Fate's Identity

Chapter 36 (Part II)

"Okay, you guys ready?" Dinah asks.

Liam and I sat on different sides. In front of us was a sketchbook with a pencil in our hands. "I don't know about this. Five minutes to draw each other?" Liam said.

"Relax, Liam," Dinah said, standing in the middle between us. "Just focus on the art."

I nod my head along and remain silent. I was just hoping I did not mess up Liam's good features.

"Ready?" Dinah looks at the two of us and drops her hand. "Go!"

I hear the timer beeping. I start with his face. I glance at him a couple times just to make sure I drew the perfect size for his head. I scoff a little, not liking how the head shaped turned out, but I have to move on. I examine his eyes and his nose. The size of his lips. Beautiful features that I am ruining with my artistic skills.

He only glances at me only a few times, and I'm quite nervous about what his drawing looks like, but I know it's going to be a lot better than mine. I shade in his beard and cover my mouth at the silly mess. "Oh, my," I blurt.

"What?" Liam question.

I shift my eyes on him and see him stop drawing for a moment. I shake my head. "You'll see soon enough," I answer.

"I hope it's not that bad," he says, but I couldn't assure him that it wasn't that bad.

I continue to draw his shoulders and his neck until Dinah called time. "Drop your pencils and paper." I set my paper down on my lap.

"Oh, who wants to go first?" Dinah asks.

Liam and I exchange looks. Liam raises an eyebrow, and I nod my head for him to go first.

"Alright," he begins. He turns his sketchbook around, and I widen my eyes, amused and satisfied. My head was almost perfectly shaped along with my eyes. My nose was a little crooked, but it wasn't noticeable. He drew my hair down, like mine is at the moment. My lips were a bit messed up with the lines, but I like it very much. "Sorry for your lips. I wanted to make it perfect, but I press too hard and couldn't erase it. Your eyes are the best feature in this portrait, but personally, your smile is your best."

"It's really good," I compliment. "Can I keep it?"

"Maybe," he teases, "but I want to see what I look like."

I bite my lower lip, scared of what he'll think about it. I lift my drawing and glance at it before setting it down once more.

"Come on," he says. "It can't that bad. If it is, I promise not to laugh." I raise an eyebrow with a nervous smile. I didn't know if I should trust his words, but I went with it. As I uncover his portrait, I establish, "I'm, uh, I'm not the best artist." I chuckle, revealing the whole drawing to him.

His eyes widen with a succeeding smile. "No, I like that," he says. "It's really good."

He's just being nice. "Liam, you don't have to say that," I said.

He shakes his head. "No, I actually do like that. I'll hang that up on my wall, so I can see your artistic work everyday."

"Liam..." I said, disbelieving him, but I stick with his words.

"Great job," Dinah says, smiling. She places her hands together and takes a seat on the couch behind her. "Okay, movie time!"

I stand up, setting the sketchbook to the side. "I'll get Camila and the rest in the kitchen. I'm sure they all finish my cookies. See you guys in a bit."

I walk pass Liam and enter the kitchen. The group chatter with laughter around the dining table. I see a couple of alcohol beverages laid out on the floor and the dining table. Lauren and Louis were holding bottles while Camila, Zayn, Sofia, and Sonia drink regular water.

I knock on the wall, catching all of their attention. "Excuse me, but it's movie time," I said.

"Yay!" Lauren shoots up from her seat. "Christmas movies! I love them so much. We have to go." She looks at Louis, who sat beside her. Louis was drowsy and a little annoyed. Lauren pouts, shaking his arm, but Louis groans and pushes her back a little. "Come on, Louis. Let's go," Lauren whines.

"No," Louis whines.

Lauren cries, pulling on Louis's arms. She was...drunk alright. How much alcohol did she consume within the last ten minutes?

"Fine," Louis replies. "But you have to give me a kiss."

"Louis," Sonia widens her eyes.

Lauren didn't seem to be bothered by it. She presses her hand against the back of his neck and kisses him on the lips. Camila covers Sofia's eyes as Louis' and Lauren's lips move in sync at some point before they part. "Now, let's go," she says. She yanks his arm, and Louis stands up with a smug smile.

Zayn, Camila, Sonia, and Sofia came into the living room, and I follow Sofia. I sat next to Liam. As I settle in, he wraps his arm around and pulls me closer to his chest. I smile at his warmth.

Dinah turns on Netflix and begins searching for a Christmas movie. "Put on the Polar Express," Sofia recommends.

"Alright," Dinah replies. She types in the title on the search bar and soon enough, the movie pops up. Dinah plays the movie and takes a seat in between Sofia and Sonia.

The title transitioned in, but the screen begin to pixelate and soon shuts off along with the rest of the lights in the house. The only thing we can see was the dark except for some light creeping in from the windows.

"Alright, I guess there's no movie," Dinah announces.

"What?!" Camila and Sofia whine.

"Wanna see if the electricity works in my house?" Sonia suggests.

"We can try," Dinah says.

"Let's," Sonia says.

"Time to get up," Liam whispers, and I groan, not wanting to break apart.

I stand up and help him get up as well. Dinah flashes her light and zooms it around the room. She, in particular, sticks the light at Louis and Lauren, who fell asleep in each other's arm. We decided to not to bother them and carried on out of the house. I pick up the nearest blanket and cover my body with it.

I look at Liam, who has no protection from the cold other than the t-shirt and jeans. I walk to the closet and grab one of Simon's jacket. I hold the jacket in front of him. He looks at it for a moment until his eyes meet mine. "Here," I said, hearing everyone leaving the house.

Liam smiles and takes the jacket. "Thank you," he replies. He puts it on, and I make my way pass the door until Liam pulls me back with his arms around my waist.

"Wait," He said. He spins me around, and I face him, curious. "What's Christmas without a mistletoe?" He points his finger above, and I remember the mistletoe Dinah had put up.

He leans down and kisses my lips passionately. I rest my hands on his chest as he supports my back. I deepen the kiss and let out a small moan. He chuckles and parts our lips.

He takes my hand and locks them. I tighten the blanket around me, and we travel to his house. Sonia flips the light-switch on, and like a miracle, the light flashes on. Sonia takes Dinah and explains to her about the television. Liam unzips the jacket and sets it on the hanger. He rests his arm around my shoulder and leads me to the couch. He sits down first, and I take the spot next to him once I remove the blanket. "Don't fall asleep on me," he says. "Or you can. Whatever works for you."

I scoff lightly and nudge him on the chest. He pouts like a puppy, causing me to giggle. I fix the blanket for the two of us, and I snuggle into his chest. His hands trail up to my shoulder and then my hair.

"It's movie time," Dinah declares. She and Sonia take a seat next to Zayn, Camila, and Sofia, who all were cuddling Sofia.

The screen changes, and the title sequence transitions in. The movie begins, and I got Christmas chills running down my spine as the bell chimes rhythmically.

Somewhere in between the scenes, my eyes begin to slowly heavy. I shake my head, but I caved into the tiredness. My eyes close, and I drift off to sleep.