The first time he left England was when his parents decided to send him to boarding school in America after setting the kitchen on fire. Of course, it was a complete accident because Zayn isn't a complete psycho and he would never do that on purpose. He was simply trying to bake his mother a cake for mothers day, but of course they never really listened to him. Mostly because he was very quiet and was too scared and embarrassed to explain anything.

However, naturally, as he's gotten older he's contained more wisdom and is way less quiet and maybe a bit more aggressive...too aggressive.

Zayn began to get into drugs, smoking and basically an entirely wrong crowd for such a naive being, while in boarding school from middle to high school.

Before returning home to get his degree in Oxford, when his parents saw and heard of the choices he made, now not an innocent little boy anymore but a rugged man with multiple piercings and tattoos covering his arms and chest, he decided that he didn't want to go to college after applying to the most prestige school in England because he feels school isn't for him. He's always been a smart person, very observant and almost blessed with brains because the rest of his family are basically average but not dumb.

So, Zayn decided to become an artist, painting in his free time, spending hours in his small apartment in New York to simply paint and sell his works through auctions or online. He even keeps a few and he makes five grand a year by doing this while also singing at pubs on the weekends which brings in a little extra cash and also working at a magazine firm doing graphic design which is his main source of money.

He's not too busy because the hours he works aren't bad at all. He wakes up at six to get to work by seven and he leaves by three. His paintings are spontaneous and he has to have inspiration and he only has to be booked by his own doing to actually play at pubs.

He enjoys his life a lot actually. It's simple and calm...all that he's ever wanted. No pressures to be better than anyone but focus on himself and the people he cares about.

"You lost!" Liam exclaims, setting his cards down on the table to show his two pairs. In contrast, Louis angrily throws his cards on the table, getting up and knocking his chair back onto the concrete outside on Liam's apartment balcony.

"You're a cheater, I just know it Liam!" Louis yells, pointing an accusatory finger at the brown-eyed man with a deep frown. Liam simply smirks, shaking his head.

"You simply suck my little friend." Liam says,shrugging. And suddenly Louis is gaping at Liam with his mouth almost touching the ground before his wide, blue eyes flicker to Zayn's.

"He just called me little!" Louis exclaims, expression turning angry again. He looks between Liam who has a smug expression and Zayn who is trying to not burst out laughing as he bites his lip. "We had an agreement you guys wouldn't do that anymore!" Louis says, clenching his fists.

Zayn gets up from his seat quickly after sitting between the two of them as they played card games, just to make sure anyone cheated. He walks over to Louis, putting his hands on his friend's shoulders. "Louis, mate, remember what the doctor said." Zayn says. "Deep breathes." He says, continuing to do it in sync with him as Louis nods in agreement. Louis was diagnosed with major anger issues and high blood pressure from his doctor last week, he didn't react too well about the new information. So they then had to go to a therapist for some more information. And considering they're all so close Louis, Liam and Zayn all went together to listen to what he had to do.

They all started doing meditation classes together and practice breathing exercises and even occasionally go to the gym. They all just like to make sure the other is okay.

Zayn met Liam during boarding school and Louis works with him as a journalist in the magazine firm.

"Okay, I'm fine." Louis sighs, running his fingers through his hair as he plops down on his chair again after he picked it up.

"Hey, you guys hungry?" a voice asks, all of their heads turning to Liam's wife, AJ but her full name being Anaya Jones, who stands in the opening of the sliding doors.

She smiles at each of them, raising her brows in a questioning manner. She knows that they all find her attractive as they gawk at her in just a robe and slippers, but none of them would ever think of touching her because of course she is Liam's wife with her milky brown skin and big brown eyes, thick lips and full, kinky hair that she likes to pull into a bun most of the time. Without a lick of make up, she glows of melanin just because of good skincare. Of course, if they see her high school pictures she is acne filled, but still pretty.

"Of course." Louis and Zayn say at the same time, getting up quickly with their chairs almost falling back as Liam follows them without a word into the apartment.

"I made some grilled chicken and rice but ordered a box of pizza if no one wanted it." She shrugs. "But I'm  definitely having what I cooked." She states, walking over to the dining table which sits behind the living room.

"Oh, Mrs.Payne, you know we're going to have your lovely cooking." Louis smiles politely and then the doorbell rings, indicating the pizza.

