Long Lost and Refound - A Zayn Malik Story

Chapter 23

Long Lost and Refound — Chapter 23

November 2013

Zayn.

The music pulsed loudly, but it was only background noise for me. My mind buzzed, it screamed at me over and over that I had fucked everything up. My health, my family life, my relationships, my friendships; it was all spiraling downwards. I pushed through the crowd to the bar and signaled to the bartender. My eyes fell to her pushed-up breasts and I smiled at her, biting my lip. I waited a moment before ordering, making eye contact with her before my gaze dropped to her body and back again.

"What would you like, sir?" She smiled, wiping down the countertop. Her breasts leaned down to the counter and I nodded in appreciation. I leaned forward, eyeing her intently.

"What can I get with you on top?" She rolled her eyes.

"Water, but I'm guessing you're not here for that." I shrugged, puckering my lips thoughtfully.

"I was guessing you'd come with something a little stronger, if you know what I mean.” I winked at her. She ignored the remark and I sighed. "Could I get six shots of whatever that is," I gestured at a clear liquid, "and any drink. Surprise me." She brought them for me and I quickly downed the drink. It barely quieted the murderous noise in my mind so I took one, two, three shots, my face screwing up as my throat struggled to get it down. My body was aching for something stronger, something that would make me forget even my name.

I waited a moment before downing the rest of the shots and leaving the bar. I let the crowd carry me to one of the rooms upstairs and I sank into a couch, taking out a tiny bottle. I was alone. The room was red and the sofa was black leather, the table dark marble. It was easy to see the white powder that I tapped out onto the table's surface.

Using a small metal blade, I organized the coke into lines, seven of them, and pushed one of my nostrils shut. Taking a deep breath, I pressed my nose to the table and inhaled the first line, coughing as it irritated my flesh. I waited a few moments and laughed, feeling the initial high take over. I slumped into the couch, covering my face and my grin, before leaning forward to do a second line. My heart fell for a moment into an angry, sad mess, but I pressed my nose to the table and inhaled.

Uneven footsteps sounded on the stairs as I wiped the powder and a familiar face appeared. I smiled up at my friend, biting my tongue lightly. “Come to join the party?” I asked, leaning back and throwing one arm over the back of the sofa.

“You’d stopped the coke months ago, Zayn,” Liam slurred, dropping onto the leather beside me. He slumped against the back of the couch. I shook my head and gave him a firm pat on the back of the head.

“That’s what you think, mate,” I said. A waitress had appeared in the corner of the room and I hid the powder on the table with a bowl of some sorts. I whistled the lady over and eyed her intently. “Hey, gorgeous,” I smirked, pulling some cash from my pocket. “What do you say you give me and my friend here the room to ourselves and full-access to that beautiful bar in the corner? Just put it on my tab.”

The woman smiled. “Of course.” She left, shutting the door behind her.

I leaned forward for another hit when Liam grabbed my arm.

“Stop it.”

“Let go of me—”

“You can’t do th—”

I cut him off by swiftly taking control, throwing my body over him. I leaned heavily on him and my forearm pressed to his throat. His eyes widened and hands clutched my arm, trying to pry it away. I stayed there, pressing firmly and using my other hand to wind my fingers through his hair.