Secrets (Zayn Malik)

Chapter 74

For some reason, "Right Now" inspired this chapter for me lol idk I guess it's the sound of it.

The last six months have effected in ways I never imagined they would. Aside from possibly failing this entire semester due to the distraction of my personal life, I've learned a lot. In the beginning, not knowing where I was supposed to go next without my mum, to making every decision the way I knew she'd want me to. A certain lad liked to refer to me as difficult, and stubborn, but I won't say it was because I wanted to be. It's who I am, and the way I'm supposed to be.

If I had done anything differently, I would've taken a path that led who knows where. I don't regret any decisions I've made, no matter how much they hurt me. Whether it was withdrawing from the university, or leaving Zayn behind with the drama that was our relationship.

Zayn will have an everlasting impact on my life, I can already tell. The way I view any other man, is sad because there isn't any trust left for me to give. He consumed every last piece of it, taking it greedily for himself without another thought. He pushed me to my absolute limit, and taught me boundaries to not trust everyone I meet on the side of the street. Himself included, if I ever do meet him again.

Part of me wishes we had ended differently. Lonely nights like these while on my way to the airport, leave me alone to ponder his last words. And truly wish he was the person I thought he was, instead of being the exact opposite. If he had kept his word, and never dared to stoop so low as to look me in my eyes and tell me he never loved me? I'd find any possible way to look past this, and forgive him immediately.

Yes, he told me multiple times that he loved me while I was being hauled into the ambulance truck, but could I honestly believe it? For all I know, it wasn't the truth coming from him. It could've been just more lies that I would fall victim to.

And I can't be a victim anymore.

"Stupid traffic, we can't miss this flight!" I hear Kate huff under her breath, and shake my head smiling at her frustration. "Laughing huh? We'll see who's laughing when you're stuck here another night."

Her English accent sounds slightly Australian to me when she says 'night' and I'm curious to know where exactly she's from. Being that we have plenty of time together now that she's my guardian of sort, I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to ask some other time.

"I'm laughing because you're so impatient. It's only four o clock, our flight leaves at six!"

"We should be checking in right now though. You'll understand when you schedule your own flights in the future." She rolls her eyes, and speeds up once the light turns green, weaving her way through the busy traffic.

"Impatience means stress, and I've dealt with plenty of stress so no thank you."

"Knowing you, you'll probably hire a personal assistant with this money you've got." She chuckles, and merges into the lane that leads to the airport valet.

"It's three hundred thousand, not four million Kate." I explain to her once more. She keeps making rich jokes and throws them at me without keeping in mind that I can't hold onto this forever.

"You're right, and in case you want my professional opinion, I don't think you should spend it all in one place. Pay for your education, your home, and a new car. Everything else can come afterwards." She switches to a serious tone so suddenly, I'm a bit caught off guard. "Okay we're here!"

The car pulls up to the curb, and two men hold our doors open for us while we walk around to the back to retrieve our bags. Kate hands them a stack of money, and keeps walking not even asking for change. They glance at me awkwardly, and I smile in return.

"You keep that." I wave it off, and roll my bag to the sliding glass doors.

--

"Okay, are you ready?" She squeezes my knee excitedly for the umpteenth time, and smiles brightly as they call for us to board.

I stay quiet and instead smirk, while deep down I'm half dying inside. This is my first time on a plane, and not even for an exciting reason to begin with. Instead of leaving for holiday, or to visit family, I'm escaping my family and spent the past holiday coming face to face with death itself. This plane ride is just the beginning of it all.

"How long is the flight?" I change the subject, and scan the rows of seat as I enter the plane.

"About seven and a half hours, perfect for you to get some sleep. Why?" She asks, and points at our seats about six rows from the front.

Nothing, just the fact that if I sleep, I know exactly what I'll dream of.

"Just curious."

We sit in our seats and wait for everyone else to find their own, leading us to play with the foldable menus and tap the touch screen television repeatedly. The seats I paid for are especially spacious, giving us comfortable leg room and even comfier cushioning.

Once everyone is seated, the seatbelt light above our heads goes off, signaling throughout the plane while the flight attendants run through the procedures.

"Must be boring doing the same procedure everyday." I mutter to her, but she's too busy scanning our surroundings. "What's wrong?"

"Just being cautious. Don't forget I'm a police officer Ella. It's my job to be protective of those whom I serve." She whispers, and looks back over her seat quickly.

"That's the first time I've heard you be serious since we left the hospital." I crack a smile, unsure whether I should take her seriously or not.

"Well you haven't been in any danger since we left. But America has pretty bad history with t-"

"Pretty sure you can't say that on a plane." I cut her off before she can say 'terrorist'.

"I thought that was only in America?" She frowns.

"I wouldn't take my chances."

"Fine." She huffs, and leans her head back against the headrest.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot speaking. We have a long flight ahead of us, so if you could please fasten your seat belts at this time, that would be greatly appreciated. You will be informed when you are able to undo them. Also, all electronics must be shut off or turned on airplane mode until we are clear and up in the air. Thank you, and enjoy your flight." The intercom shuts off, and I reach for my phone to shut it off.

Still, it takes me back a bit each time I turn it on and see Zayn and I making silly faces in our selfies. With only one of us smiling in the middle. I haven't changed it because id be lying if I said I were over him. It's much easier said than done to erase someone from your life, with one press of a button.

Because it just doesn't work that way.

Epilogue :) -->