CHAPTER 17:

"I can be no superman, but for you I'll be super human." ~Save You Tonight, One Direction.

Wednesday, 28th August 2013

HARRY'S POV

"Bye guys!" I waved to Louis, Niall and Dani as they drove off, dropping me at my house. Thank God that Louis and Niall had made up and could now tolerate each other's presence. It was getting ridiculous before, and kinda awkward for all of us.

I turned around and pushed open the complex door. Greeting the door man that was scarcely present, I climbed up the stairs to my flat. I rummaged around in my bag for the key, 'cos Mum's usually sleeping or not in. After retrieving it, I unlocked the door and stepped inside.

The stench of alcohol and cigarettes greeted me and I wrinkled my nose. That means Mum's home.

"Mum are you here?" I called, stepping into the small living room. I saw my Mum all right, but she wasn't alone. There was a tough looking and greasy guy with tattoos on his arms sitting next to her on the couch, taking swigs from a beer bottle. He looked up and scowled at me, as if I was the one intruding in his house and not the other way around.

"Wh-who are you?" I asked him, pulling together my bravado. But the guy still looked like he could bash my head in with a single flick of his hand. His scowl intensified if possible when I asked him that.

He placed the bottle down and stood up to his full height menacingly.

"What did you just ask me runt?" He growled in a terrifyingly low voice.

"W-who are y-you?"

He smirked, easily noticing my fear. He sauntered closer to me and I took a tentative step back.

"Well to answer your question, I'm your mummy's lovely boyfriend," he informed me with an ugly grin. I choked in surprise and looked over at Mum, who looked completely sober now and was watching our exchange with fearful eyes.

When I didn't say anything, he growled, annoyed. "Get the fuck outta here kid before I make you."

"Bu-but it's my h-house!" My momentary anger had allowed me to speak that much.

"Did you just talk back to me?" He asked in a gentle voice but it sent chills of fear down my spine.

"Alrighty then," he shrugged. "Apparently ya had trouble understanding the first time," he mused and slowly picked up the empty beer bottle.

"Kyle don't!" Mum pleaded, tears in her eyes.

"Shut up ya bitch!" he growled at her and this time I couldn't control my anger. How dare he talk to my mother like that?!

I lunged at him at the same time Mum yelled "No Harry!" Kyle grabbed me by the throat then roughly pushed me, my back hitting the kitchen island.

He stood over me with a smug smile. "Now get the fuck outta here and if you call the cops on me, it ain't be pretty. For you. And for yer mummy."

"Go Harry, I'll be fine, trust me," Mum choked out. I don't even know what he'll do to her. But I think he'll do something even worse, painfully and in front of me if I won't leave.

I slowly got up, and had just enough time to lift my arm up to shield my face from the bottle that he hit at me with full force. I hissed in pain when the shards of glass cut my arm.

"Now get the fuck out of my house!"

I forced back the tears. I won't show weakness in front of him. I always try to be brave. This had been happening quite frequently ever since Mum started drinking. She got mixed up with the wrong crowds, all because of that.

I alwas try to face them, those scumbags that take advatage of my confused mother. And that was what I was planning to do now. But because I saw Mum crying, pleading me with her eyes and mouthing "Sorry" again and again, telling me to trust her on this, I decided it was best to leave. Without a word I walked out of the house, not knowing where to go.

Blood was dripping down my arm but I was just too numb to care. I debated going to Dani or Louis' house but I knew they would ask a lot of questions. Questions that I didn't want to answer just now.

I decided I needed to go somewhere alone and my mind came up with the perfect place. Without asking, my feet kept walking on their own accord.

After about 20 minutes of walking, I reached the school gates and without a second thought walked right inside.

Finding a secluded corner in the building, I collapsed against a cold wall and finally let the tears seep out. Nobody could hear me here. Thankfully, the lacrosse team's practice session must've already ended a few hours ago, so nobody would be here.

I couldn't stop the tears, no matter how hard I tried. I knew life was never perfect. But we were allowed to cry at the worse parts, weren't we?

Why did Dad have to leave us without explaining? Why did Mum had to turn into an alcoholic? Why did she have to get mixed up with those sort of people? It was all my freaking so-called father's fault!

I sat there for what felt like hours, wallowing in my anger, helplessness and pain. I felt a presence near me but I dismissed the feeling. Until I heard his voice.

"God, what happened, Harry?!" Was it Zayn? Shouldn't he be gone by now? Was I hallucinating?

I looked up to meet his caramel brown eyes and my own widened when I saw concern, then shock in those. I then remembered that he doesn't care. We're merely just 'acquaintances', like he put it a few days ago. He's just trying to get at me at my most vulnerable state, I'm sure.

My eyes became emotionless and I stared back at him, silently daring him to walk away. But surprisingly he didn't.

"Go away," I told him, and my voice came out hoarse and scratchy. I swear I saw hurt flash in his eyes. But why would he be hurt? I wanted him to comfort me right now but I told him to go away instead, because I don't want to be disappointed when he'll walk away. Better to ask him to leave myself.

But instead, Zayn surprised me more by walking closer, and crouching at an arm's length in front me. I lifted my head from my arms and glimpsed at his expression. He looked as if he was thinking really hard, like he's debating something, and he was guiltily looking at the ground biting his lip. I didn't say anything, and neither did he.

I just wanted him to hug me right now. But I can't ask him that. 'Course not!

