Fix You (Sequel to The Arts)

Chapter 3

Zayn's POV

My finger tips graze the top of the bookshelves as my eyes just peer above the top of the first case. Her eyes scan the back of the book in her hands, her head down studying it as if it were the more interesting thing in the world.

I look towards Dinah and silently, we count with our fingers, then, "boo!"

Frightened, Camila drops the book to the floor, turning around in search for the culprit.

"Hiya," I give her a tiny wave.

"I'm going to kill both of you," she whimpers, clearly tired.

As she goes to pick the hardcover up from the floor, her red Chapters Indigo apron is bold beneath the light of the store.

"I told you not to get a job here," Dinah giggles. "You'll only stay in a corner reading."

"Excuse me, but this isn't your turf," she refers to this part of the store. "And this is the only available job here that has very minimal chances of a customer yelling at me."

Throwing both our hands up as if we surrender, we turn on our heels, laughing, and head to the other end of the store where we manage.

She was right. It was true, and despite her tiny attention span given our surroundings, this was the best job for her. I couldn't have been more proud of her.

I was surprised at first when she brought up the idea. She came to me asking to check over her resume and told me about how after mom...you know...she'd rather have her own income just to make things easier. She also thought that this was another step into overcoming those setbacks.

Sure, she still gets nervous when a customer approaches, but her stutter isn't as bad as it used to me. Hell, she used to stutter when talking to me but now it's just because sometimes she gets so drained after what's happening at home.

"She'll be fine, Zayn," Dinah settles a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't you worry about her?" I ask, my eyes desperate for an answer to make it all better. For her.

"All the time. But we can't crowd her."

"I get that but," I let out a frustrated breath. "She's so quiet now. She barely tells me what's going on. And not just within her day. Within herself. Before she always used to come to me with everything but now she hesitates or doesn't even tell me at all. I'm afraid," I stop.

She walks in front then faces me. "I've been through this with her. It's as if she get's a 'reality check' as she would call it. Everything that's happening with her mom is getting to her. Her mom is leaving her. Us."

I shake my head, as if it would make it go away.

"Zayn listen," she grabs me by the shoulders. "I know you're worried about her. I am too. But the reality is, Sinu's time is almost up. Camila thinks that after her mom leaves, everyone else will. Perhaps not in the same way but she thinks we're gonna let her fend for herself. You just have to show her that we won't," she jabs her finger into my chest. "Just little acts of kindness. Like if she wants space, don't try to hug or kiss her. Just get her some food. Bring her fuzzy socks or a blanket. If she gets frustrated and starts throwing things, get her a glass of water and talk her down. Get Darcy in the room. He seems to do the trick."

I smile at the memory of last time that happened. "Thanks," I tell her, then go to hug her. Moments like this, between us, were meant to be cherished because we already know we'll go back to bickering. It was ironic, really, how Camila was one to bring us together, but also to cause conflict because apparently, I hog her too much.