“…cut to the chase, mate. Is she going to be alright?” you heard a voice whisper wearily, a heavy sigh coming from the space beside you. Immediately you knew who he was talking about, your mind making the split second decision to stay in a veiled sleep, trying to get a bit of information on your sister.
“I have her little sister here with me…yeah, she’s fine for now. But Lou, I need Jordan to be okay. I know it’s a lot to ask with her condition, but I don’t know how well this kid would do without her,” Liam breathed, fingers suddenly playing with the ends of my hair. I nearly jumped, the sudden contact making me fidgety.
“Yeah, I know. Just…just do the best that you can. Thanks, mate. I’ll check in later,” there was a small beep and he shifted as he set his phone down on the bedside table before letting his hand rest between my shoulder blades, rubbing small circles there.
“Your sister is in a pretty bad way, love,” he said softly, knowing that I was far from asleep. Tears stung my eyes and I couldn’t keep a small sob from escaping my mouth. In a matter of seconds, I was being rolled over to lie on my back, my hazy vision set on a pair of warm brown irises, filled with uncertainty.
“Will she make it?” was all I asked, my answer being found when his mouth opened and close, at a loss for words.
“I-I don’t know,” he finally managed, watching as my face crumpled, the urge to scream rising in my throat. Without her, who would protect me? Who would run their fingers through my hair when I had a nightmare? Who would take care of me when I was sick? Who would I have left?
“I should go,” I squeaked, afraid to think on it too much when I was near Liam. Before he could do anything, I quickly jumped out of the bed, swiping at my cheeks as I wrenched open the door.
“Brinlee,” Liam sighed, walking after my fleeing figure. When I heard his approaching footsteps, I ran, sprinting down the hallway and down the stairs.
“Brin!” he yelled again, just as my foot caught on the edge of the rug. I went sprawling to the ground, landing with a small thud on the hardwood. As much as I wanted to break down, I couldn’t bring myself to stand and leave.
“Sweetheart,” I heard him breathe, the name rather comforting to my frazzled state. I felt embarrassed to be so…so emotional in front of him.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized, forcing myself to a sitting position, my head lowered so that my hair covered my tearstained face. “I-I’m so sorry.” Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Liam’s jogger clad knees as he dropped to his haunches beside me, hesitantly reaching out to brush away my curtain of hair.
“Sorry for what? For being scared of losing your sister?” he said softly, his hand slipping down to grab my trembling one. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I just shouldn’t…I can’t-I’m not,” I stuttered, trying to convey it without sounding like a drama queen.
“Brinlee, it’s okay to be scared,” Liam whispered. “It’s okay to cry-“
“No it’s not!” I quickly retorted, my eyes growing wide and hand clamping over my mouth as the words escaped.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I ‘m sorry,” I quickly chanted, cowering my body away from him as fear flooded through my system. “I didn’t mean to talk back to you! I really didn’t! Please-“
“Easy,” he cooed, gently grasping my wrists that were raised in front of my face. “I’m not going to hurt you. You were just expressing an opinion; there’s no reason to be frightened.” Was he lying? I had blatantly gone against what he had said…and he wasn’t going to punish me?
“Let’s go for a walk, yeah?” he tried, standing and smoothly pulling me up to my feet. “I think you could use some fresh air.”
“I just want to go home, Liam,” I pleaded, pulling away from him. “I want to go home. I want to go home and-and be with my sister. I want my sister!” Right then and there, my knees gave out, body shutting down as I used the last bit of emotional strength I had. Arms quickly surrounded me before I hit the ground, cradling me to their chest.
“That’s it,” Liam soothed, setting us down on the couch, my body resting on his lap. “Let it out. I’ve got you.”
And there I lay, clinging onto him as if he were the only thing keeping me grounded. And to be honest, he was…
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Contentions(A Liam Payne AU)
FanfictionLiam Payne has secrets. Secrets that could potentially kill. Brinlee Adams has a past. A past that put those close to her at risk. Love. Pain. Trust. Contentions...
