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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The questions were endless. With ink smudging under his warm hand, Liam pressed the worksheet onto a hard book atop his bed. The pen had poked through the page before he'd thought to do so.
ㅤEven though Liam invested all his energy into completing it by the end of the day, he kept getting bothered by the dip in his bed, feeling the weight of Charlie's body against the mattress beside him.
ㅤBeing in the same proximity as Charlie was distracting enough, but feeling him was troubling. He was aware of every movement Charlie made, each shift of his weight pulling Liam also. And although they weren't touching, Liam could swear to God he could feel Charlie's body heat. He wasn't making it up.
ㅤLiam would try to focus again but every flick of Charlie's wrist or the readjustment of his legs would instantly break his thoughts. He couldn't concentrate.
ㅤCharlie didn't seem pleased either; whether this was vindicating or unsettling, Liam couldn't decide. Charlie was stiff, curt, and awkward. The silence made it clear neither was comfortable. This bed wasn't big enough for the two of them.
ㅤ"How much have you done?" Charlie spoke first, his voice smoother than what was reasonable.
ㅤ"Maybe about four five-marker questions. You?"
ㅤ"Not far behind on that."
ㅤFor the first time since they'd sat down, Liam finally glanced Charlie's way. Charlie, shockingly, was already looking back, bristled like a dog.
ㅤ"You've literally only done one." Liam scowled at Charlie's very blank sheet of paper.
ㅤ"I'm taking my time," he said, tone hardening.
ㅤ"Dude, this is literally just GCSE stuff. It doesn't take long. Why are you taking your time when you obviously want to either stab yourself or me."
ㅤLiam didn't want to be this close as much as Charlie. But, at this speed, they wouldn't get anywhere. Charlie was taking the piss.
ㅤ"The fuck is your problem, mate? Jesus Christ. Not everyone is a smart posh boy like you, Liam. And speaking of intelligence, Chris texted me and said Mia's angry at you. Nice one."
ㅤLiam brushed off the attempted change of topic. He was beginning to know Charlie quite well and could see through the less subtle of his provocations. The purpose of it, now of all times, was curious. Only then did Liam consider that Charlie might've been stuck.
ㅤCharlie was prideful. Liam doubted he'd show weakness in the face of death. A few maths questions might've felt personal.
ㅤStifling a sigh, Liam crossed the invisible boundary and leant into Charlie's space. He went the extra step further, leaning his elbow on Charlie's shoulder, ignoring the way Charlie tensed under him, for a better look; he'd hoped the casualness would break the spell.
