Arranged (On Hold)

A12: The 'Pre'- Job

'The 'Pre'- Job'

"Aunty Ellie! Ellie! Aunty Ellie! Ellie!" I heard Matt and Liam chanted from outside. Walking towards the backyard clear sliding door I saw Liam and Matt standing behind it covered in sand and salt water. "Guys. I'm not gonna let you in like that, at least clean off the sand" I said pointing to the outdoor shower, they fake pouted and left towards the shower.

Knowing that they will go up and took a quick shower, I start to cook lunch. I just make the simple fish and chips with lemonade and since today is a clear beautiful day, I decided to eat outside at the porch wood table. Setting up the plates and everything just before Liam and Matt come down. "Hey Ellie" Liam said sitting across from me after he put Matt on one of the chairs next to us. I smile "I made Fish and Chips. Hope it's not too salty, I'm not a pro at this" I said start eating mine. "This is yummy, Aunty Ellie! I love it!" Matt said chewing his French fries that has been dipped in ketchup. "Totally agreeing him. Great!" Liam compliment, "thanks, I'm not a pro at cooking. I can make some stuff but it took a long time" I explain.

Once we're all done eating lunch, Liam offered to clean the plates while I tuck Matt into bed for a nap. Apparently Matt bonded with Liam so quick that he's all he talks about. After about ten minutes or so, Matt finally fall asleep. He is sleeping in mine and Liam's bed since all the other room is bed less. Who decorate this house?

I went back downstairs to check on Liam. Not exactly in a caring way but more like 'check if the is on fire' kind of thing. I saw him drying up the dishes before putting it back in the cabinets. "Hey, I hope you don't mind letting Matt sleep on the bed" I said "it's alright. I'll sleep on the couch" he shrug. I nodded bluntly and went back to the living room avoiding the awkward silence. Turning on the tv and plopping down on the sofa.

Liam came from the kitchen and sit next to me. "Hey Liam?" It came out in a questionable way "yes?" he ask not turning his head away from the tv "Can I ask you something?" I said, "sure" he said bluntly watching 'CSI' intensively.

"Why did you agree in this arrangement at dinner that time? I thought you don't like the idea. I mean, I know you attempt to stop it but knowing you, you never give up stopping something that you don't like to happen, but you did that time and I wanna know why" I hesitated making Liam finally turn his head towards me.

He sigh "I knew this question will come" he murmur before he explain "I didn't stop it because I owe something to my parents. They hate me since I started to bring date diffrent girls every week. They hate that I'm not responsible enough to move out of the house. They hate it when my longest relationship is a month and that, I wasn't paying attention. They hated that my grades drop low, my dating life is horrible, I'm lonely, I can't take a simple responsibility, and I can't be with someone they like. But other than those thing, they know that I miss that girl from the fourth grade that always push me down the step stool and gave me the last piece of favorite thing she have. They find out about what I did to you since the fifth grade and they don't like the way I think, but when they find out more about the high school scenarios, they almost kicked me out of the house especially mom. She hated me because of what I did to you, to some other people. She love you like you're her daughter, the way I treated you hurt her. When the arrangement was up that day, I couldn't protest much because I want to make my mom proud and I want to make things right with you" Liam explained not taking his eyes off me.

"Is that a lie?" I ask unsure. Damn my stubbornness.

"No! It's not Ellie! Can you trust me for this once?" he raise his voice all so sudden making me flinch. I stay quiet and look towards my Cookie Monster socks.

But then I felt weak "I'm sorry" I whispered in my unexpected shaking voice. Liam's eyes soften with guilt and worry "I'm gonna go check on Matt" I blurt out avoiding tears come out. Liam sigh and stand in front of me "Can you--" his arms thrown around my shoulder in a huggable way causing me stop talking and instantly hug his torso "I'm sorry, Ellie. I know you don't trust me yet, I'm going to get that trust back" he said placing his chin on top of my head.