Homicide On The Loose

Chapter 22

My eyes were wide awake as I stared at the ceiling of Liam's childhood bedroom. I couldn't sleep. No matter how hard I try, I just couldn't.

"Leyla?" Liam said to gain my attention.

"Yeah?" I looked at him.

"Are you sleepy?" he asked.

"Nope." I said, popping the 'p'.

"Are you up for some ice cream?"

At the mention of ice cream, my eyes lit up, "Absolutely."

We walked to the ice cream parlour hand-in-hand. We walked in a comfortable silence. This neighbourhood isn't filled with the sound of traffic, like our home. It's a little bit further away but I prefer living in the centre of the city. There's just something about it that I like very much. Maybe it's the attention.

We stopped in front of an ice cream parlour with pink interiors. We sat in one of the booths after placing our orders.

"I always go here when I can't sleep and would sit at this exact same spot that I am sitting now. Sometimes I go with Sam but most of the time alone." he said while looking out the window.

"How did you found out of this parlour?" I asked curiously.

"I was walking home from school one day, and the sun was scorching. So, I stopped by for some ice cream. And after that, I kept coming here. The place makes me feel alive and homey. Angie, the parlour owner, treated me like her own son. She sometimes would refuse to take my money."

I placed my hand on top of his and gave him an encouraging smile which I hope could make him feel better.

Moments later, our ice cream arrived. Liam ordered his usual order which is a banana split while I on the other hand, ordered a scoop of strawberry cheesecake ice cream and strawberry milkshake.

"Being a traveller isn't my first option of a career." I stated.

"What do you mean?"

"Only Amelia knows of what is on top of the list."

"And that is?" he asked.

"A writer."

"Is there a story behind it?"

"Yeah. When I read books, well I haven't read in a long time but I always do and that was when I didn't have to work long hours. So anyways, back to the story, I've always loved the feeling of reading a new book and devour into it. Like you have no care in the world. And I wish someday, I could make someone feel that way too by my writing."

"That's deep." I gave him a look.

"Yet, very inspiring." he added.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes.

We finished our desserts heartily and left the parlour with big smiles plastered on our faces.

We were a few blocks from the house, "Are you aware that you're wearing my favourite t-shirt?"

I looked down and stared down at the t-shirt that I'm currently wearing and and looked up at him, I had to look up since he's 6'1 while I'm 5'4, "But, I took this from Sam's closet."

"The housekeeper must have mistook it as Sam's intead of mine."

"It's cute though." I smiled.

He looked at me, "What is?"

"That you own The Simpsons tee."

"It's not cute, it's cool and awesome. And that is my favourite tee. Don't judge."