"So don't you worry your pretty little mind,
People throw rocks at things that shine."
- Taylor Swift
🔹🔸
As the day drew to a close, I reflected on my first day at college. Overall, it went well, with most people in Bradford being welcoming. However, there was one guy who rubbed me the wrong way. If I ever encounter him again, I'll give him a piece of my mind.
You don't mess with the Payne girl.
I learned that he's one of Liam's best friends, which only added to my frustration. Liam was rightfully angry with him; the guy had no respect for women. Sure, people throw around terms like "bitch" and "hoe," but his behavior crossed a line. He did not know me, I was a complete stranger - how could he simpy just make his point?
Exiting the college building, I scanned for Liam, intending to drive back home together. Unable to locate his car, I tried calling him, but his phone was off. I remembered Lily's number and decided to reach out to her instead.
Lily: Hey, Sophia.
Sophia: Hi Lily, do you know where Liam is? Is he with Louis?
Lily: Um, yeah, they're out for some work. Oh, I totally forgot to pick you up. Where are you? I'll come get you.
Sophia: No, it's fine, Lily. I'll walk back home. I remember the way from this morning.
Lily: Are you sure? I can come if you need.
Sophia: It's fine, Bye Lily. See you tomorrow.
Lily: Bye, girl. Be safe.
I ended the call and began my walk home, retracing the route we'd taken earlier. Bradford isn't a huge city, so I felt confident I wouldn't get lost.
After a fifteen-minute walk, I arrived home, feeling hungry. Spotting a girl and a boy playing in the neighborhood, I decided to say hello. The girl, Saffa, and the boy, Mike, were adorable.
They informed me they were waiting for Mike's mom to pick him up and shared that they were best friends. Saffa then realized I was Liam's sister.
"You know him?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, he's friends with my brother," she explained.
Just then, Mike's mom arrived to pick him up, and they waved goodbye before leaving.
Saffa invited me to her house, but I declined, explaining I needed to call my friends first. Promising to hang out another time, I headed home.
"Mom, I'm back," I announced upon entering the house. "In the kitchen," she replied. I found her there, preparing dinner.
"Hey, I missed you," I said, hugging her from behind. She kissed my hand. "I missed you too. How was your first day at college?"
"Good, for the most part. People were welcoming, but some were real jerks," I grumbled.
"Did you find any eye candy, like Justin Timberlake?" she teased.
Who even uses that word anymore? My mum needs an upgradation.
"There were a few candidates, but I'm holding out for someone more Trudeau than Timberlake," I joked back. Trudeau would be the last one on my list, but mom knows I am not looking out for anyone at the moment. I might just as well live a good Single life, have some love scandals, adopt a pet and die peacefully.
She received a call from someone named Malik and informed me that the Maliks, our neighbors, had invited us for dinner.
"The Maliks?" I asked, unfamiliar. "They're our neighbors, and Patricia is a good friend of mine," she explained.
"I'll join you. But where's Liam?" I inquired.
"He's probably out with his friends, like always," she replied.
I headed upstairs to my room and decided to call Sarah. We chatted via FaceTime, catching up on my day and her antics. She was thrilled to hear about my encounters, especially with the guy she deemed to have "Hazel Eyes."
After chatting for a while, I showered and got ready for dinner. Opting for a simple black dress, I applied minimal makeup and let my hair down.
When I descended the stairs, my mom admired my appearance, expressing how much she'd missed seeing me in person.
"Let's get going," she said, taking my hand as we left for the Maliks' house. When Patricia opened the door, she greeted us warmly, and I felt grateful to have such welcoming neighbors.
"Hello, Katherine." The lady hugged my mom.
"Hi, Tricia," my mother replied. Her attention shifted to me, and she extended a welcoming hug. "
"You must be Sophia?" she asked as we embraced.
I nodded. "Hello, Mrs. Malik."
"Oh, just call me Tricia. Come in." She ushered us inside, and her house had the same flooring as ours. The furniture had a vintage vibe, with several paintings adorning the walls. An old family photo from 1998 caught my eye, alongside a modern plasma TV and softly lit lamps.
"Make yourself comfortable," Tricia offered as she headed to the kitchen to fetch some water for us. I heard footsteps and saw Saffa coming down, accompanied by a teenage girl.
"Hey, Sophia!" Saffa greeted me enthusiastically, rushing over for a hug. "Meet my sister, Walihya." Saffa gestured to the girl beside her, who had long brown hair and a very pretty face.
"Hello, I'm Sophia," I greeted, extending my hand for a shake. Walihya shook it, and we settled onto the couch.
