Broken Promises

Chapter Twenty-One

Liam's POV

A week has passed since I last saw Emerson. Every time I call her, it goes to voicemail. Every time I text her, I never receive a response. Every time I go to her flat, she is busy or gone. I don't know how to mend the relationship I have broken. Whenever I try and imagine a moment where I hurt Emerson, I come up empty. After I left for the X-Factor I put all of my focus and energy into singing and performing. There really wasn't an opportunity for me to betray or hurt Emerson. 

When I ask the boys if they have seen Emerson, they just shake their heads, unsure about our situation. They think I have been upset about the breakup with Danielle, but my biggest concern is how to win Emerson over. 

As I'm shifting my food around on my plate, Zayn comes bursting through the door. 

"Liam James!!!! Have you forgotten something that happens tomorrow night?" Zayn calls out as he barges into the flat, food and drinks in his arms.

"I don't think so... why? What's going on?"

"We have a concert tomorrow at 7:00, and sound check at 3:30, and you decide to have a 'sleepover' the night before?"

"NIALL FOOD'S HERE!" I scream down the hall, then turned back to Zayn. "I guess I didn't, but oh well, we'll be fine, just like we always are. Don't fret," I mock him. "Is Layla coming over tonight?" I ask, hoping that Emerson will be coming with her. 

"Layla said she'll be here in about ten minutes, and I told her to tell Emerson that Liam will be on his best behavior and will not talk to her. So Emerson said that she would come as well. I figured that we could all spend the night together and it would be civil between you two," Zayn explains.

I nod my head in response, too anxious to respond.  

Without saying another word, I dashed to the bathroom mirror, making sure I looked presentable. I could feel my palms getting sweat, and my stomach was beginning to feel weird. I was nervous.. I feel exactly how I felt when I sang to Vanessa properly when we were both fourteen.. six years ago. Almost seven. It's crazy how time flies so fast. How moments like that were so precious, but now they're just another forgotten memory.

It seems like I've forgotten a lot of things that happened between me and my former best friend, my former first love. I can't really remember the small things that happened, the small things that were so precious. Nor the big things. Only a few. But I know Emerson remembers everything. If she didn't, she probably wouldn't hate me.

Sighing, I left the bathroom. I heard a familiar voice greet Zayn.

Hesitantly, I walked around the corner into the living room. "Hey Layla, Emerson, how are you?" I ask politely. 

I only kept my eyes on Emerson, hoping her blue eyes would meet mine, but they didn't. She avoided my gaze like her eyes would melt if they even looked at mine. She looked so uncomfortable.

Emerson is one of the most stubborn people I know, and I just wish I could make her look at me. 

"Emmy!" Niall yells out in excitement, running towards Emerson and picking her up in a tight hug. 

Her adorable laugh filled the flat, "Jeez Niall, I didn't think that you would miss me this much." 

"Well, I've been deprived of my Emmy, since you were so busy this week." 

Emerson gives him a small smile, still avoiding me. 

"Hey babe," Zayn greets Layla, coming out of the kitchen, kissing her on the cheek.

"Let me take your bags, come with me?"

"Okay," Layla says, smiling widely at her boyfriend. Those two were perfect for each other.