This Town (Niam Horayne AU) (BoyxBoy)

10: Parties And Fear

"Steve's birthday, you coming?" You ask as we walk into school in late November. Leaves scatter the pavement and crinkle under our feet.

"I think so. It won't be like Louis' thing the other month though right?" Although thinking about it, that night had many positives.

We turn down the road and our school is in sight, the school bus pulled up at the entrance and children pour into the playground.

"Hey Liam, I need to tell you something" I tell him as we enter the school.

"Niall!" Adrian calls, suddenly. He runs towards us, "Have you done the Spanish work?"

Shit! "What Spanish homework?"

"The thing about our favourite animals."

My heart lifts. "Oh yeah, I did that last week."

"Can I borrow it?"

I roll my eyes, "Yeah in form." We go to walk off,

"Wait Ni." You grab my arm gently, "What were you going to tell me?"

Oh. I was going to tell you that Adrian and Harry know. "Nothing I-I'll tell you later."

Adrian is dragging me to class before I can hug you goodbye.

/

It's Steve's birthday party today and I still haven't told you about you know who knowing. I'm worried you'll be mad.

Me: Wanna come to mine before Steve's party? Xx

You: Sure x

Me: I have something to tell you when you come over

You: Shall I come now? R u ok?

Me: Yes and yes dw x

/

"So what is it?" You're sitting worriedly on my bed beside me. I sigh and I look at your brown eyes, wearing concern and I think fear.

"Okay don't be mad."

"Why would I be mad? Did you kiss someone- Adrian?"

"What? No! No, it's just," I take a breath, "Harry and Adrian know, about us."

It's silent and I can't look at you.

"What, you told them?" You sound annoyed and scared and panicked all at once.

"No, no they just, guessed, and I told them a while ago that I liked you so it was easy for them to work out."

"But what if they tell?"

I roll my eyes, "They won't. They're good friends, Li."

"It's just, I don't even know who I am, yet, Ni, what I am. I'm not gay, but I like you and everything's a mess but they know about it."

I shift awkwardly and face you. There's a tear on your cheek but I wipe it away and take your hand (which is slightly clammy but I don't mind).

"I know, Liam, and I'm sorry but, they don't care 'what' you are okay? They don't, they just like you for you."

"But I care. I know I think girls but I like you and I don't get it."

"You'll figure it out, Li, you will. But you have you whole life to do that and we're still only 13."

You sniff sadly and smile, "When did you get so wise?" You ask.

"Oh. I was born like this."

You laugh a bit.

/

I'm not sure Steve should be friends with Louis because his party is nothing like the thing Louis has organised in the summer. We watch a film at his place then head to the park. It's windy and you an I cling to one another as the breeze tries to separate us. I notice Louis and Harry are close too, in their rather large fluffy coats. Louis is with Steve a lot to though.

We find ourselves sat on the climbing frame at the top of the slide, laughing at random jokes and I'm next to you so I lean my head on your shoulder,

You push me off though and you even get up, and move to dit beside Steve instead, my heart sinks and Harry looks confused and I shrug. I wish Adrian was here now, and I'm cold and I feel like crying.

You ignore me as we head home, too, until we're the only two left.

"What's wrong?" I ask, "Did I do something?"

You shrug and kick a stone into the road. "It's just, it's weird, with Harry knowing about us and I'm so confused, Niall, I can't just be comfortable immediately like you."

"Okay. I get that, sorry, but Liam, tell me when I do something wrong or something that makes you uncomfortable, don't just, walk away."

"Okay." You reply and we both fall silent.

We reach my house and you pull me into a hug.

"Thank you Ni. I'm sorry if I upset you or anything."

I pull away and smile, "Right back at ya!"

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The one where Liam is small and insecure.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, next one should be up soon, love you all! Please vote and comment. Xx