***

I jolted awake to the sound of thunder. Bright flashing illuminating the window that had a thin layer of curtain fabric drawn over it. My sudden movement caused something to stir beneath me. I sighed, relief washing over me as I saw it was only Zayn. I was glad to have been awaken from the awful dream, more like nightmare, I was in. The earlier events from when we were in Tess's house, the shooting, replaying in my uneasy mind as I slept.

My body relax, finding myself in awe as the angry weather outside continued to provide striking flashes of light. Zayn's beautiful face illuminated for seconds at a time before the room was plunged into gloom again. Even in dim light I could see his messy hair sprawled out on the pillow. Long eyelashes rested on the top of his cheeks. My eyes fell to his lips, the bottom one slightly swollen but only because of how deep he fell in his sleep. He was still apart from the steady movement of his chest and the occasional twitch of his fingers.

I recalled our shower. It was sweet, passionate, and just nothing I ever pictured myself ever doing. He got the answer to his question, he forced it out but it was still an answer. Purple. That moment was also filled with small, random conversations. I was happy, he didn't seem like he was worried about what was going on. The situation must be really hard to handle. I could never picture myself in that situation. It just sucks that it all hit him at the same time, he and his family. He doesn't deserve that. Even though I know he said he does, I know he doesn't. The only one who deserves something to come get him right back in the ass is Ezra. How could he be so stupid in dong such a thing? Zayn can't be much of threat to him? We could've died last night.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Zayn shot up, the loud weather yanking him from sleep. His hands instantly finding mine, pulling me to his body as he breathed heavily.

"Zayn, it's just thunder." I whispered, attempting to calm him down.

 His arm protectively wrapped around my body. My fingers moved in soothing circles across his bare skin as I gradually felt his muscles relax.

"That's not why I woke up."

***

I squinted slightly at the bright light peeking through the edges of the curtains. Zayn was still asleep, mouth slightly agape as his chest rose and fell. I gently pried his strong arms from around my body, shuffling out of the bed. Zayn rolled onto his front, face planted to the pillow as he lightly snored. My hands quietly rooted through my drawers, pulling out clothes for me to wear after my shower and looking at the time on my alarm clock. 7:15. I have just enough time before I have to be back at work. Vacation is over and I know Zayn won't let me skip work to be with him.

My head turned, eyes still looking at the sleeping figure in my bed before I shut the door to the bathroom. I washed and I changed, everything done as quickly as possible so I have enough time to make breakfast for the both of us. Since it's already past 7, I know my parents aren't home. They have to start really early on Mondays so I guess this means it'll just be Zayn and I for today. My appearance was checked in the mirror, a not-so-fancy but still elegant black dress rose from above my mid thighs as usual. I didn't bother on washing my hair since that was already done for me last night so I just let it flow in it's natural loose waves.

Disappointment grew in my eyes as I opened the door, remaining in locked contact with the messy sheets left on my mattress. Zayn no where in sight.

I shuffled my bare feet across the soft carpet, walking up to my bed. As I got there, I heard a sudden ringing noise coming from the nightstand next to me. I reached my hand and unlocked the message on display.

From: Zayn

Good morning, beautiful. Sorry I couldn't be there once you got out of the shower, I didn't want to disturb you. Something came up and I had to leave. Don't worry, I'm not doing anything stupid.. But I will see you again in the afternoon. I'll stop by at Charlie's and pick you up.

And with that, the small smile on my face disappeared. Judging by what happened last time at Charlie's, I don't think it's much of a very good idea he stops by. 

*AT CHARLIE'S*

I've been working now for at least my entire shift. Still, I felt like I was no where near done. I can't believe how much I actually missed working here. No matter how weird some of the customers we get here are, I always find it as a nice place to just come and think. It's something I haven't been doing lately with situations elsewhere from Queens.

Zayn on the other hand has been blowing up my phone with text messages and calls, though I can't really get calls while on my shift. All he's been talking about is if I'm okay and if I've seen Ezra around here. I know he worried, I don't blame him. He's gotten way over the edge with being protective over me. The truth is, he doesn't have to worry. I'm safe here. Eddie got this new security system placed in here after what happened last time. He even hired two bodyguards just incase something like what Zayn and Nathan started last time.

And speaking of Zayn and Nathan..

He walked out of the kitchen, a tray of dirty dishes in his hands as he stopped to drop his eyes on me. A white apron hugged around his waist, the black clothes that were mandatory for us to wear covered his body beneath. I missed him, I really did. He isn't himself anymore. He's changed completely and I think it's all because of me.

"Back already?" He chuckled, walking over to put the tray of what was actually clean glass cups behind the counter. "I'm surprised you made it back alive?"

My eyebrows furrowed as I walked up to him. "What are you talking about?"

He held two glass cups from the bottom, organizing them in the way they're supposed to be.

"Just wondering you know.. Since he's that type of guy?" It was as if he couldn't make eye contact with me. He was nervous, I can tell.

"If you're going to talk about him that way then I can just walk away." I warned, meaning to do nothing else.

He put the glass down, giving me a look of nothing more than ignorance. "Then why don't you?"

I couldn't believe what he was just telling me. This attitude, this behavior of his is getting a little out of control and it's making it impossible for me to actually have a conversation with him. I don't want to lose him, as a friend, he's too much to just give up. But if getting in the way of my relationships is what he's going to do, then he's going to leave me with no other option than to leave.

"Why are you treating me like this?" I asked.

"We already went over this." He sighed, looking down at what he was doing. Creating a distraction in the situation.

"No we didn't, okay." I spoke up, "Zayn has nothing to do with your behavior. That's all you."

He looked up a little aggravated with the sound of Zayn's name. "Really? He's the start of all this."

