See My Demons (Zarry AU)

Chapter 1

Zayn's never been particularly fond of his studies. It's not that he's incapable, or that it's too hard. No, he is plenty intelligent, the problem is he's just flat out lazy. Though, what high school senior isn't? Senioritis is a plague for the upperclassmen that although, technically, isn't a real thing, Zayn swears it is. And senior year has only just begun.

"I can't believe we're getting a quiz on the first day." Liam muttered, shaking his head as he scribbled something down in his composition book. It looked like a bunch of doodles, which made sense considering Liam hardly made an effort in any of his classes.

"I can." Zayn answered.

High school had always been known to be a living hell. Zayn remembered elementary school, where coloring was a daily activity and reading picture books was a requirement. Nothing mattered back then except what game they were going to play at recess. Now it was all quizzes and tests, who's dating who, and other rubbish that honestly didn't matter when all was said and done.

"Well, you've always been a pessimist. So your opinion doesn't matter." Liam said matter of factly, glancing over at his friend haughtily.

"No there's definitely a difference between realism and pessimism." 

Liam gave him a glare, not wanting to get into one of these arguments again, and Zayn just grinned back.

The two of them had been friends practically since kindergarten. Zayn had been sitting at a table by himself, shy and not taking part in some game the other kids were playing that involved running around in circles screaming about animals. Liam was the only one who had come over and sat by him, instantly running his mouth about legos and superheroes. He'd then insisted they eat lunch together and it was then that Zayn decided he'd found himself a best friend. They'd practically been inseparable, and nothing had changed nearly 13 years later.

The class passed by slowly, the teacher lecturing about what was planned for the rest of the year. Something about having to do a couple book reports and some partner presentation. And then they were given a simple history quiz for the rest of the class. 

Zayn finished in time for the bell, handing his quiz up before grabbing his backpack from the floor and hoisting it up onto his shoulder.

"I knew literally nothing on that quiz. I'm going to fail senior year, Zayn. I'm going to fail and be held back and probably be in high school for the rest of my life," Liam groaned dramatically, walking alongside his friend as they left the classroom.

"Shut up. You're going to be fine." Zayn snorted, all but rolling his eyes.

He knew though he'll probably have to force his friend to study with him. They don't share all their classes together, but most. It'd been a huge ordeal trying to sign up for the same classes. And an even bigger one when they couldn't get the same math or art class. 

"Tell that to my math teacher who's going to fail me on the first day,"

Zayn just laughed, shoving his friend's shoulder before they said goodbye and parted ways. He was sure the rest of the day would go smoothly, especially since art, his favorite subject, was his next class. Art had always been something he couldn't live without. Though, he liked to keep the talent to himself. Only Liam and his family knew about what he did, how he loved to draw. People, especially. And when he painted he couldn't help but get lost in the colors on the canvas. It made his heart swell like nothing else could. 

So he was sure this class would be easy and his getaway, that is.. until he sat down, and his honey colored eyes landed on a familiar curly head of hair.