Perfect For Me

CHAPTER 34 (Ryan Lander)

We decided to not go skiing today, seeing it was already 7 p.m. Instead we agreed on cooking something and then playing some game. Or just talk and drink. Nate's older brother had bought us some alcohol because the other boys claimed that it wouldn't be fun without.

When we finally were able to eat, it already was nine o'clock. Benn had said he would cook but ended up burning the noodles two times! So, I took over and made a dish out of the rest of things we had packed. We definitely had to go shopping tomorrow. Originally, we had planned exactly how much food we would need but now that someone had wasted to loads of noodles, we needed some more things.

For now, we all situated ourselves in front of the TV, eating the mix of vegetable and bread I had made while watching a soccer game. It was England vs. Wales and let's face it, the game was plain boring. So, we turned it off as soon as we all had finished eating and Jamie took all of our plates to the kitchen and came back with a bottle of vodka and seven glasses. "Let's get wasted!" Wow, maybe I really should overthink my choice of friends.

"I don't drink!", Liam quickly said before the seventh glass was filled. "Huh? Why not?" I knew Liam never drank a drop of alcohol, but I didn't know why. And I was honestly curious. My boyfriend squirmed uncomfortably under all of our glazes and shrugged his shoulders. "I just don't.", was all that came out of his mouth.

Everyone else, including me, took their shots and drowned them. I shook my head at the unpleasant burning of the alcohol in my throat. This would be the only one I would drink.

It wasn't. Still I wasn't near as drunk as my friends. Except Liam of course. I pitied him. Always being the sober one couldn't be fun. But for now, he had me. I went over to him and we started to talk. About everything and nothing. Until someone interrupted us. "Let's draw lots!" I looked up confused. "What?" "There's only one bedroom so we will put just seven mattresses next to each other on the floor for us to sleep on. And Benn wants to let fate decide, who's going to sleep next to whom." Andy explained in slightly slurred words. I just nodded my head. I didn't really care about who I would lie next to. As long as they wouldn't complain about my habit of cuddling during the night.

Half an hour later the sleeping situation was solved. The furthest on the left side would be Jamie, then Benn, Nate, Andy, Jeremy, Liam and finally me, directly next to the door. Great. So now everyone had to step over me to go to the bathroom. But I was happy to be able to lie next to Liam. I loved cuddling with him. And no one would get suspicious because during various team trips everyone on our team knew about my cuddle problem. And Nate would surely have no problem accepting it. I had a feeling he already was suspecting something to go on between me and Liam anyways. Probably Jeremy and Andy were suspecting something too, best friends just knew some things.

When me and Liam had been able to get all the drunk boys in their beds, we laid down ourselves. After sparing our friends a quick look to see them all fast asleep already, Liam scooted over and gently laid his head on my chest and put his arm around my waist. I smiled in content and put a light kiss on his temple. "Good night."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A quiet squeak from the door pulled me out of my dreams. Deciding to ignore it, I turned around. Surely it was just one of the boys getting sick from the alcohol. But when I extended my arm, I noticed Liam was missing. Well, he was allowed to go the bathroom as well, even if he hadn't drunk anything.

When he didn't come back after around ten minutes I began wondering. What was he doing? I quietly put away my blanket and stood up. Where could he be?

The question was answered quickly as I saw him through a window, sitting outside on the porch. I slipped back into the bedroom to take my blanket before I went up to the front door to look after him.

Liam didn't even turn around when I opened the door. Just when I greeted with a whispered "Hi!" he jumped in shock as if he hadn't noticed me before. He turned around. "Oh, it's you." Even though it was dark outside I could see he had been crying. Trying to make as little noise as possible I went up to him and sat down beside him. "Everything alright?" I asked while putting the blanket around our shoulders. Silly question. Obviously not if he was crying.

But Liam just sighed and lightly shook his head before putting it down on my shoulder. "Nightmares...."