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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On the precipice of midnight, Liam rubbed the soreness in his temples. Laying on his bed, he stretched out the stiffness of his back after having it slouched over his revision. Textbooks and paper scattered his bed and desk, crumpling underneath him.
ㅤHis eyes fell shut but he knew it was a fool's errand. If he attempted to sleep now, he'd only end up laying restless in bed for hours on end. No, he needed to wait until he passed out.
ㅤLiam hated the nights.
ㅤHis television ran on low volume in the background, trying to fill that empty void with life, even if it was fake. Liam just didn't want to feel alone. As he contemplated snoozing anyway, his phone buzzed demandingly, the sudden noise startling him. His heart pattered quickly at the fright.
ㅤHe fumbled for it under one of his books, experiencing a second surprise when Charlie was the one ringing him.
ㅤAt such a late time, he debated not answering. Then a second wave of panic hit him when he realised that Charlie wouldn't call him so late without a reason. He quickly muted his TV, pressing his phone to his cheek.
ㅤ"Dude, what is it? Are you good?" Liam didn't care he sounded hurried.
ㅤ"Oh. A man."
ㅤLiam paused. That wasn't Charlie's voice.
ㅤ"Who is this?" Liam carefully asked.
ㅤHe heard movement on the other end. "Er... Sorry to call so late; yer friend 'ere is too drunk to walk. He just erm... handed me his phone."
ㅤLiam sighed long and hard, first came relief that Charlie was okay, and second came the irritation and anger at being wound up into such a state of worry over a fucking drunk call. Liam's blood seared a little.
ㅤ"Mate, y'still there?"
ㅤ"Yea, yea. I'm here," he snapped, more aggressively than he'd intended. "Okay, hang on. I'll come and get him. Make sure he doesn't fall off a bridge or something." Because I'll be the one to push him. "What's the address?"
ㅤThe man rattled it off and Liam changed into some outdoor clothes, sneaking out of the house quietly. The pub in question was a trek away, but without consistent night buses, Liam walked, finding himself winding down. The streets were less lonely with small crowds wandering together, laughing. It mellowed him. By the time he arrived, he was calm enough to not kill the bastard.
ㅤHe stopped at the entrance, his hands in his pockets. Some stars had pierced through the light pollution, hanging overhead. Cars lazily drove by whilst squeals of drunk groups of women erupted nearby. The bar itself was closed, so Liam looked around uncertainly.
ㅤLiam owed Charlie, which was solely why he'd bothered turning up. Charlie shouldn't expect a next time.
ㅤA glass bottle rolling against tarmac and a subsequent grumble, Liam found himself glaring down a short alley. One of the dark figures was hunched over on the floor whilst the other stood opposite. His gaze seemed to catch Liam and he stepped out.
