Recess had just begun, and the track field was mostly empty except for the usual dedicated few. Zayn was already there, doing his regular cooldown stretches near the finish line in his navy track shorts and sleeveless shirt, still trying to shake off the remnants of last night's hangover. His head throbbed faintly, and every time he moved too quickly, guilt twisted in his stomach like a knife.
He hadn't slept well. The image of Damian's hurt expression when he came home covered in lipstick marks kept replaying in his mind.
He was mid-stretch when he noticed movement at the edge of the field.
Ethan Brown.
The not so new kid was walking toward the track in running shoes and shorts, looking like he'd come to actually join practice this time, just like they'd talked about on the bleachers days ago.
Zayn straightened, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his wrist. He jogged over to meet him.
"You showed up," Zayn said, a small, tired smile tugging at his lips.
