“Get lost freakshow! Or why don’t you just go disappear and die?”
Zayn Malik could clearly hear outbursts of laughter after Luke Thompson made fun of someone again. The jocks were always the bullies, they always picked on the weak making them as the laughing stock. But that’s how most of the popular people stand in Belle Vue. Fortunately Zayn was amongst the said people but he was never on Thompson’s crowd.
He didn’t bother to watch the show that was currently ongoing, he decided on turning his heels and proceed to where he was supposed to be until he heard a loud disturbance that rather caught his attention. All the students gathered around to witness the gruesome scene wherein the bully pokes fun on his prey. No one bothered helping the poor lad for they wouldn’t want to go against Luke.
The pitiable bloke was all covered with rubbish that Peyton Savage had thrown on him. Fits of laughter was then heard from the crowd who were quite enjoying the occurence. Zayn took notice of how the lad was about to cry from all the humiliation he gets. He didn’t really want to meddle in but he just subconsciously did, which was very much not like him.
“Hey quit it guys.” He stood behind the curly bloke who quietly sat on the ground.
“Malik? What do you want?” Luke Thompson smirked. Zayn didn’t really like him, he was one of the biggest jerks in sixth form who never did anything right.
“That’s enough, just stop this bullshit.”
“Come on Malik! Don’t stand up for this faggot! You’re losing your cool man.” Peyton Savage interjected. Zayn frowned at his comment, he gradually closed the space between them, his eyes who portrayed annoyance never once left Peyton's stare, causing the smaller lad to draw back with fear.
“I don’t care about my stand here in this fucking school. Just fuck off with your group and stop causing all the fuss!” Zayn growled while he grabbed hold of Peyton’s collar. This made the man before him whimper; he couldn’t even handle such small things on his own. He was a pussy after all.
“Tsk, major kill joy. Let’s go guys, goody two shoes Malik want us out.” Luke signaled his group to leave. They all followed suit as the entire jocks disappeared from the spacious hallway.
The crowd began to disperse after the show they thought had ended. All of them earned a deathly glare from Zayn which they didn’t bother returning knowing he was the bad boy and they were too frightened to go against him. They wouldn’t want to mess with him unless they’d wish for an early hospital sentence.
Zayn spotted how the curly bloke was still sitting on the ground with all the dirt covering his beautiful locks. He always hated the idea of bullying; people like the man in front of him don’t deserve being treated like trash. Zayn crouched down to level with the poor lad and to check if he was actually alright.
“Hey, you okay?” he asked, slightly concerned.
The curly boy had lifted his face to meet with his savior's gaze. And as soon as Zayn caught a glimpse of his features, he couldn't help but to stare at him intently. The guy had the most luscious plump red lips, those pair of emerald enticing orbs that he can’t avert his look with, his pale complexion that adds up to his beauty and not to mention those gorgeous mop of curly locks that sat messily on his head. Too bad he had some dust covered on it though it didn’t matter, he still looked perfect in ones eyes. Generally, Zayn thought this man was completely out of his league when it comes to beauty. He was way too striking to be treated like this and he really had no clue why the jocks chose to toy on him.
“Thank you...” he whispered softly, causing the raven haired lad to flinch at how innocent he looked.
But then, Zayn shook off all the funny thoughts he just had in mind. What the bloody hell did he just think of? He’s not checking on this man is he? He was straight and even if the curly guy was really gay, he wouldn’t still like him. He doesn’t go for that, Zayn likes girls and the idea of dating a guy never crossed his mind. Even though the guy in front of him was drop dead gorgeous, he wouldn’t lay a finger on him.
“Why didn’t you fight back? I mean, you’re not small. You can at least handle them with your height, you’ve got the advantage man. You could’ve punched Savage straight on his face!” he exclaimed. In all fairness he did have a great height but it had Zayn thinking on why he didn’t stand up for himself.
“I can’t.” curly muttered.
“Why?” Zayn asked, his tone depicting complete confusion.
“Because I punch like a girl.” he claimed almost inaudible for the other lad to hear.
Zayn bit the insides of his cheeks to restrain himself from laughing. He thought he might offend the guy if he cracked up but it was too late. The curly haired boy already took noticed of how Zayn was holding back.
“You can laugh, I don’t mind.” he allowed and within a second Zayn started to burst. This made the curly bloke smile; he thought of how attractive this man was. After almost a minute of creasing up, Zayn sluggishly wiped the small tears that had formed on his eyes as he went back to talk to him.
“Man you’re funny. Hey what’s your nam—
*RING*
But before the raven haired boy could ever ask for his name, the school bell suddenly resonated within the place, startling them both. He couldn’t afford to be late on his next class for he didn’t really have a good record in it. Zayn immediately stood up, readying himself to sprint towards his next class.
“Hey gotta go! Erm... see you?” he asked while lending him a hand.
“Sure.” The curly haired boy smiled as he watched how Zayn ran for his life.
“Thank you.”
~
Zayn rushed to his classroom, praying to all the gods that their teacher wasn’t still around. He screwed up and if the fat man catches him he’ll be sent to a place where he never wanted to visit again. The head’s office, sucks for him.