"I'll pay for that." Zayn says, turning towards the door as he begins to pull his wallet out from his back pocket.

"I paid online with Liam's card, don't worry about it!" she exclaims to him and he hears an offended "hey!" from Liam. "It was five bucks, you'll earn that in another week." AJ scoffs.

Zayn retrieves the pizza, making sure to be pleasant and tell them thank you before turning back into the home. The scent wafts into his nose and it smells absolutely amazing. He's just drooling as he thinks about eating it. The last time he's had pizza was a few years ago. He tries to eat healthier these days except the occasional McDonald's trip when he goes out. 

The man sets the box on the table and Louis seems to perk his head towards it as he is dishing out his rice. Liam is uninterested in the pizza though, preferring to have his wife's cooking. "Shit, seasoned chicken, or pizza?" Louis mumbles as he battles within his mind. It's not like Zayn hasn't had AJ's cooking before, he just really prefers pizza right now and they understand that.

"Why not both?" Zayn says, quirking up an eyebrow as he takes a slice before sitting down on one of the chairs in the dining room.

"No, there's no chemistry between the two foods." Louis says, knawing on his bottom lip anxiously and Zayn snorts in amusement.

"Well if you don't choose soon, we're all going to be finished before you." Liam says.

"Well, while he's choosing and since we're all here, I think I would like to make an announcement now to all of you." AJ smiles, lingering her gaze on Liam who gives her a confused expression. He furrows his brows and pouts his lips slightly. Zayn and Louis are clueless. "We all know Liam and I have been trying," She says, pausing and Louis gasps, dropping his plate onto the table and Zayn simply smiles, already knowing the news. "So, I would like to say I'm pregnant." She grins and Louis and Zayn cheer, clapping their hands as Liam just sits there in shock with wide eyes. He eventually stands and engulfs the woman in a hug, pecking her lips. "I suggest we all start brainstorming names tonight." She chuckles when Liam pulls away.

"I already know." Louis smirks, looking at all of them.

"We're not naming the child after your cat." Liam snaps and Louis rolls his eyes.

"Fine, you guys just don't know a quality name when you hear one." Louis huffs, getting another plastic plate to get a slice of pizza eventually.

"Freddie isn't a quality name!" Liam exclaims.

"It's unisex!" Louis says back.

Liam furrows his brows, blinking quickly in confusion. "Since when!" he questions passionately.

"I say we take a few months to figure it out and when the inspiration hits, we contact each other." Zayn suggests and AJ nods in agreement.

"Mr.Cool is right." She says and Zayn snickers at the nickname she gave him the first time they met. Liam is puppy and Louis is Mr.Hothead to her.

"Good it's settled, we think for a few weeks and we're not naming it Freddie, love it." Liam smiles, taking a other bite of the chicken which he almost chokes on, coughing lightly. "Shit, that was dry as hell." Liam comments, rubbing his watering eyes.

"You know my cooking isn't dry. Just grab more gravy." AJ snaps, looking offended. And Liam throws his hands up in the air as defense.

"I will, I will! Just making a comment, babe." He says with wide eyes.

"I'm just saying," Louis pipes up suddenly from beside Zayn. "Whatever name you choose, I'll never love it more than I love Freddie." Louis says, throwing his hands in the air now with a frown and they all just laugh because they all really aren't fond of the name Freddie at all.

"Well, Lou, that will always be a personal problem, won't it?" Liam smirks and Louis simply glares at him playfully with narrowed eyes.

"How is your art, Z?" AJ asks, looking at Zayn who sits quietly.

"Oh uh, I got one hundred bucks from this guy yesterday for my painting I did at the beach the other day." he says

"Oh true, that was a really good one." Liam nods and Zayn smiles.

"Thanks, Li." He mumbles.

"Got any for us? We're going to have to spruce up the baby room." She says and Liam visibly becomes excited as he nods his head quickly.

"Of course, I'll try my best, just tell me what you want." Zayn shrugs, being humble and sheepish about the topic.

"We'll think about it." she says, glancing at Liam. The couple already
has one painting from him in the living room, sitting on the wall right above the couch. Its a day he was out smoking at night, which he does frequently, and he painted a picture of the night sky with the moon glowing and a hand, his hand, with a cigarette and smoke emitting from it. Liam took an instant liking to it...which is why his friend started urging him to make a living off his art...which Zayn is working on now. Even Louis has one but the guy doesn't know where to hang it.

