Only Time Will Tell...(Liam Payne Fanfic)

Chapter 4- Small World

Liam. 

You've got to be fucking kidding me...

"Brooke?" he questioned, looking right at me. 

On my birthday? Really? 

Liam lent out his hand to help me, but I didn't want it. 

"I can handle myself," I responded. 

I can't believe Liam is here. Now I know why all the paparazzi were at the entrance of the club earlier. Why does shit like this always happen to me? Especially on my birthday. The last person I would ever want to see tonight is Liam. 

I slowly grabbed my purse and all the contents that were spread across the floor when he ran into me. 

"Here, let me help you," he said. 

"I said I got it, Liam." I responded, annoyed. 

I didn't say anything else to him. He hasn't tried to talk to me for two years, so why start now? 

"Oh my god, you're Liam Payne," Jessie said, slurring her words like a complete idiot. 

"Hi babe, how are you?" 

"A lot better now," she replied, acting slutty and barely getting the words right.  

"Jessie, c'mon. Let's go." I said, nudging her side. 

"But I-" I grabbed her arm before she could finish speaking.

Before I could even turn, Liam's hand was grabbing my wrist. 

"Brooke, I uh---," Liam said, struggling with his words. "How have you been?" he asked. 

"Not like you care, but I'm really good," I said, in a tone reassuring him that I was fine without him. 

By looking at his face, I could tell that what I just said made him feel bad. Good.  

"I'm glad you're doing good," he responded. 

The way he said "I'm glad you're doing good" kinda pissed me off. His tone sounded like he thought I wouldn't be good without his friendship. Like I would be lonely without him. 

"Yeah..." I responded, before turning and walking to the bathroom. 

 ------

"Brooke, how did Liam Payne know your name?" Jessie questioned. 

"Um..." I said, trying to think of what to say. I still wasn't ready to tell them about my past with Liam, but after what just happened, it is getting harder and harder not to. 

"I met him a long time ago...uh... through some friends..." I said, quickly. 

"Why did you never tell us?" she questioned.

"I guess it just never came up," I said, lying my ass off.

"Whatever. Can we please go back out there now?" Jessie said, pulling me towards the door. 

----------

Right as we got back to the booth where all the girls were, I could spot Liam from across the club. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss him. He looked so good. He always has, but something about him is different. His hair was styled shorter, which is very different from the way I last saw him. He looked like the Liam I knew two years ago, but taller, and more muscular. Puberty did him well. 

"--do you keep staring at?" Melanie said, looking right at me. 

"Huh? What did you say?" I replied.