Chapter Text
"Sometimes I wonder what would I do if I could fly." - Harry mumbles slowly, as he plays with an apple in his hand. Zayn lifts his eyes from the table, eyebrow raised from surprise. "I mean, where would I fly first? Would I try to leave this planet?"
"Since when did you get so fucking deep?" - Zayn blurts. "And you'd need some ultralight speed to leave the planet."
"Nice, you always find a way to ruin everything, nerd." - Harry rolls his eyes and bites down on his apple.
Zayn shakes his head and returns his gaze to the table. The lunch hall is always full and loud, it makes his ears ring and head spin. It's not that he hates people. No, he likes people. He likes his mother, and his sisters, he likes Harry and Louis. But he hates the fact that he has to face everyone else every day. He would probably never leave the house if he had a chance.
"You're gonna eat that?" - Harry nods towards Zayn's sandwich. The raven-haired boy rolls his eyes and hands him the food, getting a grateful grin as a response.
"You think we're gonna get caught if we cheat on math's test?" - Harry asks with his mouth full.
"No, and for fuck's sake, swallow your food first." - Zayn answers annoyed.
"He's good at swallowing." - Louis' flops down besides Harry and flashes him a warm smile. Harry chokes on the food, nearly dying from the coughs but managing to steady his breathing. Zayn scrunches his nose with a disgusted expression and gets up from his seat.
"I'm gonna go smoke before you two made me throw up." - He mumbles and quickly walks out of the lunch room, leaving friends behind him. They would probably start sucking each-other's faces soon.
"If I could fly, I'd be coming right back home to you." - He hears Harrys voice mumbling to Louis and tries to pretend he didn't hear it.
He walks down an empty hall, earphones stuffed into ears, Blink 182 screaming and echoing in his brain. He nods his head, following the rhythm of the music. He pats his pockets, checking if he still has the pack of cigarettes he stole from Harry this morning and smirks when he feels it bumping against his palm. It's a good day (as good as it can be.)
Or at least he thought so.
He feels a bump on his shoulder, which causes him to jump from surprise and quickly pull out one earbud. He turns around in the speed of light and is met with the familiar smirk full of arrogance.
__
Liam throws his backpack into the locker and closes the door. Sophia still has her arm curled around his waist, as if she's trying to prove to the whole school that Liam is hers. He glances around an empty hallway and then looks at Niall, who's standing behind him.
"Is it lunch time already?"
"Yeah." - Niall nods and licks his lips. "And I'm so hungry I'd eat an elephant. You coming?"
"Um, no." - Liam shakes his head and tries to wiggle out from Sophia's grip. He fails. "Not hungry. Plus, I need to catch up on math's test. Haven't revised much last night."
"Yes, we were busy." - Sophia smirks.
"And I did not need to know that." - Niall states before turning around and running off to the lunch hall.
"Babe." - Sophia looks up at Liam. "Let's go the movies tonight. I've seen the poster of this new-Oh." - She cuts herself off as her gaze focuses on something behind Liam's back. "Damn it."
"What is it?" - Liam asks confused.
"Freak's right behind you." - She rolls her eyes and nods forward. Liam turns around on his heels to see what Sophia is talking about.
Oh. The freak.
Zayn's walking down the hall, looking completely out of this world. Judging by the earphones and the way his eyes are closed, his mind is somewhere far away from here. Liam remembers how passionate Zayn used to be about music. He still keeps the CDs the boy gave to him as a present on his birthday. He needs to get rid of them. He tries to tear his gaze off the boy, but fails. Because Zayn looks.. Different from everyone else. His dark curls are falling down his face, he's wearing a t-shirt of some rock-band Liam has never heard about, black, skinny jeans that hug his thin legs and those strange, huge boots.
Zayn is different. He manages to always blur everyone else around him. He's probably from some other planet. And no, Liam's not gay, ew. Zayn is a fag. Liam is not. He has Sophia, okay?
"..iam? Baby!" - A nudge on his shoulder snaps him out of his thoughts. Liam blinks and looks down at Sophia. And Zayn, who's now standing right in front of him, with a confused face and an earphone in his hand.
"Wha-What?" - He asks, not understanding when did Zayn get this close to them.
