The Man Who Stayed [Ziam AU]

III

That fact that hit him made Liam happier than ever that night. He's been active around Karen, his mom, then helping Nicola and Ruth with their what-so-evers [as Liam says], or talking sports, especially boxing with his dad, Geoff.

It didn't bother Karen, anyways. She's just happy that Liam's happy. Ruth and Nicola find it a bit weird since Liam is not always enthusiastic and energetic at home but, here he is. Being all that.

Geoff, meanwhile, is busy at work so he don't know Liam's daily habits. They hang-out on Sundays, anyway. To keep the family bonding up.

After their dinner, Liam headed to his room quickly, playing some tunes from the radio, checking out his Twitter, and watching some Pewdiepie videos.

He saw Ruth texted him. She didn't even bother to go here. My sister's lazy arse. He thought about his sister, shaking his head.

Fr: sis ruth
You left a letter here in my room brooo, get it or i trash it?

Liam gasped at the text. He immediately ran to Ruth's when he noticed the paper Zayn gave him isn't in his uniform's pocket. When he's in front of Ruth's room door, he knocked twice then opened the door.

"Ohhh, this is important? Yieee, Liam have a new acq--"

"Shhh! Shut it!" Liam whispered, covering Ruth's mouth. The girl then waved her hands in surrender then Liam let go of her.

"Chill!" Ruth breathed out. "Here, gosh." she then handed him the paper then Liam locked himself in his room.

>>>>

It was a boring Saturday and Liam got nothing to do.

Louis and Harry have a date. Niall will be going with Greg to the new house Greg will get for his family--- which means Niall will see Lyle again-- and all Liam can think about is nothing, being a lazy boy.

He don't want to bother anyone of his mates, they have their own lives. He sat up in his bed, thinking about a thing.

His mind drift off to a boy who has those great brown eyes, with tan and flawless skin. He then sighed, Zayn is a mysterious guy. He thought.

Liam growled then heard a knock on his door.

"What mum?" He asked when he opened the door.

"D'you wanna go out with me? Just gonna go to the artshop downtown, maybe let's Starbucks after, then go at the park?" Karen asked Liam. At first, he's hesitant because he doesn't want to do anything but he went for it anyway.

He took a bath, then wore nice clothes, then after some time, Liam and Karen went out.

At first, Karen insist that they will use her car but Liam, being a loving son, fight with her and told her he will drive and they will use his car.

Karen didn't win, though. Liam is kind of really stubborn.

When they are already downtown, Liam kept asking where should they go because he isn't still aware of where the Paintbrush artshop is found, so Karen kept on saying directions.

When they are there, Liam sighed.

"Finally." He said and his mum chuckled.

"Are you going with me, Li?" Karen asked and Liam nodded so they hopped out the car, locking it and entering the artshop.

"So, what are you going to buy, mum?" Liam asked out of the blue.

"Charcoal pencil, watercolors, and oh, papers." Karen said then they walked around, then Liam asked if he could just roam around since he's still not aware of the shop. Karen just nodded then the boy started to walk around.

At the paintbrush section, Liam caught a glimpse of a known raven hair.

Zayn? He thought and he didn't fail at his guess.

It is Zayn. Inside the artshop. Looking for a paintbrush.

Liam felt excited. He knows why but he's just glad he sees Zayn.

When Zayn is done looking for what paintbrush he needed, he saw Liam smiling at him.

"Hi Zayn." Liam waved his hand.

Zayn just looked at him, bowed, then walked away, going to the cashier, paying, then going away.

Liam did not understand.

What did he do? Why does Zayn act like that? Is there something wrong? Did he hurt him before? He don't know. He's not doing anything. He just waved his hand, smiled, greeted.

It's confusing. And he is sick of Zayn's attitude. But no, he won't go away.

He will find out what is happening.

>>>>

As Karen said, after she buy the things she need at the artshop, they went to Starbucks.

Liam don't want to drink coffee anymore. He just want some answers-- clueless answers to his questions. He want to sleep, browse, and lock himself in his room.

But, Liam knows it won't help. So he sighed and drink some of his coffee.

"Now, what is my baby thinking of?" Karen asked Liam. He pouted at the nickname.

"Just... Za-- nothing." He respond. Karen raised her brow.

"Za--?" She asked and Liam deeply sighed.

"There's... um, a boy. I am... curious of, okay, mum? He's just so silent, barely talks, weird.. I don't know." Liam face-palmed. "But, all in all, Zayn... he's good-looking."

Liam mentally smacked himself.. he just said the boy is Zayn and he said he is good looking. In front of his mother.

Who is currently smiling.

But wait... she's alright with that? Why?