The Budding Roses

Don't tell Liam

Saturday 2nd October

The incessant ring of the telephone has just terminated for the third time in an hour, and I can confidently say that it was Liam, for only he has such persistence, nay delusion, when trying to gain my attention. Still, it's a shock to hear him call, for I've forgotten all about him and his idiosyncrasies these past few weeks, what with being so busy enjoying actually having a life.

Oh why is reality so cruel as to come knocking, just as I've reached the zenith of happiness? And why can't it be Harry, my boyfriend I tell y'all, calling instead? If only he would bound through the door, providing me with a hearty alternative to answering Liam's call; an offer to take me away, to just see where the road leads us, but alas this will not be occurring, since Harry is at Niall's right now.

Instead I procrastinated, preferring to remain clamped to the top of the toilet lid, my knees curled tightly under my chin, wishing that the blasted telephone would just magically, spectacularly explode, rendering it useless beyond repair. But the shrill tone persisted.

'Hey Simone, how's it going?' Fear that such relentless exposure to the ring of the telephone might accelerate any early onset tinnitus, forced me to concede to the inevitable, but still Liam's smug voice grated.

'It's going...okay?' What sort of question is that anyway, to ask how it's going? And what sort of answer does he expect me to give? It's going to be fine, or it's going to rain tomorrow?

Silence. Why had he phoned me if he wasn't going to speak?

'Did you want something? You called three times.'

'Oh, did you hear the phone? Then why didn't you answer sooner?'

'I'm really sorry, I was hanging the washing out, talking to my neighbour, taking a shower,' doing anything to avoid answering your call.

'So are you busy this afternoon?'

'Erm.....' More lies to think of!

'This afternoon, oh yes, I'm meeting Sarah. I've not seen her since she got back from her holiday, and we need to have a serious catch-up session. It could take a while.'

'Oh, okay, well what about tomorrow?'

'Tomorrow, I'm...'

'Well if you're not doing anything, do you want to join me for lunch?'

'Lunch?'

'I'll pick you up at 12.30?'

'I guess so.'

'Great, I'll see you then. Say hi to Sarah from me.'

Saturday 9th October

We can't continue with this chaotic passion any longer, we just need to get it over and done with already, but with the immediate absence of a room, we need to find a distraction, at least until it's dark outside.

'We should play tennis?' Harry suggested.

'Get lost! Why would I ever want to do that?'

'Oh stop being such a baby. It'll do you good, you might even enjoy it; so I'll pick you up in an hour.' Maybe he's right, maybe some physical exertion is just what I need, and will at least provide a release for all of our repressed desires?

Later

My pain threshold, already about to reach the limit of its tolerance, as I dodged Harry's ball, exploded as I recognised the faces of the two boys walking towards us.

'Look, its Liam and his brother.' Oh no, Harry had seen them; and why am I feeling an inexplicable guilt that Liam has at last found us together? Alas I'm going to have to face this most painful of fates, but please dear Lord let it be quick.

'Hi Liam, how are you?' I grinned.

'Hiya mate,' Harry waved, signalling two thumbs up, but Liam remained silent. 'What's his problem?'

'How would I know? It could be anything, maybe his physics experiment didn't work; you know what a weirdo he can be.'

Later still

'A young man is asking to speak with you,' Mother announced with glee.

'Okay thanks, but you can go away now,' I pushed her out of the room, seizing the telephone from her tight grasp.

'After everything we've talked about, I really thought you had better taste than Harry Styles; you really could do so much better than some mediocre dim wit like him. He's never going to amount to anything, and do you really want to be stuck with that for the rest of your life? I'm sorry if this hurts, but I'm your friend, and I need to tell you the truth. That's what friends do.'

My mouth hung wide as slammed the phone down.

'Who was that?' Mother persisted, her head peering back around the door.

'Just some idiot.'

How dare he judge Harry so rashly, and what a fool he is, for now, at last, he has given me the excuse that I have long sought after; to tell him to bog off and leave me alone forever. That's it Liam Payne, I'm done with you!