Lollipop Payne

5 // don't let me go

r a c h e l

he led me to the room and i almost started crying. the auditorium was set up like a dance.

 'since i know this is your last day here, and your birthday is coming up, i decided to put up the theme for the christmas dance.' he says, smiling.

 'liam, i-i dont know what to say.' i told him. he takes both of my hands and leads me to the middle of the dance floor. he looks behind me and holds a thumbs up. i look behind me and see lia smiling. i faced liam again.

 'that's why you smiled at her!' i realized. he nodded and blushed. 'don't be embarressed,' i laughed. 'it's adorable.'

  'rachel hill,' he started. 'will you dance with me?' he asks. i nod and smile. liam puts a hand on my waist and i could feel him trembling a little bit. i giggle.

 'are you nervous?' i ask. he gives me a slight nod, followed by a small smile. i grin. 'well, you should get used to this, if we're going to be together.' i say. his eyes widen.

 'you mean it, like for real?' he asks excited. i nod and he smiles wide. liam's arms go around my waist and pick me up. my feet dangle as i'm lifted off of the ground and i laugh. he sets me down and faces the stage.

 'hit it!' he calls. the curtain opens and a band of 4 guys were there. there were 2 guitarists, a drummer, and a lead singer. i still can't believe he did all of this for me. the lead singer walked up stage and got the microphone that stood on its stand.

 'this is a song, by an older singer named Van Morrison, and it's called 'Brown Eyed Girl.', the members get their instruments set up. 'this is for you, rach.' he says. the song starts and i smile. liam knew this had been my favorite song since i was little. i liked songs from the 70's, judge me.

 i swayed my hips to the beat and probably looked like a complete idiot at the moment. liam laughed and attempted to dance also. this is why we're best friends.

 'liam,' i say. he hums in response. 'are we a couple?' i ask him. he slows down his dancing and shakes his hips like a failed attempt at twerking. 'you want to get some of this?' he asks girly and smacks his butt. i laugh very hard and couldn't breathe. he was too much.

 'sure, why not?' i say and he laughs now. we both laugh louder than we should've. the band stopped playing and looked at us funny. we attempt to calm down and i lay my forehead on liam's chest. he chuckles.

 'ms. hill.' he says and i look up. he smirks and goes on one knee. he wouldn't.

 'do you,' liam says before reaching into his jacket pocket. 'want to be my girlfriend?' he pulls out two ring pops. one is green apple and the other is blue rasberry. i shake my head and grin at his childness.

 'yes,' i open the wrapper to the ring pop. 'i would love to, mr. payne.' he takes my hand and leads me to the back of the auditorium and we sit in two chairs along the wall. i rest my head on my new boyfriend's shoulder.

 'li,' i say, sucking my ring pop. he looks down at me. 'yes?'

 'do you know the fault in our stars?' i ask. he laughs lightly and i felt him nod his head. i heard him suck on his ring pop, too.

 'maybe lollipops will be our always.' i laugh. he shrugs.'

 'might as well call me lollipop payne.' he jokes. i get comfortable on his shoulder and lean against him.

 'i might just do that.' i say before kissing his cheek. he tenses but i ignore it. he caresses my head and i start feeling drowsy.

• • •

so today consisted of a series of events i can't explain.

 my best friend is now my boyfriend, i almost thought i lost him, and i fell asleep being serenaded by my favorite song in the whole world.

 thanks, li, for being my lollipop payne, sweet treat.

 i love you.

i told you it was a short story