for your eyes only

E I G H T

[ A/N : Dedicated to FlowerInZarryHeaven because you asked for it 😂.
     P. S. Sad chapter. I cried writing this. Ends at a positive note though.
     P. P. S. 1K+ words?! Whoa! That's a lot for me! ]

A few days later, after he finally feels okay enough to go to school, Ms Grace stops him. For a minute, he thinks he is in trouble with his favourite teacher, but Ms Grace is smiling; so he relaxes.

"Zayn, I have been truly fascinated by your work each time you have submitted them to me. I really think you have the potential to become a great artist. You know, you are a senior now. And each year the school board hosts an art exhibit of three selected seniors from each school, in London. I would be really glad if you could be one of them."

Zayn bites his lip. Ever since he was a kid, his mother had praised his artist skills. That was the sole reason he had always aspired to be an artist. But when his mother committed suicide...he stopped painting for pleasure. His dream had died when he was five; just like his mother.

"I don't know... I'd rather not." he says finally, and he almost feels bad when he sees Ms Grace's pretty face fall in disappointment.

"Take some time to think, okay? There's no pressure. Just inform me about your decision by tomorrow. Then, whatever your decision may be, I'll respect it." and with a last smile, Ms Grace walks away.

*

He skips the last two classes and goes to the school terrace to smoke a joint and clear his head. Claire and Alec were not exactly happy when they found out he had turned down Ms Grace's offer. In fact, they were fucking infuriated.

Well, Alec was because he dissapointed the 'beauty carved by the patient hands of God itself' (seriously, Alec becomes poetic when it comes to Ms Grace, who honestly is very beautiful), while Claire was ready to snap his neck because he was letting an oppurtunity for his possible future career pass.

He groans and rubs his hand over his face in frustration.

He is torn.

His phone rings, and he frowns when he sees Harry is calling him. His mind wanders to when Harry first called him, by mistake. He was crying.

He picks up immediately.

"Hello? Harry?"

"Zayn?" Harry says, and Zayn's heart falls when he hears him sniffing slightly.

"Haz, baby, you okay?" Zayn asks, not being able to hide his concern.

"Yeah, it's just that... Are you in class?"

"No, baby, tell me what's wrong."

"A guy called me a fag and said that... I spend my time taking dick up my ass... I just.." Harry starts sobbing, and Zayn literally wants to punch that guy. How can someone be so cruel and insensitive?

"And it hurt..." Harry starts saying "It hurt because it's true. But not by choice."

"What?" Zayn feels dread heaving down his chest. He just hopes Harry is not implying what he is thinking.

"My mother's boyfriend, Logan, was amazing. Or so my mother thought." Harry takes in a deep breath, and Zayn can tell he is struggling to get the words out "One day, a few months back. He came in my room at night. My mother had to leave for some urgent work. We were alone. He asked me..., if anyone had fucked me before. I was shocked and couldn't reply. Then he continued rambling."

"Haz..." Zayn feels his heart breaking.

"He said, of course someone has, I was a slut after all. He touched me, Zayn! He pinned me against the wall, and the next thing I knew, my jeans were on the floor and he was... in. me."

Zayn can hear Harry's heavy breathing. Tears gather in his eyes when he tries to imagine what Harry must have felt.

"I struggled, Zayn! I really did! But Logan was so strong. I was helpless.... He left me on the floor after he was done, crying and bleeding.... I couldn't tell my mum. I couldn't look at myself. I was ashamed, too ashamed. Then, he did it again. And again and AGAIN AND AGAIN!"

Harry takes in a deep breath, trying to control his sobs. "I wanted to die! I felt so worthless and filthy and disgusting! Each day, I blamed myself! I could have fought him harder, I could have told my mother.... But I couldn't! I just couldn't!"

Harry starts sobbing heavily and gasping for breath, and Zayn sucks in a breath when he feels tears trickling down his face.

A few minutes pass by, and Harry starts somewhat calming down. But Zayn could still hear his pained cries.

"Then, one day, my friend, Adena cornered me and forcefully got the truth out of me. She was angry and disgusted at Logan and vowed to help me and put Logan in jail." Harry pauses "She videotaped him trying to harass me. And stopped him right before he... entered...me."

He chuckles slightly, "We showed the video to mom and she looked like she could murder Logan right then and there. But she somehow restrained herself. Long story, short, the case went to court and we won. The news came out yesterday. Have you seen it? 'Boy in London raped multiple times by mother's boyfriend'? That was me. My name remained concealed but students figured out it was me... And then Ryan said that and I just...ran out of the school. It hurt, you know? It's not like I asked for it."

Harry starts crying again, and Zayn feels something clench inside him.

And then it hits him.

"Wait, London?"

"Um, yeah? I live there..."

"I am coming to visit you."

"What?"

"You know, all the schools under our school board arrange an art exhibit for three selected 'artistic' seniors. We are allowed to visit London to watch our works being displayed under the school's expense. I am one of those. I just have to agree to Ms Grace! I am coming to visit you!"

"Wow, um, you're serious?" Harry asks, still in disbelief.

"Yes, Harry! I am positive!" Zayn exclaims, giddy from excitement "We can meet!"

"Oh my gosh, Zayn!" Harry gushes, all traces of sadness gone, replaced by excitement and happiness "I literally can't wait! Oh God! When?! And for how long?!"

"I will find out and text you later?"

"Yeah, okay! Bye, Z!" Harry squeals. Literally.

"Bye, babe." Zayn laughs.

And as he hangs up, he could almost feel his mother, smiling fondly and proudly down at him.