That Boy

Memories, Comments and Emptiness

A/N: Disclaimer-
The chapter contains racist comments. But I, the author, does not believe in racism. Well that's obvious because I, myself, am brown and I love Zayn, Lilly Singh and Perrie. If I were racist, I would've hated them due to their skin tone/religion. So please don't get offended!
I live and love humanity! Enjoy!

*Zayn's POV*
*6 years back*

"Hey guys!" Winston yelled as we got down from his car and walked towards a group of guys while I followed him closely.

I had just moved to London from Bradford and being a socially anxious and shy person in a big city was not helping me.

Therefore, mustering up the courage to ask my roommate and 3 years senior, Winston Elliot to introduce me to some new friends, I landed in a place full of smoke, and regretted it.

Well, partially.

My parents thought that it would be in my best interest if I moved to a big city and a better school. Therefore on full scholarship, I got addmission in Keele Van High School.

Winston was a typical white guy. With blonde hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. Added with a lot of racial superiority and racism.

Which was definitely not what me, a half Muslim half Irish brown guy, wanted in a roommate for 5 years.

"Hey Win!" A girl ran to us and snogged Winston while I stood awkwardly next to them. A lot of eyes were examining me with a zoo gaze as I was practically shitting myself.

"Who is this?" The girl finally pulled away and stared at me with a slur in her words.

"Oh that's my new roomie Zayn Malik," Winston pointed at me with a smirk, "He's a Muslim, brownie from Pakistan." The two of them broke into a fit of laughter, making me very uncomfortable.

Yes I am from Pakistan and yes I am a brown, Muslim boy. What is so funny?

A small boy with curly hair turned around with a frown at the comment.

"Aye man! She's my girlfriend, Madison Koshy." He pointed at the girl and I passed a smile, "Nice to meet you." I put my hand in front as a humble gesture.

"I don't shake hands with brownies!" The white brunette laughed again. "That's very rude." I snapped and pulled my hand back.

"Oh yeah? What are you going to do? Throw bombs at me?" Madison stood in front of me with a mocking smirk. That comment pulled the strings very familiar to me.

I have faced the treatment and the disrespectful comments all my life. They had become a part of me because I was an easily intimidated and a very lonely child, yet everytime they scrapped the same pain.

"You say that one more time to him and I smash your face with a pot." The curly kid pushed Winston, who had to grab on to his car to stop stumbling.

He must have seen the sting and pain in my eyes. My mum says, my pain is always evident.

What she does not say, is that no one cares about my pain. They care only about my religion and color.

"And Madison," he turned to her, "If you don't want me to tell your mum where her daughter is, then don't talk to him. And if you do, be respectful." He stared right into her eyes, scaring the fearless looking Madison away.

"You don't talk like that to my girl!" Winston came yelling after she eloped the scene, "And you don't talk to my friend like that." The boy replied, walking closer to him.

"Do you even know his name? Friends? My ass!" Winston rolled his eyes. The boy raised his eyebrows and looked at me.

"Hey, my name is Harry Edward Styles. And you?" Harry smiled at me with an extended hand.

"My name is Zayn Javvad Malik." I shook hands with him.

"Great, nice to meet you." He turned to Winston again, "Now we're friends."

"Honestly, back off Winston." A small eyed boy walked in the scene with a blonde boy and a forehead covering hair boy, "We're not letting you treat an innocent boy like this." They stood behind Harry.

The four of them clearly freaked the hell out of Winston. "Don't ever come back to my room brownie!" He yelled in my face.

"His name is Zayn! Not brownie!" The blonde boy seethed.

"No, I'm sorry-" I started apologizing for absolutely nothing.

"No Zayn," Harry interrupted me, "You don't have to say sorry to this racist bastard." He shook his head in a no.

"My name is Louis William Tomlinson. My roommate left school last year, you can come share my room. Don't be dependent on him." The one who had entered the scene with the two boys smiled at me.

"The joke is one you, being a 'humanitarian' by being friends with these people." Winston looked at me with a hint of inferiority in them. The term 'these people' hurt me more than anything had ever did.

It felt as if I was a scrap piece.

"You know who's a bigger joke?" The small eyed boy rubbed his palms together, "You! Winston Elliot! You are a bigger joke. The boy who hasn't cleared a class since the last 2 years doesn't get to call us a joke. We've cleared all our classes." I could literally see smoke coming out of Winston due to that awesome burn.

"Also, you're not needed here. Get out!" Blonde boy stared at him with the same inferiority before he left the scene in a huff.

It was the first time someone had talked to me properly. Never in my life, except my family, had anyone treat me so well and accept me. Let go defending me.

These boys were the first people and the reason why I started believing in myself as a precious, important and accepted person.

It was their faith in me that made me mingle with other people and in no time, with my good grades, love for Physics and good looks - according to girls - I became one of the most popular boys at school, leaving Winston Elliot behind.

Whenever I came down with depression, it was Harry who looked through my strong front and never lost faith in me.

My anxiety, ADHD and depression; disorders that no doctor could cure, were cured by Harry and Louis.

One hour later I came to know their names. Harry, Liam James Payne, Niall James Horan and Louis.

5 years later, when we finished school, I walked out of our graduation day with the best friends I could have ever asked for.

While I distanced from Liam and Niall due to our contrasting personalities, I continued with my best mates. My roommate Louis and my best friend, Harry Styles.

Or I must say, my best friend, Late Harry Edward Styles.

He helped me when even I couldn't help myself. Now 6 years later, he did the same thing.

I was helpless in front of Madison and Winston, Harry's little help built me up, yet made me hollow in gratitude.

Today, the hollowness is there again, except it is not of gratitude, but of guilt.

I may become whoever and whatever I want in life with everything in the world, yet one thing will always make me feel like nothing. The emptiness.

The emptiness after Harry.

I may have the world at my feet, but I've lost the one thing I'll never find again- A best friend, a Harry Styles.
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A/N: Emotionally tortured, anybody?

Looks like someone is trying to give consistent updates *pat on the back to self*

I named all the chapters in this book like I used to name in JAM and LA because someone said, "Specific chapter names avoid confusion."
And I was like, "Your wish is my command."

Statutory warning- The next chapter MAY leave you as an emotional, crying mess. Sooooo...yeah! Just saying!

2 (or 3) more chapters and the epilogue are left!!!! Along with some special announcements by the end of the book.

Stay tuned!

Lots of love,
EISHITA xoxo