Thirty eight

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Hannah

"I'm sorry, little man, but the dogs are chasing the geese in the grassland, so you can't play with them." One of the coworkers told Zephaniah when Zayn had asked them about it.

Zephaniah frowned deeply, "But she said t-that I can play w-wwith dogs." He said quietly, more to Zayn and me than to the coworker as he wouldn't dare to tell her directly.

"I know, bud, but we didn't know there were geese today! Do you want to play with the bunnies instead? They could use some cuddles." She suggested, but Zephaniah sighed in response and pressed his little body against Zayn's.

His little hands flapped, something I noticed he had done a lot today and I wondered why. His eyes started to blink a little faster than normal again, Zayn stroking his cheeks with his thumbs. "We'll find something to do, thank you." Zayn smiled shortly.

I knew he just wanted the coworker to leave us alone for a while. Zayn crouched down in front of Zephaniah, the tears forming in the young boy's eyes.

"Zeph, I know you're upset now, but don't let it ruin your day, okay?" He said softly. "Do you want to see the chickens or pet the bunnies?"

Zephaniah's lip trembled, his eyebrows furrowing, "I w-wwanna play with dogs, baba! Just with dogs, s-sshe said it," He said sadly, the tears rolling down his cheeks now.

"I know you want that, but they're not here. We have to do something else," He explained slowly, his warm honey eyes staring up into Zephaniah's big green ones.

Zephaniah whined and fisted his eyes, wanting to sit down on the ground. "No, Zephaniah. You're going to stand up. We're not going to sit down on the ground." Zayn said clearly, while I was quietly watching them.

Zayn lifted him up, and although Zephaniah didn't want it- judging by his kicking legs- he soon went limp and simply rested his head on Zayn's shoulder.

"This is what I mean, and it can get even worse if something bad happens now." Zayn spoke quietly, "They told him he could play with the dogs, so he made a planning in his head. First, horse riding, then playing with the dogs. He's pulled out of his own structure now and that upsets him, but also because he's been weepy and moody the whole day for reasons I don't know." Zayn mumbled the last part.

I stared at him for a while. Zayn was a clever guy, and I liked it. Even when he brought up something very personal a few minutes ago, it still couldn't make me mad, although I could understand why he didn't like it when I came too close to his vulnerable heart.

Maybe it wasn't fair from me to ask him such personal questions all the time either. I didn't mean to force him into it, maybe he'd tell on his own time.

Why did he make me feel like this?

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "If you want me to help, in any way, I will do it, okay? You're not alone." I gave him a reassuring smile.

He returned it, and although it was a small smile, his lips not even parting, I could tell it was more than genuine. "Thank you, Hannah."

"No worries. That's what I'm here for." I responded, the two of us looking up when the coworkers called us over to eat lunch outside, surrounded by bunnies.

It was rather chilly, so I was happy I brought my dark red beret. Fishing it out of my backpack, I ran a few fingers through my hair and placed my beret on it, glancing at Zayn when I could just feel him staring at me.

Zayn smiled shyly, quickly looking away. I smiled by myself. Zayn, shy? Although I didn't know the reason why he just smiled shyly, I still liked it. Who knew I could have that kind of influence on him.

Zephaniah // z.mWhere stories live. Discover now