11 11-The Last Straw (1/2)

I didn't hear from Zayne until late Sunday. He said that talking about everything made it all seem real and that finally acknowledging the pain out loud took some of it away. That night he had talked to his mom and dad, clearing the air. I was invited over Sunday night and came in to see and his dad at the table, eating together, laughing over something on TV.

After he and his dad finished, Zayne pulled me into his room with a big grin. He still hurt and still was struggling, but slowly he was able to put some of the pieces back together.

I stayed most of the night, we talked, we kissed, and he finally kept his promise to play his violin for me. He played a violin instrumental version of Be Alright by Dean Lewis, I don't think I've heard anything as beautiful as that. The look on his face was a look of release, you can see how safe he feels, how free from reality he is when he plays. I sit on the edge of his bed, watching in awe the whole time.

I beg him to play more but he insists on putting the violin up for the night.

”You know, I wanted to call you after you dropped me off. That group was really... I don't even know, I hate how many people go through this but knowing I'm not alone takes so much pressure away. And when you shared, I... Did you mean everything you said?”

I look at him and smile as I pull him into a kiss, ”Every single word,” I whisper against his lips.

”Can I tell you something?” he presses his forehead to mine. I nod just enough to let him finish his thought, ”I think I love you too.”

I hug him close to me and hold on tight, he holds me so tight that he has my shirt bunched up in his fists.

”I can't keep watching you go through everything alone. I can't just sit and do nothing,” I whisper in his ear and kiss his shoulder.

He stays silent and holds me tighter. When he finally pulls back it's to kiss me, very heavily drawing me in as he sucks and bites my lips.

There's a knock at his door and we pull away. He jumps up to answer the door, it's his dad.

”It's getting late you two. You should probably think of going home and sleeping Josh, and Zayne you need to go to bed. Tomorrow you're going back to school and I want you both rested in case anything happens. We talked to the principal and she will personally keep an eye on things, if someone even looks at you funny Zayne, tell her.”

He nods as I get up and put my arm around his shoulders, ”It'll be ok, you won't be alone through it. I promise,” I kiss him on the cheek and slip passed his dad.

I look back at him from the front door and watch as his dad hugs him tightly and keeps telling Zayne that he'll always love him and support him. He tells Zayne to be strong and that he can always talk about what's going on. He tells him he always has someone in his corner.

He might as well have an army in his corner.

I come home to everyone asleep. Arriana is fast asleep at her desk so I drape a blanket over her carefully and slide a pillow in place of her notebook. I can hear my dad snoring which means their both asleep since my dad has to wait for my mom to fall asleep or else she can't sleep at all listening to him snore.

I slip out of my jeans and shirt, replacing them with a comfy pair of sweats as I climb in bed with my phone.

I love you Zayne. Sleep well, I'll see you tomorrow \u003c3

I plug everything in and turn off my light. Tomorrow is going to be heavy, between the rumors, Conrad, and the fact that I will not just stand by and watch Zayne suffer anymore. I have a feeling a lot is going to happen.

Closing my eyes I hear Zayne's voice in my head.

”I think I love you too.”

I fall asleep and before I know it, it's morning. My alarm hasn't gone off, but still I get up and go to see if Arriana is awake. She is.

”Hey,” I whisper opening her door a crack, ”Can I come in?”

She looks up and brushes her hair out of her face, ”Yeah what's up? How's Zayne?”

I smile, ”He's good. Things are... Really good.”

Her eyes get wide, ”What happened? Why do you look like a fourteen year old at a Justin Bieber concert?”

”I told him I love him, and he told me he loves me too,” I laugh as she jumps in her chair and comes to hug me.

She sits down with me on her bed and asks to know all the details, I tell her all about the group and Zayne with his violin and him asking if I meant what I said. We sit there for almost an hour.

”I don't even care that we're in high school and the odds are so stacked against us lasting as a couple. It feels so real,” she squeezes my hand as I speak, ”Arriana, I don't want to hide it anymore. I can't just sit back and pretend I don't care when people attack him, I can't.”

”And you shouldn't, plus you suck at faking it,” we both laugh as she hugs me.

”What about you? I don't want this to effect you,” I pull away from her and look at her with concern. She answers with a strong punch to the shoulder.

”Shut up! Nothing anyone can say or do will change that you deserve to be happy, you know I won't hesitate to put someone in their place. I just want you to be happy Josh, your my brother, and I know Zayne is what makes you happy. You should own it!”

I thank her profusely before she goes to get ready for the day.

I have enough butterflies in my stomach to make a doctor faint. I so badly want to find Zayne as soon as I get to school and hit the ”fuck it” button. I want to be there for him without having to hide.

I go back to my room and put my stuff in my bag. As soon as Arriana is done in the bathroom, I jump in the shower, eager to get to school. As a senior in high school, the thought of school should make me want to die, but I honestly can't wait.

When I get out of the shower I hear my phone ring. It's Zayne's mom.

”Mrs. Daveen? Is everything ok?” It's not normal for her to call me, let alone this early in the morning.

”Zayne's already left for school, he didn't have to leave for another twenty minutes but he did. I would appreciate if you could get there soon to make sure he's ok. If anything happens please call me.”

”Of course, I'll leave as soon as I can. I won't let anything happen today.”

I hang up and grab some clothes to throw on, as I do my alarm goes off and I smack the off button. I shove my phone, computer, and journal in my backpack before stumbling as I walk down the hall while trying to put on my shoes.

Arriana comes out of her room concerned. I tell her Zayne is already at school alone and I need to be there in case someone tries anything. She grabs her bag and rushes after me while putting on her lita heels. We're surprised to find our mom already in the kitchen with breakfast.