Expelled and needing to transfer for his final year, Liam had known immediately where to go. It was the place that'd taken everything from him; that'd ruined him so absolutely it'd twisted his personality beyond recognition.
The place where he'd met...
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At first, the air was awkward with the three trapped in the car together. Olivia drove in the front whilst Liam sat in the back beside Charlie. The two siblings engaged in idle conversation for the majority of the ride, and Charlie seemed happy enough to sit with his head cocked, listening. Sometimes, when an insult was thrown, a small quirk of a smile would play on his lips.
ㅤLiam saw it in the corner of his eye, and he made it his mission to tempt out those beautiful dimples. He said stupid things, sarcastic things, funny things, and gradually that smile grew wider.
ㅤOnce Charlie had finally turned his head to pretend to watch the passing scenery, hiding his mouth with his hand, it sent a small pleasant rush through Liam. He felt stupidly giddy.
ㅤOlivia, whilst blind to his actual intentions, picked up on his persistently odd behaviour. "You're just trying to show off to your friend," she'd lightly accused.
ㅤHe was being stupider than that. "I don't have to show off. I'm naturally this amusing."
ㅤOlivia's humoured eyes flashed to Charlie in the rearview mirror. "Is he always like this?"
ㅤCharlie, not expecting to be talked to, hesitated for an awkward beat. "Unfortunately."
ㅤThis seemed to have unnecessarily surprised her. "You two must be close then..."
ㅤCharlie wasn't able to answer, and Liam offered nothing more than a shrug. Stilted silence once again threatened to envelop the car.
ㅤ"We hang out sometimes," Charlie murmured, finally.
ㅤOne of Olivia's eyebrows rose in the mirror's reflection. "I see."
ㅤLiam tactically directed the conversation away. "Is your boyfriend going to be there?"
ㅤOlivia took it and hummed in affirmation. "In the flesh. Please don't make fun of this one. I actually like him."
ㅤ"No promises. And you can't blame me for the last one. Who the fuck balds at twenty-five? He was absolutely a nazi skinhead, and it was rude of him to let that death ray blind me in the sun; so it was only natural I asked him to put on a hat and cover up that public indecency. Polite society is truly falling."
ㅤ"Our grandpa balded, junior male sibling, and I dare God punishes you for your hubris because I will never forget this conversation."
ㅤThey argued about Liam's likelihood of inheriting male pattern hair loss as the car rolled through the open gates of the property—tall iron bars standing proud as they curled and weaved into a flamboyant tangle. Beyond them, acres of lush green pastures swept across the frames of the car windows. Oak trees guarded their path from the expanse.
ㅤOther vehicles tailed behind them as they approached the warm glow of the mansion ahead, the gold expensive in the dimming light. It was a view Liam had encountered several times too many, a part of his soul escaping out a of sigh.
