Aleksei & Liam

60. Tears

(Aleksei's PoV)

I should have known 'we' would constitute a certain prick, 'we' was Alex.

Our school didn't host many major sporting events and as I once mentioned I do follow football but can't play for the life of me, so I thought maybe this evening would go well. Maybe.

'We' also consisted of Lauren and of course Richie.

"I'd much rather stay at home." Lauren groaned as she hugged her jacket to herself before passing over a bag of assorted candies.

"But Charles is a star!" Richie chuckled to which Lauren smiled.

"He really is." Alex stated, "very talented," he added and for some reason the way he spoke irked me.

"Imagine being a musician and a sportsman!" He shook his head with admiration.

Richie nodded in agreement
as he looked over to where Charlie was warming up.

"But you know what Charlie can't compete with?" Alex added as a sinister smile overtook his face. He handed the bag of scran to me.

"Liam's pretty face."

My grip on the pack of maltesers that I had picked up tightened as I felt some of them crumble.

Deep breaths, Aleksie.

"Right." Lauren said as she pulled herself up and dusted her skirt, "Let's go meet them!" She beamed and Alex immediately sprung to his feet.

It was probably a bad idea, I knew Liam didn't want to see me and as much as I wanted nothing more than to be near him I respected his boundaries.

However, Liam wasn't in sight...maybe he was in the changing rooms? I didn't know.
I followed Lauren and the rest to where Charlie sat on the ground doing his stretches.

"All set for today's game?" Richie asked as he sent a smile to Charlie's excited face.

"Yeah! This is gonna be so fun."

I looked around cautiously to make sure Liam wasn't in sight, everyone engaged in conversation, "Mate," Charlie almost whispered to me, "he'll be here in five." He smirked.

I blushed but gave him the finger anyway.

"LIAM!" Alex squealed as he pushed past me, I looked behind and beheld Liam in all his handsome glory.

He dropped his duffle bag as Alex tackled him, he giggled and wrapped his arms around the latter until his eyes fell upon my fuming figure.

I simply looked away and walked over to Richie hoping he'd make some sort of an excuse for us to leave.

"We'll leave you to it." Lauren said awkwardly before kissing her boyfriend on the cheek and making her way back to the stands.

I followed in suit but was stopped by Charlie, "hey." He said as he jogged to catch up with me.

"What's up?"

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

I nodded and he lead me to a secluded spot, "you have to talk to him." Charlie whined.

I looked at him with a quizzical expression.

"He won't stop moping about whatever it is that you've done."

"Charlie." I deadpanned, "I don't know what it is that I've done."

He gave me a disappoint look, "you're kidding right?"

I shook my head with a pathetic smile.

"Christ." He groaned, dragging his hand over his face, "well, it's not my place to say..."

I sighed, "I don't really think he wants to see me."

Charlie scoffed, "he wants nothing more than to see you." He looked over to where Liam stood , "he's just hurting."

I looked at Liam with a fond smile, something in the way he simply existed made me feel all the more better, he just had it in him.

"Promise me you won't give up on him." Charlie said in a soft voice.

"Eugh! you give me the ick." I gagged.

He chuckled and shoved me playfully.

"I promise." I smiled and bid him goodbye as I made my way to join the others.

Alex sent me a sly smirk as I sat myself beside Lauren, i wasn't going to let him ruin my day.

•••

I cringed as Lauren squealed and ran into her sweaty boyfriend's arms.

Charlie's team had won the game and the team along with everyone in our year cheered along.

I watched with a smile etched onto my face as they all patted each other's backs or let loose and hugged their teammates.

I watched as Liam walked over to us, the biggest smile I've ever seen gracing his features. Lauren ran over to him and congratulated him and he held her in a sweet embrace, I felt my stomach twist into a knot as I watched the sight. I knew they were only friends but the things I'd give to be held by Liam again...

Maybe God did answer prayers, even though I hadn't really prayed, just wallowed in my self pity. But that's besides the point! Because after Liam let go of Lauren, he slid his arms around me and hoisted me into a hug.

I stayed still, my hands on his biceps and my feet hovering over the ground as my heart beat erratically.

I could feel his chest vibrate as a jocund laughter parted his lips. I think he soon came to the realisation that he was to avoid me rather than spin me around, he slowly placed me back to my feet with an embarrassed smile and shyly whispered a sorry.

He turned away from me as he prepared to leave, but I wouldn't let him, I couldn't let him go. Not this time.

So why did I do nothing as I watched his retreating figure pass a few people and head indoors.

I aggressively wiped at my eyes, tears, gross.

Guess I wasn't a punk after all.