Daylight || Liam Mairi

1

"Fuck me" I grumble looking up at the larger than life war college in front of me.

"Is that an invitation?" Liam smirks as he throws an arm around me. I scoff at this and roll my eyes trying to get out from underneath his arm.

Liam Mairi, my 6'3 blond haired blue eyed best friend of 5 years is a constant flirt.

"Cmon you know you love me" Liam says grinning down at me showing his dimples.

"You make it difficult sometimes" I retort finally getting free of his arm.

Liam puts his hand over his heart in mock hurt, "you wound me" he says.

"Nothing could ever wound your ego Mairi." I say as we stop and our smiles drop at the realization of what we're about to do.

"It looks like it's gonna rain soon we should get in line and hope we beat it." Liam says so me as we make our way to the conscription table.

"Great. As if that death walk isn't hard enough." Liam snickers at my comment but we keep walking. As we walk by all the crying mothers and fathers not wanting to let their child go I can't help but feel a pang in my chest at the sight, I shouldn't even be here, I think, Liam must notice my change in attitude as he pulls me in closer and whispers,

"We'll be fine, at least we get to see Xaden again." That thought brings a smile to my face. Xaden and I grew up together before our parents were executed and save for the few months I was at my original foster hellhole as we like to call it, I was with him and Liam at Duke Lindell's estate. He left 3 years ago to become a rider but he's been sending letters constantly after his first year so we never lost touch. In his latest letter he reminded both myself and Liam yet again to make sure I cut my hair for conscription day, a mere suggestion I may or may not have followed.

I tighten the straps of my rucksack as we approach the table and give the rider our names.

"Chloe Kane and Liam Mari." I state, when the rider finally looks up at us his jaw hardens and his eyes narrow in anger at our very visible rebellion relics swirling across our arms. We also opted for the short sleeves instead of covering up our relics like Xaden told us to which probably-no definitely isn't doing us any favors, but, it's ridiculously hot out side and the other cadets are going to find out eventually so why try to hide it.

"Line starts over there, traitors." The burly rider spats, my face hardens but I know better than to retaliate. Liam tenses next to me but says nothing.

"Much appreciated." I say smiling sweetly before hurrying off with Liam.

"And I thought it was bad back home." Liam says I just clench my teeth and shake my head, ever since the end of the "rebellion" and we were ever so kindly marked as traitors we've had to deal with the staring, the rude comments here and there but it was pretty tame, especially as time went on and Duke our foster father made sure to keep us integrated with the other kids. It was nothing we couldn't handle but this was new territory here and no body knew the truth.

We make our way towards the line with only a few soon to be cadets in front of us. We climb the staircase up to the parapet with ease our training already coming in handy. I was raised by both my parents to be a healer, my mom thought me everything she knew and even though my dad was technically a rider he spent most of his time with us in our healers shop in Tyrandor helping mend the wounded. That was until they were executed and I was forced in to the quadrant, Duke made sure we were placed with the most excellent teachers they're were, we worked our bodies to the bone everyday just to have a shot at making it in here. I know I'll make a good rider but I would've been a damn good healer.

"Do you wanna go first or do you want me to?" Liam's voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I realize were almost up.

"I'll go first." I say as the parapet comes in to view fuck I think, it's already raining, I look down at Liam and I's rider boots gifted to us by Duke. We should be fine we've practiced this every day for the past 5 years I can practically do this in my sleep.

I step up to the roll keeper and smile wide, his hair is longer, he's taller and he has a new scar cutting through his eyebrow but I'd recognize him anywhere.

"Name." He's says without looking up

"Well hello to you to Z." I smile, his head snaps up and I see the corners of his mouth turn up ever so slightly as he shifts his eyes from me to Liam. He then says something to his other role keeper and pulls us aside enveloping us in shadows so no one can see us.

"You didn't cut your hair." He deadpans to me

"Why didn't she cut her hair?" This was directed towards Liam, he puts his hands up in mock surrender before leaning in to my ear whispering, "I told you so."

I ignore Liam and focus on Xaden

"I did cut my hair actually" I say crossing my arms

"Ya half an inch." Liam snorts, I whip my head towards him in utter betrayal but he just laughs

"You sure didn't mind my hair after that party last-"

"Nope!" Xaden cuts me off as I watch the color drain from Liam's face. Normally that comment would elicit a laugh and maybe a dirty comment back from Liam, but, in front of Xaden... different story. Liam and I have been best friends for 5 years besides Xaden he's the only other person in the world who knows more about me than I do. And I mean I can't lie he's undeniably hot with his piercing blue eyes, wind-blown blond hair, and those dimples gods I love his dimples. Last month we got drunk at a house party and accidentally slept together, we haven't really talked much about it but ever since then I can't help but notice the lingering touches that for some reason make my stomach go crazy all of a sudden, and sometimes when I go to look at him he's already looking at me with a sparkle in his eyes I've never seen before that makes my heart clench. Gods snap out of it! You about to walk across the fucking parapet.

"You have to cut your hair it's a liability, an opponent could use it to their advantage for challenges." Xaden pleads

"As if I'd even let them get close." I argue back fully confident in my fighting abilities

"Hey guys" Liam says but Xaden cuts him off

"Your cutting it."

"No I'm not"

"Yes you are"

"Guys-" Liam tries to interject again

"No I'm not!" I say louder

"Yes you are! He says matching my tone

"No I'm-"

"GUYS" Liam yells this time

"WHAT?!" me and Xaden snap at the same time

"I think we're up Chlo" he says not even reacting at me and Xaden's argument, he's used to it by now.

Xaden turns to us, "keep your knees bent and your arms out for balance, if the pack slips lose it. I'll see you both on the other side." He gives Liam a nod and kisses me on the forehead something he's been doing since I was a baby, guess the riders quadrant didn't change him that much. He lets the shadows fall and with one glance back at Liam I start the Parapet.

First chapter is done!!! I Know this isn't the most well written but this idea has been in my head for too long and I needed to get it down. Plus there are no Liam fanfics and I love him too much!!