electric youth - ziam au

t w e n t y

(i hate this chapter wow it's awfully written)

New York police positioned Liam in Chicago that summer, saying it was the best choice, and Liam didn't know any better but to agree.

It took him a while, but by February of the next year he was employed at a restaurant, and had been so honored that he was promoted to the manager.

It wasn't the best job, but he couldn't afford school, and social services only agreed to pay half his rent. It was the only option.

His face had almost completely healed, and his body was doing well. He had visited multiple doctors, and because of his recent history and the clear evidence that he may be pulled into his depression again, he was scheduled to visit weekly.

He turned 21 within that time, and on his birthday, he was offered a drink from one of his work friends, Kyler. He cried in front of him, the alcohol burning in his memory, and depression finally reclaiming him.

Liam was so lost in his life. He was so alone. His parents had run his every move for the past years, and he didn't have Zayn to help him anymore.

He missed Zayn, so much.

He had tried using the same letter Zayn had gotten to him years ago to call his love, but that paper was all covered in his own blood from being in his pocket through beatings.

As for his parents, they were put away to jail without a proper trial, because it was so painfully obvious Liam was telling the truth about them.

It was a Saturday night, Valentines Day in fact, and Liam working late. So many of the employees took off, that he had to run the place himself.

"Im Liam, I'll be your waiter today," he smiled at the group of girls who had only just sat down. "Can I get you some waters to start?"

"You're a cute one," a blonde girl began.

"I love your accent," the next added.

"Alone on Valentine's Day? Does that mean you're up for grabs?" The third smirked.

Liam laughed, shaking his head and trying to blow it off and continue the orders. "No waters, then?"

"Seriously, Mr. Liam," the blonde spoke louder this time, "what are you doing tonight?"

Liam blushed, and he just wanted to run from the table, but that's not polite.

"Have to work, sorry," he ran a hand through his hair.

"Oh come on, babe." Liam almost puked at the word. "All three of us are up for it, if that's what you'd prefer.

And that's when he fled, sending a cook to take their orders, because that wasn't happening.

He shut himself in the bathroom stalls, shaking uncontrollably. He hadn't had a panic attack in so long; it had been almost a year. But it had been so long since he thought about anything slightly related to a romantic relation, and it hit hard.

"Liam? Hey man, you in here?" Kyler came into the bathroom, knocking on the stall Liam was held up in.

He pushed open the door taking one look at Liam and jumping forward. He was with Liam the last time
He had a panic attack, and so he had a rough idea on how to stop it.

Grabbing Liams hands, he whispered in a hushed voice, telling him it's okay. Liam mumbled out the name, the cursed name of his love, and Kyler nodded.

He had panted Zayns name the last time this happened, and even though Kyler was curious, he never felt it was right for him to bring it up. This time, when Zayn's name left his lips, Kyler accepted it, and almost understood.