As Mom and Tricia engaged in conversation, I couldn't help but admire the furnishings and décor of the room.
"Are you here on vacation?" Walihya inquired.
"No, I'll be living here for a year or maybe two," I replied with a smile. I hope dad finds a way to call me back. I love mum and Liam, but living with Dad was different.
"You look a lot like Liam," she remarked.
We moved to the dining area and took our seats, with Saffa seated next to me. Tricia had prepared chicken with waffles and juice for dinner, which I thoroughly enjoyed. As we ate, we chatted about various topics, and I learned that Saffa and Walihya had an older sister and a brother who was Liam's friend. I made a mental note to meet all of Liam's friends at some point; he was always good at making them.
"The dinner was delicious, Mrs. Malik. Thank you," I complimented.
"Thank you, love, but don't call me Mrs. Malik; it makes me sound old," Tricia giggled.
We laughed, and Mom helped Tricia wash the dishes while Walihya excused herself to study for exams the next day.
"So, tell me more about your friends," Saffa prompted.
"I have two best friends, Sarah and Micah. We always used to hang out together, and now I miss them," I said, reminiscing about our times together.
"I guess your friends were so cool. But you can make good friends here," Saffa reassured me.
I nodded, wondering if I could indeed make friends here. Liam's friends could potentially become my friends, right?
"I want to eat ice cream. Let's go down the street for some," Saffa suggested, jumping off the couch.
"Now?" I asked, slightly surprised by her spontaneity.
She nodded eagerly. "Let me grab my pink purse," she said before darting upstairs.
As I waited for her, the front door suddenly swung open, but no one entered. I peered out, calling out to see if anyone was there, but received no response. Faint voices caught my attention, sending a shiver down my spine. I cautiously approached the door, my heart pounding. What if it was a thief? But then again, why would they enter through the front door? Get a grip, Sophia.
As I reached the door, I noticed a figure sitting on the doorstep, reminiscent of a scene from a horror movie. "Hello. Who's there?" I asked tentatively, leaning forward to get a better look.
No response.
"Is anyone out there?" I tried again, growing increasingly anxious. Finally, the figure stirred, turning to face me with a sudden shout that sent me jumping in fright.
"What the hell?" I exclaimed, backing away instinctively.
"You're not Doniya?" the person asked, sounding as startled as I felt.
"Who the hell is Doniya? I'm not Doniya. And who are you? Show me your face, or else..." My voice trailed off as fear gripped me, my mind conjuring images of potential threats lurking in the darkness. The person moved into the light, revealing a face I didn't want to see.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" we both shouted simultaneously, the tension palpable in the air.
"What the hell are you doing here? Are you following me?" I demanded, my irritation and anger bubbling to the surface. He let out a loud laugh.
"It's only been a day, and you think I'm following you?" he retorted, raising an eyebrow at me. "Who exactly are you?"
"I'm the girl you mistook for your punching bag this morning," I shot back, refusing to back down.
"I throw pretty hard punches. You wouldn't be standing here if you were a punching bag," he boasted.
"I've survived one punch from you today. That was more than enough," I retorted, my voice laced with defiance.
"Yeah, I made you cry. So, I score a point," he smirked, his arrogance infuriating me.
"I'm not here to play your twisted games. What are you doing here?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin.
"Is it a crime to come to my own home to sleep?" he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Listen, whatever your name is, you can't fool me. This is the Malik's place," I snapped.
"I didn't call you a sorehead for nothing," he chuckled, his amusement grating on my nerves.
"Fine, here." He produced his wallet and flashed his driving license at me. I scrutinized the name and photo, my eyes widening in disbelief.
Name: ZAYN JAVADD MALIK.
MALIK.
"Oh shit," I muttered, the realization sinking in.
"You're Zayn, Tricia Malik's son?" I asked, still processing the revelation.
"Thank god you understand the legal language," he sighed, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Stupid girl," he muttered under his breath.
"Douche," I hissed quietly, unable to contain my frustration.
He suddenly closed the distance between us, and I couldn't help but gulp nervously. He was clearly trying to intimidate me, and unfortunately, it was working. I pressed against the door, hoping it would magically open and swallow me whole, but no such luck.
With a smirk plastered on his face, he leaned in close to my ear, his presence looming over me. "Look, love, this is my place, so I can come here anytime. But what are you doing here? Are you following me?" he taunted, attempting to mimic my words in a high-pitched tone. Seriously, this guy's ego was bigger than his IQ.
"Your mom invited me and my mom for dinner," I mumbled, barely able to speak as he invaded my personal space.
"Are you scared of me?" he whispered, sending shivers down my spine.
