Pause. Rewind. Play. (A Zayn Malik Fanfic)

Chapter 14: Operation Cheering Up Zayn

It's three days later. Word has gone out that Haley and Zayn are no longer together. That night she packed up and left without a word, by what Liam tells me. Twitter has told me that she booked the fastest flight back to the UK. She told the paps that she and Zayn are no longer together and if they want more to ask him. On her Twitter, it seems she had fun last night with another guy.

Meanwhile, Zayn's a complete mess, information via Liam, Louis, and Niall. The only time he ever leaves is to do a concert or an interview. Right after he would leave back to the hotel and go straight to his room. Everyone can see he's clearly upset about this.

A few of the fans have been respectful and give him more room while others keep making signs and screaming how much they feel sorry for him. That just breaks him down more and more. The boys have invited me over today to help.

I take the elevator up, and it seems like it stops at every floor to pick someone up. I close my eyes and try to keep my composure together. Finally, it ends on the top floor and I rush out. Trying to catch my breath and tell myself a few times that I'm okay, I head to the hotel room.

Louis opens the door with a sad smile and I walk in.

"He's in his room. We're planning on going out for lunch soon," he says. I nod. "Good luck." Liam and Niall are on the couch playing a racing game. They don't give me any greeting as they continue on with their game.

I walk over to Zayn's door and knock lightly. No answer. I knock again and still no answer. I try the doorknob, but it's locked. I bang my fist against the door once very loudly.

"Zayn! Open up!" I say, and continue to bang it a few more times.

"Go away Ari!" he shouts. I bang my fist one more time before sighing.

"Hey, feel accomplished. He won't talk to us, only when he has to," Liam says from behind me. I turn around. "We're gonna go out for lunch, wanna tag along?" I shake my head.

"I'm gonna try to get him to open up," I say. He nods.

"Good luck, we'll bring something back for you two," he says. A few minutes later the front door slams shut. Now it's just Zayn and me. I knock again, but he still won't open the door.

"Zayn Jawaad Malik, open this door right now!" I shout, banging at the wood again and again. I even kick it a few times and finally lean my forehead against it. My breathing is a bit hitched since I used quite a lot of energy on trying to get Zayn's attention. I lower my voice to a bit lower than regular octave. "Come on Zayn, open up. Please."

Suddenly, I hear the gears turning and I back up a bit as the door swings open. Zayn stands there shirtless and clearly been crying by his red eyes. His hair also looks like it hasn't been done right this morning and I question if he even brushed it. His jaw is scruffy which means he hasn't shaved either.

"What do you want Ari?" he sighs. He runs a hand through his hair.

"I came to check up on you." Almost immediately he moves back in, planning on swinging the door shut. I put my foot out and stop it from closing. He slams the door hard against my foot, which hurts, but I just brush it off. I slip inside his room.

It's dim and there are clothes everywhere. I don't expect less from Zayn. He's never been the most clean one.

"So you're here. Where are the others?" he asks, plopping down on his bed. I feel a bit awkward so i just lean against the door.

"They went out to eat. They'll be back later," I say. "How do you feel?"

"How do you think?" he snaps. I don't blame him. I can't help, but think; was he like this when I broke up with him? Shaking my head, I get my mind out of the past and into the present. It doesn't matter if Zayn was like this when I hurt him, it only matters now that I'm here to help him when he's hurt.