for your eyes only

T H R E E

Zayn's brush moves flawlessly, staining the white paper with a flurry of colours. He tries ignoring Alec ogling on their art teacher, Ms Grace, and continues his work.

It's the last period before lunch, and most of the students are fooling around. None of them are too keen on painting, Zayn frowns, unlike him. Drawing and painting is his passion, and he is usually the first one to provide his work to Ms Grace.

"Woah, that's sick, man."

Zayn turns to his best friend, and then, back to his painting.

"Yeah ... Thanks."

Alec's eyes soften, "You okay? You seem down. Actually, more than usual. Something happened?"

"He brought another woman home." Zayn shrugs "We met her this time."

"Oh," Alec says, not knowing what to say.

Zayn shrugs again. "She was such a bitch. Just like him. I hope they both burn in hell." he spits. Being a few months older than Claire, he feels immensely protective of her, and thus, scarcely expresses his feelings in front of her.

Though, Alec is someone he knows he can trust.

"Zayn," Alec's voice is soft "you won't gain anything by hating them. Just focus on yourself and Claire and what you are going to do once you turn eighteen in a few months."

"Move as far as here, that's for sure." Zayn says, quickly.

He gets up with a jerk, and turns in his work to Ms Grace, earning a handful amount of praises, which his brain can't register at the moment.

I am tired of living like this, Zayn thinks, pressing his palm to his burning eyes.

The bell has hardly rung when Zayn and Alec are out, hurrying their way to the spot they usually eat lunch-under a big, shady tree just outside the courtyard. It's extremely peaceful there and anyone hardly disturbs them.

Claire is already sitting there, her green eyes completely absorbed in the newspapers scattered in front of her, as she hungrily bites on her sandwich.

"Got something?" Zayn asks, plopping down beside her, Alec following suit.

"Yeah," Claire says "there's this clothing store in the mall which is looking for a salesgirl, and a cafe quite near our house in search of a waitress. I guess I will take both the jobs."

"Are you sure you could do this? I don't want my baby sister overworking herself." Alec says.

Claire rolls her eyes, "I am older, Al. Plus, I used to work as the cashier in the busiest bakery in this town for six days in a row with infuriating co-workers. I guess I can manage."

"Honestly," Alec scrunches up his nose "I hated that black haired girl. She was so rude."

"I know, right? It's a good thing that bakery burnt down. I am not a least bit sad. Well, except the fact that it paid very well."

As Claire and Alec, continue to chat, bantering sometimes in the middle, Zayn kind of fades into the background, ignoring everyone.

Unless, he hears Alec take his name.

"Davis brought home another women? It's the third time in a week!"

"I know," Claire sighs "It's only getting worse and worse. He drinks more, smokes more. He is ruining his life. And ours too. And you know what, Al? I am worried about him. He is my father. I just wonder what is making him do this."

"The fact that he is afucking asshole." Zayn cuts in.

"Zayn, listen -" Claire starts, but Zayn cuts her off.

"No! You listen! You may think he has some good left in him, but there's not! He is not the wonderful father you remember him to be, Claire! Heck, he is not even the same person! He has transformed into a monster! So stop finding the man that's NOT THERE!"

"Zayn," Alec says softly, knowing very well he is treading into dangerous territory "You have to forgive him. You can't live like that."

Zayn lets out a laugh at that, humourless and dry. "Forgive him?! The man who KILLED my MOTHER?! You are right! I can't live like this! But I will NOT forgive him! Get that through your heads!"

He stands up with a jerk and stomps off to an isolated part of the ground. Before he could even register anything, he pulls out his phone and dials the newest number.

Harry picks it up on the first ring.

"Zayn? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, it is... I just -" he breaks off abruptly, realising he doesn't really know why he called him.

"Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yes. I am. I was just... checking up on ya... Yeah, that's what I was doing."

"Oh...kay..." Harry speaks, clearly unconvinced. There is a pause, and after some time, Harry speaks up, "I am in class right now. So, if you don't mind can I call you later?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course. I am sorry for disturbing. I thought you would be... free."

"No. Its okay. The horrible teacher of mine won't let me and my friend go to lunch because we didn't do our homework. I don't think its even legal.. Fucking jackass!"

Zayn barks out a sudden laugh. He doesn't know why but hearing Harry swear is fucking hilarious for him. Maybe because he was under the impression that Harry was a goody-two-shoes.

"Glad to know you find my misery so funny." Harry says, amusement ringing in his voice.

"Yeah, sorry. Just... "

"MR STYLES! HOW DARE YOU TALK ON YOUR CELLPHONE WHILE YOU ARE PUNISHED!" a deep voice rings in. Probably of his teacher.

"Whoopie! He caught me! No lunch for a week! Whhhheeeee!"

That is the last thing Zayn hears before Harry says before he hangs up. Zayn shakes his head, amused and chuckling.