Torment (One Direction Fan Fiction)

"Its so cliche, its perfect!"

He wasn't there. Joey didn’t know whether what she felt was relief or disappointment. Just before she’d left, he’d given her a key. That was how she had access to his house, and now he wasn't there. She hoped he wasn't looking for her.

Joey holed herself up in the spare bathroom downstairs, the one she showered in and brushed her teeth in. She frowned at her reflection. She looked horrible. The skin around her eye was angry looking, puckering and tearing where the small slit of her eye was hidden. She could feel it throbbing, but she’d taken pain killers for her aching back. She hadn’t mentioned it or shown it to Niall; she’d been waiting to assess the damage on her own.

“Joey?” She heard the door slam just as she was pulling her shirt over her head. She winced when she ripped it off, peeling dried blood off of her skin. “Joey!” Zayn called, his voice sounding like it was getting closer. She heard him curse, and dump his keys on to a table and then the sound of him struggling with what would no doubt be his denim jacket. She knew his routine. She squeezed her right eye shut, supressing a moan when she finally turned around. Her sore looked so gross. It had crusted blood around it. When Joey touched it, a shiver of pain ran over her. Clearly, her pain killers weren’t working as well as they should have been. She probably damaged even more tissue in her back.

Joey collapsed onto the toilet, shirtless and braless. She stared at her red-tinted fingers, feeling empty. What was she to say to Zayn? It didn’t matter. He’d made it obvious that he didn’t care all too much about her.

What bullshit am I talking? He’d let her stay with him, footed her hospital bills! Taken her to hospital, dealt with her moodiness crap for months, handled her staying between two houses…and taken her in when no one else would. Joey lifted her head slowly. The least he deserved was the goddamn truth. She didn’t need to be a melodramatic bitch just because he wouldn’t accept her kiss.

The bathroom door flew open. “Joey.” Zayn barked, looking positively livid. He marched to her, grabbing the hands she’d thrown up to shield her face and pulling them away. His expression drained like watercolour paint off of a wall in the rain. His lips parted slowly before he dropped to his knees.

Her stomach had a purple flower almost directly in the centre, her ribs, which she hadn’t even bothered to glance over, were definitely bruised. The was a jangling sound and Joey lifted her eyes from Zayn’s hazel orbs, watching as the dog- their dog- came to stand in the doorway, her paw in a cast and her eye bandaged up. A tear ran down Joey’s cheek before she dropped her gaze to Zayn.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered, cupping his cheek. He stared up at her, speechless.

She sucked in a shaky breath. “I’m sorry for the kiss. And I’m sorry for how I was at the concert last week. And I’m sorry I was so rude about declining spending Christmas with your family. I’m sorry I threw your kindness in your face and went to stay with Niall. I’m sorry I let this all get to my head. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you how I felt. But I know now Zayn, I know now! I want you to know too. Zayn-Zayn Malik-I think I-”

“Shh.” He pressed a finger to her mouth, closing his eyes.

“Don’t say anything.” He whispered. His finger fell from her mouth and he opened his brilliant eyes again, regarding her with such gentleness it made Joeys heart croon.

“Why didn’t you call me when you got hurt?” He whispered, reaching up and brushing hair from her face. He didn’t even look at her breasts, admire her nude torso. He wasn't around her for that and it made Joey weak inside to know he didn’t care about that right now.

“I…I…”

“I want to protect you Joey.” His other hand let go of her wrists, and found the side of her face.