Why Don't We // Sickfics

Zaniel // Anorexia

DISCLAIMER:

Please do not continue to read this story if you are sensitive or may be easily affected by these type of stories. I will write plenty other stories soon for you to read if you do not feel comfortable reading this one. Also, please know that if you are suffering with any of the mental health issues mentioned in this story or others in general, please know I am here for you to speak to always, life is not always plain sailing and sometimes you need to speak to someone in order to feel happier.

Please note I am not wishing this on anyone, especially any of the boys. This was simply a request and I have written it for user65172321. Remember I am always here to talk to, don't suffer in silence.

----------------------------

Zach was never happy with the way he looked. His reflection was never something he looked forward to seeing. He always thought that his bandmates were all much skinnier than he was. They all worked out and were much more attractive. He tried time and time again to accept himself for what he was, but he just couldn't. He just wasn't happy.

Deep down he knew he should tell someone. He couldn't suffer in silence forever and the support of one of his bandmates or friends would be just what he needed. Except it wasn't as simple as he hoped. He questioned wether his bandmates would understand what he was going through. He questioned wether they would too turn against him much like he had done to himself. He questioned wether they, his own friends, would believe him.

He didn't need help. At least that's what he told himself time and time again. Anytime the thought of therapy popped into his head, he quickly denied it. Just the thought of opening up to someone he didn't know filled his body with anxiety.

'People have it worse'

'You just want attention'

'Don't act like a baby. You're 17, not 4'

The thoughts replayed over and over again in his mind.

He always downplayed what was going on. Whenever he skipped a meal or ordered a smaller meal when they went out, he always used the excuse that he wasn't hungry.

It seemed to the youngest boy that his bandmates were oblivious to the fact he was starving himself. Each night he threw up what he had eaten earlier on in the day. Each day he weighed himself. To him they were good, but not good enough. He continued this process for almost 3 months before the boys realised what was happening as they saw the small boy's ribs protruding from his chest through his t-shirt.

"Yo, Z are you ok? I can see your ribs sticking out from here." Corbyn said, almost in shock at the sight before his eyes.

Zach replied with a simple and worn out nod, only increasing the worry in his bandmates face.

As Zach went off to get changed for the day, Corbyn went downstairs to join the other boys while ensuring to keep an eye on Zach all day. Zach then joined the boys and they headed out for a long day of press and interviews to promote their new album and tour.

When they got home they were exhausted, Zach especially. He managed to keep going all day using the little energy he had left in him. He hadn't eaten properly in months and he simply didn't have enough energy to do as much as he had to for his job.

That evening the boys decided to have a movie night. Zach cuddled up underneath the blankets on the sofa furthest away from the other boys. They were holding bowls of popcorn and drinking hot chocolates, both of which Zach had turned down the offer to have his own of. The thought of the sugary drinks and food made his empty stomach turn and he didn't even realise he was staring into space until Daniel yelled his name.

"Zach!" Daniel yelled to get the boy's attention.

"Bro come over here and cuddle, your sat so far away from us. Come on." The boy finished, his voice full of sympathy and concern for the youngest.

After a little bit of convincing Zach made his way over to the others, slowly. He collapsed right into Daniels lap and Daniel wrapped his arms around the boy's small frame.

Suddenly, only minutes after, Zach jumped up and dashed to the bathroom. The smell of the calorific food had made him sick to his stomach and he knew he needed to throw up. All the boys quickly followed his lead and sat beside him as he sat with his heath rested above the toilet seat. He began to dry heave and between each heave he let out painful sobs.

"Hey, hey, hey, you're ok." Daniel said to the boy, gently stroking his back in a desperate effort to calm him out of his distressed state.

The crying went on for hours and Daniel sat by him the whole time. Jack and Jonah went to find some medicine but they knew Zach couldn't take it on an empty stomach. They also knew he hadn't eaten all day.

Corbyn and Daniel gently lifted the boy up and took him to the sofa, a bin by his side incase he need to throw up again. After a few minutes of silence, Daniel helped Zach sit up carefully and he began to get questioned about what had happened.

"Why didn't you tell us bub? We've been worried sick. We know you haven't been eating and you need to let us help you." Daniel said, rubbing the boys shoulder to give him some comfort.

"I'm sorry. I re-eally am. I just- just didn't feel myself and I-I know I should have told on-ne of you but I just couldn't." He said quietly, his voice shaky and laced with guilt.

"It's fine Z, but we need to get you some help. We will all get through this together, we will be right by your side, always." Corbyn said.

And that's exactly what the boys did, they stayed true to their word. Slowly but surely, they got Zach to go to a doctor and be referred to a therapist for help. He knew this was what he needed and the boys knew too. They always looked out for Zach and they were all there for him whenever he need one of them for support. They didn't leave his side. With help from his therapists, family and the boys he loved the most, he got his health back on track. He got his diet back to normal and he finally began to except that his body is his own. He began to recognise that he was happy with his body and he was comfortable in his own skin. He finally realised that he was happy again and he had no one to thank more than his four best friends and bandmates, the ones that are there for him through thick and thin, always and forever.

A/N WORD COUNT: 1032

Hope you enjoyed this story. I'm always here if you need someone to talk to. Feel free to message me if you need to talk to someone. Please always remember, you don't have to suffer in silence.

Hope you have a good day all.

-S<3