Revulsion [zm au]

Thirty Three.

I sat outside the hospital, my fingers numbing from the chill of the early morning.

"I'm guessing you heard," my father spoke from beside me, both of us staring straight ahead at the parking lot.

I nodded, clenching my jaw in frustration.

Sitting out here had calmed me down, but of course my father had to bring the topic up again.

"I'm unable to understand why the boy did it. They both barely knew each other!" my father said as he rubbed his forehead in bemusement.

I swallowed, feeling my eyes begin to water.

"Yeah..." I muttered hoarsely .

I still couldn't believe this was all real. Zayn wasn't a criminal, he wasn't supposed to be sitting in a jail cell right now! He didn't belong there!

"Liam will be okay though. Don't worry dear." My father consoled, rubbing my back as I leaned forward.

I nodded mutely, too consumed with my anger and confused thoughts to say anything.

"They have Malik in custody right now. I'm probably going to go down to the station and see what exactly happened."

I glanced over my shoulder and stared at my father.

"You're firing him aren't you?" I asked monotonously.

My father nodded right away, "Of course I am! I can't put my family in danger."

My stomach clenched uncomfortably at the thought of Zayn leaving forever. I was angry with him and hurt but I didn't want him gone.

"It's my job to protect you and your mother." My father soothed, placing his hand on my upper back.

~~~

Two weeks and one day.That is how long it had been since Liam's attack. That is also how long it has been since I've last seen or heard from Zayn.He was released a few days after since the Payne's agreed to let it go, which is something no one was expecting including myself.

In a way I was glad I haven't seen him, because what he did really hurt me. He had gone against my wishes and done something not only illegal but something that was completely wrong! He had physically wounded another just because of some emotions. Ridiculous really.
I wasn't as angry any more though. The heat of my rage has now gone away. Instead I feel emotionless towards him. I know that there is a part of me that misses him, but there is another part that just doesn't care at the moment.

My father fired him and his father, threatening them that if they ever set foot on his property that he'd have them sent to jail immediately .

I sigh, mindlessly picking at my nails as I sit on the porch rocking chair.

Knowing he wasn't coming back was something I haven't fully accepted yet. It hasn't really hit me. I know, for sure, that I will cry one day. I'm just not sure when.

"Elizabeth,"

I bite my bottom lip and continue to stare at the garden expecting a raven haired boy to emerge from the weeds.

He doesn't.

"Yeah?" I mutter, not bothering to give Aria eye contact.

"Have you been listening at all?" she questions in a whine.

I shift and turn towards her.

"No." I reply bluntly, gazing at her attractive features before settling on her eyes.

She glares but I know she is not upset with me. She knows what's going on, and she knows I might be like this for awhile.

"Of course you haven't..." she sighs, throwing her head back as she does so.

"He was jealous Aria. Jealous. That's why he did it." I said stiffly, gazing at the garden again.

She stayed silent, letting me have my moment.

"He broke the law because of his emotions." I spoke slowly, my eyes narrowing.

"Do you want to see him?" she asked quietly.

I could feel her staring at the side of my face, waiting patiently for me to reply.

I thought for a moment, knowing that spitting out an answer was never a good idea. I was one of those people who had to think things through first before making a decision.

"I do..." I mumbled, speaking the honest truth.

"So go to him."

I looked at her, my eyes wide now.

"So go to him? Aria you make it sound like it's the easiest thing in the world." I said as I stand up and begin to pace.

"Well I don't know! I don't know how to comfort you Elizabeth." she said throwing her hands up.

"I don't need your comfort!" I hissed before trotting down the steps and heading towards the front of the house.

"Where are you going!?" She shouted after me.

"I don't know!"

~~~

"We'll also have a dozen white roses. Make sure the note says Happy 55th Birthday Angela." My mother said seriously, eyeing the young man who worked behind the counter like he was some peasant.
I sighed , leaning against the counter and scanning the rest of the flower shop.
"Anything else ma'am?"
"No that'll be all."
No 'thank you' or anything. So typical of my mother.
I sighed again, glancing at the door when I heard the little bells chime.
I froze momentarily, letting my eyes follow the figure that entered.

Oh my...
Zayn.
I felt like I couldn't breathe. It was so unexpected and shocking to see him here. Of all the places i never thought I'd find him here.
He didn't see me yet, he was too distracted by some boxes near the door.

He must work here...

He looked the same, but because I hadn't seen him in awhile he appeared different somehow.
His hair was disheveled and out of place. His facial hair was growing in thick, skin darker from the sun.
My...he's so beautiful.
He bent down, his dirty hands gripping the edges of a box as he lifted it up.
I placed my hand on the counter, trying to appear casual.

"Alright dear let's go."

My mother's voice did not pull my eyes from him.

I couldn't look away, because in all honesty I wanted him to see me.
Unfortunately even with my mother's obnoxiously loud voice, he didn't notice us. He just continued to carry the box away.
With a heavy sigh and burning cheeks I followed my mother to the exit.

I took my eyes off of him and glued my stare towards the floor.
Once we reached the door I finally glanced up once more.
I inhaled sharply, my eyes landing directly on his.
His expression was one of shock, and within a second the box dropped from his hands causing a loud bang to ring through the small store.
"Oh my!" My mother screeched, whipping around as she clutched her chest. "What was that!?"
Like a hawk her eyes scanned the store, narrowing as they landed on Zayn. I watched as a look of disgust grew on her features.
I swallowed nervously, glancing back at Zayn who was still staring at me.
"Let's go Elizabeth and get away from this scum." My mother growled, gripping my arm tightly.
Like a rubber band being stretched too far, I snapped.
"Don't call him that." I hissed, yanking my arm away from her.
Her eyes widened, "excuse me?"
I stayed quiet and began grinding my teeth.
I realized I shouldn't have said that. She's now going to find it strange that I was defending him.
"I want to give him a piece of my mind. He attacked one of my good friends and I deserve to know why." I explained quickly. "You can go. I'll find my way back home."
This was my chance. My chance to hear him out. My chance to possibly get an apology from him so that I could forgive him.