To Love A Fighter |||| l.p.

Crash

Liam's POV

I can't seem to enjoy myself right now. Stella should be arriving any minute. Today was supposed to be a fun day for the lads to meet my new friend. But now Sophia's here. Normally I love it when she surprises me, but this doesn't feel fun anymore.  The guys don't interact with her the way they used to. Probably because they were witness to the aftermath of our last breakup. They're probably wondering why I let her come. I even told Stella about it. Truth is I really loved Sophia,  and she broke up with me twice, for what apparently seemed to be no reason. I was left confused and incomplete. Harry said that there was no closure for me. That's probably why I didn't think twice about taking her back. But it didn't feel the same this time. I felt sick. "What's wrong love?" She croons in my ear. I back away from her, "oh nothing, I don't feel too good." I look away from her. I make eye contact with Zayn and he looks away. This must be uncomfortable for them. "Let me help with that," she whispers and pulls my face in for a kiss. The kiss...felt flat. No spark. Where's the warmth I used to feel? We break away and I turn and see a beautiful woman in white look like she's about to cry.

Stella's POV

Get your fucking self together Stella! "Hi Guys!" I greet shakily. Liam's eyes widen, "Stella? Is that you?" Liam stands up, and hugs me, he's talking to me as if he just didn't kiss his ex (current?) Girlfriend. I do my best to smile. "Hi Liam, thank you for everything today! It was magical!" I tell him, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. He looks concerned, "are you ok?" He asks me. So genuinely concerned. So utterly clueless. "Yes, yes I'm fine" I shrug him off. "I see what you meant about important people today, hi I'm Stella its nice to finally meet you Sophia" I extend my hand. "Oh YOU'RE Stella! Thank you so much for taking care of Liam while he was out, you're such a doll! Now he's almost ready to come home!" Sophia enthusiastically tells me.

I think I'm gonna be sick.

Liam's POV

I couldn't stop staring at her. I thought she was naturally beautiful before, she looked absolutely stunning, breathtaking. I appreciated her beauty before,  I think all girls are beautiful in their own way, but today I felt completely enraptured by her. But, why did she look so sad? Why did her eyes glisten like she was about to cry? I did everything to make sure she had a great day, and it seems like she did! So why is she so sad, expecially when she looks so beautiful. I forgot that Sophia was next to me when she spoke and I was brought back to reality. That's right. Sophia is back.

Stella sits down across from us and the lads introduce themselves and their significant others around the table. Stella seems more composed as she gets to know them and chats with them, she orders a glass of White Zinfandel and a water and continues to chatter on about her life as a fighter and the world she lives in. The lads seem to love her. She's charming them all, she's completely at ease at fine dining as she is getting beat up in the ring. I can't help but keep staring at her throughout the night.

Louis has had a few drinks in him by the time he starts to get rowdy, "Oi! Li! This gal is funny, I like her, El likes her, lets keep her!" He hiccups. We all laugh, except for Sophia. "Well its too bad we won't see her after this, after all Li will be back soon and there's no way she can afford to leave the States. But we'll miss you sweetie!" Sophia tells her. All of us stare at Sophia stunned at how rude her comment was. She looks back at us, "what? Did you guys really think that she'd be a part of our lives just because she was nice to Liam while we broke up? Liam is nice to everyone!" I start to get angry, has she always been this much of a jerk? Perrie stands up, "Sophia, a word?" Sophia looks confused as she walks off with Perrie. Hot anger boils inside me, but it stops as soon as I hear Stella's voice, "well this was fun and it was great meeting you all, but I think it's time for me to go. Liam, how do I get back to the hotel?" She asks me, she remains poised, and cold. I know her though, her eyes say everything. She is angry and sad and confused? Why confused? I stand up quickly, "I understand, I'll walk you out. Harry can you take the car to take her home? I'll take her limo." Harry grimaces, "sure mate, I'll go ahead." I go to Stella, and offer my arm. She looks at it, then at me, then smiles slightly, "still a gentleman I see." "Of course, as terrible as this dinner was, I promised you the royal treatment!" I tell her proudly.

We walk in silence down the stairs. Even in the silence, having her arm hooked into mine, felt like a perfect fit. I look over at her, who knew such a stunning beauty was hidden in the depths of an MMA fighter. I thought back to all the times we spent together, how much fun we had, and we didnt do much just hung out on the roof.  I've never enjoyed being around anyone as much as her.

"So," she breaks the silence, "I guess you and Sophia are back together then?" She asks quietly. "I don't know" I tell her truthfully. She nods, "I understand. But you didn't seem too happy with her. I don't think you love her the way you thought you did." I feel my heart take a hit. She's right, the entire time Sophia has been here I've felt sick to my stomach. Being with Stella has been such a relief. I sigh, "I don't understand why I'm feeling the way I do right now. I feel really confused." Again, she nods, "I know, you want to love her, and you can't and you don't know why, am I right?" I nod. I love how she just knows what I'm thinking. We reach the front door of the restaurant and Harry is waiting in the Rolls Royce for Stella. She looks at me, and I think I see tears welling up in her eyes, and gives me a hug. I hug her petite frame back, she feels so good in my arms. "I hope you find what you're looking for Liam, you deserve to be happy" she kisses my cheek and walks to the car. Harry hops out and opens the door for her and as he walks back, he looks at me, shakes his head, and gets in the car to drive off.