He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves before he pushed the large door that opened into the Headmaster's office. His legs were jelly, frozen to the floor so he never walked inside the room.
Just his torso tilted as he peeped inside. He must have looked like a peacock craning his neck to watch for his prey.
Except, he was the prey in this case. His eyes focused in the room. On the contrary of what he'd expected, it wasn't huge.
Moreover, if he would refer a dictionary-- the word that it'd use to describe the room's aura would be...cozy.
It was a semicircular room- he realised- as he stepped inside the office, closing the door behind him. It made a loud click indicating it had locked.
Zayn turned in a flash, clutched the cold brass handle and pulled the door fiercely.
Well, hello, bad luck my old friend but I don't want to spend my afternoon locked in an unfamiliar room?!
He pressed his forehead on the door, rapping it several times. "Hello?? Can someone hear me?? I'm locked here!" He grunted, kicking the door hard. "What a lovely day."
He pouted his lips innocently, moving forward on the matt troy porcelain floor. However stupid this was, he could explore.
He scratched his gelled hair. If he had known he would be greeting an empty office he wouldn't have dressed at all. Not that he would have come naked, of course- he laughed at himself. God, where was Louis when he cracked better jokes?
The room had a desk in the middle, a head chair producing itself high. Two more chairs were kept near the desk. A landline situated on top of it.
The circumference of the room was embedded with shelves. Some had books, some were empty. The spaces left between those shelves were beautified by paintings of former Headmasters.
He prowled near the shelves, his eyes bulging as they trained on the books. He ran his fingers on the aisle and didn't take it away until he'd completed the curve of the semicircle.
His index came off dirty, smudged with dust that was pasted on the books. Wiping it on his jeans he neared to examine the paintings.
He made weird noises with his mouth, that resonated in this office- even when it wasn't necessarily desolated.
The paintings looked like they'd lunge at him any second.
He stepped back, suddenly alarmed.
Something had definitely creaked. His eyes darted everywhere, mostly on the paintings.
"I was just...messing around." He announced loudly. "Please don't eat me...? Paintings...?"
The creak grew louder and he spun on his heels. One of the shelves were detaching from the wall- no, no it was falling. No, it was going to fall down on him. "Shit- what-" His heart hammered inside his rib cage, finally allowing his head to wrap around what was happening. The shelf was not falling down; it was- it was opening?
Then it finally stood ajar and a man, taller than him- entered the office. As if it was usual, everyday stuff, he closed the shelf casually, wiped his hands over his tweed blazer and rubbed his palm, puffing into them as if he was cold.
Suddenly his eyes fell on Zayn and he surveyed him for a second as Zayn stood frozen at his place. He grinned, "You must be Zayn?"
Zayn came out of his trance, looking at the shelf wide-eyed. He was fascinated. "Oh, this? This leads to a bathroom."
Zayn struggled. He struggled to keep the laughter in it's place. Don't screw your first impression, bad boy.
As if it's not ruined already? What are you doing lurking in his office like it's Central Park?
"I am. I'm Zayn Malik." He said aloud, his name sounding eccentric to his own ears. The man- probably the Headmaster came forward, nodding his head in agreement.
His attire was completely opposite of what Zayn was wearing. An old tweed long coat, and beige loose pants.
He had a goatee mixed circle beard, but it didn't look odd on him. Honestly, it looked pretty good on his tanned skin if Zayn thought about it.
"Come on, sit. I'm happy you were informed about the re-scheduling of our meeting." He spoke, coming to sit behind the desk. He pulled the heavy looking chair with one hand, maybe he was used to it and settled himself in it.
"I'll apologise for interrupting your lunch, but I have to head for something important shortly. I thought it would be better." He beckoned him to sit.
"Yes, I was. Geo- Mr. Mulligan informed me." He nudged his head, mouthing a thank you.
"He is a good man." The Headmaster hummed, mostly to himself. "Anyway. I hope you weren't lost coming here?"
Zayn shook his head, "No, no. It was fine. Someone showed me the way." He smiled nervously. The older man had a charm. "Just- climbing four floors? You do that everyday?"
His features relaxed as he laughed lightly. "Why else do you think this jacket still fits me? It's a hundred year old." Zayn loosened the grip on his chair as well, sensing the man at least had some taste for humor.
"I'm Jonathan Edward. Your Headmaster. For four long years you'll have to bear with me now." He grinned at Zayn, making him feel comfortable.
"Now, what we're here for." He straightened, looking business. "I read your letter, Zayn." He said gravely.
His eyes, Zayn noticed- much to his dismay- were so very like his father's. For the first time, his heart felt heavy with guilt. Everything had such bad timing.
"I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not really happy." He intertwined his fingers, arms resting on the desk. A lump formed in Zayn's throat. It took everything in him to not let out a moan.
Suddenly, Jonathan's shoulders slumped. "It's not wrong Zayn. But I don't support the...stunt you've pulled."
Zayn looked down at his hands, unable to meet his eyes. He wondered if that's what will happen when he looks at his father. Why, he missed him as well.
"You're a good student. You've proved that even before coming here." He sighed.
Zayn straightened a little, trying to understand if it was a sigh of sadness or relief, or both.
"But now you'll have to work hard. You can't feel complacent over one win. If you are uncertain about this, things are going to go down."
"I'm certain." He replied quietly.
"Your letter was not very appropriate but it was sincere." He leaned in his chair, scrutinizing Zayn. "That's why, Zayn look at me-"
Zayn lingered his head at Jonathan, biting his inner lip quietly.
"That's why I'm trusting you alright?" This caught Zayn's attention and he made eye contact with Jonathan- averting his eyes instantly. "Full scholarship, huh? That's commendable." He smiled at him, praising him fondly.
Zayn's lips broke into a smile as well. He nodded, ready to take all the pressure he would have to shoulder.
"And, what else? Enjoy your time here. It's a good place. I found myself at home pretty soon. Hope you do too." He said, standing up.
Zayn opened his mouth to speak, standing up himself- but closed it. He glanced at the books behind Jonathan again, and before he could stop himself he blurted out. "Don't you read all these?"
Jonathan looked around, his face curious when he stopped to look at Zayn again. "Why'd you ask?"
"I- just curious." He shrugged, stepping away from the chairs.
There was an awkward silence, where Zayn debated if he should be the one to break it. But to his relief, he didn't have to.
"I do read them. Not often but yes. It's not like every shelf here leads to a secret bathroom."
Zayn almost snorted but quieted himself immediately.
Jonathan crossed the office and reached the doors, standing to see off Zayn.
Zayn hesitated, his eyes flickering between the door and Jonathan. "Mr. Edward, your door...is locked."
Jonathan frowned at Zayn. "Ohh, no no." He patted on Zayn's shoulders, probably realising something. "It does that. I've been locked here myself. This campus is archaic, come on." He chuckled.
"The guards standing near the ground floor don't help, do they? I've thought of summoning one before my office but, I don't see any use."
Not letting anyone lock themselves in would be a good use.
"I'll call them, they'll get it opened. "
Zayn nodded. Swallowing, he waited in the rustic office of Mr. Edward while he dialed- probably the guards standing down this building.
He tried to locate a clock, but he realised there weren't any. Time must really fly here.
"So are you thinking about opting more subjects?"
"Maybe." He mouthed.
"Alright."
The door suddenly opened with a click, the guard visible with the keys. Jonathan passed Zayn a smile, motioning for him to leave. "You're free to go. Have a good day."
"You too, sir."
I'll have a good day.
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Thank you for reading! All your appreciation makes me so happy! I love how you all take all of this because I miss being able to read it like other readers.
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