pembroke || l.p (hiatus)

four

updates will still be slow, but a teeny bit more frequent, since you seem to love this story.

listen to the song on the side while reading this. c:

Liam

After Pembroke had left (and I'd gotten my phone back), I headed downstairs for lunch. My mom was in front of the stove, stirring a delicious looking soup.

"What kind?" I asked, grabbing two bowls from a top cupboard.

"Seafood chowder, from scratch." Mom grinned, giving the chowder one last stir before taking the bowls from my hands. She filled the bowls with the soup and handed them to me, so I brought them to the kitchen table, where Mom and Brooke's coffee mugs still sat.

I picked up the one Brooke had been using. Around the rim, there was pale pink lipstick marks, from where the ceramic cup and her lips had met.

I shook my head, thinking how pathetic I was being, and took the empty mugs to the kitchen.

After eating the (delicious) seafood chowder my mom had made, I went back upstairs to my computer and turned the old thing on.

It took forever, but eventually I had opened Internet Explorer—trust me, I had tried many times to install Google Chrome, but errors kept popping up—and logged into Facebook.

Right away, a message from Pembroke Auden Mitchell showed up in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Pembroke Auden Mitchell says: Hey, Liam James Payne! There's another party tonight near my house? Come along?

I grinned. If we were going to be friends, might as well hang together, right? But, two parties in two days? That's kind of, dare I say it, whore-ish.

But Brooke wanted me there, so I should at least make an appearance. I responded to her invite, telling her I'd be there, and a reply came quickly.

Pembroke Auden Mitchell says: Bring sparklers!

Liam James Payne says: Okay...

I sent my message then shut my computer off.

It was only around 1:30, so I still had plenty of time before the party started. I hopped in the shower, and washed my hair and body, quietly singing "Sweet Disposition". After I got out of the shower I went downstairs and walked into the kitchen, where my mum was washing the dishes.

"Need help?" I asked, grabbing a towel.

"Please," she replied. Together we began to wash & dry the dishes, and soon enough we were done.

"You know, Liam," Mum said. I nodded my head slightly to show I was listening. "You've been such a good help the past four years since your dad died."

I looked up at her to see her smiling sadly at me. "I know it was rough on you, and I know you wish that you got to be a regular teenager, and I'm sorry that didn't happen. I'm really sorry." Mum began to cry, a hand over her mouth.

"Oh, Mum." I sighed, pulling her into a hug. "I got to be a teenager, I just didn't do every single thing a regular one does. It's totally fine, I ended up alright, didn't I?"

The next few minutes was me comforting my mum as she cried, rubbing her back and whispering comforting words into her ear.

~~~~~

Finally it was time for the party. I slipped on a normal black t-shirt and black skinny jeans, a black and red Snapback, and white Supras, then headed out.

The party was in this huge field near Pembroke's house. There was a table with the DJ equipment and speakers, and tiki torches were set up around the area. Coolers filled with drinks were placed all over.

The place was already filled with teenagers, dancing to the beat of the music. It was already dark, and the torches had been lit.

It was an amazing set up, and the weather was perfect for a party, warm, but with a breeze.

I found Pembroke near one of the drink coolers, talking to the Lauren girl I had met yesterday. "Hey," I said, stepping next to Brooke and shoving my hands into my pockets.

"Hey, Liam," she replied, bringing a cigarette to her lips and taking a drag.

"Lauren," I acknowledged, and she waved back. "This party's really something."

"Did you bring the sparklers?" Brooke asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah, they're in my car," I replied. "What do we need them for?"

"Well, this party is an annual tradition. Every year on this day a bunch of us get together, and at midnight we light the sparklers and dance around like the idiots we are," Brooke explained, a grin forming on her face.

"What time is it now?" I asked.

"Around 11, we still have time. So go and enjoy yourself, Liam James Payne."

I rolled my eyes.

~~~~~

Finally it was nearing midnight, and I had gone back to my car to grab the sparklers. Brooke helped me hand them out to everyone, and then it was time to light them.

Suddenly Brooke stood up on the DJ table. "Hey, listen up!" The music stopped and everyone turned to listen. "It's almost midnight! Light 'em up!"

People whooped and cheered as they lit their sparklers. Music started up from the speakers.

"Out in the wild, party in nowhere land." The teenagers began singing along, though I'd never heard the song before. As I listened to the lyrics, I realized it completely related to what was happening now.

The sparklers illuminated the night, as teenagers waved them around, dancing and singing to the song.

I felt a drop of water hit my cheek, and suddenly it was raining. Everyone cheered again as the rain came down hard. I lit my sparkler quickly and began jumping and dancing with everyone else.

I found Pembroke dancing with some girls and pulled her away. We danced together, our hair getting soaked, hers turning a darker purple.

Suddenly I gained enough courage to pull her in by the waist and press my lips firmly to hers. She laughed against my mouth, as I tightened my arm around her waist.

Definitely a good night.