Vulnerable (Zayn Malik AU)

Chapter 12

"Daisy!"

Ignore it, Daisy. Don't turn around. Keep walking.

"Daisy! Please get in!"

Keep going, Daisy.

"Dais!"

"Oh my god. WHAT." I finally gave in and turned to my left to see Zayn in his car, slowly rolling next to me as I walked.

"Please get in. I'll drive you home."

"I'm already halfway there. No thank you."

"Damnit, Daisy! Just get in the car!" I knew he was going to follow me all the way home if I didn't get in, and on top of that I was lightheaded, so I complied. "What is wrong with you?!" He shouted and I rubbed my temples, trying to stop the inevitable headache headed my way.

"Look. I got in the car. Don't speak."

He turned away and huffed, but stayed silent, driving the three minutes to my house. His jaw was flexed the whole way, and his fists were clenched, but I didn't bring attention to it. When he pulled into the driveway, I didn't hesitate to get out. I already had my key ready when I reached the door, and I went through it like nothing. I swung the door back as I headed to my room, but didn't hear it close. Of course he followed me in.

"I didn't talk in the car."

"That's correct." I said as he followed me into my room.

"Please. What's wrong?" I turned to see him standing in my doorway. "You don't look too good..."

"I'm not wearing makeup."

"No I've seen you without makeup. This is different."

"Did you hit Franky?" I asked, taking a seat on my bed.

"W-what...?"

"Thought so."

"Wait...he told you?" He shifted on his feet nervously.

"Yes he told me! What's wrong with you!" I didn't want to believe it was true, but his nervous demeanor was all the proof I needed. "We barely know each other and you're threatening people?!"

"I've liked you for four years, Daisy! It may only seem like a three week thing to you but you've been my only thought and concern my whole high school life!"

My head was throbbing. I didn't even know he knew I existed let alone thought about me. He didn't even see me for two years, yet I was all he thought about? The idea made my head pound incessantly.

I laid back on my bed. "What are you talking about." I whined.

"Nothing. Forget I said anything." As if I could. "Do you need something? You look sick. And I don't mean cause you're not wearing makeup."

"I'm getting a migraine."

"Where do you keep the medicine?"

"Kitchen cupboard above the stove." I continued to rub my head as he retreated to the kitchen. I could hear him rummaging through the cupboards. Every sound was heightened. I could've sworn I could even heard the bathroom faucet dripping across the hall. Every slight sound took another punch at me, making my head pound even more.

"Here. I brought you a water, some migraine stuff, and a wet washcloth for your forehead." I took the pills and water from him, downing them with ease, and laid back on my bed. He covered my forehead with the wet cloth and I thanked him even though I was still unsure what to think about his actions. "I'm just gonna..." He said and before I could open my eyes to look at him, my shoes were being pulled from my feet.

"Oh. Thanks." I mumbled.



•••••


I woke up to find myself completely wrapped in my blanket, the pounding migraine that I fell asleep with just a faint memory in the back of my head. I rolled over to check my phone, but it wasn't there.

"It's 5. You were asleep for like 4 and a half hours." I'm startled by Zayns voice, and look up to see him sitting on my floor, a textbook settled onto his legs.

"You sat there the whole time? How did I get under here?" I asked, lifting my comforter.

"Well I wasn't just gonna leave you while you were sick. And the blanket...it wasn't easy." He closed his textbook, and before I could speak he interrupted. "I found this on your dresser. I don't think it was there this morning..." He said holding money out to me.

"How much is it?"

"Um..." He said flipping through the multiple bills. "It's $300." He handed it to me. "Why do you have $300?"

"I have to go grocery shopping."

"I'll take you."

"No." I looked at him, concern on his face. "Sorry. I meant no thank you."

"Your dad doesn't do the shopping?"

"He shops for himself, I shop for myself."

"That's not how it should be, Dais."

"Well it's not your life I wouldn't expect you to understand. What's normal to you isn't normal to others. This is my normal." I always get mad when people judge my dad or our way of life.

"I'm just saying that-"

"Well stop saying anything."

"Alright. You're right. I'm sorry. But, please let me take you."

"No, thank you."

"How are you gonna get there?"

"How I always get there: Lilly." I reach into my backpack and pull out my phone, dialing her number. It rings twice before it goes to voicemail. "What the..." I dialed again. One ring, then voicemail. "Alright. Walking it is." I sighed and reached for my shoes.

"Don't be ridiculous." Zayn said, standing to his feet. "I'll take you."

"How many times do I have to say no before you get the hint?"

"You can't just walk."

"I've done it before. I don't mind looking like a hobo walking home with a cart full of stuff. You have to do what you have to do." I slid my shoes on.

"Ok, but you DONT have to do that." I walked past him, only my phone, keys and wallet on me, knowing he'd follow. "Daisy c'mon."

"Zayn. Shut up." I said and walked outside. The second he was out the door I locked it, and walked to his car. "Are you gonna unlock the door or what." I said rather coldly.

"You'll let me take you?"

"Not if you don't hurry up." It was still sunny outside, but the sun was falling fast. I didn't have long until night, so I honestly wasn't in the mood to walk. But I wasn't going let him know that.

