Above and Beyond: A One Direction Story

Chapter 23:Liam

LIAM: Roseville Outlets

Professor Raggio? Of all the people we could have met it had to be him.

Sophie looks pleasantly surprised. I try to look happy also. He wants to give us a ride back after we eat at this fancy Italian restaurant.

"So tell me exactly what happened guys. The news said that you went to the Beta Pi frat party on Saturday night. One student said that a guy in a ski mask pushed you in and drove off. What else happened?"

We tell him everything from driving to Salt Lake to Sophie stabbing Zayn to Getting a ride from environmentalists to now.

"You are excused from all work this week. I'll make all your other teachers excuse you also. I'm taking you to the Berkeley hospital and-"

"Nonono!" Harry almost chokes on his drink. "We were in the hospital this morning in Salt Lake. We are good on hospitals."

"Sophie.. I just wanted to let you know that what you did was very brave. I'm very proud of you. Tu es très forte!"

What a flirt! He's 27 isn't he married or something? Just drive us back and leave us alone.

At least I know what Sophie likes in a guy... Perfection.

We shovel our pasta down and eat desert. Last time we ate was 4:30 but we were too nervous to eat being so shaken from previous events.

"I'm so glad I could help my two star students.... And some others!"

Sophie and I smile knowing we are his "etoiles." We were the only ones that did the assignment in the syllabus. Well Annie did it too but that was after Sophie told her to do it. Harry, on the other hand, had no clue.

We take a two and a half hour ride back into Berkeley and Mr. Raggio speaks French with us the entire way there. Sophie speaks beautifully it's just so adorable. I did an immersion class back in the UK so I'm almost fluent but just wanted the credit.

"Liam I didn't know you were fluent! And I thought I was good!" Sophie whispers to me. Mmhmm take that Mr. Perfection. He's too old to be attractive for her anyways.

We get back to the campus around 10 to drive to the quad to find hundreds of candles lit up for us. Annie starts to tear up as she realizes how much people that we have only known for a week care about us.

About a hundred people remain in the crowd and we step out of the car to hear them yelling our names. I get way to many hugs and feel slightly violated. Everyone is so glad to see us. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Mr. Raggio offers to carry Lancelot back

"Harry you know cats aren't allowed in the dorms..."

"I know Professor but I couldnt leave Louise there!"

"Keep her. I won't tell anyone. For christ's sake, Liam has a turtle. If anyone asks its for an extra credit project that I assigned okay?"

"Yes sir!" I guess he is kinda cool. But it's not cool to flirt with Sophie!

"No matter what you kids say... I'm bringing you to the medical center to get a check up."

"But!"

"No Buts!"

"You seem to be just fine Mr. Payne." The doctor puts away his tools and opens up a drawer of lollipops.

"I bet you are too old for these..."

"Are you kidding me! Hand them over doc!"

"Just make sure to watch what you eat and not to consume any alcohol to make sure to keep your last functioning kidney in good order. You seem like a responsible kid and you are very in shape. I don't worry about you."

I come back into the lobby and wait for the rest to come back.

Eventually, They all get back and we take the walk back to our rooms.

"Goodnight Sophie! Goodnight Annie!" Sophie ignores me and gets into her room.

"Hey Liam. Can I talk to you in the hall for a sec?" I follow Annie into the hall.

" Listen, I know you're trying to be super nice to Sophie and flirt with her. She's acting really mean right now but I thought you should know that she likes you too. Don't give up. On Wednesday night I heard her talking in her sleep and I swear to god she mumbled Liam. Oh yeah I forgot to tell you guys that I moved into Sophie's room on Wednesday night. Rebecca and Heather are great friends. It all works out."

She smiles at me and heads into the room.

I have hope? Just what I wanted to hear.

Thanks Annie.