Stuck Here (Ziall)

Chapter 1

Zayn looked at me. He actually looked at me. Those brown eyes looked at me. I nearly fell out of my chair when I looked up and there he was, staring back at me. Sure, he could have been looking past me, to the girl behind me. There was no way he was looking at me, right? But hey, a guy can hope.

Class went by slowly. I still wondered where Chad had gone. He didn’t seem to be sick the other day when I refused a ride home from him and- did I walk home that day? I feel like I did. When was that exactly? Everything had gone by in a blur lately and I vaguely remembered the last few days of school. Oh no, was I getting sick? I hated getting sick. I always felt like death for a week straight and I am not about that life. I cleared my throat and checked for any soreness, but there was nothing. That was a relief. I only received another look from Zayn in the front of the class. He looked back for a second and then automatically turned back towards the front of the room.

He still wore a frightened look. Or was it shock? His eyes were a little wider than usual. Was there something on my face? I wiped my palm over my mouth. I ran my tongue over my teeth. I even sniffled my nose. I hope I didn’t have some stupid mark on my face, or food in my teeth, or even a booger hanging from my nose. That would be embarrassing. I don’t think I would ever be able to look at Zayn again if he caught me in any of those situations.

The rest of the class went on without incident. Zayn kept his eyes forward, paying close attention to the lecture. He was always so attentive, which was why I found it strange that he had broke his concentration to look towards the back of the classroom. As the seconds passed by, nearing the end of class. The class started to pack up and get ready for the next class on their schedule. I waited for the teacher to completely stop his lecture before I packed up my notebook and pocketed my pen.

The bell rang and I watched as the class moved quickly to leave the room, no one looking back or even speaking to each other as they left. Usually there would be chatter among them, but today was different and everyone seemed to be in a down mood. It wasn’t even because of the weather. It wasn’t rainy like it was the other day- week? When did that rainstorm pass through?

Man, I must have really been getting sick. I couldn’t seem to remember much of how the days passed. I just remembered school and that was basically it. I should have probably slept more. My mind was fuzzy and I didn’t like it.

Zayn was the last person left in the classroom, besides the teacher and myself. He was another person who was acting differently than normal. I wasn’t the only person with a routine. A lot of other students, including Zayn stuck to a schedule and rarely deviated from it. I noticed these small things because I had a lot of time to just people watch and figure out how they act around others. It was a good skill to have, especially if you were the target of many bullying attempts. It was nice to know the attitudes and common actions of those around you. You stay out of trouble that way.

 I got up from my seat and made my way past them. “Have a nice day, Mr.Wilcox.” I said goodbye to my teacher like I did everyday, though this time he didn’t acknowledge me at all and went on with erasing the board. It was strange but maybe he just didn’t hear me. I was really quiet for the most part anyways. I wouldn’t be surprised if he just didn’t hear me because I was too quiet. I shrugged and turned for the door. I halted when Zayn spoke up, almost mimicking me.

“Have a nice day, Mr.Wilcox.” Zayn repeated my words, or at least I thought he did. He never said goodbye to teachers. He was usually on his way by then, never stopping to chat. My teacher turned to him and looked sad. He nodded and raised his hand in a gesture of goodbye. Zayn gathered his things and passed me in the doorway. His arm graced my own. I shivered from the contact. My heart pounded in my chest. Not only did Zayn Malik look at me multiple times in one day. We actually touched.