?" Mr. Trig asked.

"Because I make more."

"Ok, let's say you JUST met her." Mr. Trig began. "She put an ad up needing a roommate, and you responded. You're just going to pay for all of that stuff even though you just met her?" He asked, raising his eyebrows at Zayn.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because when a beautiful young lady is in trouble, you do the best you can." My heart, along with every girl in the room, fluttered. 'Aw's echoed throughout.

"Ah. I see we have a gentleman on our hands." The way he talked down to Zayn angered me to the core. His words would've been nice if they were sincere, but everything sounded sarcastic when he said it to Zayn.

"Only trying to listen to what my mum has always taught me." Zayn shrugged, obviously not noticing the condescending man in front of him.

"Well alright. You may take a seat then." He gestured for our notebooks and we placed them on the desk he was sitting in.

"See that wasn't so bad right?" Zayn asked as we slouched back into our desks.

"Definitely not. You did all the talking." I laughed.



•••••



"Good morning, sir." I joked as I walked into Advanced Ceramics.

"Mornin, ma'am." Franky laughed as I pulled up my stool.

"Morning to you too, Paul." I smiled at him and he shyly waved. Since Tuesday I'd said hello to him at the beginning of class every day. He didn't jump anymore, but was still timid. I felt bad for the guy. "So, your pot is looking good." I complimented him.

"Thanks." He looked away quickly and went back to constructing his coil pot.

"Can you help me for a second?" Franky asked.

"Yeah what do you need?"

"Hold this." He said gesturing to a bowl on top of rolled-out clay, needing to trace a circle.

"So, how's life?" I asked. We hadn't talked much that week. It had been pretty awkward in class. I just didn't have anything to say.

"It's good, you?"

"Good. Any plans for the three-day weekend?" I asked.

"Uh....well I'm having a party tomorrow."

"Oh!"

"Yeah. I was gonna invite you...but...um...you didn't seem to enjoy it last time?" He didn't sound convinced with his own reasoning.

"I did! And I'd love to come." I lied.

"You don't have to, Daisy."

"Franky if you don't want me there, just say so." I let go of the bowl as he cut the last bit of clay.

"No, no! That's not it. I just...I don't know. You can come if you want."

"Oh, thanks." I said sarcastically.



•••••


I rolled over to check my phone, the time reading 3:24 PM. "Jeez. Lil, wake up." I nudged her.

Lilly stayed the night at my house. We were up until like 4 in the morning watching sad movies. I don't know why, just needed a good cry I guess.

"Unnnn." She mumbled into the pillow.

"Dude it's half past three. We slept eleven hours. Get. Up." I ripped the blanket from her like she did to me when I wouldn't get up.

"Ugh. Why am I so tired then."

"I don't know." I sighed. "What do you wanna do today?" I asked. I decided last night I'm not going to the party. Franky obviously doesn't want me there.

"I have plans."

"What?! What plans?" Another Saturday night alone I guess.

"You remember the guy I told you about right? Mik? Well he invited me to a party. At that Franky guy's house."

"And you're going?" She nodded. Unbelievable. "Me too."

"What? I don't know, Dais...I was invited. I don't think it was a plus-one invitation." She twiddled with the bottom of her shirt.

"Franky invited me yesterday, Lilly."

"Oh! Ok. What are you gonna wear?" I hadn't thought about it. I wasn't even planning on going.

"Um...I guess my black crop top, with my Aztec black and white jeans."

"With your DMs?" She said, obviously not wanting me to settle for my old Nikes.

"Yeah I guess."

"You gonna curl your hair?"

"Uh, no. I need to shower. I'll just blow dry it straight." I stood up, deciding to get the day going.

"Oooh! Yeah! Do that. You never wear your hair straight."



•••••



I was ready in under an hour. Lilly took longer than I did. She ran home to change and do her makeup, but came back to my house to do her hair. While she finished getting ready I cooked her and I some dinner. It was nearly 9, and if it was anything like last week I assumed the party was starting soon.

"How long 'til you wanna leave?" I asked Lilly.

"How about thirty minutes?"