"I said, why don't you tell the freak to stay away from us. He bumped into me!" - She hisses and crosses arms on her chest. Zayn's staring at her, with his brows knitted together, confusion written all over his face. And the tiny ray of sunshine is reflecting in his hazel-colored eyes, making them look like they're shining and radiating warmth.
"I-um." - Liam swallows hardly and tries to think of something sharp and quick. "I mean-Yeah. Yeah, why don't you stay in your lane, Malik, and stop crossing paths with us all the time?"
Sophia looks unimpressed. But well, it still is something, isn't it.
Zayn stares at him for a moment, then stuffs his earphone back into his ear and turns around to walk away. This awakens anger in Liam. Because you don't ignore Liam Payne. He growls with annoyance and catches up with the smaller boy. He stands right in front of him, causing Zayn to stop walking. He pushes Zayn's thin frame into the lockers roughly, and lands both of his hands beside the boy's face.
"I haven't finished." - He hisses and pulls Zayn's earphones with one hand. "And you didn't apologize."
"Get off of me." - Zayn tries to push him away, but fails. Because Liam is strong and big. He's Liam Payne for fuck's sake.
"You annoy the shit out of me, you know that, right?" - Liam growls with his voice low. His eyes are swirling holes on Zayn's face and he's sure he looks frightening right now. Good.
"Liam, leave me-"
"You annoy my girlfriend too, doesn't he, Soph?" - He glances at his girlfriend, who's smiling proudly at him. She nods and smirks at Zayn. "So keep your faggot ass away from us."
"Liam." - Zayn breaths shakily as Liam grabs his wrist and squeezes it painfully. Something twists in Liam's chest as he spots the plead and pain the boy's eyes. But this is the way it is supposed to be. He's Zayn. He's in the past, and he needs to be reminded of that.
"I will break your vertebras if you touch her or anyone around me ever again, am I clear?!"
"I didn't-"
"Am I clear?" - Liam repeats, his grip tightening around the boy's wrist. Thin, fragile wrist.
"Y-Yes." - Zayn whispers, his eyes never leaving Liam's face.
"Good." - Sophia exclaims from behind Liam's back. "Right now I'm going to lunch hall and don't you dare to show up there. You coming, babe?"
"Yes, go, I'll catch up with you." - Liam tells her.
After a moment, he's left alone with Zayn in the hallway. His fingers are still curled around the boy's hand. Zayn's staring up at him with those stupid doe-eyes of him and Liam wants to scream.
"Let me go." - Zayn whispers quietly, his voice barely reaching Liam. But they do, and Liam frees the boy from his grip in a second.
Zayn grabs his backpack from the floor and looks up at Liam.
"I don't know what are you trying to prove, Liam, but it makes you seem pathetic." - He mumbles and curls his own fingers around the wrist. Liam can spot the red marks of his grip left on the boy's skin.
"I'm not trying to prove anything." - He answers, with his tone harsh and cold. "You're annoying me."
"That doesn't give you the right to touch me." - Zayn hisses.
"You bumped into my girlfriend-"
"She bumped into me, Liam. On purpose."
Liam gulps. Yes, it sounds like Sophia.
"You're gay, and pathetic. You deserve this." - He blurts, when he can think of anything else.
Zayn blinks up at him, then shakes his head and starts to walk away.
"This is the way it's supposed to be." - Liam adds. "The way it was always supposed to be."
"I know." - Zayn breaths without facing him.
"And the fact that we used to be friends means nothing."
"I know."
"I mean, we were kids and we didn't know anything about the world."
Zayn stays silent and Liam wonders why hasn't he left yet.
"But I didn't mean to hurt you, I guess." - Liam mumbles and lets his gaze fall down to the floor.
"Whatever. It doesn't matter, Liam."
"And you don't deserve this. I lied."
"You're just trying to show everyone that you're an average, popular guy that bullies the freaks." - Zayn turns around to face him and nods. "I get it."
"You're not-"
"I don't care, Li."
Li. Liam's world spins around him as he hears the nickname slipping from Zayn's lips. Unbearable pain fills his chest and he can't shake it off. Not anymore.
"You called me Li." - The words leave his mouth without thinking. Zayn's eyes widen as he realizes what he's said. But it's too late to take it back.
"I didn't-It's just out of the habit." - He tries to explain.
"You used to call me Li-Man." - Liam says quietly.
"You're Li-Man." - Zayn giggled. "A superhero that always has my back. You always seem to save my day. You're my superhero."