"No," I whispered back, my voice betraying my fear.
"Yeah, I can see that," he smirked, leaning even closer.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "I accept the fact that I'm bothered by you, not afraid. Stop being an asshole and stop scaring me," I said, my voice cracking with nerves.
"What the hell did you just call me?" he asked, trying to hide his amusement.
"You heard me," I challenged, a smirk playing on my lips. "How many times do you want me to say that? Because believe me, I can stand here forever to remind you what a twat you are."
"You little bitch have the courage to fight back?" he exclaimed, his frustration evident. "You call me a twat, an asshole, but what exactly are you? You're just a random newcomer slut, no one gives a fuck about you," he declared, glaring at me.
"Well, right now, you clearly do," I retorted, crossing my arms defensively. "I'm not a slut. You're an arrogant dick, who couldn't control his anger just because his girlfriend cheated on him. Well, accept it, asshole, she didn't like you. You were just a random dick to her, she played you, fooled you, and yet you stand here like that doesn't bother you?"
He pushed me against the wall, his grip aggressive, and I struggled to break free. "You don't get to say a word about my personal life," he growled, his anger palpable.
"What can I say? It's already fucked up," I shot back, my heart racing with fear.
He threw a punch at the wall, causing me to jump in fright. "Thank your lucky stars it was the wall and not you," he whispered in my ear, his tone menacing.
As he let me go, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "You are my best friend's sister, and I'm trying hard not to hurt you," he said, his voice softening. "You're a bitch, and I really want to punish you for behaving badly. You're not allowed to say anything to me. Liam is my friend, so I'm not messing with you. Otherwise, by now, you would have been dead because of your fucked-up sass mouth," he threatened.
But this time, I didn't back down. "You can't control me. I'm not your punching bag," I declared, staring him down with determination.
With a sigh, he released his grip, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. And then, unexpectedly, he planted a kiss on my cheek before letting me go. I ran as fast as I could, relieved to be away from him but unable to shake the lingering sensation of his touch.
-----
We boys went to Bradford's old school, which had been closed for years. You might be wondering why we went there. Well, one of our friends was in hiding because he was in danger. Some guys were after him due to some trouble he got himself into.
During the entire ride, Liam didn't even bother to look at me. We're best friends, but things were already going south because of his sister's arrival.
It wasn't my fault that I called her a hoe; she deserved it.
As we headed back home after dropping off our friend, Harry drove, Niall sat in the passenger seat, and Louis sat between me and Liam.
"Liam, are you going to ignore me forever?" I asked, annoyed. He finally turned to face me but didn't utter a word. "I've already apologized. I didn't know she was your sister, and everyone knows I don't share my seat."
"But she didn't. She's new here, and no one told her the seat belonged to you," Liam pointed out.
"I told her I don't share my seat and asked her to move, but she didn't listen and had to answer back, and I lost my temper," I explained, feeling a bit calmer. I didn't want any tension between us.
"Zayn, you have anger issues, and we all know that. We also know you were already annoyed because Clarissa cheated on you with Nathan. But that doesn't mean my sister had to suffer from your anger," Liam said, frustration evident in his eyes.
"Okay, once again, I'm sorry. I realized it's my fault. Now please forgive me," I pleaded, hoping to mend things between us.
"I forgive you, but if this happens again..." Liam's tone was almost a warning, and I knew I had to be careful.
"It won't. Pinky promise," I said, relieved when he chuckled and hugged me, despite Louis being squished between us.
Harry dropped off Niall and Louis before finally reaching Liam's and my neighborhood. We hugged and said our goodbyes, and Liam headed home as he was tired. I knocked on the door, but it was already open.
"Hello. Who's there?" a girl's voice from inside called out. I thought it was Doniya, so I planned to scare her. I loved getting a rise out of her; she'd get irritated so quickly.
I didn't reply, waiting for the perfect moment to scare her. When she leaned closer to see me, I shouted, "Boo," and made scary gestures with my hands. But as I realized she wasn't Doniya, I stopped and asked her who she was. She insisted I step into the light and even after I did, she seemed surprised to see me.
"What are you doing here?" we both blurted out simultaneously, confused by each other's presence.
She accused me of stalking her, but when I revealed that the place was mine, she didn't believe it. I had to show her my driver's license, which felt ridiculous.
I started moving closer to her, smirking as she backed away. I could hear her heart beating faster, and the scent of her vanilla perfume was intoxicating. I'd never come across such a sweet smell before; it was captivating.
"Look, love, this is my place, so I can come here anytime. But what are you doing here? Are you following me?" I mocked, trying to lighten the mood with a playful tone.
