Voices Numb: Zayn Malik

Chapter 16.

COLE’S POV:

At 3:30 I began to pack up my things. The guys had brought me my suitcase while I was staying in the hospital with a few “essential” items in it. I finished folding and squashing my clothes back in to the suitcase, packing your suitcase is something you do on the end of a vacation. This was the furthest thing from a vacation. My subconscious is a fully blown whore!

I changed out of my hospital gown putting on my heels and a floor length skirt. This way it cover majority of the bruises on my legs from where Lillian had forced her weight upon me to pin me to the ground; I strategically placed my sunglasses on as to hide my black eye that was slowly forming.

I wheeled my bag out past the front desk and sprawled myself out over the waiting room chairs and settled into a magazine.  Around 20 minutes later I was interrupted from my article on some lady called Sweet Brown, whose house has burnt down in a fire; by Liam tapping my shoulder lightly.

I looked up at him and smiled. “You can stay if you want, but I thought you would be itching to get out of here.”

“Are you kidding?” I jumped up, throwing my magazine at the rest of the pile. I praying that it stayed where it was and I didn’t have to bend over to pick it up. Liam took my suitcase and wheeled it out the front doors of the hospital. I said a quick goodbye to the nurses at the reception desk before joining Liam.

It felt amazing to be travelling home and I pressed my forehead against the window soaking in London. Liam cleared his throat awkwardly and I knew that was his way of asking for permission to talk and interrupt my new found revere for London.  I turned to look at him and accepting my unspoken permission he began to speak.

“Cole… Did you uhh.. Call your parents to let them known what happened?”

I looked down quickly at my hands, “No… I umm didn’t want to worry them.”

He continued to look at me through his peripheral vision but didn’t say anything. “I will give them a call when I get home to assure them that everything is fine but I didn’t want them to worry about me again. You know…”

Liam widened his eyes in realization. “Oh My God Cole I’m so sorry, that was such a dickhead thing to say I totally forgot about last time. I understand completely why you wouldn’t want to tell them again.”   I put a hand on Liam’s leg for reassurance, “Liam honey, its fine really; people forget.”

We pulled into the car park of the apartment complex and I avoided the car park occupied by Zayn’s car.  Right there; right in the car spot; could’ve been the end to my story. I dropped my eyes to the ground and briskly walked behind Liam. He stopped to push the elevator button and I began to panic.  I can’t go back in there; I can’t go back in there; I can’t go back in there. The words where a never ending chant in my head.  

The doors pinged open and as Liam stepped in I flinched away, “I’m sorry Liam, I can’t. I will meet you upstairs.” I turned and began walking up the fire escape stairs beside the elevator. Luckily for me the boys floor was only level 8; my fitness is less than I would have liked.

I soon felt Liam’s presence next to me again. He was carrying my suitcase balanced on his head. “Liam, you could have taken the elevator.”

“Why would I do something that visibly hurts you?” I wrapped my arms around his torso and gave him a quick hug. We arrived into a seemingly absent apartment.  Liam banged down the suitcase with a thud. Louis poked his head out of the kitchen at hearing the noise, “COOOOOLE!” He screamed and ran forward to bear hug me.

Harry and Niall both walked around the corner of the lounge room looking startled by Louis’ outburst. Niall dropped his popcorn and they joined in the group hug. I was so happy to be home.  Zayn was last. He appeared at the top of the stairs, his brown eyes connecting instantly with mine. He jumped down three stairs at a time and folded me into his arms.

I felt tears run down my cheeks and begin to soak his shirt. “Welcome home.” His breath was hot on my back and it sent longing shivers down my spine.  “Why are you crying?”

“I’m just so happy to be home.” My voice broke and all the boys piled on top of us for a group hug.

“We should have cake!”

“Niall, that sounds great, but I’m really just tired tonight. Maybe tomorrow ok?”

The rest of the guys groaned at Niall’s suggestion, but he smiled. “I will take you up on that Cole.”

I grabbed my suitcase from the door and waved to the guys as I made my way back up to my room to unpack and hopefully sleep.

ZAYN’S POV:

We all watched Cole head up the stairs to her room. I was going to ask her to move into my room but I figured that she might just need a few days to back into the rhythm of things. Or she might not even want to share your room with you.  I wanted to mentally kick myself in the head. I had been getting these constant niggling thoughts. I hadn’t specifically defined what my relationship with Cole was, we had just kissed.

I decided that I needed to put this too rest and settled for the master of relationships.

“Liam, can I talk to you for a sec?”

He nodded and followed me back up the stairs to my room.

I closed the door behind us and we both sat on the bed.  “Liam, you and Danielle have been together for a long time…”

“And still going strong.” He chuckled at me and I returned his wink.

“And still going strong,” I added, “But how did you… You know… Like, start?”

“You mean how did I know that she liked me back?”

I nodded eager to hear his answer. “I didn’t” The disappointment was evident on my face and Liam was laughing at me. “Zayn, I didn’t know, you can never know. You just need to take the chance.”

I looked thoughtfully at Liam and considered what he had said. Yes that did make some sort of sense.

“Look, you and Cole obviously have issues that need to be resolved. You need to talk to her. Don’t pressure her into anything but defiantly talk. Before you do that you will never be able to move on.”

“Thanks mate. Really!” He got up and walked out of the room. Tomorrow Zayn, you will talk to Cole. Tell her everything learn everything.

I decided to call it a night and prepare myself for what was going to be an emotionally straining day.