Loners || Ziam AU

Chapter Twelve

Dedication: zroyezivan for voting, thanks!

Just for future references for other books, which side pairing would you guys like with ziam? I would usually go with larry, but I'm not sure whether you guys would like reading about the same couple, all the time.

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Just like everyone else, Liam is scared of a few things.

When he was younger, he was terrified of the monsters under his bed and the makeup clad clowns, he'd see at carnivals. At one point, he was even afraid of his own sexuality. Thankfully he'd gotten over that. But, as Liam grew older, he realized there are much more frightening things than imaginary monsters. Like Xander, people's judgement and now, even his parents.

As he walks into the third class of his day, math, his body feels tense and jittery. His head is bowed down in fear, the curls shielding across his face, as he stumbles inside the room. Instantly, Liam could hear whispers and mutters about what had happened on Friday, echo around him. The word had eventually gotten around, that Zayn had simultaneously foughten Xander. Of course, many of them didn't even know the brown boy's actual name and often referred to him as 'the mysterious guy,' or as 'Liam's boyfriend' at times. Liam tried to ignore them the best he could, wishing that they'd at least have enough decency, to not talk about him in front of him. As it turns out, his prayers seem to be answered, once the words suddenly quiet down.

Liam doesn't exactly know why his ruthless classmates had shut up and it surely wasn't because of the teacher. They were far from scared of Mr.Ambrose, especially because the man still hadn't even requested for them to silence down. But, Liam soon finds his answer, when he feels a harsh shoulder beat into his own, causing him to collapse upon the floor, his books skidding away from his grasp.

He looked up only to see Xander's lean figure heading towards his desk, eyes fierce and darkened. But, before their gaze could meet, Liam quickly turned back towards the tiled floor. A sigh left his lips, as he wondered how in the world his teacher hadn't seen this yet. Considering he was a kind of heavy boy and his fall sure did make some ruckus, especially with the slight gasps, chuckles and comments of his peers, following it. Still, Mr.Ambrose was still facing the board, the chalk in his finger running hastily across it, as he darted today's agenda upon it.

Liam crawled on his knees closer to the his book, but before he could plant his palm upon it, someone else beat him to it. With confusion etched across his face, he looked up and saw Carson giving him a watery, pitied smile. "Here ya' go," the boy said, while handing Liam the book. The said teenager took it with shaky hands and a small response of gratitude, before he returned his gaze towards the floor. But, soon enough another pair of sneakers stopped in front of him, before Carson's body squatted down besides him. Liam didn't let their eyes meet even once, being too busy in grabbing his other materials, with a flush running down his neck.

The two eventually stood up in sync, Liam wandering towards his desk, as the stares burned into his shoulder blades. He didn't dwell upon it for too long though, simply dropping his books under the wood, before plopping down upon the seat. But, what he didn't understand was why Carson was dragging a chair next to him, before sitting on it. His colorful book covers clashed with Liam's plain ones, as they laid upon the desk.

Liam turned to stare at Carson in confusion, while the other responded with a beaming grin. "We're going to be working on that partner project that Mr.A told us about on Friday, so I figured it'd be easier to move now. I mean, only if you want to be partners and I really hope you do, or else this would be embarrassing." Carson explained with a nervous laugh, as he raised his hand to rub at the back of his neck.