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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Liam got chewed out. Hard.
ㅤHis aunt rebuked him for not following orders like a good little soldier, and made sure to chastise Olivia too for Liam's uncontrollability. Olivia had certainly given him a scolding also, but it'd been more like a slap on the wrist in comparison. If anything, Olivia seemed more annoyed that she had to babysit him more than she was at him in particular.
ㅤLiam hadn't cared either way.
ㅤ"I will not allow you to embarrass me like last time," his aunt had reprimanded. "One more peep from you—and so help me—you will not be coming back next year."
ㅤThe woman must've missed the same hopeful glint in Liam's eyes that Charlie clearly caught. It only showed how abysmally she knew him if she thought that her threat would not, in fact, have the opposite effect.
ㅤOlivia's doubtful expression mirrored Charlie's.
ㅤ"Am I clear?"
ㅤLiam grinned. "Absolutely."
ㅤMargaret pivoted on her four-inch heels and gestured his sister to follow along like a servant. Olivia shot Liam a warning glare before leaving, knowing exactly what he was thinking. He happily waved her departure in return.
ㅤ"I feel sorry for her," Charlie commented, watching as Margaret introduced Olivia to a crowd of people she clearly didn't know.
ㅤ"Why's that?" Liam had the audacity to ask.
ㅤCharlie levelled a no-nonsense stare. "I'm no idiot, Abbie. I know what's going on in that thick head of yours."
ㅤ"I didn't know they taught that at poor person school."
ㅤ"Har, har. She'll get grey hairs before she hits thirty because of you."
ㅤFor the first time that night, Liam felt a little bit sorry and he didn't bother hiding it. He loved Olivia and knew the stress he caused her, but he kept putting himself first despite that. He was selfish, and he knew it.
ㅤ"...She's a good sister."
ㅤCharlie seemed to appreciate the sincerity because, despite the opportunity to strike, he remained silent. He didn't tell Liam what he already knew, that he wasn't a good brother, that didn't deserve her; instead, he let the words suspend in the silence, so Liam would have to hear his own truth.
ㅤLiam thought he maybe didn't deserve Charlie either.
ㅤ"You've got sisters, haven't you?" Liam recalled. "Do you feel you deserve them?"
ㅤLiam regretted the prying immediately, wincing. It was a very personal question to ask Charlie who hardly offered anything about his family regardless.
ㅤ"Yes. I deserve everything," Charlie replied, but the tone was wrong. His faint smile somehow didn't fit the situation. There was no pride or arrogance. Not a bounce of happiness. It was soulless.
