Who We Were Born To Be (Niam) [ON HOLD]

Chapter 6: Things Not Said

Chapter 6

Niall's point of view

Niall grinned at Liam as Niall's team scored. “Ha!” Niall yelled, “Victory!”

Liam smiled back. “You're only up 2-1 Niall, and there's plenty of time still on the clock,” Liam pointed out. “Enjoy your victory while it lasts!” Oh, getting feisty are we Liam? It's on!

At that moment Liam's phone rang, so Niall paused the game so Liam could answer it. It's Paul, thought Niall, recognising Liam's ringtone. Probably wants to know where we are.

“Hey Paul,” Liam said, answering. “Yeah, were in Australia at the moment. James needed us in a hurry, but we're free now... Uh, yep... Okay... Yeah, hadn't forgotten... Yeah, all right... Well, call me back when we need to be back... Cool... Bye.” Liam hung up.

Niall looked at Liam, wondering what the call was about. “We've got two interviews tomorrow back in America, before the concert,” Liam explained. “And Paul reminded me that Australia and the US are in different time zones, so we need to not stay here too long. He'll ring back where we need to go back there and to bed.” Niall nodded. Sure. Niall always left the organising of things up to Paul and Liam. I'm happy with them just telling me where to be and when to be there.

“You ready?” Niall asked Liam eagerly, ready to unpause the game. Liam grinned back and nodded. Let's go!

Liam's point of view

Liam hit pause when his phone rang for the second time. His ringtone told him it was Danielle.

Liam heard Niall sigh. Is he disappointed at the interruption of our game? Or because he dislikes Danielle? Niall always acted perfectly friendly toward Danielle. But Liam knew Niall well enough to notice subtle things about the boy's behaviour, which told him that Niall disliked Danielle and was trying extra hard to act friendly. Liam didn't think anyone else, including Danielle, had ever noticed it was an act. Niall's a surprisingly good actor sometimes. In Liam's opinion, a lot of people underestimated Niall. He always seems so innocent and carefree that no one ever expects any deception or cunning. But he can't hide things from me. Liam was well aware that Niall still had a crush on him and was jealous of his girlfriend. Even having a boyfriend doesn't stop Niall from liking me, it seems. Liam didn't mind, of course, in fact he felt rather honoured by Niall's admiration.

Liam shook himself as he realised he'd been staring at Niall for several seconds while his phone continued to ring. Niall now had a small satisfied smile on his face, though it turned back to a frown as Liam reached for his phone and answered.

“Hey babe,” Liam said, adopting his higher pitched talking-to-girlfriend voice. “I've missed you. How've you been?”

“Missed me?” Danielle replied flatly, sounding unimpressed. “Liam, you've not called or texted me for over two weeks.” Oh. Yeah. I suppose I haven't. Liam had had so many other things on his mind since Guantanamo that he'd not put much thought or effort into his relationship with Danielle. Or any, even.

“Um, oh, yeah. Sorry babe,” Liam replied. “I'm been really busy. Our schedule's pretty hectic at the moment. And I'm in Australia right now. James had a little emergency here. Fixed now though, so I've got time to talk.” Niall shook his head, disagreeing with that last statement. Sorry Niall, a game of FIFA isn't more important than talking to Danielle.

“Busy with what, Liam? What exactly have you been up to these past couple of weeks?” Danielle demanded.

Liam's throat seized up at that. Fighting. Killing. Rescuing people. Saving James. Regretting the whole thing. Crying. Having counselling. Meeting all the people we rescued. Helping teach them to use their powers. Liam wasn't quite sure how to say any of that. And I haven't even told my parents yet. I feel so guilty about the whole thing. And yet proud. We almost all died. And yet we saved a lot of people. And killed a lot of people. I just don't know what to feel. I thought I was over it. But, now, just trying to talk to Danielle about it, Liam didn't know what to think or feel. He sighed. I just don't know what to say or how to tell people. I'm afraid they'll say that what I did was wrong. That I'm a bad person. Afraid they'll love me less. Afraid they'll say that I should have known better, should have been more responsible, should have taken better care of the boys. Liam sighed again. A couple of tears began to wind down his cheeks and he wiped them away.