He looked up again and this time his expression was different, he looked different. He looked almost sorry, concerned, sympathetic and worried. For me. He looked like the Zayn that hides away from everyone. Like how I imagine him to be. Actually, it's The Real Him. And I'm finally seeing him again for the first time since at his house, when I asked him about his painting. When he'd smiled genuinely.

"Harry?" He asked again, and slowly slid down the wall beside me. He was so close that I could feel his body heat radiating to mine. I was more than confused by his behaviour, by this new Zayn. Why was he being so nice all of a sudden? Because we're alone? But he's always snarky when we're alone, this time being the first exception.

"Wh-what are you doing here Zayn?" I asked him curiously. Shouldn't he be gone home by now? Practice ended an hour ago.

"I just want to know if you're okay." Well isn't it obvious if I'm okay or not?

"Do I look like I'm fudging okay?" I'm just getting freaked out by his concern. I've always dreamed of him sitting so close to me, being so concerned about me. And I wasn't even prepared for it coming true!

Zayn chuckled lightly as if he had read my thoughts and I looked over at him curiously.

"Probably not. That's why I'm asking you, what happened to you? To your arm?"

Should I tell him? I know this is too good to be true. Him caring about me, being concerned about me. I shouldn't let my feelings blind me. After all, he was my bully. Even if he's acting somewhat nicer now.

It kinda seem's like right now, he's trying to find out more about me, just like I'm trying to find out his secrets.

"Why do you care?" I spat, suddenly feeling angry and frustrated from all of the events. Why not before? Why the fudge does he care all of a sudden?

"I honestly don't know," he replied. "And I'm sorry," he added.

My heart did a little hopeful flip when he said that. Sorry for what? Is he sorry that I'm in this state, or is he genuinely sorry for everything he did all those years ago? Although his tone hints to the latter.

"Listen Harry, it's okay. You don't have to tell me anything. But let's get you to the hospital. Your arm looks pretty bad."

I didn't say anything for a while, ignoring the burning in my arm, and just stared straight ahead, thinking about what he just said before, mulling it over.

"Why did you finally say sorry? Why now?" I asked him, looking back up and straight into his eyes.

Zayn looked like he was struggling for words. "I honestly am sorry Harry, for everything. I just realized that you already have problems of your own and I gave you more. I teased you just 'cos I wanted to get a reaction out of you," he admitted, looking at the ground shamefully.

I blinked in surprise, slowly processing this new information. "A reaction?"

He blushed at that. "Yeah. I admit. I'm messed up," he said and I smiled at that.

Wow. Zayn Malik being sorry?

"You do know I can't forgive you that easily Zayn?" I asked and he nodded. I really want to forgive him, but not yet.

"Zayn? Zayn, where are you?" we heard Liam's voice ring through the hallways. Zayn got up and yelled for him to come here.

"God Zayn you had me worried sick! I thought the janitor had kidnapped you and-" he stopped short when he saw me and his mouth popped open in confusion and shock at my state. He looked over at Zayn and he explained.

"I found Harry here. I don't know what happened to him but he's really hurt. Mate we need to get him to the hospital before his arm gets infected."

My heart started beating faster when I sensed the note of sheer concern in his voice. Liam was staring disbelievingly at his friend, no doubt seeing this side of him for the first time. Do I bring out this side of him? The thought made me feel proud.

Liam smiled at his friend with a hint of proudness and Zayn offered me a hand. I gulped when I took it and felt tingles all over.

This is not the time, stupid feelings! But I'm holding Zayn's hand!

They both took me to Zayn's car and drove me to the hospital, while I leaned my head against the cold glass of the window and closed my eyes.

~*~

Zayn was still looking at me when I was getting my arm stitched, with that same look of regret and sympathy and I didn't know what to make of it.

"Okay sweetheart, you're all done." The sweet old nurse snipped the last thread and smiled at me, patting my knee. I thanked her and hopped off the bed, walking over to Zayn. Liam had already left 'cos his house was pretty near from the hospital, and it was getting kinda late.

"Uh, thanks a lot for, uh everything," I mumbled, biting my lip shyly.

"No problem." Zayn smiled at me warmly and my heart did the flippy thing that it does when he smiles like that. The honest smile, no smirk. I can get used to this new Zayn. My Zayn.

"C'mon, I'll drop you off," he offered and I was thankful he didn't ask me anything else about what happened.

"Where's your house?" Zayn asked while starting the car. Then I remembered that that scumbag must still be at my house and I can't go there. I can't even call the police or I know he'll do something to Mum before they could even arrive. Or what if he had already? Oh God. I tear slid down my cheek at my helplessness.

"Whoa Harry? Are you crying?" I shook my head no but a traitor sob escaped out. I think Zayn was the only person that has seen me cry so much, seen me at my lowest. Not even Louis or Dani have. I just shook my head. "No-not at my house. Louis' house please," I told him and gave him the directions.

He nodded silently and drove, still glancing at me now and then. Zayn was acting so different, so nice, so like the Zayn I imagined him to be. The one I've fallen for. The sweet and caring one. The one who doesn't smirk at me, but smiles sweetly.

And I really wish he wouldn't change back.

~*~

POOR HAZZA! :'(

Whoop dee doo! :O A lot happened between Zarry, eh? ;)

Finally Zayn got a little sense knocked into him after seeing Hazza like that. And this is the real Zayn you saw in the last two chapters, the real concern for Harry brings him out. Aww, isn't that sweet? <3

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