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 woke up with a start, his phone vibrating urgently. He fumbled for it under his pillow, head ringing, the screen tearing the back of his eyes. It was five in the morning and Liam was ready to tear someone's head off until he saw the sender.
ㅤRottweiler: Warehouse. Sunday 8pm.
ㅤLiam stared, stunned. It'd been months since they'd last been in contact and there was no reason for Rottweiler to arrange a meeting now. Liam was at a loss for what to do.
ㅤHe considered asking why but decided against it. He'd wanted to leave that part of his life behind him so he lain still for a moment, thinking.
ㅤMe: Ok.
ㅤHe'd no choice but to agree.
ㅤAfter minutes of helpless fidgeting, Liam gave up on sleeping. It was lucky when Liam fell asleep at all, considering the rarity of rest. Having it interrupted was devastating.
ㅤStaring at the ceiling and waiting for morning to arrive, his thoughts inevitably drifted to Charlie Bradley. Something seemed off and Liam couldn't put his finger on what was niggling at him. Charlie just wasn't the same. As if a compulsive liar had put on his skin, he wasn't the person he presented himself to be.
ㅤDespite Charlie's build, he'd initially come across as harmless, exuding a soothingly gentle and soft aura, saccharine like artificial sweetener. Even as Liam was beaten to the floor, that consoling feeling remained, promising him that Charlie was harmless with each kick to the stomach. Liam's loss had come from that underestimation, lulled into complacency.
ㅤWhether it was a conscious affectation that'd been weaponised recently, or if Charlie had been the same all those years ago, Liam wasn't sure. It was baffling. But if Liam's revenge was going to be successful, he had to break down that assuaging barrier. The only person that could possibly help was Chris.
ㅤLiam unlocked his phone a second time and scrolled for Chris' contact.
-----
A bell chimed on Liam's entrance. The early morning light faded through the window muntins that chopped up the quaint cafe inside, the softness easing Liam's tension.
ㅤHaving forgotten the concept of night and day, Liam had called Chris and woken him prematurely. Chris, unfortunately, hadn't been his first victim of that same crime and Liam hoped to keep his life by the end of this exchange.
ㅤAlthough Chris hadn't sounded angry over the phone, this would also be the first time they would've met without Mia, which made it potentially awkward.
ㅤChris was already there, stirring his dissolving straw in his coke absentmindedly. Liam flumped into the seat opposite and Chris did a double take, eyes widening in surprise.
ㅤ"Jesus, Liam. What the fuck happened to your face?"
ㅤLiam ran a hand over his colourful bruises. "Your best mate."
