Ch. 17 Grenade
“It’s no use.” I said in frustration, letting go of the doorknob. I went to the bath area and sat crossly down in the tub.
“I can see that,” Liam grumbled. He leaned heavily on the counter, scowling down at the sink.
Silence filled the gap as I stared at my former best friend, trying to see what had happened to him after he had left. I couldn’t believe that he had changed in such a short amount of time. I took in his sleekly combed brown hair, usually so ruffled, and the intensity of his blazing aqua eyes. I focused on the little things, like the way the light seemed to make his eyelashes turn a golden brown in the sunlight. Or his tender, soft and pink lips—
Whoa, whoa, whoa, Keegan. Let’s not get weird today, all right? I mentally slapped myself. This new Liam wasn’t a jerk and didn’t deserve any girl.
Finally, I couldn’t take the silence anymore. Silence equaled my thoughts getting out of control, and that was one thing I certainly couldn’t have.
“Why do you hate me so much?” I suddenly asked, locking eyes with Liam.
He shrugged carelessly. “Because you’re a nerd.”
“When did you start changing?” I said.
He narrowed his eyes on me. “I never changed. I just realized that I was getting nowhere with you and that stupid little city in Utah of yours. Here in Beverly Hills I’m treated with much more respect. And my reputation has been going up.”
“What do you mean the you were getting nowhere with me? We were best friends.” I argued.
“God, you ask a lot of questions.” Liam snapped. “Just stop talking to me, okay? Man, I wish Taylor was in here with me. Be so much more fun.”
“Well, excuse me if I’m not some stripper pawning for your affection.” I said harshly.
Liam opened his mouth to make a retort when I held up a hand and halted him. I got out of the tub, jabbed a finger at his chest, and made sure I articulated every word that spilled from my mouth.
“Listen here, I didn’t want to stay here. I was perfectly happy just staying at a hotel instead of here, where you could insult Ellie and me. But your parents offered, and I didn’t refuse, so we might as well get along for the rest of the weekend. Then you’ll never have to see my face again, all right? I came here to visit you, you know that? My Mom pooled together her money and actually purchased expensive tickets to get here. So don’t tell me to get out or leave, because I’m not. I’m making sure that my mother’s hard earned money pays off.” I said. “I don’t care whether you spend the rest of the time acting in a freaking movie or spending it in a dark closet with Taylor, but don’t tell me to leave. If you do, then I’m punching you in the face again. Listen, I don’t know why you’re so angry with me. I don’t know why you keep saying such horrible words to me even though we’re friends. But clearly you don’t want any part of me in your life anymore. Fine, that’s fine! Forget a lifetime of friendship! Forget that right before you left you said that you loved me.”
I wasn’t sure how I got onto this subject, but I honestly didn’t care. I just had the strong urge to tell this jerk off.
“I never loved you! That was just my stupidity!” Liam spat at me, unfazed by the fact that I was in his face. “And I never really was friends with you. We were never really close.”
Anger surged through me. “Are you kidding me? So you’re telling me that all those times we went on vacations together, all those times I went over to your house to just hang out, all those times we played with each other, all those times when we hugged, all those freaking times when we shared heartfelt times together is nothing? Wow, you’ve become a bigger jerk than I thought.”
“I’m not a jerk!” Liam snarled.
“Are you sure about that? Because you seem to be acting like one right now!” I yelled at him.
He raised his hand, which was balled into a fist, to strike me. I glared at him threw narrowed eyes.
“Do it. Go on. Then you’ll prove how much of a jerk you are!” I hissed.
“You punched me. So why don’t I do the same to you?” he said through gritted teeth. The hand was still raised.
“I punched you because of your harsh words against my father.” I growled. “Oh, sure, it was nice to forget about how I caused him to commit suicide for a couple of years. But now, after my mom told me that I was the one who caused his death, it hurts. And you just insulting me like that was going too far, and you know it. But have I really done anything to deserve to be hit? I know I’ve insulted you, I know I’ve pushed you up walls, but I have never crossed that line where personal things are meant to be kept in the dark.”
Liam took several angry, deep breaths as he tried to decide whether he would hit me or not. I locked eyes with him as he slowly unclenched his fists and let it drop to his sides.
He began to lean towards my face, becoming so close that I could feel his mint breath puffing against my cheek. His lips brushed against my earlobe, and I fought back a shiver.
“Don’t ever let me see you again. I’ll allow you and your little friend to stay here, but until you leave I don’t ever won’t to hear your voice or see your precious face.” He pulled back and a smirk tugged on his lips as I stood glued to the spot. “By the way, you look good in those clothes and makeup. But you’re still no Taylor.”
I didn’t even have time to register to insult before he made his way to the bathroom door and literally kicked it open. The door creaked and crashed to the floor, where Liam promptly exited the room.
I stared after him, anger searing my veins. Ellie suddenly appeared in the empty doorframe, looking shocked. “What the heck happened?”
“The new Liam happened,” I sighed, sitting in defeat on the floor.
Ellie sat down beside me. We stared at the wall for a while as I tried to figure out what I was going to do next.
Finally Ellie turned to look at me. Her light brown eyes looked deep into mine and she smirked, as she comprehended the intelligence in them. “I assume you already have a plan.”
I nodded thoughtfully. “We need to get the old Liam back.”
YOU ARE READING
The Story of Us
Romance"It's hard to say when I fell in love with Liam Sheppard. It could be when he returned after three long years and confessed that he loved me. It could be when I chased him to Hollywood and tried to win over his affections. It could be when I kissed...
