The Optimist.

Chapter Two

July 2008

Liam Payne, you are a life saver. 

I thought contently to myself as Liam and I  walked around the park nearest to our houses. Not even the heat of summer could put a damper on my mood! Nearly a month after the anniversary of my mother's death, and I haven't cried once since. 

Happy happy, joy joy. 

I was absolutely giddy to find out Liam wanted to take me to the park. I love it here.

I remember when I was very young, when my mom and I would visit my ailing Grandmother, mom would take me here to play. This is where I first met Liam. Even as unstable toddlers, the two of us were nearly inseparable. 

"Joined at the hip." Our mothers would say, laughing as we played on the jungle gym restlessly for hours on end. I wouldn't stop crying when we had to leave, and coming from a three year old, I must've been really fond of Liam back then. I still am.

Memories are something painful for me now. I used to love remembering fun times with my family, but ever since the accident, I haven't really tried. When I saw a picture of my mom for the first time after the funeral, I couldn't do so much as speak let alone remember happy moments. 

"Race you to the swing set!" Liam yelled, breaking me from my train of thought before challenging me to run,

"I'm not going to race you if you don't try!"

I laughed and nodded, catching him off guard when I broke out into a full on sprint,

"Hey!" He chuckled before trying his best to catch up, which wasn't hard considering I suck at running. Liam's actually one of the, if not the, fastest runner I know, so catching me is no feat.

I touched the pole of the swings mere seconds before he did, sucker!

"Ha! I... Beat... You..." I said between gasps for air,

"This... Time... Haveren..." Liam said, he himself out of breath.

I sat on the seat of the swing, swaying softly as I propelled myself gently with the balls of my feet.

"Want to stay over tonight?" He asked, sitting beside me and beggining to swing.

"I don't want to be a -"

"Grace Aria Haveren, you are never a burden, as you put it, in my house!" He smiled, stopping his swing and ruffling my hair, which only caused me to glare at him. My blue eyes narrowed at him,

"Must you use my middle name?" I growled,

"Yes, I felt it necessary." He said simply, shrugging it off.

"Well then, Liam James Payne -"

"NO! I will start calling you Gracie facie again if you continue with that." Liam shuddered at the mention of his full name,

"Why? I like your name." 

"I don't." He frowned, pouting slightly and looking to the round stones that lay astray on the ground beneath us.

"I think it's hot." I giggled, nudging his shoulder which made him chuckle gently.

"I think you're the only person in the world who believes that, Grace." Liam sighed,

"Oh, please. Babe, you're smokin'." I grinned like an idiot, but Liam didn't join.

I knew that Liam was self conscious. And I hated it. Liam is absolutely, positively, one hundred freaking percent, the most incredible person I've ever known. As far as I was concerned, the people who bullied him were quite apparently jealous and even thought they'd never admit it, it was obvious.