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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"It's mighty bold of you to be asking me for something after what you've done," Olivia snapped. She fiddled with the thin chain of jewellery hanging around her neck, as if contemplating whether to strangle Liam with it.
ㅤStanding in front of her, centred in the lounge as if on trial, he shoved his hands into his pockets so they wouldn't fidget.
ㅤOlivia was angry because she wanted the best for him, he knew that. But it didn't eliminate the niggling annoyance he had for the situation. He could make his own damned choices in life, regardless of their prudence. Those were mistakes that he would learn for himself. He didn't need anyone breathing down his neck about it.
ㅤ"Listen," he tried. "I know you're pissed at me, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it earlier, but you know I'm tough! It's all good."
ㅤ"Jesus Christ, Liam!" she exclaimed, pushing her palms into her eye sockets. She drew in a long breath, her temper barely contained. "Do you really think the reason I'm angry is because you didn't tell me about it? No! You can be such a fucking witless idiot sometimes. I can't believe you."
ㅤLiam remained still, letting her frustrations seep out, patiently awaiting her to compose herself. Slowly, her tense body relaxed and, after a moment, she continued.
ㅤ"I'm scared, Lee. For the last few years, you've just kept pushing and pushing, and you haven't stopped. And, yes, I'm not your mother—our real mum is gone. I wasn't going to start pretending to be her. So, I let you. But, Liam, holy fuck..." she took another deep breath, her glassy eyes dazzled by the street lamps out the window. "Going back there—going back to that place... What the fuck was going through your brain?"
ㅤHead bowed, Liam watched his feet, silent. But, when she didn't continue, he twined together an excuse.
ㅤ"I felt stuck in the past," he whispered. "And this was the only method I thought I could move on from it."
ㅤOlivia immediately softened. Her hands lifted to touch his face but she hesitantly dropped them again, hanging by her sides. Instead, she leant forward into his chest, pressing her forehead into his shoulder.
ㅤGuilt. A rare sense of guilt overcame him. Lying had become easier over the years, but these theatrics were below just bluffing; he was causing her pain.
ㅤThis wasn't a moment he'd ever become proud of but he was cornered. Charlie; Rottweiler; his parents; the past was unravelling before him within days. Honesty with her could've been an option but he wasn't ready to sit her down and be vulnerable, and he might never be.
ㅤ"I don't want this to break you," she whispered into his chest.
ㅤ"It won't."
ㅤ"I don't want to lose another member of my family."
ㅤ"You're not going to."
ㅤShe clung to the bottom of his shirt, clenching like he might escape forever if she let go. "There's only the two of us left now. I won't be able to manage on my own."
