Stuck Here (Ziall)

Chapter 15

(Niall’s POV)

--1 Year Prior --      

I played with the necklace around my neck and hummed a tune to myself while sitting in the cafeteria. I was waiting for Chad to show up so that we could both get in line together. I sat at our usual table off in the corner of the cafeteria. I watched the door, waiting for Chad to walk in. My eye caught the tan skin of another guy though. Zayn Malik came into the cafeteria, laughing with his friend, Louis Tomlinson. I watched as they sat down at a table across the room. Zayn kicked his feet up onto the table and then sent a hand through his dark hair.

God, he was perfect.

I groaned, wishing that I could be that close to and laugh with Zayn like Louis had been. I averted my gaze when Zayn looked up, catching me staring at him, or around his area. He didn’t know, he couldn’t know. Well, at least I hoped. I didn’t want to be creepy.

“You were staring again.” Chad chuckled, patting me on the back. I grinned and denied the action, but he rolled his eyes at me. “Come on.” He urged me up from the table and towards the line to get some food. We came back and sat down with our food, my eyes traveling back over to Zayn.

“I think I’m going to say hi.” I began to get up, but Chad’s hand on my shoulder stopped me. “What?” I asked, sitting back down.

“You tried that last week remember? I had to get you to the nurse’s office because you started hyperventilating.” Chad snickered and shook his head at me. “I know you like him an all, but had he ever said anything to you?” I thought about the time the year before where Zayn helped me out. The moment was short and sweet, but hey, it happened and I was pretty damn proud about it.

“He said ‘excuse me’ the other day.” I mumbled. Zayn wouldn’t talk to a guy like me. I was quiet. I was a nobody.

“Were you in his way?” Chad asked, a chuckle ending his sentence. “Really, Nialler. You gotta get over this guy.” He sighed heavily. I was glad that Chad was still my friend. When I came out I thought that he would leave for sure, but he stuck around and he got more crap than I did by bullies in the school. I was glad to be friends with him. We needed each other. “So, what are you doing after school?” I don’t know why Chad asked because everyday after school he would drive me home and we would play video games or have a jam session. Not only was my school life a routine, but afterschool was one as well. I always did the same things, over and over.

“You’re coming over, right?” I figured I would ask, in case I had to change my plans and find a ride home. Chad smiled and nodded and I was relieved that I didn’t have to walk home. Sure, I could have made my way through the park, it was nice enough weather, but my knee had been hurting lately and Chad always offered a free ride, so why not.

“Is it okay if I pick up Miles before we head to your place?” Chad bit into his piece of pizza. His younger brother, and I mean younger brother, sure was something else. He always had so much energy and talked about the weirdest things like his imaginary friends. Chad and I chatted until the end of the lunch period and I kept glancing over at Zayn. He looked okay that day. Some days he looks so drained and I always wondered why that was. “So I’ll see you out in the parking lot after school?”

“Yeah, that works for me.” I shrugged. “See you later.” I walked off down the hall with my books in hand. My next class wasn’t anything special. I few people bumped into me in the hallway. I guess being quiet did have its downfalls. It was like I was invisible, though some people apologized. As soon as I thought I was in the clear, I smacked right into someone’s back and dropped all my things to the floor. “Ah, I’m so sorry!” I fervently apologized because the person I had bumped into was one of the substitute teachers.

“Oh, Niall? Here, let me help you.” The teacher said quickly, a nervous tone in his voice. “Really, let me help.” He helped me gather my things and then helped me up form the ground. When we finally took a look at each other, eye to eye, a shiver ran up my spine. This guy was everywhere.

“T-thank you.” I stuttered. I couldn’t quite remember the substitutes name. He hadn’t been around much at the school, which I was grateful. He always stared a little too long for comfort.

“No problem, Niall.” He smiled, but it did nothing to ease my nerves around the man. “Oh, what a wonderful necklace.” He reached forward and I was a little taken back by his sudden movement into my personal space. He picked up my guitar pick necklace from my chest and watched it closely.

“Thanks.” I tried to walk away slightly so that he would let go and I could go on my way, but he still held my necklace and it was too precious to me for it to break accidentally. “My mom got it for me.”

“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows, somehow surprised by that little fact. “I would have thought your boyfriend- Chad was his name?”

What? What was this guy going on about? He was so weird and made me extremely uncomfortable. “Chad’s not my boyfriend.” I informed him. Chad wasn’t even gay. I don’t know where the substitute got his information.

“Oh good.” He said so quickly that I almost didn’t hear him. This was really starting to freak me out. “Well, I’ll see you around, Niall.” He smiled again, this time he puffed his cheek out, making that strange squelching noise. I shivered and got as far away as I could from him when he let go of my necklace. I tucked it carefully into my shirt and ran off to my class. I looked back only to see him standing there, the only one in the hall, watching my every move.

A/N Short chapter for you guys, but I just wanted to get it out and then get back to Zayn's POV. This flashback is just before Niall's death and should give some more incite on Mr. Tanner. I hope you liked it! I should have more for you sometime soon! 

Much Love

Jachxx