"And Lou, once the little guy or gal gets older we would love for you to do a very animated story telling before bedtime...we know you'll love that."

Louis smirks. "Or I can show him or her one of my many plays." He says. AJ nods.

"Those two, we all love those." She chuckles and Liam snorts, rolling his eyes.

"Hater." Louis snaps.

"Am not." Liam argues.

"Are too!" he exclaims.

And Zayn and AJ look at each other with a roll of their eyes.

LATER

"You know that's super bad for you,Z." Doniya, who goes to college at NYU as a graduate student, says as she watches her younger brother smoke while sitting outside of her apartment building. There are benches outside the door and he hasn't seen her since a month ago, so Zayn decided to visit.

Zayn sighs, smoke releasing past his lips. "I'm aware, Don." He nods, not looking at her and staring out at the busy traffic, even at ten at night. Headlights relentlessly zoom past with horns honking and tires screeching.

"Just saying." She sighs. "Wouldn't want to see you in a hospital anytime soon." She shrugs, picking at the ruby red nail polish on her fingers.

"I can control myself." He mumbles, lying because he knows he has about five or six a day, probably thirty by the end of the week.

"Bullshit, you constantly smell like smoke." She says, shaking her head.

"And you know this how?" Zayn says calmly, quirking up an eyebrow as he looks at her.

"Liam tells me." She smiles and Zayn sighs, rolling his eyes.

"I understand you guys being worried about my addiction, but I'm a grown man, alright?" Zayn says, a little bit more rude than he intended.

"I Just think you should take a healthier alternative."

"Such as?" Zayn questions, quirking up an eyebrow.

"Weed."

"I smoke weed."

"Yeah but like...only weed." Doniya says unsurely, furrowing her brows. "You know, not even that because that can make you lose brain cells...what about water? Everytime you want to smoke drink a whole bottle of water. Sixteen ounces at most." She says.

Zayn nods, looking down at the lit cigarette between his fingers. He blinks, knowing some days he doesn't feel good after smoking. Mostly because he doesn't eat much and the smoke creates this burn in his chest. It's not a good sign.

"What about coffee?" Zayn suggests, looking up. "I like coffee." He says. Doniya chuckles.

"Sure Z, drink away some coffee."

"Black coffee." He says, snapping his fingers.

"Whatever your heart tells you." his older sister shrugs and Zayn smiles. "But water is always a better alternative."

"I'll try both. Whatever is in reach."

"Perfect." She nods.

"How's school?" Zayn asks, figuring that topic is done.

"Fun." She smiles and Zayn rolls his eyes.

"Family?" he questions, not wanting to talk about school much. It's a sticky subject mostly because most of his family believes he needs to go to college. Not going to Oxford was a sad occurrence to his parents and even Doniya.

"Same old. The girls have matured tremendously. They miss you." Doniya says, referring to their two younger sisters. Zayn nods, dropping the cigarette to the ground and he steps on it, hearing the sizzling of it in the sudden quietness, and then more horns begin to honk and yelling suddenly erupts.

Zayn looks up to see a crash occurred, right in front of them.

"I think that's a sign to go inside." Doniya sighs, standing up slowly, she stretches her limbs. "You know, before someone shoots somebody else." She says, relaxing again as the yelling gets more intense, making Zayn smile as he stands up.

"Can we meet up at the cafè tomorrow morning? On tenth street." Zayn says.

"Sure, around seven because I have a class at nine tomorrow." She says and Zayn smiles gratefully.

"Bye, Don." He says, itching to reach into his pocket and get another cigarette after not even finishing the last one. His older sister walks over to hug him and he hugs back, not used to hugging her but maybe she just feels like being in a loving mood.

When the woman pulls away she smiles as she holds up his cigarette pack, making Zayn frown and look down at his pocket to see it not there anymore. He smiles as he looks up again. "You are one sly cookie, Don." He chuckles, shaking his head. "Why didn't you ever just become a pick pocketer?" Zayn questions.

"Because I want to do something with my life." She winks before turning and walking off and Zayn simply turns the other direction to get to his car, respecting her words.

