The One You're Waiting On (Niam)

Chapter 1

                “Liam? Anything interesting happen at school today?”

                My eyes snapped up to my mom, who was watching me intently from across the table. I merely shrugged and spooned more salad onto my plate. My gaze went over to my sister, who was playing with her food.

                “Nope,” I said, popping the ‘p’. Truth be told, a lot happened at school. But what was I supposed to tell my mom? That he ‘openly’ gay son has a fake girlfriend and if he came out to the school he’d probably get the shit beat out of him? Or that maybe I watched helplessly as my best friend got the crap beat out of him. And my ‘girlfriend’ is getting tormented by the popular girls.

                “Okay, fair enough,” she sighed. She was well aware that I had a bad day and not to push it right now. Her attention turned to my sister, and I returned to the world inside my head.

                High school wasn’t as bad as people made it out to be, but it could be challenging. I tried being nice to everyone, and so people would like me in return. It has worked so far, and I don’t really have enemies. In fact, I have a lot of friends. I only have a small group that I’d call my best friends and I love them to death.

                It had been a fine day, up until lunch. I was walking through the hallway with Lyssa, or my ‘girlfriend’. See, her and I have been best friends since we were young. She was the first person I came out to, and when I told her why I couldn’t come out to the school, she understood. I was shocked when she asked me out, but explained that she’d be my beard so no one knew of my sexuality. So, we have been dating for over 2 years. I do feel bad that I’m keeping her from an actual relationship, but she keeps telling me that she’s okay with it.

                Anyways, walking through the hall with Lyssa, when we heard yelling. A large crowd surrounded a wall that was lined with lockers. I heard the familiar yelling of the school bad boys, Niall and Zayn, and the banging of metal. Lyssa grabbed my arm and pulled us through the crowd in an attempt to get a look.

                I wasn’t exactly surprised to witness my other best friend, Louis, on the ground. Zayn’s leather boot repeatedly kicked into Lou’s stomach, as Niall stood back and watched. Niall wasn’t one to get too violent, as Irishmen tend to shut down in high stress situations. The only time I had really witnessed Niall hurt someone was when they got between him and his girlfriend. It was at a party, and the guy had tried getting her drunk and up to a bedroom. Halfway up the stairs, Niall caught up and pulled the guy from his girl, and threw him down the steps. He continued to beat him until his hands were bloody and the guy was out cold. No one got passed Niall since.

                Lyssa’s yelling brought me out of my sudden trance and I pushed through the crowd, grabbing Zayn’s shoulders. I began pulling the tan boy off of my best friend, but two large hands grabbed my biceps. I let myself glance over to find the blonde lad fighting me in the removal of Zayn. His jaw was clenched and his blue eyes flaming, but it was Zayn who started it, so I couldn’t be blamed.

                I let go of Zayn and turned my attention to Niall. Grasping his shoulders, I used my height to try and appear menacing as I pushed him against the lockers. His hands were still firmly clasped on my arms and I knew I’d have hand prints on my skin. I grabbed hold of his throat with one hand, keeping my hold tight in hopes of scaring him. Every time he tried to push away, I’d push back, asserting my dominance.

                I looked Niall directly in his eyes and sneered. His eyes were wide but he didn’t show fear. He only challenged me. I let go of his shoulder, one hand remaining around his throat, and I grabbed hold of his blonde hair. It was soft under my fingers, the blonde changing into brown towards the roots. I pulled it until his head slammed against the locker. I leaned in, knee placed between his legs in a silent threat to his family jewels. His breath was coming out in short puffs, and I could have sworn his pupils dilated.