A/N)
This short story is for WeeklyStoryContests writing contest book. This is a clip-bit from the life of the characters of one of my future stories (not yet updated). The prompt reminded me of him and I want to thank llOddiell for helping me organize my thoughts

Theme- Dark Light

It was beautiful outside. A heavy wind
ruffled the trees, and the unbearable heat had went down a few degrees for the sun was drowned out by clouds.

"Mr. Asher!"

Zayn's head snapped away from the window.

"Have you been paying attention to a word I said?" Mrs. Hale raised her eyebrows questioningly.

Zayn bit his lower lip as he tried to bring back what she was saying while he had zoned out. "Yes?"

He couldn't say he hated this class, but more that he knew nearly everything that was taught and found it boring.

Mrs. Hale frowned. "Is that so? Then can you tell me what are the requirements to perform wordless magic?"

"Strong magical aura, memorization of incantation, though later on it wouldn't matter if you have it memorized or not, along with intense practice and focus. We've been doing this for two weeks now!" Zayn complained.

The question was too easy. He had wished to be moved to a more advanced class, but according to his mother: "A little extra practice never hurt anyone."

Mrs. Hale didn't seem surprised that Zayn knew exactly what he was talking about, but she took his statement as a challenge. "Well Mr. Asher, would you like to demonstrate a wordless spell for us?"

Zayn pouted. "Mrs. Hale, do you not believe that I can do this?"

Out of the corner of his eye he could see his friends laughing.

"You seem confident Mr. Asher. I hope your actions don't disappoint me." She held out an arm, motioning Zayn to the front.

He walked up grinning. Mrs. Hale moved to the side to give him space.

"What should I do?"

Mrs. Hale pretended to think. "Well I can't let your confidence go to vain, now can I? Why not a self-levitation?"

The class seemed to mutually hold their breaths, the spell itself was difficult with an oral incantation.

Zayn nodded, merely a few seconds later he was a few feet in the air. He somersaulted, dramatically bowed, and gently landed, grinning.

Mrs. Hale smiled proudly. "You may sit down."

After another fifteen minutes the class was dismissed, bringing an end to the school day.

Zayn loitered around the school with his friends for as long as he could to avoid the dreadful trek home, but soon he had to make his way out.

A loud shout caught his attention.

"Hey! Watch your step."

He turned around and looked at the owner of the voice. It was Edward, one of Zayn's more arrogant classmates, along with a small group of friends.

His remark was aimed at a tall, broad shouldered girl. She turned to look squarely at Edward and rolled her eyes.

"Oh, excuse me, but I'm pretty sure you were the one to step in my way. However forgive my remark if you have been denied the ability to see." She turned around to walk away.

Zayn silently chuckled at the girl's snarky come back.

Flabbergasted, Edward stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. In a blink she pulled her wrist away and kneed Edward in the stomach.

Zayn turned his head away as her skirt lifted in the motion. 

The girl was backing away, clearly about to run, but Edward growled and grabbed her wrist again. His fist flew to her face.

"Excuse you? You must be the one that's blind and can't see who you're talking to!" He sneered.

The girl flinched and clutched her face in pain.

Zayn's eyes widened at how fast the fight escalated. He took a step forward, but Edward harshly threw the girl onto the ground.

She crumbled to the ground clutching her eye.

"Hey!" Zayn called out, ticked off.

He glanced at the girl, who had the beginning of a bruise on one eye.

The scene reminded Zayn of his father scolding his brother. He tried to avoid getting caught in there maddening and meaningless fights, but something inside him made him feel the need to help her.

Edward turned around to face Zayn.

"Back off," Edward growled.

Zayn shrugged nonchalantly. "Pretty sure school's over, and I always walk her home." He indicated towards the girl, lying despite the fact he had never met her before.

Zayn turned away to help the girl up. A curtain of brown hair covered her face. She quietly thanked him, her good eye lighting up in relief.

"This isn't over," Edward muttered.

Zayn walked away with her and led her home. It turned out her name was Ava, and she was a year younger than Zayn, explaining why he had never seen her in any of his classes.

Before Zayn left she thanked him once again, but Zayn shrugged her off and made his way home.

He cautiously walked into the manor. It was way too big for a family of four, but his father insisted on keeping it for the Asher Family had owned it for generations.

To Zayn's surprise, when he walked in, the manor was silent.

"Dad?" He called out.

A shadow passed in front of him.

Zayn flicked his finger and an orb of light illuminated the dark room.

His brother stood in front of him, trembling. Tears stained his cheeks and his hands were covered in...blood?

"Lahr?"

"I'm sorry, I...I didn't meant to," his voice was shaking.

"Do what?" Zayn asked.

Cold sweat formed at the nape of his neck.

Lahr flashed past him and raced towards the door, lifting into the air as soon as he was out.

Instead of chasing after Lahr, Zayn dashed into the room he had came from.

A dark feeling of misery caused his legs to collapse under him. Zayn's head hit the wall and black spots dotted his vision.

His parents lay unmovingly in front of him, drenched in a crimson coat of blood.

"Lahr...no..." Zayn whispered.

Darkness filled his vision.

(979)

A/N)
Sorry it's really crappy and fast paced cause I was trying to pay attention to the word limit! After a bit of editing I managed to bring it down to exactly a thousand. Also just in case no one understands the symbolism of "dark light", it's because he's the cheery type that brings light to others lifes (in this case the girls), but truly he lives in a very dark and gloomy household (in this case coming home to his parents). I know it's a bit rushed, but I hope y'all like it! 💖

P.S. sorry for the cheesy title 😂