He ran ahead of me and opened the passenger door, securing me inside before running around the car. The grocery store is at the halfway point in between school and home. I didn't wait for him to open my door. I let myself out and walked to the entrance, grabbing a cart on my way.

"So what do you need?" He asked.

Despite how cold I was trying to be he just shrugged it all off. I kept quiet and walked down the first isle, picking up some cheese and deli meats.

"Are you just going to ignore me?" I said nothing. "That's fine. I understand."

"I don't." I spoke up, still walking and adding to my cart.

"What?"

"I don't understand."

"Don't understand what?" He helped me get the bagels I wanted off the top shelf, placing them in the cart.

"Why you did it. Why did you hit Franky? He's just a friend. Something I don't have much of, might I add. I finally get one friend other than Lilly and before you had even said more than four words to me you decided it was ok to hit him and threaten him. I don't understand."

"I told you. I've liked you for years."

"That's not a good enough reason to give someone a black eye." I grabbed a gallon of milk and placed it into the cart and walked over to the eggs, checking each one before gently setting it next to the milk.

"Can we not do this, please? You've only been my girlfriend for a day and we're already having our first fight..."

"Yeah well everything with you tends to come abruptly, doesn't it."

"Stop!" He grabbed the cart and forced me to make eye contact with him. "Don't be cold with me. I had my reasons. I may not always be able to tell you everything, Daisy Ann, but I tell you what you NEED to know. What matters. What keeps you safe."

"How did you know my middle name?" I got chills up my spine the moment the words fell from his lips. The only time anyone ever used my name like that was when I was in trouble.

"Of everything I said that's what you ask?" He sighed. "It was on your wall. One of the paintings." It was. I forgot about that painting. I made that when I was like seven. "Can you just stop being mad at me?"

"I still don't understand."

"Do you have to?" I thought about his question, but only for a moment.

"I don't like your mind games."

"I'm not playing mind games, Dais." His tone was flat, and his face didn't falter. He was telling the truth.

"You confuse me so much."

"How?"

"You make my mind work when it shouldn't. You make me think about things I've never thought of just because you can't give me a simple answer. Everything is mind altering with you."

"Simple answers make the mind go weak." He smirked.

"See. There you go again." I pushed past him.

"Are you mad at me or not?"

"Anger is an emotion others consume when they can no longer display empathy." I said.

"What?"

"See it's not fun is it." I laughed.

"A simple yes would suffice." He laughed with me.

"Simplicity is a thing of the past."

"Ok, I get it!" He laughed again. "That's annoying."

The two of us weaved in and out of the isles, slowly filling the cart with only the necessities. My cart was full before I had the chance to notice.

"I think I'm good." I said and started walking toward the checkout area.

"What about chocolate syrup?" Zayn asked.

"Why would I need that?"

"I don't know? To make chocolate milk?"

"Yeah...no. I think I'm good."

I ignored his random suggestions on the way back to the front of the store. When we reached an open register he took the initiative to empty the cart, and refill it with the bagged items.

"The total comes out to $343.58." The lady behind the register said and turned the little screen to me, showing me every item she had scanned.

"Alright."

My dad only left me $300, but I still had money left over from shopping, so I had it covered.

"I'll pay."

"Zayn. Don't be ridiculous."

"At least let me pay the extra? Your dad only left you $300. Plus, I slipped some things into your cart." The checkout lady watched on as we bickered.

"Fine." I pulled out the $300 and handed to her and he handed her a $50 bill. While he got his change I began to walk to the car.

As I stopped at the trunk, the car beeped and I heard Zayns footsteps jogging my way.

"It's open." He told me and I lifted the trunk.

I began to place bags in, but Zayn took them from me.

"I've got it." He said.

"I think I can lift a couple bags." I said, sarcastically.

"No. Get in the car." His protective tendencies were beginning to get on my nerves, but still I got in the car.

I dropped the bags that filled my hands and walked to the passenger side of the car.

I huffed as I sat down and buckled in, but before I could even compose my thoughts the trunk was slammed and Zayn was next to me. He definitely loaded the car much faster than I could've. Maybe that's why he didn't want my help.

"Are you gonna start the car or just stare." I snarled.

"Are you still mad at me?"

"I just wanna forget about it. This is too exhausting."

"Forget about what?" I looked at him annoyed, then realized what he meant.

"Exactly." I smiled. "Already forgotten."

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

"Ok, don't ruin it." I hit his arm, playfully.


•••••



Naaaaants ingonyama bagithi Baba,
Sithi uhm ingonyama


I rolled over and swiped my phone. My eyes hung low with exhaustion. My mind was running all night, and I had no time to sleep.

I got up and went through my normal routine, finally getting a chance to actually put mascara on. It'd been awhile. Once I finished my makeup and got dressed, I went to the kitchen for breakfast. The decision was hard considering my cabinets were full again, but I decided on a simple, cinnamon poptart.

Zayn picked me up right on time, and the two of us had a sufficiently pleasant ride to school despite the quiet atmosphere. It was much better than the previous night. Everything was so awkward. Even when he dropped me off, all he did was carry in my groceries then kiss me goodbye. I think he was just too afraid to push things, but I wish he would've given me more than just a peck on the lips. We're not chickens.

