Mind Full of Paper ♔ zarry stylik

2

...continued

"You're gonna get a lot of food and whatever you need tonight. I'll be gone at 6pm to get it. I'll be home by 8 pm.. This loaf of bread will hold you up, right?" Harry got the man a spoon, but his foster father grabbed his arm,"whatever I need? You better not interact with anyone. I'm warning you." He placed a sloppy kiss on the younger boy's bruised lips, spitting at him after. Harry's lips erupted a small cry.
"Fucking whore." The man ate while Harry still hasn't eaten for a few weeks. He used to eat once a week, but now it seems like never a week. He wiped the spit off his face, swallowing hard. He tried not to cry. Whenever he did, there was another punishment. The thing is-he gets punished no matter what.
"What're you doing here? Either you go to your room or start stripping." The man looked at Harry with his cold eyes. Harry walked his weak body to his room. Harry took a little nap, being aware of when 6pm would strike. Once it did, he ached up quickly. His hair was a mess, but he never cared about his appearance. He had an extremely low self-esteem, but the fact is that he was handsome. Only reason why his foster father took custody of him was for his personal use. Harry was overly attractive -but in his own eyes, he saw nothing. With his hair a mess, he looked like heaven-pure heaven. Girl's hearts ache once they see him. He was never fond of 'love'-since he never felt or received it. Last time he did was at age 7.
Harry ran a few miles to the boxing arena, taking a seat near the fight. It was beginning.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Tonight we have a man all the way from California! Says he can take on anyone -well, we'll find out! Here comes Richard Genson!" Some people in the crowd cheered once a bald man jogged onto the boxing ring.
"He was born in England, moved here to New York with his mother. He defeated many of his opponents and he is a challenge! Give it up for Zain Malik!"
Harry cheered along with other people. He needed the money.
Once Zain got onto the boxing ring, girl's in the arena started whispering. He winked at the crowd.
The two men jogged in place, waiting for the starting bell to ring. Once it did, they were off. As they were fighting, it seemed like they were fighting themselves rather than one another. They were both equally strong.
Harry really wasn't interested in watching -he tried to wake himself up, but not eating had been making him tired.
As the two were fighting, Richard broke Zain's hand. He didn't quit. Zain was hurt, but he didn't show it. He used his other hand, but he was more dominant with his right hand. He had no choice, he punched Genson with his broken hand.
People in the crowd started booing. Eventually, it was a tie. Hatred was filling more towards Malik than Genson. His weak body got off the stage. The arena was empty by now-well sort of.
Harry had fallen asleep and it was past 8pm.
"Hey, Buddy," Malik tapped Harry's shoulder which started him. "Match is over, you can go home now."
"Home..? Did you win?"
"Boy, what have you been watching? It was a tie. Whomever you betted on, its a loss." Malik's right hand still stung. It was definitely broken.
"I flicked a pebble! It landed on you! I told the mad man that he'd get whatever he wants! -Say..what's the time?" Harry knew that all his hopes were gone by now and trouble himself was awaiting back at the slum.
"You're a mad man," Malik muttered. "past 9pm so get your ass up and go."
Harry became tense,"It's all your fault! If you had won, I would be free for two weeks and now, once he finds me back home with the $3, he's going to," He couldn't let anyone know-about anything. He stopped himself,"forget it."
Malik found the boy suspicious, but then noticed his ruggidy clothes,"where do you live? I can give you what my manager will pay me tonight. I'm on my way, actually. You seem like you need it."
Harry spotted Zain's bruised hand. He never liked the sight of others hurt.
"In a Hooverville. It's a few short miles away from here," Harry tugged on the delicate fabric of his sleeve, ripping a long piece of it. "Give me your hand."
Malik shook his head, Harry shouldn't have done that. He was already so poor, but it was rude not to accept someone's offerings.
The boxer let his broken hand out towards Harry,"Hooverville? You live in a 'house' made of cardboards and tins? You live in a slum? Do you not try to find some sort of work? ..The 'mad man' -who is he?"
Harry wrapped the fabric around Zain's hand, tying it after and it did make the boxer's hand feel a tad better.
"I do. It's not that bad in the summer. I made myself a pillow out of rags and knitted myself a blanket too," Which Harry's foster father uses now. "I can't answer the other questions.."

"Malik!" A voice called out.
"That's my manager. I'll get the money for you." Malik met up with his manager by the exit of the arena.
"Wasn't such a good fight today, Mr.Malik." The man spoke.
"I know, I know..Boss, can I have the money?" Zain let his left hand out.
The manager slipped a few coins and a paper.
"What's this?" The payment was small, but Zain paid more attention towards the paper.
"I'm signing you off. You're no longer working with me. You're a failure, Malik." The man was about to leave before Zain exclaimed,"this was just the first time I was a bit off! Damn, don't do this to me. I need this job-for my ma. Give me another chance, Doc."
"You've been off a lot. People are growing tired of the same thing. Good day, Malik." The man walked over to his limo, ducking in. As the vehicle started, Zain kept calling out,"Boss..come on..Doc..my ma is sick! Boxing is the one reason I'm in goddamn York for! Fuck!"
The man drove away.
"And it's not 'good day' it's night!" Zain yelled, picking up a pebble and throwing it. Malik looked back. Harry's eyes were tired and hungry. Malik sighed. He walked up to Harry, placing the change into his delicate hand,"it's not much, but you can still feed your family."
"Are you alright?" Harry asked.
"I lost my job, but I'm gonna need to find another one," Malik looked at Harry's face and the ripped sleeve that exposed his skin. So many scars. Zain didn't bother asking-he didn't think it was right,"take care of yourself."
"Harold Styles. It's nice to meet you, Mr.Malik." With the change in his pocket, Harry offered his hand.
"Call me Zain."
Their hands shook together.