~Already Gone~

"That's it then?" I whispered softly.

"That's it."

"Ok."

I put down the phone. No tears. I silently grabbed my coat, and headed out to school. I went through school with a buzzing head. Everything around me was a blur. I talked to no one. When school ended, I grabbed all my books, and immediately left. Anne saw me while I was leaving and tried to talk to me, I took one look at her and walked away. She was the last person I wanted to see that day.

I walked home alone. When I reached, my dad was eating. I went up to him and hugged him from behind. I kissed him on the cheek, and went up to my room. I locked myself in and put on my headphones. I scrolled my playlist and played some Fleet Foxes. I laid myself on the bed, and just stared out to the ceiling. So peaceful. Away from the world. Escape. The sound of music drowned all my thoughts and troubles. I didn't know how long I was doing that, but by the time I snapped out of it, it was already dark outside.

I went down and prepared some dinner for my dad. I sat watching him eat. He was trying to get his speech back, so I sat there smiling weakly at his attempts to talk without a slur. When he was done, I offered to wash his dishes to let him rest. I kissed his forehead as I prepared him for bed. No words. After I was done, I went up to my room again. My phone rang a few times that night. First it was Zayn. Then Pixie. Then Zayn again. Then Pixie. I didn't answer any of them. I wanted to be alone.

I put on my headphones again, and fell asleep lost in the music. I didn't hear the alarm. I woke up when I heard the beat of the drums in my ears. I looked at the clock, which said 5AM. I showered and went out for my paper route. I felt the breeze as I cycled through the town and closed my eyes to enjoy the wind blowing on my face. And then I felt something hard hit me. For a second, everything was still. Then I opened my eyes, and I could feel the rush of blood in my head. I could feel the excruciating pain in my head and body. I could taste blood in my mouth. Then suddenly, all went pitch black.

"Saying that you love me isn't enough anymore Lila. You have to mean it."

"This is all us, no one else. We're falling apart because of our mistakes."

"Maybe it's not right for us to be together right now"

"Niall." I breathed out and slowly opened my eyes.

I looked around, my head throbbing like mad. Where am I?

Then, Mrs Malik came into the room. "Honey? You're awake!"

She rushed towards me, and started kissing my face and crying. I was so lost.

"Oh my god, I was so worried you won't wake up! Thank God!" she exclaimed out.

"Wh-where am I? What happened? Why is my head in such a pain?"

"Oh dear..you were in an accident darling. A huge truck hit you while you were working. You've been in a coma for the past 3 days!"

I stared at her talk. But nothing's coming in. Everything was just in such a rush. I let her babble off.

"Oh, Zayn and Pixie are here sweetie! I called them when I heard the news, and they took the next plane out to see you. They went to get some lunch, they should be back soon,"

And as she said that, I could hear Pixie's voice from outside, talking about something to someone. When she appeared at the door and saw me, she stopped right at her tracks and froze. Then she had the same reaction as Mrs Malik. She immediately ran towards me and gave me a hug. Zayn did the same, except his was cooler. I was still trying to register what had happened to me but to see their smiles was such a beautiful thing, I just had to hug them back and smiled back.

"Gosh, Lila! We were all so worried! When Mrs Malik called Zayn, he just dropped the phone and started crying right at his spot. I took the phone from him, and had to shout at him to get him thinking straight again," Pixie joked.

I chortled and looked at Zayn, who was standing by the pillar obviously embarrassed at the story.

"Pixie, I told you not to tell her that."

Pixie shrugged him off. "It's a funny story, I'm trying to cheer her up here."

"Well I think it's sweet," I said weakly, extending out my arm to touch his hand. He moved in closer, and smiled back.

"Well isn't that so cute! I always thought you guys look cute together,"Mrs Malik suddenly blurted out.

At that remark, Zayn and I quickly let go of our hands. We looked at her awkwardly.

"Erm..so is Niall here?" I asked.

Zayn and Pixie suddenly turned glum and looked at each other guiltily. I knew from their looks he didn't come down.

"He wanted to, really! But you see, you guys just broke up.."

Zayn suddenly slapped her on the upper arm and made a face asking her to stop talking.

"No it's ok. I understand." I smiled weakly.

The room suddenly turned silent and awkward. I tried to change the topic.

"Erm, I'm gonna call your dad now. He slept here last night, so I told him to get some rest at home. I'll call him to let him know about you alright dear,"Mrs Malik replied. She left the room.

"I'm gonna get you something to eat, because I bet you're damn hungry now,"Pixie said, and she also left.

"Are you gonna leave me now too?"I joked when it was only Zayn and I.

Zayn smiled, and took a seat on my bed.

"I'm really sorry Niall's not here, Lila."

"It's not your fault. And I don't blame him too. In fact, I don't blame him for anything. Not the breakup, not this accident, not for not being here." I smiled fakely.

"Lila. You don't have to stay strong all the time. I know you. Cry it out Lila, it hurts me to see you trying to smile when everything is hurting you right now."

I stared at the wall. "Do you know what was the last thing I was thinking of before I blacked out? I was thinking of how nice it was not to be with Niall right now. Now I can concentrate on me and my dad."

Zayn continued to stare at me.

"Did he tell you what happened with us?"

He shook his head. "I don't think I should ask him."

I gave a sarcastic laugh. "You remember that girl Pixie was talking about? Turns out it was Anne."

He immediately sat up at the mention of Anne, and gave me a confused look. "Anne, your friend?"

"Yeah, can you believe that? Cos I sure as hell didn't. Turns out they've been talking on the phone lately. Must have exchanged their numbers somehow while he was here. No wonder she's been so happy lately. I was shocked, and I got angry and we fought again. It kinda sparked off some little arguments. Then things got out of hand, and he mentioned a break up. And the rest is history."

There was total silence as I pondered over that call, and Zayn registering what I had just told him.

"Lila..I don't know what to say.."

"There's nothing to say. I love him, I really do. But if he doesn't want me, then I just have to let it go."

"Lila.." He took my hand, and hold it tight.

"I'm gonna be fine, don't worry about me so much." I smiled.

He smiled back and cuddled up beside me, placing his head over mine. He gave me a kiss on my forehead. I could smell his musky cologne, the one I loved so much.