Aleksei & Liam

34. Like 'that'

(Liam's PoV)

"No."

"Come on, mate!" Lauren whacked my back.

Lauren and I were sat in the library on a dull Friday afternoon trying to get some work done.

"I think I've had my fair share of dope parties for now."

"But it's a college party! And we've been invited!."

"Well, technically, 'Dishevelled', you know, the band, have been invited. Not us."

"Yeah and we're their plus twos!"

"No."

Lauren groaned, "Liam, I'm begging. I can not be alone with Cheryl."

"Cheryl's going?" My heart sank at the thought of how close Aleksei and Cheryl were all of a sudden.

"I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up." Lauren said with a slight frown.

I shook my head, "No, it's alright. It's not surprising."

An uncomfortable silence dawned upon us as we pretended to complete our respective papers, "...is that why you don't wanna come?"

I clenched my jaw, "Not really, I just don't feel it." I shrugged.

I spent the rest of the hour seething over little things that had happened over the week that made me rethink my little crush.
Like how Aleksei didn't show up for lunch the day after he had asked me why I hadn't shown up for the same, or how he kissed me and decided to tell everyone he was dating Cheryl.

I wasn't a good person, I knew there was some bad in me but did I deserve the heartbreak? I hadn't been with a great number of men (Mitchell being the only one) so was this the reality?

"Actually, scratch that," Lauren looked at me with expectant eyes.

"I'll be there."

She smiled, not pressing the matter any further and continued with her paper.

•••

Saturday evening soon rolled in and I was regretting agreeing to go to the party, all I wanted to do was roll into bed and stay there all weekend but no, I had to make plans to go on a 3 hour journey to the university in the same vehicle as my crush and his girlfriend.

I watched as Cheryl's fingers found their way to Aleksei's, who intertwined them and sent her a soft smile as she snuggled up to him.

I quickly averted my gaze, redirecting it out of the window as I watched the line of houses pass by. It hadn't been over 10 minutes sat in the van and I already wanted to get out.

The rest of the ride was spent on making small talk with the guys, laughing at a few of their ridiculous comments, watching Aleksei and Cheryl being all lovey and receiving sympathetic looks from Lauren and Charlie.

After the long drive I was relieved to be able to stretch myself as we unloaded the van, Lauren quickly grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the entrance of the rather empty university building, "we should get away before they make us carry something heavy." She said to which I laughed.

We could hear the music get louder and once we entered the large hall the lights flashed right in my face, blinding me for a moment.

"Wow."

It was apparent that the college had consented to the party, our silly high school parties didn't come anywhere near.

Lauren and I decided we'd wait for the rest of guys before barging into this place like we owned it.

Once the others made it, Lauren and I received glares from the rest for ditching them without being of any use.
We walked in and were greeted by one of the students who I assume was some sort of cultural coordinator.

As she got talking to the guys I let my eyes wander around the hall, the people here seemed so carefree and friendly. I smiled at a few of them as they waved or winked at me.

I couldn't wait to get out of school.

"We're not getting served alcohol?!" I heard Jamie complain.

"But we're 18!" Alfie whined.

The student just shook her head with a pitiful smile, "I'm afraid I can't do anything about that."

"Well, this is a waste of time." Aleksei said and Cheryl giggled.

"There's food." Richie said

Alfie and Jamie went missing right after the words left Richie's mouth, Charlie and Lauren walked off to get some drinks (non-alcoholic of course) while Aleksei and Cheryl buggered off somewhere, not that I cared. Nope.

I was left behind with Richie and I was at a loss of words. What exactly do you talk about to someone like Richie, I knew nothing about him except for the fact that he may or may not be with Vera.

"You didn't invite Vera?" I asked in hopes of dissipating the tense silence.

He gave me a frown, "what is it with all of you?"

I was taken back by his rudeness, "I thought she was your-"

"She's not. We're not...I'm not like that." He mumbled and looked away.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry." I said sincerely, I really hadn't meant to offend him in anyway.

"It's alright. It's just...these assumptions." He said as he ran his palm down his face.

I sent him a soft smile as we made it to the back room where the equipment lay.

"Must be hard." I replied.

"Something like that."

I chuckled, "what's so funny?" He quirked his brow.

"It's just surprising for someone of your level of popularity with girls to just...not want them."

He shrugged, "heart wants what it wants." He said sadly and I couldn't help but think there was more to his character.

We spent the next few minutes talking to a few of the uni students about this and that, "how long have you lot been a band?" One of them asked Aleksei as he feasted on a muffin, "over 6 years." He said with his mouth full and a big smile.

A small smile found its way onto my face at the sight of his smile, I hadn't had the fortune of seeing him smile for so long.

"Liam?"

My mind went blank at the familiar voice, a familiar voice that brought back certain memories I never wish to remember.

I quickly turned towards the voice and wasn't wrong about the source.