Change My Mind (Liam Payne Fiction)

Chapter 13

When Aria got home from school the following Tuesday, she was surprised to find Liam in their den playing Mario Kart with Max.  But what was even more surprising was that Max was grinning from ear to ear.  Liam saw her standing by the doorway, and was about to get up when she signaled for him to stay seated and keep playing.  It had been so long since she’d seen Max so happy.  Today, he looked just like any other boy, without a trace of the kid who was prone to climbing water towers, or the boy who repeatedly pounds on his chest when he was frustrated, or the boy who sometimes spends most of the day just staring off into space, rocking back and forth. 

And Aria had the other boy to thank.  Liam. 

She suddenly felt bad about her first impression of him because she’d only known him through Betty Lou’s and Hailey’s magazines.  And now, she pities the people who will never see this side of Liam because they couldn’t get past what the tabloids say.  He is so much more than just a part of one of the biggest boy bands in the world.  He is human, almost just like any other boy.  A boy she’d been trying so hard to avoid.  A boy who made her feel like she was the only girl in the world.  A boy who, try as she might, she just could not resist. 

After the overnight camp, Aria realized that she was dangerously close to falling for him, and she cannot have that happen. She knew she didn’t belong in his world.  She knew nothing good can come out of even daring to think about what could happen if she let her feelings take over, so she decided that she will keep him at arm’s length if it’s the last thing she’ll ever do. 

Aria didn’t know how long she stood there watching Liam and Max, but her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her grandmother calling her brother for a snack.  When Aine and Max left the den, Liam stood up and started to walk over to her. 

“Thanks for doing that,” she smiled at him, taking a step toward Liam.  “I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him so happy.”

Liam was taken aback by how genuinely grateful she was.  She looked even more beautiful, if that was possible, when she let her guards down, and he couldn’t help but smile back. 

“What brings you here, by the way?” Aria asked, still taking slow steps to where Liam was. 

Liam shrugged as if it was no big deal.  “I just came to give you guys the rest of the payment for my training.”

Aria raised an eyebrow.  “Don’t you have people who have people to do that for you?”  She teased. 

They are now standing face to face, and the look on Liam’s face tells Aria that he’s here for something else.  She is suddenly reminded of their near kiss after the overnight camp.  Is he going to bring it up again?  Is he going to try to kiss me?  If he does, I don’t know what I’m going to do.  Should I push him away?  Or should I just enjoy the moment?  Oh my God, what if he professes his undying love for me?  I’m still in high school!  I can’t get engaged.  I’m too young to get married!!!!  Aria’s imagination got the better of her, and Liam noticed the funny look on her face.  He knew that there were probably a billion thoughts racing through her mind so he decided to end her misery and just tell her nonchalantly.

“I got the part.”

When Aria heard what Liam said, she impulsively threw her arms around his neck, and said, “Congratulations!” 

And when her cheeks brushed his, she felt as though she’d had an electric shock.  Liam was equally shocked, but he was sleeker about it.  He quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, and was suddenly overcome with the feeling of not wanting to let go…of the feeling that his arms were made this way so she can fit perfectly into them just like this.  He knew he had to release her before everything got weird.  But while his head was battling with his heart, his hands developed brains of their own and started sliding down, lower, and lower, until it was resting just at the end of her spine, so dangerously close to her …