Lost And Loved

1. Observing

(2nd book to Zayn Malik's Long Lost Sister)

I've been observing Marley since we've gotten back to Florida last summer. The seasons passed, dragged really. The days were slow as I watched out for her in her time of school and after classes. I know in my head that keeping an eye on her from a distance is a disturbing and stalkerish kind of past time, but I need to know she's okay.

She's not herself and she doesn't like talking to me much. Or anyone, for that matter unless it's a quick call to ask if I could come over to hers for the benifit part of our friendship or to ask a favor, really.

I kept in touch with Kena, who miraculously stayed close to Marley in her time of defiance. Not as close as before, but closer than anyone else that I know of.

Zayn sends a few messages a week to my phone, asking how she really is because she always tells him she's doing okay. I try to carefully think of the things I'd say to him before I pick the right words and jot them down through e-mail. I keep the worst of it out. I like to think that Marley would appreciate that.

Her parents didn't want her to leave them again, so they allow her the freedom she's never had before. But the limited girl I had gotten to know before England was the girl who stole my heart, the one whom I could take to Yogart Land or the pet shop and see this look of absolute delight because she wasn't ever allowed before.

Now, I just feel like I'm in love with a stranger.

But now, throughout this high school year, almost every night, she would be at parties, dragging Kena along so she didn't show up alone.

Now Kena, she's a smart girl despite her skater-chick Ora. She never once picked up a drink while with Marley, knowing she would be the one getting her home or making sure no boys took advantage of Marley's drunken state. She never said she minded, but I could tell she was saddened that her best friend was acting out this way.

"Edward," Martin calls for my attention, the Marine Park's paper work scattering slightly in the wind as he opened up the front office doors, stepping in from a windy yet sunny day.

I sat behind a small desk tucked in the corner. Because of the free time I had, I offered Martin my assistance in anything he might need in here.

"Yes, boss?" I answer, making sure nothing fell from the desk top. Martin had observed Marley as well as I did, but in a way where he observed me as well.

More so, me around Marley.

"I'm gonna need the websight documents updated today by the time you leave and also that the shows for the dolphins will be twice a week instead of once because we just got a new pod of seven today. They're already trained, they came a long way." He walked over to his desk, plopping down in his chair with a sigh. "Switzerland dolphins. It was either we take them in or they kill them."

"I'll get on it." I inform.

"Make sure to say that there are now two groups of performers. I don't want anyone thinking that we're over working our dolphins for two shows a week." Martin says.

"Okay."

"Edward?"

"Yes, boss?"

He didn't answer me straight away, so I look over at him. He sighs. "How is she today?"

Same as yesterday, and the day before and the day before.

"She's doing okay." I say instead.

"Is she with Donnie?"

As soon as he asks, my hand moves the computer mouse out of the area of work I had on the screen and pulled up the security cameras around the park. I sifted through the small pictured boxes until I got to the five that were stationed to watch corners and center of Donnie's exibit.

She was there, lying on her stomach with her elbows propping her upper body up, chewing on a sandwich as Donnie moves up and down in the water in front of her, waiting for a piece he knows will soon come.

She goes there on her lunch break every day with a tuna sandwich just so she could share with him.

"She is." I answer a few seconds later, momentarily losing my train of thought.

The camera captured her taking one more bite of her sandwich before tossing it into the Orca's mouth. I could almost make out the sounds of his satisfaction.

He hasn't been the same since Marley returned to him. The first day, they were both excited to see each other, that was obvious. But as Marley progressed in the way she has been, Donnie's been odd.

He won't swim with her like he used to, he doesn't let her touch him the way he has before. He doesn't sing when he sees her, he doesn't play with her, he doesn't do tricks for her.

Martin thinks that it's because she's been away for too long, but I know it's much more heart breaking than that.

He misses how she used to be.

* * *

As I checked the park area one last time before I left for the evening, I was surprised to see Marley in the back room, my bag in her hand as if she were waiting for me.

"Hey," I start. "I thought you had gone home hours ago."

"I did. But I wanted to talk to you."

"While holding my pack hostage?" Marley had developed an accent in her time in England. It's not strong, not how mine used to be, but in some words it's more prominent than others. She lifted the bag up to me and I shouldered it on. "What did you wanna talk about?"

I look over her outfit and take notice that it's a bit too dressed up for just wanting to come and talk to me.

"I wanted to know if you'd finally join me for a party run." As she speaks, she twists her upper body back and forth from the hip, her eyes growing slightly wider with innocence. A begging gesture.

"I don't think that'd-"

"What excuse do you have now?" She sighs, her innocent exterior shattering almost instantly as she interrupts me.

She has asked me a few times to accompany her to parties, but Kena had told me of how she acts when she has got alcohol in her system. If Marley is willing to call out strangers, fight with other girls, and embarrass people in front of everyone, I don't wanna be there.

I think myself too sensitive for that kind of social torture.

"I'm just tired, Marley." I end up saying. I turn toward the door, knowing she'll follow me. "I just wanna relax at home."

She kept up behind me until we exited the office and I slowed my pace so she could walk beside me.

"That's your problem, innit?" She says, her soft flowing hair whooshing in the wind. "This is why you're so awkward. You never step outside of your comfort zone, Edward. All you do is wake up, come to work, and go home."

"What's wrong with routine?"

"It's boring. You're boring."

"Yeah? I don't think you were complaining the other night."

"Your sex is good, but your personality is bland." She says seriously. "I bet you wouldn't know what to do in a social situation."

I shrug softly, but I know she's right. I'm quite good with people but only if I have to be. Like at work or gathering events.

She took my silence as more of a decline to her invitation and groaned, throwing her bead back.

"Fine. Can you at least take me to the party?"

And because I love her, I said yes.

(So, I wanted to switch it up because I do have plans for it being from Edward's point of view. I hope it'll be as fun for you all as I think it will be.

Anyway, yay, first chapter of the second book is finally up! Here we go again. Who else is ready? ✋✋✋ME.

No, but seriously, I really hope you guys don't give up on me just yet. Trust me, I plan on this being juicy.

I love you all and I hope you liked this one. If not, lemme know ❤)