Contentions(A Liam Payne AU)

Chapter 23 - Apologies

Hey everyone, sorry for the slow updates lately. They should be picking up within the next month since this semester is dying down and midterms passed. I have the rest of the story basically plotted out and a few chapters already ready to be posted. 

12 votes for automatic update ;)

*****

“GIRLS, YOU’RE GONNA BE LATE FOR SCHOOL! HURRY UP!” Liam yelled down the hallway, footsteps soon approaching. Jessie appeared, my eyes along with Liam’s going wide as we took in the sight. Her hair was midnight black instead of the beautiful chocolate tresses of before. Not only that though. Thick eyeliner was lining her eyes, and her clothes were…well lacking. Her shirt was cropped just below her bra and a pair of low rids skinny jeans hung dangerously low.

“What. The. FREAKING HELL ARE YOU THINKING, JESS?!” he roared, face growing red. “Get upstairs and change. NOW.” She snickered and crossed her arms obnoxiously.

“You can’t tell me what to do,” she said patronizingly. “You lost that right when you joined a gang.”

“Jessie. Marie. Payne. You go upstairs right now and change or so help me-“ he began when her arms dropped, body tense and eyes alight with rebellion.

“Or what Liam?” she taunted. “You’ll hit me like dad used to?” The young man clenched his fists and shook his head, storming out of the room.

“Jessie, that was not okay,” I sighed, disappointment clouding my features. Her shoulders drooped and she looked rather…guilty.

“I know it wasn’t. I-I didn’t want to hurt him like that,” she whispered so he couldn’t hear. “I just wanted him to know how hard it is to see someone you love doing something so-so wrong, Brinlee. He’s gonna get himself killed and he’s all I have. All we have.”

“You don’t know the whole story though, hun,” I sighed. “He’s doing this for you. Trust me, it’s not something he wants to be involved in, alright? He’s doing this because he has to.” Her bottom lip quivered and she sniffled, nodding. “Why don’t you go change and apologize?”

“But he probably doesn’t even want to see me,” she sniffled. “What I said to him was awful…” I smiled and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

“He loves you, Jessie. He’ll forgive you. Now hurry up so you’re not late for school,” I smiled, ushering her towards the hallway. As soon as she left, my smile dropped, a groan escaping my lips as I pressed my palm to my forehead. My head was pounding, the stress of the last few days taking a physical toll on my body. I shook it off though, rolling my shoulders back and traveling to the kitchen where Liam had stormed off. He was leaning against the counters, his head in his hands as his chest heaved in frustration.

“She feels awful,” I offered with a forced smile. “She’s changing right now before she apologizes.” He straightened up, turning to me and grinning himself.

“Thank you,” he said graciously. “I-I’m honestly so confused right now. I don’t know what to do with them…they hate me.”

“We don’t hate you,” a voice suddenly mumbled from the doorway. Jessie stood there in a hoody and jeans, a pair of beat up sneakers on her feet; normal attire for her. “We…we just don’t like what you’re doing, Liam.” She looked at the floor as tears glistened in her eyes, something that I was starting to catch on was rare for her. “You’re our big brother. Y-you’ve practically raised us an-and you’ve saved me more than once. I just want you to do something for yourself just once in your life.” He smiled shakily and slowly approached her, reaching out to take her hand in his.

“You guys are my everything, yeah? I want to protect you, provide for you, and most of all I want you to have the things you deserve,” he said softly. “I’m fine, love, alright? Don’t worry about me. Just have fun being a teenager…”

“Will you at least quit all of this gang stuff?” she begged, finally looking up at him revealing the tears on her cheeks.

“I wish I could, I honestly do,” he mumbled, frowning. “But I can’t, alright? I promise you no one else will hurt you though, alright? You won’t have to worry about those men anymore.”

“I’m not worried about me, doofus,” she muttered. “I’m worried about you.” He smiled crookedly and ruffled her hair.

“I can take care of myself, kid,” he chuckled, kissing her forehead before gently shoving her towards the door. “Now grab your sister and hurry to school. If they give you any trouble just have them call me and I’ll sort it out.” She turned to leave before stopping and swiping at her cheeks, a toothy grin on her lips.

“I love you, Li,” she said softly, those words making the young man’s face light up more than I had seen since I’ve met him.

“Love you too, Jess,” he beamed, his eyes scrunched with the force of his smile as she left, Macie’s giggles being heard faintly before the door shut.

“She still loves me,” he sighed wistfully, turning to me. “Sh-she doesn’t hate me!” I winced at his volume, feeling awful as I made his smile fall and turn into concern.

“What’s wrong, love?” he asked, tilting my chin up so he could see my pained features.

“Just a headache,” I reassured, pulling away from him. “It’s no big deal.”

“I’ll grab you some painkillers,” he said sweetly, going to one of the cupboards and grabbing a bottle of ibuprofen, handing me two of the small red pills. I saw him move to grab water but I quickly dry swallowed them, one of his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. He shook it off though, masking his emotion with a smile.

“I have a session today with a client of mine’s little girl. I was hoping you’d tag along,” he pushed, a hopeful look crossing his visage. “I kind of have a surprise for you there.” I couldn’t resist the soulful eyes that were peering down at me, almost begging me to come.

“I’d love to,” I said honestly, pleased when I saw his happiness from earlier return. I wasn’t sure what this surprise he had in store was, but I must say I was excited.