Voices Numb: Zayn Malik

Chapter 13.

ZAYN'S POV:

I stormed out of the hospital without looking back. I slammed the back doors open steaming out into the ally way behind the hospital. I spotted a row of three trashcans. I quickly ran over to the first one pausing briefly. 

"Fuck this." I said quickly before kicking the can over. It felt good! 

I moved to the second one, "Fuck That!" I once again I kicked the can over and moved to the last one.

I don't need any of this fucking shit, I was fine before Cole and I will be fine after her. 

"Fuck Cole all her mood swings." My boot connected with the last trash can. I stood back to admire my handy work. It was a welcome distraction and a much-needed way to relieve some of my stress. 

"You gonna pick them up?"

The voice scared me and I turned almost tripping over the trash cans. "You scared the shit out of me." I turned to where the voice was coming from and saw a girl emerging from a nook beside the door.

"I scared the shit out of you, your the one kicking the shit outta cans at..." She checked her watch, "At 11:45 pm"

I hadn't realised it was so late, I instantly felt guilty about making so much noise, people were probably trying to sleep. "Sorry, I didn't disturb you did I?" 

She shook her head making her plaits move into her brown eyes. I took a minute just to look at her. She had very long curly blonde hair tied into messy braids. She had managed to make her hair look messy but good at the same time, something I try on a daily basis to perfect. 

She was wearing bright orange jeans and a plain white t-shirt. She looked about 14 years old and I realised that she was shivering. 

"Hey, are you cold? Would you like my jacket?" I moved towards her and she gladly took it. 

"How old are you?" I asked wrapping my leather jacket around her shoulders. 

"14 and 3 months." She smiled brightly at me. and I wondered if she knew who I was.

"Well happy birthday for three months ago." She giggled and hugged me. It was quite unexpected but I liked this girl. 

"So, if you don't mind me asking what's your name?" 

She looked shyly at the ground, "My name's Tara."

"Hi Tara my names.." 

"Zayn, I know." She cut me off before I could continue. I smiled and couldn't help but laugh at her. 

"So Zayn, I have been wondering this since you kicked over the first trash can, why are you atthe hospital? Is something wrong with one of the guys?"

I was having a heated debate with my concious on whether or not to tell Tara about Cole, but eventually I figured she was cool about me so far I can't do much to ruin it.

"No there's nothing wrong with any of the guys."

She looked at me urging me to continue. "I'm here for my friend Cole."

"Cole?"

"We were neighbours back in Bradford before X-Factor."

"And you like her." Her brown eyes were looking straight into mine and I felt as If they were looking right into my soul. 

"How... Did you... ?" I managed to stutter out. 

She was still looking into my eyes, I was determined not to break eye contact. 

"It's simple.." 

I was still staring at her dumb-founded. she sighed "Your pupils dilated the minute that you said her name, and then again when I said it."

I finally broke eye contact with her and ran my hand through my hair. 

Shit am I really that obvious?

"Zayn don't worry I'm sure she'll come around. You are great and talented and so nice."

"You're just saying that you don't even know me."

"Zayn, you just offered some random girl that you met in the back ally-way of the hospital your jacket before basically spilling your guts about the girl you love." 

"I--I, ummm" This girl is just full of surprises, just when I think she will go one way she gos the other. 

"Enough about me, why are you in the back ally-way of the hospital?" 

She dropped her eyes to the ground and began fiddling with her hands. She bit her lip before finally speaking.

"I live with my grandma because my parents died in a car accident a while back but shes not doing so well at the moment." 

"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

"Not unless you know someone who is able to drop me to school tomorrow morning, but thanks anyways."

I thought about it for a moment. It would provide another distraction from Cole and Austin. 

"I can." I didn't let my mind dwell on it too much.  Now it was her turn to look surprised. 

"I'll drive you just tell me where and when." I gave her a reassuring smile. I took out the pen I used to write the note for Cole's flowers and gave it to Tara. 

She wrote on my hand her address and the time I was needed. "Well Tara it has been a pleasure to meet you."

"You to Zayn Malik." She enunciated to K and smiled at me once more.

I looked at my hand, "7:45 tomorrow, Seeya then."

I waved and started to head back inside the hospital. "Wait! Zayn your jacket!" 

"Keep it, I don't really need it," I said before returning inside. I walked down the hallway smiling and met the guys just outside Cole's room. Austin had left and I assumed Cole was sleeping. 

"What's got you so happy?" 

"Nothing Louis, just distractions." I ruffled his hair and he pulled away from me laughing. 

"Cole calmed down a lot after you left and the doctor explained that her memory would only be a bit dodgy for a couple of days."

"Did the doctor really say the word dodgy?"

Niall cracked up laughing at me, "I'm glad to see you in a better mood Zayn."

"I'm glad to be in a better mood." Tara really had cheered me up and I was more than happy to take her to school tomorrow morning, it was the least I could do with her grandma and all. 

"So we heading home?"

"Nawwh is wittle Harry tired?" 

Harry shot Louis a sour look and it earned a laugh from the rest of us. 

"I think it's time to go, we can all come back and see Cole tomorrow." Liam ushered us towards the door and we said good-bye to some of the night nurses and headed back in silence to the apartment. 

The only thing that was going to keep me sane tonight was Tara and her all-to-knowing eyes. I smiled to myself once again tonight.