misfits // z.m

ch. 5 || thunder

V. thunder

In her eyes, I saw sorrow.
I knew something had hurt her, and I knew she'd seen so much pain in her life that she could never go back to leading a normal one. I wished she'd tell me, which was absurd as we'd only just met.

I now understood why she preferred the cold; it numbed her.
Every second longer in her company made me see past her beautiful, elfin features and her porcelain, scarred skin.
I realised that she was a vivid character; she was painted in livid reds, envious greens, melancholy blues...and yet she was still more real than any other girl.

"I grew up too quickly. I had to, anyway. Is it the same for you? You were put in the spotlight so early on, I don't see how you managed." Thalia asked, a curious look on her face.
I smiled, "It's always been rather daunting. Like, suddenly all these people were your friend; people documenting your every move. I had to grow up pretty quickly, but it became a part of the package."
She took out her gloves and slipped them on. I smiled - the exact gloves I rescued, which led me to her.

"I guess we can't really compare." She murmured, panning her gaze across the view in Bradford.
It was peaceful; traffic was a blur, a rush of tyres and distorted music, as we were passed.
Silence, in a sort of unprecedented way; the kind of silence where you forget everything in your vicinity but one - Thalia.
She perked her lips and I stared, looking at her dark hair.
Everything she did began to interest me, in the saddest of ways - I noticed how she watched with almost-envious love at her surroundings - a fierce love, like she wanted to somehow have a portion of the world's beauty running through her veins.

We were both pressed to the balcony, our bodies completely trusting the weight of the unpredictable railings.
I slowly placed my hand atop hers.
She looked surprised and pulled her hand away but, having anticipated this, I captured her waist in my arm.
"You need to stop running away from me." I said breathlessly, grinning at her.
"Zayn, let me go." She struggled, but I held her fast.
"Please, I-." I whispered, "I need this."
Her eyes took me in, judging me.
She eventually relaxed and I allowed myself to breathe.

Warmth pulsed through my veins and electricity tingled in my bones: this moment felt nice, it felt good.
It was a comfort.

My hand reached out and brushed back a strand of her dark hair, giving me access to her pretty eyes.
I tried to hold her gaze but she stopped looking, a blush rising to her cheeks. She struggled in my arms.
"You...you seem so afraid of me. Why is that?" I said, holding her gently.
"I feel different with you. I can't decipher what it is, but I hate it." She frowned and I brushed her cheek with my thumb.
"Thalia, listen, we've all been heartbroken. I just want to hold you, anyone; life has been hell for me and you're the only person I don't know, but somehow feel like I do."

Hesitant as she was, she somehow pushed her iniquities aside and let me hold her.
I heard the faint rustle of the material of her dress in the breeze, and could feel the comforting warmth of her pressed against me.
I seized the opportunity and looked her in the eyes.
The heat from her skin passed through mine and I was suddenly at peace.

Thalia opened her mouth, "It's funny how things happen. A few days ago, this wouldn't have even crossed my mind. But here I am, and you're holding me." She gave me a lazy smile and I was surprised by how she hadn't pulled away.
"You're right." I found myself leaning in to her, clutching at her dress tighter, closing my eyes as my lips searched for hers in the close proximity of the night.
It dawned on me that it had begun to rain, and that Thalia was already beginning to pull away.

"Oh God, no, no, no. I, this can't happen. I'm sorry, I have to go." Thalia pushed me away and cursed as rain fell in thick, round droplets.
I looked at her, reaching for her arm blindly, "No, Thalia, wait!"
I heard a clap of thunder erupt across the sky, clouds blackening the atmosphere.