Just A Little Bit

Elizabeth was grinning as I entered the room. Her eyes were wide and sparkling with amusement and she was practically jumping on her bed. My eyebrows shot up and I tossed my keys to the bed side table, staying silent for her to continue.

"Your Mother called. She's coming for a visit!" She said.

Mixed emotions rushed at me. First, it was excitement. No matter how annoying my mother was, I still haven't seen her in almost 4 months. Something always significantly unimportant happened with her and I've come to miss her stories. The next emotion was a sharp point of dread. Mom was never the kind of person who saw me going to parties or having sex or a boyfriend that has acute mood swings. She wanted me to be more than normal; she wanted me to be nearly perfect. I was the example for my younger sisters, since she was divorced and our father figure was ripped away from us in a short period of time. If I did something she didn't approve of, I had her sharp lectures and the guilt of my sisters' pounding at me.

"She called you?"

I wasn't aware of Elizabeth and Mom being so close.

She was off the bed in a second and in front of me still beaming like a Cheshire cat.

"Yes. Well, she called our dorm and you weren't here so I picked up! Aren't you happy? I wish my parents would come visit."

I frowned and looked away from her. On some levels I was happy. On others I was anxious. Even nervous. I feel like I could throw up.

"When is she arriving?"

Elizabeth picked up on my trivial mood and teetered away cautiously. She had seen me enough over the past month to know I was easily set off by schoolwork or Calum. I knew the questions about why I was wet would arise. But one problem before the next.

My fucking Mother was coming.

"She'll be here tomorrow. She said she scheduled for your next week of school to be put-off."

Of course she would. There would be no distractions when I was with her. None.

A hard smile pressed on my lips. Elizabeth opened her mouth, worry written over her expression but a solid two knocks on the door shut us both up. "Is that Calum?" She asked quietly. Bolts of glee sprung from his name alone and I shakily got up from my mattress to whip the door open.

Zayn. Louis. Michael. Luke. Calum. Ashton.

Why the fuck were they all here? Calum sent me an uneasy look and pushed past me into the small room. The other boys shuffled in, Zayn being extra physical, rubbing up against my shoulder and his fingers skimming my hip. The door shut lightly behind me and I turned to see Louis and Zayn to the left and the rest of the boys looked furious to the right.

Elizabeth and I shared looks.

"Why the fuck are you all here?" I asked exasperated. "Don't cuss." Zayn snapped, keeping his eyes firmly on my boyfriend. I stepped to Calum's side, reaching for his hand. He pulled away from me and an angry breath left his nostrils, causing them flare.

Zayn noticed.

"Zayn and I found something about the boys." Louis stated simply, a smirk flitting on his pink lips and his eyes glaring deviously at me. His hair was slightly wet from the rain outside and it was only now that I realized that's why they wanted me in the car. To tell me what they found out.

My brows pulled forward with concentration. "What?"

"Illegal drugs and gang related activities." Louis smirked some more and my hands balled in fists. What the fuck was he talking about? I doubted Calum- of all people- would be part of a gang...or sell drugs. And how the hell did they find this out? And why?!

Damn today just wasn't a good day for me.

"Explain before you lose me." My voice is softer than I expected and a warm hand pulled me away from my boyfriend. I looked up into warm hazel eyes- Elizabeth. My attention tore from her to focus on the people in front of me. Zayn occasionally would look over to me, a grim pained look distant in his eyes.

Distant, but it was there.

"We found evidence that Calum and his group have been selling drugs and actively joining the local gang for money."

I wrinkled my nose.

"That's fucking insane."

"We have evidence."

Shit I felt like this was a courtroom or some crazy ass shit. What the fuck was happening? Why was I even considering believing Zayn and Louis?! Calum's been my boyfriend for a month and we've grown closer. I trust him.

Right?

"They're lying." Calum said matter-of-factly. But he didn't look me in the eyes. Something about this situation seemed like deja vu. I shook my head a little, and tried focusing on the carpet. It swirled beneath my feet, my stomach plummeting and tight knots forming.

