Fate's Identity

Chapter 18

I set my tray next to Dinah, which causes Normani to stand up from her seat and walk away. I swallow hard. I can't believe she thinks that Niall and I were doing something. It's like she doesn't know me anymore.

"Give her time, Ally," Dinah said.

I look at her and nod my head. I lay in my seat, leaning over my own plate of food. My eyes shift over to Liam across the table. He didn't sit in his usual spot next to Jade and Jesy. He sat down by himself, staring into an empty space. His mind seems to be filled with something.

I poke Dinah on the shoulder, causing her to squirm. "Ally, what?" She questions.

"I'm going to go join Liam. Are you going to come?" I ask.

Dinah glances around the room until she spots Liam by himself. She turns back at me and smiles. "No. You two need to talk after what happened on Thursday."

I'm pretty sure that was her coding for something else, but I brush it off. Picking up my tray, I walk over to Liam and set my tray in front of him. "Hey," I greet him.

"Hey," he greets back, but this time, he sounds different. There wasn't any enthusiasm in it or I was just probably reading too much. His eyes weren't meeting mine.

"How are you doing?" I ask him.

"Fine," he answers.

I crease my brows, not understanding these short answers. Usually, I would be the one that replies like this. Anyway, I proceeded to say what's on my mind. "I've been thinking about what you said the other day," I spoke. "For the passed couple of days, I consider your words, and through every process, I came to a conclusion." His eyes remain neutral as does his expression. "I'm sorry. I can't be in a relationship right now. With school and other activities in the way, it will be too much."

Liam simply nods his head. Nothing. No disappointment. No sadness. Maybe a small hint of anger, but he show none of these qualities.

I pick up my silverware and begin to cut a slice of pancakes. As I chew the pancakes, he finally speaks up, "Ally, can you explain to me how Simon adopted you?"

My heart races. I continue to smile even though the heat was hitting my face. Why does he want to know?

His eyebrows crease, looking right through me. "You can trust me," he said.

I nod my head. I knew very well that I could trust him. I open my mouth and immediately catches my breath. Our attention turns to the person that smacked their hands on the table beside him. Jade.

"Oh, Liam," Jade sings. She loops her arm over Liam's, and I lower my head down and stare at my plate. "Where have you been? Why are you sitting here? This is a dirty corner." I sigh lightly.

"Jade, I feel more comfortable sitting here," he says. "If you don't like it, you should leave."

Jade scoffs. "Liam, just come. Shawn has something to tell you. It's very important." My eyes shift the slightest to see his expression. Jade tugs her arm a couple of times before he actually stood up, but I believe he only did it because her multiple yanks forced him to obey.

For the rest of his lunch period, he didn't return even though his tray laid still in front of mine. My sight shifts to the table where I see Jade's and Shawn's crew laughing to the point where tears were leaked. Everyone did except for Liam. He showed rather the opposite. Silent. Observant. Boredom. No excitement were in his eyes, yet he didn't force Jade to release her hold of his arm. A part of me wishes for him to stop letting her push him. She has violated him enough.

I sigh heavily. Assuming he's not coming back, I pick up his tray along with mine and dumps our trash into the garbage cans.

Two more classes go quickly when your mind only wonders about one thing: Liam. Everything was happening so fast. Our very first conversation to cheering me up. Rescuing me to seek for shelter. Our almost first kiss to our very first fight. A small fight, but it was impactful. The rain pour down, making me feel as if we were in The Notebook. His words of confessions lifted my spirits. I couldn't describe it. I never thought one of the very first guys I set my eyes on would actually like me back. But does he really? For all I know he might just be fooling me. However, something in my gut-feeling tells me he was sincere in his actions and words.