“Hey mate, good timing.” The thick Irish accent came rushing through his ears. He chose to ignore it as he slouched down on his seat. He was still catching with his breath after that crazy sprint he’d just performed. One of his best mates went to sit beside him while he eyed on him intently. Dark chocolate pools glaring at his golden brown ones.
“I’ve heard something. News travels fast huh Zayn?” the raven haired boy cocked an eyebrow at him, oblivious of what he was trying to imply. Until it suddenly hit him, Zayn just waved it off telling Liam not to bother with the stupid news he was mentioning.
“Come on Li, Luke’s just getting on my nerves.” He claimed while he sat lazily on his chair, feet up on his desk as if he owned it. Well apparently he uses it but the school still owns it. “Zayn you might get in trouble with it.” Liam continues to worry about his friend’s safety. Well who wouldn’t? Zayn really didn’t have the cleanest record when it comes to brawls. He always topped the list. Zayn took notice of Liam’s worried look so he patted his shoulder reassuring him that he was strong and no one would dare kill him.
“You don’t trust me do you?” Zayn questioned while he eyed on Liam’s dark orbs. It’s not like he doesn’t trust him, it was just in his nature to worry a lot. And Zayn was aware of it so he didn’t bother furthering the issues anymore. Liam finally shrugged it off as he scurried back to his seat for the fat man as what Zayn calls him, finally entered the room.
“Oh boy, another dreadful day.” Zayn muttered, stretching out his arms to crack up some bones.
~
The class ended with Zayn yawning offhandedly. He earned a few glares from the nerds including Mr. Peterson a.k.a the fat man. Zayn didn’t falter as he glared back, he wasn’t really afraid of the sick man; he just hated him for being judgmental. Thinking it was an absolute waste of time to even acknowledge Zayn’s existence, Mr. Peterson decided to leave.
“Fvck you.” he cursed after he disappeared. The ends of his lips slightly curved upwards as he thought of how he scared his teacher away, it was very much of an accomplishment for him.
“Hey mate lunch time, pack up slowpoke!” his Irish friend came rushing to him. He knew how this guy fancied food came to an extent where he would probably marry them one day. He disregarded the crazy idea as the Irish lad began poking him nonstop.
“Niall would you cut that out!” he hissed which Niall didn’t even flinch. He wasn’t afraid of Zayn unlike everyone else. He knew the real Zayn; he wasn’t really a bad person like what most of them portrayed him as. He was a loving dude who always cared for them. He was very much like Liam, though Liam’s affection may already be categorized as a fatherly one and annoying at some point. Nonetheless he loves both of them dearly for he considers the two of them as his second family.
“Just hurry up or I’ll lose all the food!” Zayn let out a long vexing sigh at Niall’s craziness. But he loved how his best friend was all hyped-up when it comes to food so he just hurried himself to avoid more of Niall’s clamoring. After fixing, the Irish lad stifled a laugh but eventually erupted into fits as he made the bad boy from Bradford follow his orders. His laugh was contagious that Zayn wasn’t able to help himself. He thought he was unlucky enough to have idiotic friends, but no, he loved it!
Zayn’s group was seated at a round table consisting of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Ed Sheeran, Josh Devine and yours truly, Zayn Malik. Ed and Josh were also his cool friends who have amazing talents though they were only classmates for a single subject. They sat by near the counter so Niall wouldn’t be too exhausted from coming back and forth after he orders more food. They were in a middle of a funny conversation where Niall shares his leprechaun jokes till Liam decided to intervene by clearing his throat out loud. Niall and the others knew about this so he thought this was already Liam’s sign of shutting him up.
“What’s wrong Li? Not that amused with Niall’s puns?” Zayn chuckled but Liam didn’t really pay attention to that. He was meant to say something about Zayn’s important day.
“Zayn you know something’s bound to happen this Saturday huh?” he questioned while eyeing on him. Zayn felt uncomfortable with Liam’s stares so he quickly averted his look. He felt too much pressure on it but he knew what Liam was talking about, he just refuses to say it. He thought it was kind of embarrassing when the celebrant announces it first.
“Y-Yea... so why are you guys looking at me like that?” he retorted only to be laughed at by Liam, he didn’t really expect that.
“It’s your 18th birthday so we decided to make it more special than the last year.” Niall answered his previous question while he chomped on his chicken sandwich, you’ll never see him without one.
“I know guys but come on do we really have to do this? I mean I don’t want something extravagant, just... just greet me that’s fine.” He lowered his gaze and stared at the table as if it suddenly became too attractive for his liking. Last year was something Zayn wouldn’t forget about. He received special gifts from each of them and they even had Bruno Mars’ album with his signature on it. Zayn held back the waterworks but his eyes betrayed him as tears of joy fell continually.
“No mate, we’ve already got this planned and so far this is the craziest one.” Ed proclaimed. “You’re going to thank us so bad for this next week.” Josh added. Zayn’s eyes widened with the term Ed just used. Craziest? Did Niall plan about this? Well it’s not like it meant bad news for him but he wasn't really sure what crazy means for his friends. He was kind of anxious but at the same time, though he won’t admit it to them, Zayn was in fact excited.
Just then, he couldn’t wait to turn 18.
And this could probably change his way of living his life.