She admitted she was scared of me, which I knew but wanted to hear from her. But then she had to go and call me an asshole, crossing a line by talking about my personal life.
I let her go, and she ran to her house as fast as she could. Sighing, I walked inside, greeted Aunt Katherine, and hugged my mom. Liam's mom was like a second mother to me, and I loved her dearly. But Sophia, Liam's sister, was the complete opposite of her mom.
"Sophia went home," I replied coldly when Saffa asked about her. "What? But I invited her to stay; we were going to eat ice cream," Saffa pouted.
"No problem, dear. She'll go with you some other day," Aunt Katherine reassured her.
"So, Zayn, did you meet my daughter?" Aunt Katherine asked.
I nodded. "I had a couple of encounters with her today," I said, deciding not to delve into the unfriendly encounters.
She nodded, and the conversation resumed between Aunt Katherine and my mom while Saffa went to her room. I headed upstairs to my room, switching on the light and glancing at Liam's house across the street. But my attention was drawn to the room next to mine, which was always closed. As I sat down to do my college work, I saw the light in that room turn on, but the curtains obscured the view. However, I could tell the figure inside had long hair, ruling out Liam or Aunt Katherine. It must be Sophia.
I wasn't interested in staring, so I focused on my work, occasionally humming a tune. When I glanced back at the window, the curtains were fully open, revealing Sophia sitting on the bed with headphones, swaying to the music. Our eyes met, and I waved with a smirk.
"Hello, Marie, I see you're the girl in the next window, the brunette Taylor Swift," I teased.
"Shut up. Don't call me that," she retorted, rolling her eyes.
"What? Taylor Swift?" I feigned innocence, enjoying getting under her skin.
"Marie, you Asshole," she smirked, clearly unafraid to challenge me. This girl was getting on my nerves. I'd already warned her, but she wouldn't back down.
We bantered back and forth, but eventually, I decided to focus on my work.
I rushed into the house, wiping away the tears. Why the heck am I crying? Man, that guy gives me anxiety already, but that doesn't mean I have to cry. What's wrong with him? Why does he have such a different vibe? He looks harmless but feels like he could kill you in a hundred different ways.
I was hurrying upstairs when I bumped into someone. "Sophia, where were you, and where's Mom?" Liam asked, sounding worried.
"We were at Malik's. Aunt Tricia invited us for dinner, but you were out with your friends," I replied, crossing my arms and glaring at him. "It's my first day here, and my brother has no time for me."
"It's not like that. We had some work to do, so we were out. But I missed you so much." He hugged me, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Okay, I forgive you," I said, easing up a bit. "So, how was your day?"
"Good, except for two encounters with the 'I'm the king of the place, and I own all the chairs of the college,' Zayn Malik," I said coldly, quoting his words.
Liam chuckled, "Two?"
"One in college and the second just a few minutes ago," I confirmed.
Liam took Zayn's side, saying, "Listen, Sophia, Zayn was sorry for what he said earlier today. He has anger issues, but he's good at heart. He said he won't do that again."
"Liam, now you're on his side? He might have apologized, but he was being an asshole to me just a few minutes ago. He acted like he was the coolest guy on the planet. There's something about him that already bothers me," I snapped, feeling annoyed.
Liam laughed, "Zayn likes to play around. I know this was his plan to make you angry."
"Oh, I see. Okay, I forgive him, but if he's playing this game, then I'm participating too," I smirked.
Liam warned me, "Sophia, be careful. You're my sister, and he's my friend."
I nodded, bid him goodnight, and went to my room. Switching on the lights and opening the curtains, I sat on the bed. As I turned, I noticed Zayn already staring at me. His room was directly across from mine, with only the street between us.
He waved with a smirk. He even called me by my middle name, Marie. Only Dad calls me Marie, sometimes. Not even Liam knows my middle name. How does Zayn know?
"How do you know my middle name?" I asked, curious.
"I stalk you, as you said. I know every detail about you," he replied confidently.
We exchanged banter, and he seemed oddly obsessed with bothering me.
"Don't get too close; enemies destroy each other," I warned.
"Don't worry about me, Marie. I'm a phoenix. I'll rise again," he sang, annoyingly.
"Stop calling me Marie," I snapped.
"What if I don't, Marie?" he challenged.
"Shut up, Zayn Asshole Malik," I blurted out, embarrassed.
"Don't you dare call me that," he warned, clearly angry.
"Why, just because the name suits you so well?" I retorted, laughing.
He showed me the middle finger, and I did the same. He mouthed, "Go to hell," and returned to his work.
I felt victorious, knowing I'd won this round. Bring it on, Malik. I will always win.
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