"Alright." I went to my room and finished off my outfit. My hair was mostly straight with a couple waves, I actually put on some eyeshadow, looking back in the mirror with some pride at my blended work. I grabbed a pair of socks from my dresser and slid them on before grabbing my white Dr. Martens. I slid open my closet and grabbed a black boulder cap from the top shelf, securing it onto my head. Then, I walked over to my purse and transferred the necessities from my backpack. The only makeup I took with me was my compact and a tube of chapstick. I'm not much of a lip gloss or lipstick kind of girl. I just prefer shiny, flavored chapstick. I have tons of them, watermelon being my favorite.

"Dais, you're- oh god. Tell me you're not wearing that hat." Lilly scanned my outfit as she walked into the room.

"Whats wrong with my hat."

"It's...nothing it's fine. You ready?" We didn't always agree on our fashion choices.

"Yeah." I grabbed my purse and followed Lilly to her truck.

After a short five minute drive to Franky's, we pulled onto his street. Just like the last time, it was already packed and we had to park around the corner. 

We walked up the driveway past a small crowd of people and this time I went straight to the garage rather than searching the house. I was trying that whole 'learn from your mistakes' thing.

I head into the garage and of course it was already full of smoke. Franky was sitting on the couch and I was glad to see Kendall all over Christian rather than Zayn - who I noticed wasn't there. He probably doesn't even know about the party considering he comes with Christian and I doubt they've talked since the last party....

"Daisy?" Franky asked, his eyes wide. "I didn't think you'd actually come."

"Well...here I am." He looked at Christian - who was blowing smoke in my direction - and reached back to open the large garage door, not wanting me to be bothered by smoke. I smiled at him as a thank you.

"You want a drink?" He lifted up his beer bottle.

"No, I don't drink. But thanks anyway."

"I'll go get her a juice or something." Christian said and I went to tell him no, but he interrupted me. "Non-alcoholic juice." He stood up and left the garage. Christian's being nice...maybe he feels bad for last week. I felt totally awkward just standing here.

"Dais! I'd like you to meet Mikhiya." I turned to see Lilly and a taller boy. He had gorgeous blue eyes - just as she described. His dirty blonde hair was ruffled and about two inches long, just meeting his ears.

"You can call me Mik." He said, sticking out his hand.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Daisy." I smiled.

"Here's your juice." Christian said handing me a bottle of strawberry kiwi Fuze.

"Oh my gosh this is my favorite!"

"You're welcome." He said smugly and returned to the couch.

"You're not thanked." I rolled my eyes, but took a sip anyway.



•••



The night continued, definitely lasting longer than my first attempt to party. After an awkward twenty minute conversation with Mik, Franky asked if I wanted to play some Xbox.

We were sitting on the living room floor in front of his flat screen playing Modern Warfare 2. It's not my favorite, but it's better than standing awkwardly in the garage.

"Why are you so good at this?!" Franky asked as I took another one of his kills.

"I spend my time alone at home playing nothing but video games." I laughed.

"God that's fuckin' awesome." I nudged him and killed another person on the opposite team. "I HAD THAT GUY." He shouted.

"Shoulda killed him first then!" I laughed and he started to hit my controller trying to distract me. "NO CHEATING!"

"Ehem." Someone cleared their throat behind me. "Another juice?" I looked up to see Christian holding what would be my fourth bottle.

"Sure. Thanks." I took it and returned my attention to Franky as I took a swig. "You know, I love these so much, but the more I drink them the worse they taste." I said.

"Really? We have cases full of those. I don't like 'em." His nose twisted in disgust.

"Oh I love them. Normally. This one though...eh."

"You don't have to drink it." He laughed.

"Well, I'm not just gonna waste it. What if..." I swirled the bottle a bit. "I'll just chug it." I plugged my nose and tipped the bottle up. "Where's the trash? Do you recycle?" I didn't have to throw any away yet, because Christian was doing it for me, being uncharacteristically nice.

"Under the kitchen sink." He shook his head, still laughing.

I got up to walked to the kitchen, placing the bottle in a blue bin under the sink.

"Well...you finished that fast." I spun around to see Christian.

"Uh...yeah."

"Did I mention I'm sorry?" He was leaning against the fridge across from me.

"Ha. And stupid."

"It definitely worked." He smirked, taking a step forward.

