Let Me Down Easy

Chapter Four

Song on the side: "Runabout" by Little Dragon

chapter four: *’Cause I Can’t Let Go*

            “Hey Liam, long time no see,” Sam waved in acknowledgement as she trudged up the path to the main entrance. From where she was she could only see his back since Liam had started making his way back into the mansion.

            He stopped and turned around. Leslie averted her eyes trying to make sure he didn’t notice she had been ogling him just a few seconds ago.

            “Is it really?” He shrugged almost mockingly, “I wouldn’t know.”

            Sam grinned sickeningly sweet. In the old days Sam and Liam had gotten along well. In fact, Sam had been one of the people on his side way before Leslie even gave in. And although she did understand what he must be going through, she still couldn’t help but feel some resentment towards him. It wasn’t even truly his fault, but she didn’t understand why he didn’t just try to stop being such a dick.

            If someone tells you they love you and tries to help you, the least you could do is try to be considerate. At least you could smile and stop being sarcastic or mocking…or an asshole.

            Leslie had been going through a lot lately and Sam knew more than anyone how Liam’s unreasonable attitude had been making things just a lot worse.

            And if Leslie wasn’t going to do anything about it, then Sam sure was.

            “Of course you would. You don’t exactly need to remember me to know that we haven’t seen in each other in over three months.”

            “Well,” he dragged out the word looking annoyed, “okay.” Then he turned back around and still with some effort walked up the stairs.

            “You should really let me help you,” Leslie croaked watching as Liam took some of the steps with effort. Although, he had healed nicely and he hadn’t severely injured or broken anything in his legs, they were still stiff from not using them in so long.

            “I’m not paralyzed. I can walk on my own.” Liam responded curtly and Leslie couldn’t help but notice how he clenched his fully working hand until his knuckles turned white.

            Suddenly, as she stood awkwardly in the oversized entrance hall, she felt truly hated and repulsive. She shook her head from the negative thoughts, but that didn’t stop her from muttering the words that had been swimming through her head lately.

            “What am I doing?”

            Sam looked over at her and offered a small smile.

***

            “Look you don’t have to stay here. Leo’s here and Jonah’s probably going to come stay for a while too. So you’re free to leave.”

            Liam greeted Leslie with the same words he had been muttering every morning for the past four days. Every opportunity he got he ended up reminding her she could just leave.

            It would be that simple. She could just head out the door and forget everything that had happened in the last year. She could forget him and the terrible aching in her heart…and the constant rejection.

            But then a small voice would creep into her head and snake its way into all her thoughts. It would remind her why she was doing this, but most of all it would tell her to fight. It couldn’t be that hard, could it?