"What's the evidence?" Elizabeth asked for me, placing the small of her hand on my lower back, rubbing soothingly. Didn't matter. I could throw up any minute. Where the fuck was the trashcan?

"We've talked with people. People that have Calum's or one of his friends' signatures on a drug deal receipt. Stupid ass things like that."

"Oh God." My breathy whisper shut everyone up and the feel of their eyes on me didn't help.

I seriously am going to die right now.

Black dots covered my vision and I slumped, my lips letting out a sweaty gasp. Elizabeth didn't have the power to catch my fall and none of the boys were close enough to reach out. I felt hot and cold all over, my forehead and arms sticky with too much sweat. I couldn't see a thing and my ears were ringing from voices.

"What's wrong with her?!"

"Call a nurse!"

"Grace!"

They were all slow and one after the other came in. Bubbly and fading.

And I was knocked out cold.

~~~

It was cold. What felt like a fan was blowing refreshingly cool air against my face, the blades could be heard softly cutting through the air. I didn't feel like opening my eyes and seeing the chaos that was sure to happen from the incident before. It was calm here in whatever state I was in and wherever the hell I was.

I felt my hair twist slightly from the breeze and tickle my cheek. I flinched away from it and swiftly a trail of warmth brushed it away. The pads of someone's fingers lingered briefly against my cheekbone. I sighed at the jittery love forming at the touch. It left suddenly and just as graceful as it had come.

I sighed again, this time discontented. My eyes opened slightly, adjusting to the light slowly. A low gasp sounded to my right. I shifted over to see a tired looking Zayn sitting in an uncomfortable chair.

His usually tame facial hair was ruffled, reflecting the mess on his hair, probably from the amount of times his hands have run through it. The usual bright and wry eyes of his were drooping and hooded. Perfectly bowed shaped lips were turned down at the corners, his clothes lay disfigured on his sculpted body.

And I was totally stunned by his presence. I expected anybody but him. My Mom, Elizabeth, Calum, a doctor, a nurse... Zayn Malik?

No.

And he looked amazing as always. Even in this mess of his. My heart beat erratically against my chest, the heart monitor picking up its pace. I flushed at how obvious he affected me.

"Hi." I croaked.

He frowned.

"You were out for two days."

Not even a fucking hello back. Fuck you.

Zayn's amber eyes traveled from my face to the monitor still racing. "Should I call in the nurse?" He challenged. I bit my lip and focused on my breathing. Slowly, ever so slowly, the beeping returned to a normal sound. His eyes were back on mine.

"Is my Mom here?" I shifted, wincing as my neck cracked. Zayn sat up straight, hands floating in front of him not knowing what to do. I watched him curiously.

When he saw I was okay, he leaned away. Face blank.

"She's in the waiting room." He answered, looking down and away. I scowled. "But you're here." I said, trying to make sense of everything.

He nodded slowly, briefly making eye contact.

"I'm always here."

"And Calum?"

He flinched back. A pang of guilt crept up in my chest. "Calum left."

My heart dropped and an unexpected vulnerable breath left my mouth. Zayn picked up a trashcan and pushed up to me. I doubled over, my guts spilling into the plastic bag. I hissed as I pulled away.

"You must think I'm disgusting." I replied sourly, wiping the back of my hand over my lips.

"I don't."

"You've just seen me puke." I pointed out, avoiding his hot eyes.

"I've been seeing you do it the past two days. Its painful to watch."

"No doubt." I huffed humorlessly.

"I was scared." He said after a small pause. I looked back to him.

"Of what?"

"I didn't know what happened to you. What was happening. You scared me."

More guilt. And passion. He cared!

"I'm okay now." I whispered breathlessly. This new prospect sent giggles through me.

"I'm sorry for everything I've ever done to you. I just want you to know that Delia and I was a long time ago. I'd never be able to hurt you like that. My son- he's coming up. Can you meet him?"

Silence. How the fuck was I supposed to answer that? Wonder flowed freely through me.

"I'll call a nurse in."

He stood. Before I could get another word out, the door was shut behind him.

An empty feeling smothered me.

Notes