"Shut up, Zee." - Liam blushed. "I'm not a superhero."
"Yes, you are. The best one."
"The best superhero in the world." - Zayn smirks up at him.
Liam tries to swallow an uncomfortable feeling gathered in his throat. He can't.
"Well, I guess I became a villain now, didn't I?" - He tries to laugh. One again, he can't.
"You did." - Zayn answers, frown painted on his face. "Exactly when I needed my superhero the most."
Liam's knees buckle. He closes his eyes for a moment to catch his breath. Then opens his mouth to say something, to apologize - but Zayn is gone.
__
"The school sucks." - Harry sighs as he throws the bag over his shoulders. They're walking out of the school yard. Zayn's got a hood draped over his head, trying to somehow get his ears warm, because it's too damn cold. Harry drops the burned cigarette to the ground and exhales the smoke. " 'M gonna catch a bus. You coming?"
"No, I'm gonna walk." - Zayn shakes his head. "See you tomorrow."
Harry waves before turning around and running towards the bus. Zayn continues his way alone. The perks of detention - there isn't a lot of people near the school at the time you get out. So you can be alone and enjoy your own company. He's stepping lazily towards his block, glancing up to the sky from time to time.
"Yo, Malik!" - He hears a loud voice. Fucking hell. He starts walking faster, refusing to turn around. But he hears footsteps approaching him and then someone tugs his backpack, causing him to stumble back.
"I'm talking to you!" - An annoying voice hisses near his face. Zayn lifts his eyes to meet the face he hates so much.
"What do you need, Tom?" - He asks annoyed. Fucking Tom Martin and his clique. The biggest asshole in the school. Zayn's face still remembers the pain from his fists.
"Watch your tone, faggot." - Tom pushes Zayn harshly.
"What the fuck is your problem, mate?" - Zayn growls. "Go fuck your girlfriend, won't ya? What was her name, again? Lindsey? The ugly one-"
"You motherfucker!"
Something solid collides with Zayn's nose painfully. He falls down to the ground, the blood spilling out of his nostrils instantly. He feels the warm liquid dripping down his chin. But then a kick is placed right into his chest, causing him to cough violently and curl, trying shield himself. Strong fingers tug on his hair harshly, forcing him to look up at meet the boy's hateful eyes.
"You pathetic piece of shit!" - He growls as one of his minions places another hit on Zayn's stomach. He tries to scribble up from the ground, but fails. "I guess I'll have to cut your tongue for talking too much."
His face is too close to Zayn and he uses the moment to place a punch right on the boy's chin.
Shit.
Zayn's heart starts beating like crazy. He tries to get up once again, but Tom pushes him down and keeps him on the ground. Zayn tries to free himself, even lands a few hits somewhere near Tom's face, but only ends bruising and bloodying his knuckles.
"I'll show you your place, you little-"
"Hey!" - Another voice cuts him off.
Zayn's laying on the ground, his bloodied hands covering his head shakily. He can't believe he got himself into this mess. He's afraid to lift his head, knowing he'll be met with another cold punch and that will probably knock him out. But he feels Tom's weight leaving his body suddenly.
"Get the fuck out of here before I've called the school security." - The voice orders. "Now."
Quick footsteps can be heard and Zayn guesses that's Tom's whole clique running away, like chickens. Everything happened too fast, he barely had the time to register anything. He wants to get up, but he can't move.
A hand is landed on his shoulder.
"Zayn?"
Slowly, he lifts his head from the ground and stares up at his savior. The world starts spinning around him, he can count starts in front of his eyes. But he still sees the face, he recognizes it.
"You-"
"Shit, I think you have a concussion." - Liam's brows wriggle with concern. "Do you think you can walk? My car is right there."
"You-Why did you-" - Zayn tries to find the words. Seems like he's forgotten how to talk.
"Zayn, are you okay? Can you hear me?" - Liam cups his cheek gently, wiping the blood smeared on his chin.
"My superhero." - Zayn laughs wetly, metallic taste on his tongue. He probably looks like a creepy maniac, with blood on his teeth when he smiles. He sees Liam's eyes going wide, filling up with pain and sadness.
But then the stars in front of Zayn's sight come back and he closes his eyes. The last thing he feels is the way his body collides with the warm chest and strong arms.