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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Liam waited for a moment, knuckles white clenching the slimy porcelain sink. In the mirror's foggy reflection, he looked like a completely different person. Liam wasn't sure what kind of emotions were storming inside him, but they weren't pleasant, and he needed a moment alone to compose himself.
ㅤHe'd been walking back from the canteen when he'd been struck with overwhelming anxiety, and he'd immediately retreated into the nearest toilets to escape. He still wasn't sure what'd welled them up in the first place, and that pissed him off. He glared into the mimic of his own green eyes before pushing away and standing firmly on his own two feet.
ㅤYou're almost there.
ㅤHe turned on his heels and pulled on the door handle, flailing when it'd been pushed on the other side. The student on the other side also staggered and knocked straight into him.
ㅤLiam reached out to catch the stranger on instinct, but the other student's weight was heavier than he'd expected and they almost fell. They were of an intimidating size and height. He let go as the other man found his footing and stepped back.
ㅤ"Sorry about that, mate." His heart fluttered from the shock. He tried to manoeuvre himself around the guy, feeling an unusual desperation to leave immediately.
ㅤ"Watch it next time," the other snapped. A jolt of annoyance pricked Liam.
ㅤ"Fucking trip next time, bastard." Liam shoved them on his way out. He looked back after a couple of steps, disappointed he wasn't followed. He was itching for a fight, with tension coiled up inside him, it would've been the perfect release.
ㅤAfter a small walk to clear his head, he returned to the common room and chucked a chocolate bar to Miranda on one of the beanbags. He couldn't see the other two.
ㅤ"Where's Darren and Trevor?"
ㅤMiranda waved the gift as thanks. "Econ."
ㅤLiam nodded and sat down on the floor next to her. The sofas were already over full capacity with limbs in all directions and people laying on top of one other. There was no way he'd fit.
ㅤHe tapped the two nearest legs and got the attention of two girls he'd never seen before.
ㅤ"You two want these?" he held up the chocolate he'd intended to give Darren and Trevor.
ㅤ"You sure?"
ㅤ"Yeah, take them."
ㅤ"Aw, thank you," one said, touching her heart.
ㅤHe passed them a charming smile. The other girl boldly ruffled his hair as thanks and Liam swatted her hand away and she giggled as he tried to fix it with a theatrical scowl.
ㅤ"Nice hair," she teased.
ㅤ"It was a second ago."
ㅤThe girl shook her head in amusement. Liam bargained they must've joined only that year. He ended up not needing to ask.
