Broken Beauty (Zustin) [ON HOLD]

Quatorze

"Oh my." Mom says, look out the window.

"Mhmm." I agree, seeing the rain pour down mercilessly. Water droplets raced down the window glass. I remember when I was younger, I would watch them closely, and see which drop would win the race.

"It hasn't rained like this for so long." Mom says, sipping on the tea I made for her. She likes drinking my tea, and I like making it for her. I don't bother to reply and stare blankly outside.

"Justin?" She asks. "You been really quiet this week. Is there..." She pauses. I avoid looking at her. "Is there something bothering you? You can tell me, I won't judge."

I close my eyes. "No, mom." I sigh. "I'm completely fine. I just am tired, I guess." I repeat the same lie again, for the umpteenth time.

"You've been saying you're tired every time I ask you, Justin."

"Mom, I'm fine." I reply a bit too harshly and immediately regret it.

Thunder is heard and then the rain intensifies so much that it becomes almost impossible to see what's going on outside. 

I suddenly get up. Mom looks at me closely. I open the main door and run out the house. Didn't know exactly what I was doing, but felt like I just had to do it. It looked crazy, but felt just sane. The rain poured down and drenched my clothes, and I was shivering. I could hear mom scream from me, begging me to come back in. But I let the rain drown out every other sound.

I almost smiled, but it kinda hurt, so I just sighed happily.

I run my fingers through my wet hair. I look up and close my eyes, and prayed for a better day. Mom deserves better. And it might sound selfish but, I deserve better too.

I felt someone grab my arm and drag me back into the house, but the relief is still there. No smile, but just happiness. For a brief moment.

She closes the door with a loud thud. I flinch at the sudden moment. "What were you thinking? You're gonna get sick!" Mom exclaims. I must admit, it was stupid of me to go out in the rain, but I failed to see why was she getting worked up on such things.

"Justin, what's happening?" She asks. 

"Nothing, mom. It was a stupid thing to do. I'm sorry." I reply, looking down.

"Go clean up." She simply says, collapsing on the chair. She sighs and rubs her temples. I nod and head straight to my room, and then my bathroom, where I slowly removed the wet clothes and dropped them to the floor. I twist open the tap and wait for the water to fill up the tub. Once it did I put on leg in, then the other, and then completely immerse myself, head and all. This time I hold my breath. 

***

"See? This is what happens when you don't listen." Mom says, shaking her head and pulling out the thermometer out of my mouth. I don't respond and tug at the sheets. 

"I'll just get the meds, alright?" I nod and pull the sheets over my head.

"Ugh." I groan. 

Few minutes later, she comes inside the room. "You have to eat first." She says. I shake my head.

"No. My throat hurts." I whine, making her glare at me.

"Eat." She says warning me.

"Nooo." Why doesn't she understand? It hurts so much, even to talk. She sighs and scoots closer. 

"Justin, please. You have to eat." She begs. "You need to get better."

After a lot of thinking, I nod my head reluctantly. She smiles and places the plate on my lap. As she was about to leave, I tug at her hand softly. She looks back and knows the reason why. She began feeding me slowly. Just after she gives me the meds. I gulp them down and drink a glass of water.

It doesn't help. I end up throwing up everything.

Mom rubs my back as I suck up the tears that were starting to form in the corner of my eyes. The back of my head was pounding, and my whole body felt like it was in flames. I walk back to my bed and collapse on it.

"It'll get better, Justin. Just you wait." Mum says, patting my back. I let out a groan in response, not feeling like talking at all.

*~*~*

I feel someone shake my body. It was probably mum, because no one else is at home at such a time.

Or so I thought.

"What time is it?" I manage to croak out. I probably sounded like I was dying.

"It's five in the evening." Mom replies. I hum in response.

"And...I think you should turn around." She says. I ask, "Why?" 

"Just turn around."

I groan once again, but nonetheless turn around. I find Zayn and Melanie sitting at the corner of my bed. My eyes scan theirs. One pair has humor and concern, the other has pure concern.

"Hi." Melanie says.

"H-hi." Zayn says.

"Hi." I reply. Mom nods and leaves the room, giving us privacy. Well, it wasn't exactly privacy until Melanie and Zayn were gone, or maybe just until Melanie was gone.

Melanie talks about her day and Zayn talks about his. They ask me about mine. 

"Shitty." I say. They laugh. Melanie pats my shoulder and Zayn scoots closer.

"You'll get sick." I say to Zayn. He simply shakes his head and smiles. 

"Oh my god, will you two fuck already?" Melanie whines, making Zayn blush and look away. I bite my lower lip to stop a laugh.

"I ship you guys so freaking hard, just so you know."

I do too, Melanie.