Expulsion gave Liam Barrett a dangerous choice. Needing to transfer for his final year, he'd known immediately where to go. It was a distantly familiar place that'd taken everything from him; had once ruined him so absolutely and twisted his persona...
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Two months of summer holiday finished both quickly and slowly. Days merged into each other but dragged with the petulant oppression of the sun. The heatwave cooked houses like ovens and, with the British's stubborn denial that summer was never hot, despite the sun's annual derision to the contrary, it was pretended air conditioning didn't exist. And for the most part, it didn't.
ㅤThe only salvation was the milk aisle in Liam's nearest local; a blessing marred by the ten-minute trek through Hell to get there.
ㅤHis small electronic fan kept him from killing himself.
ㅤBecause of Liam's expulsion, his summer had been longer than usual. The endless time left with nothing to do but absently twiddle his thumbs. The news of what'd happened had reached the ears of friends from neighbouring schools and many decided to no longer associate with him. One group, from the school he'd been expelled from, had sent him an amusing essay over text, listing their problems with him, pretending as if they hadn't been there too, laughing whilst Liam assaulted that prick. They'd said he was a villain.
ㅤIf Liam was going to be a villain, then he damned better be the most evil one he could.
ㅤBut with little friends left, Liam needed to search for distractions elsewhere. He was naturally a fidgety person, but not out of anxiety. He was simply the kind of guy who'd become unable to sit still when left with nothing to do. At first, he'd been content with some clubbing but, going alone, it'd quickly become boring, and with each day he became more and more irritable.
ㅤThe only thing that would keep him busy enough was a job and he'd managed to get one at a small cafe a few minutes walk away. He slaved as many hours into it as possible, despite his distaste for the public.
ㅤHe'd met Mia there, a girl only a year younger, working the till with him. They'd become friends almost immediately. She also despised the British public (they had so much in common). Her disgust towards rudeness always showed on her face, leading to situations that had Liam having to retreat to the back to laugh, lest he fainted from holding it in. They'd hung out, outside work, regularly over the summer weeks.
ㅤThe desk fan whirred a constant hum as Liam lain on his bed, starfishing to cool himself. Staring at the familiar grey smudge on his ceiling, he yawned.
ㅤ'Sorry to be such a bore,' Mia said. She lounged on the sofa, her gaze fixed on her phone.
ㅤ'They can fix that these days. If you want a personality, you should ask to be sectioned.'
ㅤShe shrugged. 'It's probably because I reflect the people around me. I'll hang out with someone more interesting next time.'
ㅤ'Quick,' he hummed, approving.
ㅤShe snorted. 'You definitely hear that a lot.'
ㅤLiam sat up with a feigned scandalous expression, lips parted and eyes wide. Mia met his gaze, flicking her apple-red curls over her shoulder.
