Not In Love With Liam

39~ Friends for Family

I woke up the next morning feeling something I'd never felt before.

Hungover.

I couldn't remember how much exactly I drank yesterday, but on a scale of one to ten - I'd rank myself at about twelve. All I remembered was being dazed beyond imagination, sat in a dirty stall in a restroom, leaving a voicemail or three on just about everyone I knew's phone.

Chase and Alex were meant to come back to my place for the night, but Chase took a bus to his brother's place down the road, while Alex slept round.

His dad and my dad were brothers, so it didn't take much for Alex to stay over. Even though he was pretty mad at me for yesterday, family has a way of overlooking things where friends can't.

But to be fair, it wasn't Alex I'd accused of trying to steal my ex.

I'd called Chase about a hundred times.

He didn't even text back.

I'd tried Noah once or twice again too, but she just said she didn't want to talk and cut the phone. For the first time ever, I was going to leave it at that and give her some space. I'd learnt from experience that she'd come around when and if she wanted to, but if she didn't - I'd have to just leave her alone for a while.

I made an attempt to get out of bed, but although my eyes were open, my body was still fast asleep.

Mum came into my room early to say bye to Alex and I because she was heading off to the shop to pick up a dress or something. I played everything off as cooly as possible so as not to let on that I didn't remember her name and I could see four of her.

Last night, Riley had called after Alex and I got to my place, saying Chase stopped over at his briefly on his way to his brother's and he was pretty beaten up. Inside and out.

I explained what had happened - though I wasn't entirely sure what had happened myself - and told him to tell Chase I was really sorry and needed to talk. I'd made a couple too many mistakes lately, most of which Noah had caused. But it was stupid of me to blame her for anything.

It was me.

Sure, she made me jealous hell, but it was all me. I was the one who couldn't control my emotions. And now it had cost me my bestfriend. Well.. both of them.

"First day of summer? I mean, I know you love your studies, Lawrence, but come on." Antony came into my room, seeing me lying on my bed in despair.

Alex was in the spare room through the night, but he came to talk to me early in the morning and was now sat at my desk.

"Don't call me that."
"What, Lawrence?"
"It was my dad's nickname. You saying it just.. just don't call me that, okay?"
"Alright, Liam. Whatever you say." He put his hands up and raised his eyebrows.
"Don't take him too seriously. He had a big night yesterday," Alex looked over at me. "Didn't you?"
"Urrgh." I groaned, pulling my sheets over my head.
"Alright, we've all been there before, stop shitting yourself. What's the big deal?" Antony said.

"He's only gone and fucked himself over." Someone said from the door. It was Riley.
"Hey man, what's up?"
"I'm good."
Antony patted Riley's back before heading out of my room. "Careful with that one. He bites."

Riley came to sit beside me. "How you feeling, Princess?"
"I.. I don't know how Noah does this."
Alex and Riley both laughed.

"Well, I don't know her exact tactic, but I always drink lots of water and try to keep my mouth shut." Someone else spoke. I lifted the sheets off my head to see Chase.