Broken Blue Eyes

Bailey - a_gr4v3s

"I can't believe you!"

Liam's harsh voice resonated in my ears as he paced in front of the bed. I sat on the edge of it.

His usually calm, laid-back features were morphed into rage. His jaw was clenched, and his brows were furrowed as he strode back and forth, running a furious hand through his hair.

I had returned home, and he was mad. Of course, I had no choice, but to listen to his rants.

"I leave for... what? 2 hours? And you run off with Mikayla and Callie. What were you guys even doing? Were you at a strip club, offering your services? Trust me, no one wants their legs to fall asleep," he snarled at me. My eyes widened and I felt my stomach churn.

"We... just went to the mall, that's all, I promise-"

"Oh, even better!" he threw his hands up, exasperated. "Gonna walk around, flashing random guys? Invite them to come watch you try on lingerie?"

I felt my eyes widen. What? No! "Liam, that's not- "

He raised his hand and I instinctively flinched and pulled back a centimeter. Liam sighed.

"Bails, I'm just trying to look out for you. You know that I'm the only one who can love you... I love you like no one else can."

He took my hand and kissed it softly and I sighed. He's right. He's always been there for me. Ever since I started university nervously, he showed up and was the only one to welcome me with open arms.

Liam flopped down on the bed and opened an arm. An odd sense of dread settled in my stomach as I gently snuggled up to him and he rubbed his thumb over my arm until it started to hurt, like it was raw. My skin has always been tender. I bruise easily.

My boyfriend yawned. "Seth invited us out to a party tomorrow night."

I blinked. Seth Harper? The popular nice guy? I vaguely remembered him offering me a smile when I stumbled, and he grabbed my elbow to steady me. I was so embarrassed; I felt the pity rolling off him in waves. "Seth Harper?"

Liam rolled his eyes. "Do you know any other Seth's? Yes. Seth Harper. you've met him before."

I nodded. Indeed, I did. "I thought he didn't like parties?"

"Well, now he does. You don't always need to be so judgmental, Bailey," Liam snapped. I winced internally. I didn't mean to be judgy, I was just wondering.

"I got this dress for you when I was out last week. I got a size smaller so it would hide that pudge of yours," Liam chuckled as he poked my stomach. I felt my face go beet red and I stiffened. "Li, please don't-"

He rolled his eyes and huffed. "You can never take a joke, can you? You're so uptight, Jesus. I can see why you were single."

A sigh left my lips quietly.

Liam dozed off a little while later and I was encased in his arm. His grip was cold and I didn't like it. Not like how it once was, when he gently peppered my face in kisses. Of course, when his phone rang, he always took it, but I was desperate for those times. When he looked at me, with a hunger in his eyes.

I took out my phone and sighed softly as I opened Instagram. I didn't have many followers. Callie, Mikayla, Liam...

*a_gr4v3s has sent a follow request*

I frowned. Who was that? That name didn't ring any bells. Yet, my finger hovered over the button.

Like any girl, I stalked his Instagram page.

There were only two pictures. One of his back, with a big tattoo. It was a big snake, in very intricate detail, with the tail twisting down his side, and the head perched over his shoulder, facing the camera. It looked fresh and the lines seemed new. His shoulders were covered in tattoos too. Dark fluffy looking hair lined the top of his head, and grey sweats hung low. My cheeks turned pink, and I looked at the next picture, which was a picture of a gorgeous sunset and his silhouette standing in front of the setting sun.

I frowned. I knew this guy... somehow. With Liam in my life, most of my guy friends were pushed away by my boyfriend, but... I knew this guy. Somehow.

With mild hesitation, I accepted his request and followed him back. Did he know me? Thoughts and questions swirled in my mind, but I scrolled through Instagram, pausing when I saw a picture of Liam... kissing a pretty blonde, with his arm on another girls shoulders.

I should've felt horrible. I should've felt angry. I definitely should've shaken him awake in that moment and demanded for an explanation.

But I didn't.

I kept scrolling, with a sinking feeling in my stomach that this wouldn't be the last time.