Friend Zoned

*Chelsea’s P.O.V.*

I felt really guilty. Really, really guilty. I was really stupid for not listening to everyone’s warnings. I could have died for god’s sake. For being regarded as highly intelligent, I wasn’t showing it.

“-And then all the cars went vroom vroom vroom and started racing and, and then my favourite car won!” Charlie cheered excitedly, telling me about some movie or television show he had watched. His eyes lit up as he explain all his favourite parts to me and told me all about what he had been doing lately. I wish I was a kid again, it was all so much easier back when I was three. No one can warn you until it’s too late though.

“Charlie, I think Aunty Chelsea is tired. She’s had a big day today.” Sarah sent me an apologetic smile before giving her energetic son a look.

“No it’s okay, I promise that it’s fine. I’ll just sleep well tonight.” I smiled weakly at her before encouraging my nephew again, distracting both of them from my nervous glances around the room for Zayn. He disappeared outside after talking to Bridget quickly, looking fairly irritated about the phone she had handed him.

I was desperate to get out of the bed and find out what was going on, knowing I was probably at fault here, but unfortunately I can’t go out and investigate because I was stupid. And my stupidity has probably gotten him into some kind of mess.

“Chels,” huh? “Chelsea,” I turned to look at Michael who was whispering my name from the other side of my bed. “What’s wrong?” I turned my body slightly to look at him as Sam scooped Charlie off my bed.

Whilst Bridget was off doing whatever she was doing during our teenage years, I bonded a lot with Michael. He always knew when something was wrong and I was always extremely open with him. Now that he is married and has Charlie and another child on the way, I found it a lot harder to keep our extremely close bond. We managed, but he had his own problems, I didn’t want to annoy him with my own. “C’mon Chelsea, you shouldn’t keep this bottled up. You know that it’s bad for you.”

My eyes flickered around the room again before returning my attention to my brother. “It’s Zayn isn’t it?” I shrugged. “I’ll take that as a yes. He seems good for you, you know. Why haven’t I heard much about him, aye?” He teased but it didn't make me feel any better.

“M’sorry,” I whispered, closing my eyes and falling gently back onto my pillow. I blew out a breath as I rubbed my eyes in hopes to vanish the tears that clouded them.

“Shit Chelsea, don’t cry.” He cursed quietly, seeing as though his young son was in our presence. “Hang on. I’ll be right back.”

I felt him get up, followed by mumbling voices around the room. The door was opened and closed, the sound prompting me to open my eyes, hoping that Zayn would slip through the door. My hopes came crashing down when I realised that no one was there. Michael was missing, however, and I assumed that he had been the one to open the door.

‘We’re going to head out, maybe check in with your father briefly but we’re going to let you rest. The doctor said that you will be in here for a few days at least, but he was going to come back later when not as many people were around.” I nodded at my mother who my attention was now on. “I love you sweetie, I hope you feel better. I’ll probably be here again in the morning.”

“Alright, I love you too. Thanks for being here.” I farewelled her, followed by Bridget and Sam. In relief I let out a quiet sigh, letting my eyelids slide shut. I could hear Sarah talking quietly to Charlie, who had settled down quite a lot over the past few minutes.

Although I would try and deny it, this whole situation was completely draining me. I loved my family, but having them all around at once was hard enough when I was feeling perfectly healthy and awake, so in this ill state, their presence was not exactly appreciated.

I really just wanted to cuddle with Zayn, but who knows where he’s at.

And I really shouldn’t be thinking that way.

My attention returned to my door as it was opened yet again, my brother re-entering. He crossed the room to talk to my sister-in-law, who agreed to whatever it was quickly, wishing me well and heading out of the room with Charlie.

“Zayn’s gone to talk to the nurse and get the doctor, he won’t be too long.” I nodded, watching as he moved back to the chair beside my bed that he was occupying not too long ago. “So are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?”

“It’s nothing big," I started. "I just feel kind of stupid about this whole appendicitis thing. I wouldn’t let anyone talk me into getting it checked out and look where I am now. Plus, I dragged Zayn away from work and they’re all probably pissed at him and it’s my fault. I should have listened to him and Bridget.”

