Art [zjm]

Chapter Twenty Four // Realizations

I can't go on like this. Just waiting on Zayn is killing every ounce of my strength that I have, and I don't have much.

"Have you tried to talk to him?" Louis asks on the phone, three hours away from Bradford.

"No, he isn't answering his phone and I don't even know where the hell he is." I say running a hand through my hair.

I can hear Harry laughing on the other end of the phone call and Louis telling him to shut up. "Well I'm sorry to hear that, Shay. I wish there was more I could do..." He sighs.

"Me too. I just don't understand why he would leave like that. I mean, I know he was pised off but still..." I say and I can hear Louis having his own conversation with Harry, or whoever.

"I'll talk to you later, Lou. I can see your busy." And with that, I hang up on him.

On the inside, it really kills me to see that my best friend is happier than I am with his boyfriend. But then again, Zayn and I's relationship has never really been quite easy.

I walk upstairs and go to the bedroom. Zayn left practically everything. I know he insists that we need space, but this is not space. This is undeniable distance and there is no doubt in my mind that he is waking up with some massive hangover right at this very second.

Four hours later and I am lying on the couch with Waliyha and Zayn's parents. They claim that they have no idea where he is, but his mom tells me that he has always been like this. He always needs to blow off steam before he can face his problems.

That is no way to live.

I hear a small knock on the door and I turn to get up and answer it.

"Zayn?" I ask and Zayn is suddenly at the doorstep. It's his house, why didn't he just walk in?

He looks like shit. He looks as if he hasn't eaten, slept, or done much of anything for days at a time.

"S-Shaylen. I'm so sorry." He says closing the space between us.

Everytime he kisses me it is honestly like a surge of electric rushing through my veins. I am not sure if he feels it, but I definitely do.

He makes me feel more alive than I ever have with anyone. Ever.

When we break away, I suddenly become very concious that we are casually outside on his porch making out.

"This one week and four days has gone to shit for me. I have thought about it and do you remember when we babysat Molly and Gavin?" He asks randomly.

"Yeah? Why?" What does that have to do with anything?

"I figured out why you were partially upset. I know you didn't show it, but I can read you as well as a book. I said that I was never going to marry you." He says and the memories come rushing back.

I stay silent as he continues. "I have decided that when the time comes, I might marry you. I don't know."

"Thanks?"

"Shay, it's a fucking compliment so take it, please." He says trying not to sound so harsh.

I soften up and nod a bit, trying to contain my harsh corrections on how he speaks to me. "I love you, Zayn."

His smile joyfully returns and he replies, "I love you more, Shaylen." He lightly kisses my lips leaving me desiring for his lips on mine, again.

He greets his family with such pride and happiness it really makes me feel like I have done something right in his life.