We pulled into the parking lot with a whole ten minutes to spare. Per my request, Zayn picked me up early so we weren't just barely making it like he always had.

As we walked into Econ, we were the first two there. The bell still had five minutes before it rang, but I didn't mind. It gave me time to eat my poptart.

Zayn used the time more productively than I. He took out his portfolio and worked on it a bit.

"Whatcha drawin?" I asked as a broke a piece of my poptart and tossed it into my mouth.

"Just what I see."

"A desk? A door? Paper? A condescending old fart who wouldn't know the meaning of fun if it blew up in his face like a confetti cannon?"

"No." He laughed. "Not really what I see...more of what I think."

"So you're drawing your thoughts? Like graffiti?"

"No...it's not words."

"Can I just see?"

"No." I was shocked with how quickly he shot me down.

"Why not..."

"The moment you show someone your thoughts, you lose everything."

"I'm not someone."

"No, Dais. You're definitely not." He shook his head and laughed, but still didn't show me his drawing.

The bell rang, and senior after senior filled the room. Everyone looked just as exhausted as I was, even though it was Wednesday, it felt like a Monday.

Lilly walked in and didn't even give me a glance. She paid no attention to me the day before either but I figured she was just tired or something. I didn't think much of it, really.

"Morning." I said.

Nothing. She gave me nothing. It was like Zayn all over again. Only with Lilly, I know what I can say and do. I know where I stand.

"Excuse me? I said good morning."

"You're talking to me again?"

"When was I not..."

"Oh, I dunno." She didn't turn to me, but I knew I was the only one meant to hear her. "I just figured since you left the party on Saturday AGAIN without telling me, and since I showed up to your house yesterday morning to see you pulling off with him," she threw her thumb in the general direction of Zayn, "and you didn't tell me a thing I just figured I did something wrong. Cause there's no way YOU did anything wrong. Not perfect little Daisy."

"Don't talk to her like that." Zayn snapped.

"Butt out!" She finally turned.

"Lil, I'm sorry...but about the party, some stuff happened..."

"Some stuff always happens. But, lately, I'm not included."

"Would you shut up for a second!" We were whispering as the class filled out their calendars but were both too angry for our own good. "Christian snuck alcohol into my drinks, and I got totally smashed. Then he practically tried to rape me in the kitchen and Zayn saved me." Her eyes grew wide. "But about yesterday morning, I'm so sorry. I have no excuse for that. I forgot to call you and tell you Zayn would be driving me. And he'll probably be driving me from now on, so you don't have to worry about me anymore." I didn't even see her by my house. I guess I was too focused on Zayn. How embarrassing.

"Why is he doing so much for you." She grumbled.

"Well he's kinda my boyfriend." She gasped, and opened her mouth, but before she could get a word out, Mr. Trig interrupted.

"Ladies, would you like to share with the class?"

"Nothing to share, sir". I faked a smile and leaned back into my desk.

"If you could write down the objectives then, that'd be great."


•••••


The rest of the day went by as usual. Helping Zayn glaze his project in Ceramics, writing a typical short story in Creative Writing, holding my breath thanks to Paul's halitosis in Advanced Ceramics, getting absolutely nothing done in Peer Resource (Zayn and I took the initiative to just work on our portfolios while everyone else sat around and talked).

It was lunch time, now. Zayn and I were walking toward the cafeteria, our arms brushing only slightly.

"I'm so not looking forward to this nasty salad." I groaned.

"Would you rather go off campus?"

"Do you have your off-campus pass?" I asked, surprised.

"Of course. You?"

"Yes! Oh my gosh! I'm so excited!"

"What sounds good?"

"Can we go to sub-"

"Zaaayn!" I'm interrupted by a shrill voice. "Heyy! Missed you at the party on Saturday! You should've stopped by!" Kendall shrieked as she ran her hand up and down his left arm. "It was so boring without you."

"Oh? Cause you looked like you were enjoying Christians company." I barked.

"What are you talking about. You weren't even at the party."

"Excuse me?"

"Don't act like you got invited a second time!" She laughed. "How sad."

"So subway then, right babe?" Zayn asked, taking my hand in his.

"Babe?" Kendall gasped but I followed Zayns actions and ignored her.

"Yeah, it sounds delicious." I smiled at him and the two of us walked away from a shocked Kendall. "Thank you. I can't freakin' stand her."

"Me either." Zayn laughed and squeezed my hand.

We quickly made our way out of the student parking lot and drove down the street to Subway. Being that it was only the third week of school, not many people had off-campus passes, so the place was empty.

Zayn and I got our sandwiches constructed, and after arguing over paying he won (of course) and we took a seat at a table in the corner.

"You sure you can eat all that?" He gestured to the footlong sandwich I ordered.

"Positive."

"If you say so." He laughed as he took a bite of his meatball marinara.

"So..." I took a bite, not sure how to word my next sentence. "I've been meaning to tell you something." I said, changing the subject.

"What's that?"

"Sunday, you're coming over for dinner with my father."