Some Things Just Happen (Liam Payne)

Chapter Seven

*Gracie's POV*

We ate slowly and chatted the entire time. Our conversation never turned silent or awkward. We talked about everything from his being on the X-Factor to my saving up to go to the beach. After awhile we decided to wrap everything up and head home. Liam graciously paid for the food and walked beside me as we walked outside. I was immediately blinded by flashes from cameras. I heard Liam's audible sigh as he pulled me back into the restaurant.

"I'm really sorry about that. The paps just love following us." He handed me his jumper and sunglasses. "Put these on. less chance that someone will recognize you." I could feel my face drop. Was he ashamed to be seen with me? "Oh, gosh. I didn't mean it like that. It's just that if people recognize you, you might start getting quite a bit a hate. I just don't want to see you hurt like that. You're the first person to really like me for me not for what I do." That brought a smile to my face as I pulled the jumper around me. I put the hood up so only the ends of my brown curls were showing. He slid the glasses on my face. "Brilliant. Ready?"

"As I'll never be." I said smiling through the aviator glasses. He held the door open for me and I stepped through, once again being greeted by the flashes of the cameras and the shouts of paparazzi. As we stepped through the crowd, I felt Liam's hand at the base of my spine, leading me through. I was so grateful to have him there, if he hadn't been there, I would have probably cried. Yet again, if he wasn't there, neither would the paparazzi.

Eventually, we made it back to his car where he opened the door for me and I gratefully climbed in as he ran to the other side of his car. Once he was in, he started the car and drove out of the small parking lot.

"So how was your first experience with the paparazzi?" Liam said driving smoothly down the road towards my house.

"Hate them already! I have no idea how you guys put up with them!" He laughed at me.

"You get used to them after awhile. It just takes some getting used to." He said smiling over at me. The rest of the ride to my apartment was silent, but not awkward. I reached over and turned the radio on and of course Lego House came through the speakers. I couldn't contain my squeal of excitement.

"I love this song!" I began to sing along, the words came so naturally to me as I sang along with the tune. I saw Liam smile at me causing a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. The song ended and Just Give me a Reason by Pink followed soon after. Liam turned the volume down slightly and turned to me.

"You have a lovely voice." He said, shooting me a toothy grin.

"Says Mr. International-Boy-Band." He chuckled in response.

"Do you play any instruments?"

"Well, I sort of play piano but not really." I replied, my mind flickering to an image of my grandmother's piano.

"I know how you feel, I always think I can play and then Louis shows me up." I let out an embarrassingly loud laugh and slapped my hand over my mouth. He smirked at me and pulled into a parking spot. Before I could react, he was out of the car and opening my door for me. "There you are m'lady." He said with a cheesy accent

"Why thank you kind sir." I replied, equally as cheesy. We walked to the door as I fumbled for my keys. I swung the door open immediately greeted by a waft of cold air, I guess the heat was broken again, I would have to fix that. I gestured my hand, motioning for him to come in, closing the door behind us.

*Liam's POV*

Gracie had went to get something from the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I haven't been on a date that great since Danielle. I looked around her tiny apartment. It was tidy, the only objects in the room being: a couch, a TV, and an old piano. I strolled over to the piano and examined the old wood of the piano. Sitting under it was an old bench that squeaked as I sat down. I uncovered the keys that had yellowed slightly over time. Above them was a small gold plate that was almost illegible except for the name 'May Gracie Hataway' there was a date along with it, but that was long since eroded away. I slowly played a major scale I knew, listening to the beautiful melody of the piano. It's sound was distinct and different from any other piano I had ever played at. There was a folder on the top of it that was labeled 'Music' in perfect handwriting. I opened it to find a Chopin piece that I had played before. I place it on the little tray that was given above the piano for music. My fingers wandered around the piano's keys playing the slow piece.

"You're pretty good." I heard Gracie's voice from behind me. I abruptly pulled my hands away from the keys. I smiled at her, feeling the heat coming to my cheeks. Her beauty always captivated me. Her long brown hair always fell perfectly over her collarbones. "Well don't stop playing." She walked over to the little bench and slid in beside me. She started the prelude again, making far less errors than I had. I sat silently and watched her thin fingers press lightly on the keys. Once she finished, she took her hands away and looked at me with her perfect hazel eyes.

"So who's this May Gracie Hataway?" I asked her. Her eyes fell to the gold plate.

"My grandma. It was her piano and when she," Her voice cracked. "She gave it to me in her will. She's the one that taught me how to play." I placed a hand on her back. "My mother named me after her."

"I'm so sorry." I said, feeling sorry for her.

"It was her time. She went peacefully in her sleep." Her eyes met mine, wet with tears that threatened to poor over her eyelids. I had never wanted to kiss anyone more in a long, long time. I let my eyes flicker to her lips as I pulled her into a hug, making her put her head in the crook of my neck. I let her cry for a few minutes and she pulled her head out of my neck. Her eyes were tinted red and her cheeks were wet. My hand wandered to her cheek, wiping away some of the wetness. I leaned closer to her, resting my forehead on hers. Her breath was warm on my face. I slowly leaned closer to her.