Zephaniah // z.m

12. Soaked mattress

Hannah

The rain fell down heavily and a soft sound was heard as the breeze blew the drops against the windows. I was seated on the couch with a book in my lap and tea in my hands, my dog sleeping beside me on the floor.

To be honest, I didn't mind one bit that the weather was like this today. I had always loved the rainy weather, even if I had to be outside. It made everything.. cozy. And it reminded me of the times where me and Samuel would play in the puddles endlessly. Dripping and completely soaked as we stepped inside the kitchen, our mum stopping us before we could walk even further.

I smiled at the memory and took a few sips of my tea, frowning when my phone started buzzing. I barely got any messages, so I wondered what this was about.

Reaching for my phone, I frowned even deeper when I saw Zayn had texted me again, surprising me even more when it was a 'long' message instead of the short ones.

Good morning. Zephaniah isn't going to school today. he had a lot of seizures last night and he's exhausted. He has a wound on his head that keeps bleeding. Can you come over now instead of 2.30 pm. Needa go to the hospital. Zayn.

I sat up straight, my book falling on the floor in the process. My heart ached for the little boy and I was up in a moment as I didn't have to think one second about Zayn's question.

Even if it meant that I'd work twelve hours today as it was only around eight in the morning, I wouldn't mind one bit. I felt the need to be there for Zephaniah and maybe even Zayn, even if I felt like he didn't like me.

"Bye Cooper," I mumbled to my dog. I quickly put on my shoes, grabbed my yellow rain coat and made my way over to the car once I locked the door.

The drive was fairly short as it was only twenty minutes away from my house and I pressed on the doorbell instead of using the keys. I didn't know if he was dressed already as it was early and I didn't feel like invading his privacy.

Zayn opened the door and slowly raised his dark eyebrows, his brown eyes intimidating me as they stared right into mine, "You got keys, right?"

I frowned a little. I only wanted to be polite and modest, yet he always took it the wrong way. "Yeah, I just didn't know if you were ready for the day and all.." I hesitated.

"Could've texted me you were coming," Zayn sighed and walked away, leaving me standing in the doorway with the rain still soaking me.

"Thanks for coming now instead of in the afternoon," I mumbled to myself as I sighed as well, closing the door behind me. I took off my very wet raincoat and laid it down on the heater so it could dry.

After I took off my shoes I walked over to his living room, only finding out that nobody was there. When I entered the kitchen, I noticed Zayn wasn't there either so I figured he went up the stairs.

It was all confirmed when I heard his footsteps coming from upstairs. I quickly made my way over and stood still when I reached Zephaniah's room, where Zayn was throwing out his mattress.

Zayn was wiping away the sweat from his forehead and blew a few strands of hair away that were covering his eyes, "Can you help." He stated more than asked, and I had to try really hard not to snap at him.

"Sure." I said calmly. "What are you doing?" Zayn didn't answer, he instead pointed at the mattress where a huge yellow stain was visible, that was definitely urine.

"Throw it downstairs. It's soaked." Zayn mumbled, throwing the sheets and duvets into the washing machine as he walked off, not saying anything else after that.