I remained quiet, not wanting to say anything else. It was useless, trying to consult with him. My body turned, about to walk away when he stopped me.

"Wait."

I sighed, mentally pondering wheather or not I should turn around to see him or not.

"What?" I finally spoke turning around.

He sighed, looking down as if what he was about to say something important. It was then I also noticed the small bruises in his face from the beat down he got last time from Zayn. God, that was the worst thing that I've ever seen happen here.

"I really hate that guy." He continued, already making me angry, "But if that's what makes you happy... Then, I guess I have no say in that."

Now is when he finally understands that?

"I really love you, Paige. It kills me to know that that thing has you and is going to put you down in your time in need. You don't deserve him, you really don't. And you know that."

"So what you're saying is that I deserve a guy like you?" I stated more than questioned in an annoyed tone.

He looked red handed, as if I caught onto something he didn't expect me to. This only made me more annoyed with him.

"You know what, it doesn't matter. If I get hurt, that's my problem. Not yours. I am happy, and just to let you know, you're words aren't going to do anything about it. I tired to reason out with you, but apparently that's going to be impossible. I don't need a shoulder to cry on and I especially don't need yours." I felt a flush of relief run over my tensed body. Never have I ever told that to someone, even as close as Nathan. And I didn't feel guilty, it felt good to say that.

"Paige.." He tried to come out like the good guy with me.

"No." I interrupted him. "I've had it with you. I thought you were my friend, almost my brother, but I was wrong. Friends don't do that to each other. So now when you finally realized what a jerk you've been with all of this.. don't come trying to get an apology from me. I've heard it before and I'm not going to back this time."

I quickly turned around, holding back my tears and taking a step out into the girls restroom. Instantly, tears started flooding down the sides of my cheek. I don't like losing people, especially those you love. He's being stupid with this and it's all making me seem like the bad guy here. All I want is for someone to understand that. I'm not bringing Zayn into this. He already has enough with what's going on with him that I'm not going to risk putting Nathan over him, again.

Silently, I left the salty drops of water fall down the sides of my cheeks. I wasn't going to cry for this, not for Nathan. He's history now and not worth my time. The tears falling now were only tears of anger. I felt the adrenaline moving under my skin, the feeling of just throws something came up to me and it wasn't easy to control. All I wanted to do right now was scream.

"Paige.."

"Go away, Nathan!" I yelled looking into the mirror in front of me.

There was a small moment of silence, only the small sobs I took in were heard.

Not so long afterwards, the restroom's door swung open, Zayn taking a step in to just lash his arms around me. It all happened so soon, I didn't find the right words to speak. So instead, I just closed my eyes and held him back.

"Don't do this Paige, don't let your anger turn into something as ugly as mine." Zayn said, "You're better than that."

We remained silent, holding each other in our arms for a while. The silence was soon becoming unbearable after a while. I was growing suspicious and once I was calmed down, I moved away and asked.

"What are you doing here?"

His hand moved some hair away from my face, slightly growing a face of disgust after. "You weren't answering your phone so I came in and ended up seeing that fucking guy. He told me you came in here."

I looked down, feeling nothing but stupid.

"I could've ended him right there, I knew he hurt you." He paused, "But that wasn't my main concern anymore.. You were."

My tears were sucked in, hands moving up to dry my face off. Zayn pushed them away shortly afterwards and raised my head to make contact with him.

"Tell me.. What did he do?"

I shook my head, "Nothing, it was stupid."

"If it was stupid then you wouldn't be crying." He replied.

I had no answer for him. He has left me completely speechless.

Zayn's arms swung back around, holding my tightly below his arms. His lips meeting the roof of my forehead to peck a small lingering kiss, hand slowly running down my back.

"Don't cry, please." He whispered, "Not for him. It's only going to make me feel worse."

I looked up, not wanting to leave his touch. "You've done nothing wrong, Zayn."

He looked up, sarcastically smiling at what I said. "Please, I've barely had any time with you to just talk, talk about something else other than the shit going on around us. I hardly kiss you anymore and the last time we spent some actual alone time together was last night. And trust me.. it wasn't enough time to satisfy me."

I was going to tell him it was okay, but he cut in before I had the chance.

"Paige, I just want you happy."

No one sees that I am. It's just a matter of state. Maybe I thought I was but actually am not. Life has never been so confusing before.

I looked up, wrapping my arms around his neck to gently brush my lips against his. Our eyes fluttered open just as I drew back. My cold tears leaving a few marks on his cheeks from being pressed into mine. I smiled as I dried them off, his beautiful eyes looking right at me and never breaking contact.

"Things will get better." He nodded, "I promise."

"That's quite a big promise.." I  smiled.

"Nothing is ever too big for us to handle." He didn't look as if he was messing around.

I liked his determination, a determination I haven't seen in a while. I'm sure what he said was right.

"You know, something I learned a while ago from an old friend of mine was that.. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes, count to ten, take a deep breath, remind yourself that you wouldn't look good in prison stripes and just smile at the dumbass and walk away."

His lesson made me laugh, gently pressing my head to his chest. "Who on Earth told you that?"

"This cell mate I once had. It was the longest I was ever in prison and he told me that to control my anger around the guards." He chuckled.

I didn't really like him taking about that but I guess I'll let it slide this time.

"So can you do that for me?" He moved me to look him in the eye. "Next time you see that dumbass or when ever you need something to control you with your anger?"

I nodded my head, giving him a small giggle along with it.

"Okay." He smiled, biting his lower lip, "Wash your face and lets get out of here."

I nodded again, slowly moving back just as I felt him playfully slap my bum in encouragement. A blush immediately made its way up my face, the air around me rising an incredible amount of degrees.

"Go on." He smirked.