Not A Word

Chapter Twenty Six

Tara

"Good heavens Liam what were you just doing?" his mother exclaimed.

"Just umm... Nothing." muttered then looked her in the eye, "I thought you were going to be at work for another three days."

"They cancelled the end if the gala. Some idiots were screwing around and ruined all the committee's supplies." she tsked under her breath.

"That's really a shame mother. I know you were looking forward to that." he apologized.

Awkwardly I shifted from foot to foot. I wasn't quite sure what to do. I had never met Liam's mother before, never even seen her in the few years I've lived here. Her name has been thrown around a few times but her face had never been shown.

I could tell exactly who Liam got his looks from. His mother looked exactly like him and his sister. She was beautiful with waves of caramel colored hair flowing over her shoulders and down her back. Her eyes were the same shade as Liam's, yet those eyes had turned a glare on me.

"Who is this young lady?" she asked in a fake pleasant voice.

I stepped forward and held out my hand, "My name is Tara Williams." I said with a smile in my face. It was forced but so was her voice.

Her hand grasped mine, "Hello Tara. I would say it's nice to meet you but under the circumstances I would simply like an explanation.

Liam stepped forward to stand at my side as my hand fell limply at my side. "Mum, Tara is a friend of mine. We were working on science project together. We've also been helping each other through some tough times at school."

"I can see she was helping you with a bit more than that." she snapped. "I think it best if Ms. Williams would head home now."

Liam walked to his nightstand and grabbed his keys. "I was just about to bring her home."

"I don't think so. She can bring herself home."

My mouth fell open slightly. The walk from Liam's house to Greg's would be long and dangerous. Who knew if Zayn was out there now looking for me. I swallowed the lump that had suddenly grown in my throat.

"With all due respect mam I do not have a vehicle of a license. The only way for me to get home on my own would be to walk." I said quietly while looking down at the ground.

"Then you may call you parents. All you teenagers have cell phones now." she brushed me off.

"I do not. I also do not have parents."

"Well whoever is taking care of you. Come downstairs an I will have you the house phone to call whomever."

Her cold hand latched onto my armband drug me down the large staircase. I was let go in the kitchen. Thankfully Nicola was in there and gave me a friendly smile.

"Hello Tara. How are you feeling?" she asked sweetly.

"Better."

Liam's mom turned on us to glare at Nicola, "You knew she was here? I caught her in Liam's bedroom alone with him and they were kissing. Do you really think that it was wise to allow this... this tramp into this house?" she screamed at Nicola.

I felt a fury rise up in my chest. Many people had called me a tramp before but I was done with it now. "I am not a tramp." I said lightly.

Her brown gaze turned to me, "What was that?" she hissed.

I looked up to meet her eyes and firmly said, "I am no tramp!"

Liam walked into the kitchen with his jacket on, keys in his hand, an my backpack in his hand. "Tara let's go I'm driving you home." he turned his gaze to his mother, "We'll talk when I get back."

The words sounded like a threat and I saw his mother's eyes widen. Had he never spoken back to her before? Before anymore harsh words could e said I scurried out if the kitchen and to Liam's car. His hands gripped my waist and hauled me up.

"Thank you."

He looked up at me with sad eyes, "You're welcome." he walked around the car and got in the driver's seat. "Look I'm sorry about me mum. She can be... difficult." he apologized.

"Not the worst that has happened. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

He looked ready to say something but thought different and drove me back to Greg's house.

Nicola

"I can't believe you!" I blew up at my mother. "How could you say something like that about her?"

"Why shouldn't I? That whore was coming on to my little boy! who knows what would have happened if I hadn't come home when I did and you would never have known."

"Stop judging people before you know them. If I wasn't your daughter you would think I was a know it all ass kisser. Don't lie because I know you would. You know I'm not like that thought because you know me." she was really beginning to piss me off.

"You think Liam is such a sweet boy but do you even know how old he is? All you know is he's old enough to drive. You have no idea what goes on here because you are never home. You were home for me but no one is ever home for Liam. When I got home he was dragged in by his friend because he was beaten nearly unconscious!"

"Stop lying right now Nicola. Your father and I raised you better than that." she hissed.

"That's right, you raised me right. Too bad you didn't raise Liam like that. I'm not lying mother. Your little boy is a bully who used to pick on that girl. Stop being self centered and raise your damn son! He thinks he can do what he pleases because he's never had anyone to tell him no." I stormed out of the kitchen an up to my room.

Greg

The front door opened and Tara walked through. Denise was on her feet an pulling Tara into a hug the moment she saw her. "Tara! My god we were so worried about you."

"I'm fine Denise, thank you for caring though. I went to Liam's house after school to finish a science project we were partnered together on. We lost track of time an he drove me home."

I shot up from my chair, "Liam? Isn't he part if the group that was hurting you? You could have came here to work." I rushed out.

"Don't worry Greg. Liam is being nice besides Zayn has targeted him now as well. Its probably better that we're sticking by each other. He knows all of Zayn's moves and how he thinks. We can help each other out."

I looked her over. She looked untouched, "He didn't try anything?" I asked.

The moment the words were said her face turned beat red. "Tara," I warned, "tell me what happened."

She jerked her head up to look at me, "Nothing. I'm going to bed. Today was pretty tiring."

She gave Denise another hug then came over and kissed me on the cheek before heading up to her room. "Good night Greg. Thank you for everything." She called down.

I sighed and fell back into my chair.

"You think something happened don't you?" Denise asked propping herself on the arm.

"I know something did. I'm just not sure if it was bad or not."

If Liam did anything to hurt Tara I would personally hurt him. I loved Tara like the sister I never had. I wanted to keep her safe from people that wanted to hurt her and keep her safe I would.