Lost | Elektra and Liam | The Dumping Ground

Twelve

Before

"Love is in the air!" Chaz sang before sniggering as Liam failed to wipe the permanent grin off his face. Even in between his mock exams, nothing could bring him down.

"You sure you ain't talking about yourself mate?" Liam questioned quirking a brow. Chaz turned tomato red and shut up immediately, not wanting to bring up the subject. He was never one to hide his emotions, and it was clear to see that Chaz's anger bursts had decreased significantly, and so the boys had come up with one simple explanation.

Girls.

And one girl in particular who seemed aware of everything but herself.

"Hi, guys! How did you find the Maths?" Natasha bounded in through the door, before plonking her bag down next to Amrit, who was oblivious to everything but his revision.

Liam knew that whenever Tash was overly happy, she was actually freaking out with stress.

"Look, what's done is done just forget about the test!" Liam exclaimed as James murmured in agreement. The said Tash nodded vacantly whilst frantically inputting something into a calculator. She wasn't listening.

"Natasha."

Everyone paused what they were doing and stared at Chaz in shock. Only teachers tended to use Tash's full name!

"You don't need to worry about this. You've got this."

Tash stared bewildered at Chaz before smiling with relief.

"Thanks, Chaz... you're right. I need to calm down."

And with that she took off out the door she came, walking with more ease as Chaz watched after her dreamily. Zoe piped up from her revision, removing a noisy earphone.

"I didn't hear none of that but seriously Chaz... ASK HER OUT!"

Liam stood by the bus stop waiting for Elektra to arrive. They'd grown closer over the month and it was incredible how well they'd got on. Neither one wanted to irritate the other, seeing as they'd spent so much of their past doing just that. Liam had come to know some of Elektra's current situation and despite not understanding why this had happened, he vowed to keep shut to Mike until she was ready to explain all. He'd managed to persuade her to undertake the Psychology mock exam at her old college and here he was, waiting for her verdict.

He'd also received fewer tasks from Callie, and he hadn't seen her since the break-up. Feeling energised from his 9-hour sleep, he realised that he'd made the right decision. Everything was working out fine for him now, as long as he didn't see Callie again.

The gleaming red bus came into view, on time for once! He caught Elektra's gaze through the window and smiled as she smiled back. She was glowing with triumph and Liam knew that she'd aced the exam.

"Nope, I failed!" Elektra exclaimed joyfully, a few moments later over a cup of tea.

Her grin only grew as Liam frowned with confusion.

"So, why are you so happy?"

Her expression turned to one of sincerity, "Because if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even tried. And now... I want to finish my education. I want an A-Level in Psychology. I want to get my life back on track, and figure out what I want to do."

Liam couldn't help but tingle with warmth as she placed her hands into his and he smiled coyly, unused to the attention. He'd been a good friend to her, and things could only get better from here.

Elektra couldn't help the blush that tinged her cheeks. She never thought that she and Liam could get on so well as friends.

Now

And here they were again. Another session in the studio, that was actually productive. Frank joined in too when he could, but the song was coming together. Neither Liam nor Elektra mentioned her tearful outburst in the first session or the fact that she'd actually sung. And that's how it was going to stay.

She found herself enjoying her work, maybe not being around Liam so much, but she'd felt herself discover a purpose.

They'd finished the instrumental and were just putting up the finishing touches to the lyrics when Liam's phone rang. He stared at it for a long time before leaping out of the room to answer it.

"Hello?" he answered warily, heart thumping in his chest. It couldn't be...

"Liam, it's me. Poppy..."

Back in the studio, Elektra was getting increasingly irritated at Liam having ditched her. Unless he was securing a contract, she didn't understand the urge to have a 30-minute conversation with anyone, especially when they were supposed to be working. It was getting dark, and she needed to get back. Finding the courage, she set off to find him.

It didn't take her long.

Crouched against the sofa, a sombre looking Liam stared wistfully at his phone. Elektra waited a moment or two before quietly stating, "I need to leave in a bit."

This alerted Liam out of his daze and he jumped off the ground and forced himself back to the studio muttering something about having some inspiration. Elektra followed him soon after, feeling that something was off.

She watched him intently as he typed furiously into the laptop, watching as he appeared to pour his heart out onto a device. Elektra saw the bags under his eyes and noticed how tired he looked. He was broken, just like her.

Is this what love had done to them?

Finally, seeming satisfied with his work he beckoned Elektra to check if his lyrics were alright.

Is it too much to ask?

For a trip to the past...

Where dreams are still young

With the air in our lungs

And we can stand

In our Wonderland.

Elektra whistled in surprise. This was really good. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Up until now, she'd been the one to create the lyrics; it hadn't really felt like Liam's song.

Something had changed.

"Liam, it's good. Amazing, even!" she commented much to his relief. He chuckled sadly.

Feeling somewhat comfortable around him, she plucked up the courage to ask him.

"Who was that on the phone..?"

Liam's gaze met hers and she swallowed the lump in her throat. She shouldn't have asked; it wasn't her place.

"Just someone I went out with for a bit. Her name's Poppy, she has an amazing voice. She's a producer now like I tried to be. Things turned out well for her."

Elektra couldn't help but empathise. All her friends including Jasmine had successfully achieved their dreams and goals. Liam and Elektra had messed up.

Fate just had a way of ruining good things. Including their love for one another.

"Well, with any luck this song will be a success too," Elektra replied, before adding, "Thanks..."

Liam turned to her in surprise. Gratitude was the last thing he expected from Elektra.

She continued, "I know Frank got me this role but I've really enjoyed the songwriting. So thanks for giving me the opportunity."

Liam nodded dumbly, as Elektra made a sudden and awkward exit from the studio. So he guessed that was the end of that.