THE NEXT DAY

With just a black wife beater on and some basketball shorts along with clunky, black shoes, Zayn walks into the cafè. It's cold inside, making him shiver slightly and goosebumps erupt on his tattoed skin. He sticks his hands into his pockets, looking up at the menu instantly but he knows that this morning is when he has his early smoke, just to start off the day and he is really forcing himself to not get back into his car and drive to a convenience store.

But Zayn knows if he's even a minute late Doniya will assume he's stopping to get more cigarettes.

The man decides to get a croissant and a black coffee. He makes eye contact with the cashier, smiling pleasantly before ordering his decision.

After getting his food and beverage the man takes a seat in the back of the cafè.He bites his bottom lip, knawing on it as he takes out his phone in one hand and picks up the coffee in the other. He takes a sip, humming at the bitter taste, which most of his friends and family find weird about him. Why does he not like sweet things? Zayn doesn't know himself but bitterness really just stimulates him.

"Oh no!" Zayn hears a voice exclaim and then a harsh thud and crash, making him flicker his eyes up to see an employee on the floor, holding his head and the other arm holding himself up. Zayn stands up and walks over to him, his co worker simply behind the counter with her phone in front of her face.

"You okay?" Zayn says, holding out his hand towards the guy. He removes his hand and flickers his gaze up to Zayn with a frown. The man shakes his head and looks away, standing up. Was he answering the question or just refusing to take Zayn's hand?

Zayn watches confused as the employee gets a broom from behind the counter and then walks back over to start sweeping up the glass shards of the mug that fell with him. Zayn turns away, deciding to ignore the situation and just sit back down. Doniya walks in at the same time and they make eye contact instantly, Zayn waving her over.

She walks over to him, sitting with a heavy sigh. "I swear my roommate is going to make me have a condition. She constantly has guys over and is having sex, right next to my room!" Doniya exclaims and Zayn just snorts, turning into a laugh as he rests his head on the table for a few seconds.

"I...I'm sorry, Don. Well, do you ever think of joining?" Zayn questions through a chuckle and his sister's eyes widen before she reaches over and slaps his arm, making him flinch and just laugh even harder, holding his arm because it sort of hurt.

The man flickers his gaze towards the employee who seems to have stopped sweeping and is just staring at Zayn with concentrated, forest colored eyes. Zayn's laughing dies down and he wonders why this guy is staring at him. But the worker eventually looks away quickly and walks back towards the counter.

Zayn looks back at his sister who is texting rapidly on her phone. "I've got to work after school today." she sighs, rolling her eyes.

"On a Saturday?"

"Yeah, they texted me and I want extra money." she shrugs.

"So, you don't have to."

"No, I have to if I want to pay rent." she says, putting her phone back down. "How are your jobs doing?" she asks, smiling slightly and Zayn shrugs.

"Fine. Same old, same old." He says. He's content and that's all he really wants.

"I'm glad. I'm glad you're doing something you love."

"Better than doing something I'm miserable in like being a doctor." He sighs, shaking his head. "Want to share the crossaint?" he asks, pushing it towards the middle.

"Please." Doniya nods.

"If you're hungry I can get something for you." Zayn shrugs.

"I've got money, get me a blueberry muffin?" she smiles, pulling out her wallet. And Zayn nods, getting up without taking her money.

"Zayn!" Doniya exclaims and Zayn waves her off as he walks towards the counter because it's a two dollar muffin, he doesn't mind getting it for her. Plus, she's his older sister, he should really treat her after being there for him for so many years. He even gets her a coffee and when she sees this she huffs in annoyance, wanting to know the amount so she can pay him back but he refuses. "Stop being a sweetheart, gosh." she snaps, angrily picking up the muffin and stuffing it in her mouth.

"I just got a good night's sleep last night." He smiles. She smiles and rolls her eyes playfully.

"You know what? I prefer that." she nods. "Do you have to work today?"

"I'll probably go to the pub tonight." He shrugs. "Oh and Anaya and Li are having a child."

Doniya gasps excitedly, brown eyes widening. "That's so great!" she smiles.

"We have three months to think of a name."

Doniya coos. "I have to call her and say congrats."

"That you should."

(Eh, so that's the first chapter/intro, hope you like the rest! :))))