another love || z.m.

Payton

First update! I'll put up a Payton and Zayn POV each update. Enjoy! Tell me what you think!

"Payton."

"Payton?"

"Payton!"

"Payton, get up!" My mother yelled for the umpteenth time that morning. I let out a loud groan and sank my head back into the pillow.

"Payton, it's the first day of senior year; you have got to get up! Now!" She yelled and I could tell she was at the bottom of the staircase, threatening to come fetch me if I didn't get up.

"Okay, okay! I'm up!" I yelled and hesitantly crawled out of bed. I dragged my tired body over to the bathroom across the hall and turned on the hot water. Minutes later, the small space was filled with hot steam and the sound of water running down the drain. I stripped down and stepped inside the shower. I made sure to rush, leaving time for me to get dressed properly and fix my hair.

So, I stepped out of the shower and flipped the knob off. The last bit of water fell down behind me, making a particular thud that only shower water makes. I stalked to my room with my towel wrapped tightly around me. I walked over to my closet and grabbed my outfit I had set out last night. I slid the maroon skinny jeans over my long legs. I then slid on my tank top and denim button-up. I walked back into my bathroom and plugged in my straightener.

While I was waiting for the flat iron to heat up, I padded downstairs into the kitchen to eat breakfast. I poured a bowl of cereal and sat on one of the barstools behind the bar.

"You look nice." I looked up to find my brother, Kaleb, walking into the kitchen.

"Thanks," I mumbled through my mouthful of Cheerios.

"Ready for senior year?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Nope."

"Well, that's always good," he joked.

I chuckled a little and shook my head.

"I've got work," he said and stepped closer to me. "Be good." He whispered and pulled me into a side hug and kissed my hair. "I love you, Pay."

"Love you, Kay," I mocked.

He chuckled and I watched him slip out the front door. I heard his car start and vroom down the street.

I hopped off the barstool and ran upstairs to fix my hair. I went straight to the bathroom and it took me at least twenty minutes to get my hair sufficiently straight.

Once in my room, I slid my black combat boots on. I slung my bag over my back and made my way to the outlet my phone was plugged to. I took my phone off the cord and shoved it in my back pocket.

My mother was waiting for me at the bottom of the staircase when I came out of my room.

"Bye, Payton. I love you." Her voice was shaky and her hands were trembling.

"Are you nervous, Momma?" I chuckled.

"Yes, very." She admitted and I huffed.

"I will be fine, Ma. Don't worry about me," I whispered and gave her a tight hug.

"Okay, okay. You had better get going, you are going to be late."

"The school is across the street." It's true, I can look out the front door and see the sidewalks of my high school.

"I know," she smiled weakly and shoved me out the front door.

"Bye!"I shouted before the door was shut behind me.

I stepped out onto the porch and looked at the sky above me. The clouds were dark and the sun was nowhere to be found.

I walked down my sidewalk, down my driveway, across the street, and down the winding sidewalks the school provided. I soon arrived at the front door of the main building. I heaved a big sigh before pulling open the door and shuffling inside.

There were people everywhere.

The hallway in front of me had no empty space to be seen. Groups of people stood in the middle of the hallway, chatting. Trails of students tried to squeeze between the socializers and the peers at their lockers.

I blinked twice, trying to take in the scene before me. It seemed as if the school population had doubled over the summer.

I shook off the nervousness and proceeded down the hallway to find my locker.

Once I found it, I worked on the combination a couple times before successfully opening it. I pulled out my folders and books and set them inside before slamming it shut and locking it. I turned around, only to be scared to death by Lena's face in mine.

"Lena!" I yelled and backed up.

She cackled at me.

"You scared the crap out of me." I stated, matter-of-factly.

"Oops?" She shrugged and linked her arm with mine.

"Yeah," I breathed out as she lugged me down the hallway.

"I'm so glad we have all of our classes together." She screamed and I nodded my head in agreement. We were lucky.

"Me too," I breathed out as we arrived at the first class of the day: Spanish.

"Thank God this is our last semester of foreign language." She voiced my thoughts.

"Yep," I sighed as we stepped into the classroom. I looked around to see few familiar faces. Trevor was sitting in the front row, Alyssa in the back throwing paper balls at Kevin in front of her, and Lauren was already asleep. There were more faces that I didn't recognize, but one in particular stuck out at me.

In the back of the room, there was a tall, lanky, tan, dark-haired boy staring out the window. He was watching the droplets of rain fall down the glass. His dark hair was styled up into a sleek quiff and he was equipped with all black clothing; black t-shirt covered with a black leather jacket, black skinny jeans, and black combat-type boots. He had tattoos peeking out of the collar of his t-shirt.

"Who," I whispered to Lena,"is that?"

"Zayn."

"I thought he left," I whispered shocked.

"Me too," she replied and headed me to the two empty seats in front of Zayn.