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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"Are you finally going to tell me what's wrong with you now?"
ㅤAt Liam's voice, Charlie raised his gaze from his feet. This staircase was empty, as it often was, granting the two a semblance of privacy.
ㅤLiam was a sight; he looked to be on the verge of collapse. He was deathly pale and a thin sheen of sweat reflected fluorescent overhead light off his face. Exhaustion bruised the bags under his eyes and, out of view of others, he had a defeated air which slumped his shoulders.
ㅤCharlie's clothes fit snugly on him and, ignoring the mild sexiness of it, they were the first thing he'd noticed. Jeans and t-shirts definitely weren't a part of the formal-wear dress code for sixth formers, so boot-licker Liam evidently hadn't stopped home that morning.
ㅤHe took a few steps forward but Liam halted him with a glare.
ㅤ"Stop doing that," Liam warned.
ㅤ"Doing what?"
ㅤ"You're hovering."
ㅤCharlie raised an eyebrow. "I am not hovering."
ㅤ"Yes. Yes, you are. And it's fucking weird man."
ㅤCount on Liam to be a tosser whilst being a breeze away from crumbling. It'd almost gone forgotten how unwisely upfront Liam was.
ㅤIn any other circumstance, Charlie probably would've retorted twice as aggressively, but Liam's resigned and tired slump was pricking at the same caregiving side he suffered from because of his sisters. It was probably the only streak of empathy he had, so to have it flare up now was an annoyance.
ㅤLiam was difficult. He didn't like people skirting around indirectly, but equally hated others directly confronting him. The hypocrisy messed with Charlie's head.
ㅤDebating with himself, Charlie sat on the dirt-trodden steps, ignoring the discomfort of putting himself lower than the other.
ㅤAs he predicted, Liam promptly followed, leaving a small gap between them. Despite being an absolute twat, Liam often bowed his head to try to keep himself equal to others. Perhaps Charlie was reading too much into the action, but he'd gotten the impression before that Liam would stupidly break his own arm if it meant keeping a fight fair with someone he respected.
ㅤDid that suggest Liam held some respect for Charlie after all?
ㅤIt didn't matter either way. Charlie was sensitive enough to be inaccurate and the outcome of it being true wouldn't impact his life. Liam didn't mean anything to him.
ㅤAlthough he wouldn't admit it out loud, Charlie himself also held respect for Liam. The man would stand strong in the wind to the point it was self-harm—and perhaps that was what it was. But, it was brave anyway.
ㅤBecause Liam began fidgeting in hidden impatience, Charlie took the hint to lead.
ㅤ"You look like shit," he deadpanned. "Why did you even bother coming in today?"
