Not In Love With Liam

36~ Making or Breaking my Family

♜LIAM LAWRENCE♜

It was close to midnight when I arrived back at uni. I was glad Noah had met her half brother, although I had not a clue how she was going to work things out with her parents.

"Big night out?"
"Yeah right."
Chase frowned. "What happened?"
"Noah's in shit, I'm worried she's gonna break. Again."

Chase was the only one of my group who I'd told about Noah's drug usage. I couldn't really help it to be honest- he'd seen the photo. I made sure I told Noah that he knew, whatever the context, it was her secret. She wasn't mad, but she was happy to hear that only one person knew, so Chase and I kept it that way.

"Well, maybe this is your chance."
"My chance?"
"Girl needs shoulder to cry on," he turned side on and stroked his shoulder in an attempt to make it look appealing. "Guy offers shoulder."
"You're an idiot." I smiled.
"Am not. It'll work, trust me. She'll end up spending a lot of time with you, you know, working things out, things get emotional and shit, then bam! Before you know it, she's yours again."
"I don't know Chase, I don't want it to look like I'm only helping her to get something in return."
"But this would be something for both of you."
"Yeah, well.. she needs a clear head right now. She's dealing with enough, I don't want to mess with that."
"Whatever you say," he tossed me a cold can of beer from the fridge before taking one for himself and sitting beside me on the couch. "But admit it. You haven't given up."
"I suppose I haven't.."

🍻🍻🍻

⚓NOAH OQUAYE⚓

"I'll be back by fourth lesson tomorrow."
"Take as long as you need. I'll be fine, maybe I can work with Jesse eh?"

That was obviously sarcastic, as Oliver hated Jesse beyond imagination. I felt bad for always leaving him to work on his own. Lately, I'd been a really shitty partner.

"Why don't you just give me the project? I'll try and finish it on the train."
"You know I'm not gonna let you do that. Relax, Noah, you're dealing with enough. I can handle it. Promise."
"I love you so much Olly." I hugged him and took my hoodie off the stool.

Up next was a trip to MK, a dreaded conversation with my parents and a surprise visit from someone who could either make or break my family entirely.

Keep it together...

Here's to the emotional rollercoaster I was about to jump onto.

🎢🎢🎢

"We're sorry." My mum wiped her eyes.
"We've talked this over, and I don't know if we can-"
"Save it. I hate you two so much for doing this to us!"

When I got to the house, my mum and dad were sat on the sofa chatting about something. Neither of them seemed happy but I felt so at ease seeing them talking like that. It was almost like nothing had happened at all. Like they were arguing about Dad leaving the toilet seat up or Mum taking forever to get dressed whenever we all went out. Something stupid.

They looked more than alarmed when they saw me.
My dad was especially shocked to see me home. He said he came back the night he thought I'd be home from France but I wasn't there so he assumed I hadn't come back at all yet. I explained the situation, saying I'd seen the letter and was in bits about it, so I went back to uni early. I also told them Uncle had told me everything, so there was no need for them to make up stories.