"What worked?"

"The juice."

"You're on steroids?! Man that's no good." I couldn't control my laughter at my joke.

"Yup. It worked." He said again, closing the gap between us.

"You know, this is a terrible apology." I said. I tried to push him back, but I was weak. He pushed me up against the kitchen counter, his hip bone digging into my own. "Please stop." One of his hands gripped my side, and the other slid up my crop top ending just under my bra. I tried to push him again, but his hands squeezed really hard and I whimpered under his touch. "Why! Why can't you just leave me alone!" He squeezed tighter and shifted his hip.

"I like how you fight back." He growled and leaned forward. "Most girls just take it." Chills went down my spine in the most unpleasant way possible. Maybe I shouldn't fight. He seems to like it better when I do. I slouched my shoulders, trying to look like I'd given up, but it made his hip bone dig further into me. A yelp fell from my lips and tears threatened to invade my eyes.

Just as I was about to collapse to the floor from the pain, a hand grabbed his shoulder. He turned, releasing my sides and I stumbled away.

"Sup, mate?" Zayn said just before throwing his fist into Christians jaw.

"Oh my gosh!" The panic escaped my lips before I stop it.

"Are you ok?" Zayn ran to my side as I leaned onto the counter, trying to steady my breathing. The whole room was spinning. "Dais, talk to me!"

"Can you not yell at me?" I put my hand up in front of him as if that would stop his words.

"Son of a bitch, you're drunk." He grabbed my wrist and pulled me through the house to the front yard.

"I don't drink. Stop pulling me!" I ripped my arm back.

"Please calm down." He squeezed my arms and looked me right in the eyes. "What have you had to drink tonight?"

"I had like three billion bottles of Fuze. The strawberry kiwi flavor."

"Was the seal broken on the bottles..." He stared at me, waiting for an answer.

"What seal?" I couldn't help but giggle. He was always so serious.

"Damn it, Daisy! Did you get them from Christian?! That's one of his tricks! He can hide alcohol in anything!" He started pacing on the driveway. "He only puts a little in the first one, and doubles it each time. How many did you really have?"

"I think four?"

"The last one was probably halfway full of vodka, Dais. How did you not notice the taste." His hands were running over his face and neck. A nervous tick.

"I did...I...I didn't know..I..." Tears began to flow down my face, despite my inner pleas.

"Let's go." He grabbed my hand and pulled me down the street, ending up at his bike. "Here. You're lucky I brought this." He said holding out the plain, bowl-looking helmet I wore the last time I was with him.

"Why do you have this anyway? It's obviously new. Why'd you buy it?"

"It's not new....just put it on and stop asking questions." He snapped as he took my hat off. "Here." He held out his jacket, and I looked at it confused. "You're wearing a very....flowy top.. It'll be cold. Just take it." My crop top would probably blow up from the wind, so I didn't even consider arguing - just took the jacket and obliged. I pulled the helmet over my head and took the hat back so that he had free hands to put his helmet on and get on the bike. "Lets go."

I climbed on behind him and pulled my bag in between my legs, placing it in my hat hoping that was safe enough and I wouldn't drop anything. He started the bike while I positioned myself. Once I was secure, I wrapped my arms around Zayns stomach and he pulled off down the street.

"So nice." I whispered accidentally.

"What?"

"You have got the best body you know that? I can feel your muscles through this t-shirt." I said, my fingers exploring his abs.

"You're quite honest when you're drunk." He laughed.

"I told you, I'm not drunk." I hummed against his neck. I don't think he'll mind if I just...

"What are you doing!" The bike came to a quick stop and he lifted off his helmet. "Did you just.." He said touching his neck. "Did you give me a love bite?"

"LOVE BITE? Zayn I barely know you."

"No that was definitely a love bite."

"No, sir. That was a hickey." I said, lightly tapping the back of his neck.

"So, so wasted."



•••••



"Daisy....Dais wake up." I groaned and rolled over, preparing for my blanket to be ripped off. Instead a warm hand gently rubbed my back.

"That's so weird, Lil."

"What? Daisy..." I realized the voice was much too deep to be Lilly and rolled over, slower than humanly possible. "You ok?"

"Zayn- what the?"