Protecting Amy

Chapter 9

STRONG LANGUAGE WARNING

~~~Zayn's POV~~

Tumors.

It's a word that could be used to destroy someones life, but what makes it all hurt more is reality. When you wake up and realize that it wasn't a dream. That all of your nightmares are coming true. Even if you don't have the tumors, or cancer, and it's someone you love. It still hurts.

I felt like my legs would snap at any second, but I stayed strong. Sarah couldn't handle the news. She fell when she heard. I didn't catch her, Lou did. Thank god he was there. She landed safely in his arms, her head laid limply on his shoulder.

I can't remember much after that moment. I recall hearing Harry yelling for a doctor, Louis sitting down with Sarah in his lap, Talia beaking down, and Liam trying to comfort her. Niall was focused on me though, he knew I was broken again. He's the only one I told about my past, other than Sarah.

"Zayn?" He whispered. "ZAYN?" He said louder. "ZAYN!" He screamed.

I didn't move, not even to blink. I stood in my place, frozen in time, as if the slightest movement would send my walls crashing down. I stopped breathing for a short period of time, which isn't healthy. Maybe my breaths just came slower, but I think it was probably the opposite.

In fact, I remember my my heart rate speeding up rather quickly. My breaths came in short pants, and I became dizzy. The entire world spun around me as I fell to my knees and clutched my aching head. I couldn't grasp anything, mentally or physically. My being just wouldn't allow it.

I recognize this scenerio. With my past...um..issues, came panic attacks. The fast breath, dizziness, aching pain in my head. It was an attack, and it was severe. The doctors came rushing to me, and I attempted to wave them off, but they knew what was happening.

I was lifted onto a streture by some nurses, and wheeled away. My last image of the lads was dreadful. Harry bawling and Lou comforting him. Niall on his knees, staring at me with Liam's hand on his shoulder. Talia sobbing while Emily cried in her arms. It was tears everywhere, and I hated it.

It's pretty obvious what happened after that. I was taken to a room, where they hooked me up to a heart monitor. They took some blood samples, examined my pupils and did some other stuff. I laid on the bed, motionless and staring into the distance.

"It's going to be alright sir. We just need you to rest and let the medicine take effect." A blonde nurse said. I looked at her.

"W-what's.....the m-medicine.......g-....g-gon-na d-o?" I barely said the words above a whisper and it was hard to speak through my ragged breaths.

"Shh. Just stay calm. Think of your happy place and go there. You need to rest, that way the medicine will make you feel better." She said calmly. I nodded, or tried to, and closed my eyes. My happy place? Do I have one? Yeah, I do. It's called my memories, with Sarah.

~~~~Flashback~~~~

(Three years ago)

Sarah was running along the track at our old high school. She was smiling and singing along to the song blaring in her ears. She ran with the beat of the song, so with each beat change, her speed changed. Eventually, a fast song came on. One with a pulsing beat and she ran with it.

I always admired how she could run so easiily. Okay, maybe I was jealous. I hate running with a burning passion. I was sat on the top row of the bleachers watching her practice. My football game ended before she was finsihed, so I waited for her.

It took another ten minutes for her to finish, but once she did we started walking home. At that time, I didn't know anyone at school besides her. Sarah was and still is my best friend. I hope that never changes.

I pulled out my phone and logged onto twitter. I really don't have a reason for the app, just like to say I do. The only followers I have are my mom, sisters, and Sarah. I put my phone away when I saw Sarah stop in her tracks.I looked ahead of us and instantly pushed her behind me.

"Protecting your little slut Zayn?" Erik asked with a smirk. I stood my ground and stared into his murky green eyes.

"Still humping that blonde Erik?" I retorted.

He frowned. "I don't know why you try. It's obvious that her parents hate her and want to kill her or give her back to wherever she came from! She doesn't deserve to live! That's why her father beats her and her mother doesn't stop him! They HATE her and want her to leave them the hell alone. Personally, I'd like the same thing." He said, and with every word he moved closer to Sarah.

I scowled at him. "You're the one who bothers us. Leave her alone and she will leave you alone. It's not that complicated you dick." I said as calmly as possible.

Erik knew I wasn't joking. I was furious with him and he could easily tell. Sarah knew it to because she moved to the front of me.

"Erik. I think you should go now." She said scared, and when he didn't move she spoke again. "Please? I don't want you to get hurt."

He looked at her and grinned. It wasn't a happy gesture, but a devious one. I opened my mouth to say something, but he beat me to it. He spoke directly to Sarah, and said the words I never thought I'd hear.

"You don't have a caring bone in your body. You are a manipulative, devious, heartless little bitch and you'll step on someones heart any chance you get. It makes you feel powerful to have control over someones emotions, and that's why you crush them. I hate you Sarah. Zayn can't protect you forever, and once he's gone." He paused to look her straight in the eye. "I will make your life hell."

That was the last straw. I pulled Sarah behind me again and without thinking, swung my fist. To my pleasure, it connected with Erik's jaw. A loud crack came from the impact, and he stumbled. I grinned evily, I've wanted to do that since he broke Sarah's heart.

He stood upright and looked me in the eye. He clutched his bruised jaw and spoke. "Shouldn't have done that." I ducked in time to dodge his punch, and came back up with upercut to his chin.

His head jerked back with the sudden impact, but he quickly regained his stature and lunged at me. I smirked at him and stepped to the right. He obviously didn't expect me to do that. He was confused and taken aback, therefore he kept attacking the air in front of him.

I watched as he ran right towards Sarah. My smile grew when I saw the burning fire in her eyes. As Erik came closer to her, she raised her fist and punched him. It hit his nose, and he fell to the ground. I laughed at his unconcious body.

"Damn S! He;s out! Nice hit!" I congradulated her and she smirked back in reply.

I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward my house. "Did you get that on video?" I asked her.

"Sure did! I just put it on his Twitter page. Even got the part where I hit him." She said happily.

Erik didn't come to school the rest of that yar. His parents told everyone that he moved to London, which I respected. He needed to leave and start a new life. The one he had here was to screwed up to fix.