“You’re stubborn, you should know that by now. Nothing that they could have said would have made you get it looked at. I know you feel stupid about it but you can’t really help it. Don’t worry yourself over it. We’re all just happy that you’re going to be okay. And it was Zayn’s choice to be here, you can’t control his actions like he couldn’t control yours. Just be grateful that he cares about you so much that he’s willing to leave work and fly to another country to see you. Most people wouldn’t do that. Just remember that Chelsea. Try and get some sleep and not worry yourself over this too much. It’s not worth it, I promise. I’ve got to get back to Sarah and Charlie but we’ll probably be back to visit when you’re feeling a bit better and more awake, okay? And call me if you need me, I know you think you’re bothering me but your not. I don’t want anything bad to happen. I'm still your brother no matter what.” He lightly hugged me as I thanked him, wiping my eyes yet again. I can’t seem to stop fucking crying and it’s irritating me majorly.

“I love you, sis. You’re going to be okay.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You’re very lucky.” I know. “If anything feels wrong you should always get it checked out.” Thanks for the lecture, what else? “You’ll have to stay here for about three or four days, maybe even a week depending on your recovery process.” You have got to be shitting me. “Mr Malik has upgraded your room so we will be moving you very soon. I’ve just got to check your vitals and get one of the nurses to check whether your room is ready and we will have you up there in no time.” I nodded allowing what the doctor said to process as he moved to check whatever he had to. My eyes widened in sudden realisation before I turned to glare at Zayn who was sheepishly smiling at me.

“You shouldn’t have, I’m fine here.” He raised his eyebrows at me as he moved to stand next to me.

“Could you learn to accept something for once?” I could tell he didn’t mean any harm by the statement by the fond grin on his face. “But it’s okay, I don’t mind doing these things for you. You deserve to be in the other room I’ve had booked for you. You can thank me later.”

“Cocky much?” I mumbled.

“You got that right.” Arse wipe.

“Everything looks fine, Miss Parker, I’ll get one of the nurses onto moving you both into your new room.” I thanked him half-heartedly and he quickly dismissed himself from the room.

“I can’t believe you, I’m fine here.” I pouted at Zayn.

“But I can’t fit in that bed, nor can I stay the night in this room. In your new room, however, I can.” He smirked and I felt a smile tug at my lips. Cuddles with Zayn sounded amazing right now.

A knock on the door broke our eye contact as I flickered my attention to the door, which opened to reveal a few nurses, one with a wheelchair.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we’re here to take you to your new room.” I nodded as Zayn moved to stand in the corner, out of the way of the nurses. “We’re going to have to put you in a wheelchair as you will be transferred to a new bed in your new room. Do you think you can stand up by yourself or will you need some assistance?”

You would have thought that I would have learned my lesson by now to not be so stubborn. But alas, I attempted to move myself up and out of bed, almost falling out of it in the process. Go me.

Zayn was quick to my aid, like usual, taking most of my weight as he guided me into the chair. The nurse sent him an appreciative smile as she made sure I was properly seated in the chair. I felt like an idiot, an even bigger idiot than normal. I hated having to use people like this, having to have people aiding me. I felt so useless like this, and it is driving me crazy.

Zayn moved to stand in front of me, shoving his hands in his pocket and awkwardly rocking back and forth on his heels as we waited for the nurse to gather everything else that she needed.

He cleared his throat, an indecisive look crossing his face before he nodded more to himself than anyone else. “Um, do you like… is it a problem if I wheel Chelsea to the new room? Like do you mind?”

“Of course you can, just take it slowly with her. I’ll be walking right bedside you with her monitor and drip.” He smiled triumphantly at me, but I only took notice of that for a split second, more concerned about the looks the nurse was giving him. I could tell she was a fan, a fan who found Zayn very attractive – like the rest of the world – but watching her ogle him really irked me. Like did she not notice that I was right her – the girl who he flew across the world to see?

I rolled my eyes and pouted at the ground as Zayn’s velvety voice filled the room yet again. “Awesome, are we ready to go now or?” she giggled and nodded, gesturing for another nurse to open the door for us.

“If you crash into anything I will kill you, got it?”

“Yes ma’am.” He saluted and we were on our way.

Notes

Hi y'all!
Hope you are doing fine :)
I'm definitely continuing this story no matter what happens. And with the ending I have planned - you'll probably be getting a sequel as well...
I hope none of you are too upset by Zayn's departure but if you ever want to talk to someone about it or anything else feel free to message me or you can follow me on twitter @ elle_tay30
I have a few more stories coming - I'll let you know when I upload them though. I have a Harry, Calum and Ashton one so hopefully you will be seeing them soon!
Please continue to comment/subscribe/vote - it means more than you can imagine and I really love hearing you're feedback
Shoutout to @mmcdade because I love you a lot! Thank you so much for your continuous support :)
I hope to update soon for you all so hopefully I can stick to my word
Until Next Update,
Much Love <3,
xxg