In between (short story)

Chapter 6

With trembling hands I look at the hallway where the passengers arrive. Liam can be here any minute. The lads are standing next to me, except for Harry who decided to stand a few meters away. He is wearing a beanie and didn’t take the time to dress up a bit. His acne on his cheeks became worse the past days but I actually don’t care about it. He still looks adorable. Deep down I know I’ll always fancy him. My love has been growing although I am avoiding him. 

He’s leaning against a wall and is texting.

“There’s Liam, look Chloë!” Niall is pushing my head towards the hallway again. He’s right. Liam is running with his suitcases towards us. When he reaches me, he picks me up by my waist and hugs me tightly. 

“Missed you so much!” he says against my belly. I put on a fake smile and try to ignore the stinging eyes of Harry. 

“Missed you too!” I force to say. Liam never saw it when I lied. But the faces of the other boys tell me, they don’t believe me. 

“We let you two alone a bit. We’ll be at the Starbucks.’ Louis says as he points to the shop a bit further. What’s going on? 

I look at Liam while he looks at his hands. Now I see that he’s holding a magazine. On the front-page I see huge letters.

LIAMS GIRLFRIEND AND HARRY STYLES ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME

I look up again but he doesn’t look back. I start being nervous.

“So… Did you have a great time?” Liam asks not dare to look me right in the face. I swallow and search for the right words who don’t pop up. 

“What do you mean?” I ask softly. 

“Look,” he starts his voice a little harder. “I’m not going to forbid you to hang out with the lads. But I hope this doesn’t exaggerate…” 

“Liam…” I say with a crack in my voice. 

“Did something happen?” it’s like he’s ignoring me. 

“Liam, please. Are we going to discuss it here?” 

“So something happened?” now he looks up, staring at me deeply in the eyes. 

Tears are forming in the corner of my eyes and it’s hard not to let them go. 

“It’s my fault.” Another voice interrupts. “Don’t blame her.” 

Liam is now looking extremely mad at Harry. 

“I thought you were my friend.” Liam squeals almost starting to cry. My heart is breaking and the only thing I want to do is hold him near. I don’t want him to cry, and I don’t want all this to happen. I want to turn back in time and do it all over again without cheating on him. Even though I fancy Harry too. 

“I am your friend Liam.” Harry says softly not losing eye contact. “Let’s go to the hotel, because the paps are everywhere.” 

“The paps? You are worrying about the paps? Why didn’t you worry when you nailed my girlfriend?” 

Harry clearly lost his words. Liam was right to all intents and purposes. He looks at me again.

“And you?” he says like it’s a filthy word. “I thought you loved me.” 

He takes his bags looks at me a last time and walks away. 

“Liam wait!” I shout pulling him back at his arm. “I love you, and I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to you. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just missed you so much and I was a mess… Harry was the only one who comforted me. Don’t be mad at Harry, please…” The last sentence is almost inaudible, but he clearly heard it. 

“I don’t know I will ever forgive you. But I just need some time to think about it.” He tries to lose his arm out of my grip and walks away again without looking back.

I open my eyes for the sixth time this night and it's a relief when I see it's 7 am. 

I sit up and stare into my room. The bags under my eyes are feeling heavier then yesterday. The light of my phone distract my attention and my heart skips a beat when I see it's Liam. 

"Hello?" I say, my voice sounding weird. 

"It's Liam..." He starts. Like I didn't know. "How are you?" 

I try to swallow but there's something stuck in my throat. 

"I'm alright..." I lie. I was not. The last few weeks were the most horrible weeks in my life! 

"I want to see you.." He whispers making me startle. 

"When?" I can slap myself for not saying anything better. 

"I'll come over if that's okay?" 

I nod extremely until I realize he can't see me. 

"Yes! That's okay." I spit out. 

"I'll be there in an hour." 

Okay, my hair is a mess and the more I try to get it into something, it failed. 

Anyways, I put it into a ponytail and put on some mascara and fond de teint to cover up my bags. The bell rings and the adrenaline immediately found its way in my veins. With trembling hands I open the door. Liam is looking very good. He's wearing a dark blue t-shirt and some beige trousers underneath. He smiles carefully. 

I open the door a bit more so he can come in. 

"You don't look alright..." He notices while he take a seat. I just smile softly. 

"What do you want to talk about?" I take a seat next to him. He sight before he speaks. 

"I miss you." Are the only words he speaks out. I’m paralyzed. 

"Look... I want to give it a second chance... But you have to give me some more time..." 

Tears are rolling down my face as I watch him. 

"I'm so sorry." I sob loudly. "I'm so so sorry..." 

Liam takes my hand and looks in my eyes. 

"Don't cry, y/n." His thumb strokes softly over my skin. "Let's be friends first and see what the future brings." He smiles and brings a hand to my cheek. 

"I love you." I say while crying. He leans in and kisses my forehead. 

"I love you too."