Walking *A One Direction Fanfic*

Chapter 18

I awake to feel someone stroking my leg. I open my eyes to find that I feel asleep in the exact position I was while watching the movies. Liam's instense eyes are staring down at me.

"Morning baby!" he whispers before diving right in and kissing my forehead. I smile as his warm lips touch me. I realize I am the luckiest girl in the world. To have him as my boyfriend is unreal! I just hope it lasts forever.

Liam props me up so I can go change for breakfast. Since today is our last day here in Mexico, we have decided to have a big breakfast at the buffet here in the hotel. We are meeting everyone down there at 9:00!

I finish zipping up my sandals with 10 minutes to spare. Liam comes over and grabs my hand. We walk out of the hotel room to the elevator. Just as Liam presses the button, we hear a door slam. Laughter flows down the hallway, and Louis and Ellery turn the corner. I can tell they must've had a great night because they are both laughing and smiling.

"Well goodmorning you two!" Lou shouts over to me and Liam! El runs over and gives me a big hug. For the second time today, I realize how lucky I am. Ellery is such a fantastic person. I am lucky to call her my friend.

All four of us enter the breakfast resturaunt together to find the rest of the boys, and Valerie, already there. They are talking about what Valerie is doing in the fall. She is going to attend Oxford University to play football, or soccer as Americans say, for their women's team. Niall is extremely proud.

"I have to go check out the dorms next week!" Valerie is saying. Looking at me and El she says, "I expect you guys to help me design my room!" I nod.

"And El!" Harry exclaims as though he just remebered something important. "Did you ever hear from the Royal Ballet?" Ellery blushes.

"She got accepted!" Louis shouts as he picks her up and spins her around! Everyone is clapping and we are all celebrating for El. Then it hits me. I have nowhere to go this fall. While El and Val are at school, and the boys in the studio, I will have nothing. My life has no direction. What am I going to do? I can feel the tears threatening to break free, so I abruptly stand up from the table and run into the bathroom. The hot Mexican air makes me dizzy. I crouch down on the floor to keep myself from passing out.

Liam's POV

As we are jabbering about Ellery and Valerie's fall plans, Maya abruptly stands up and dashes away from the table. I know something is wrong. While the others exchange worried glances I get up and follow her into the ladies bathroom. I know I'm not supposed to be in here, but a little rule breaking for the ones you love is ok.

Maya is siting under the sink. Her carefully applied mascara streams down her face. I lock the bathroom door before siting down next to her. My arms tenderly find their way around her body. I hug her close, letting her bury her face in my white T-shirt.

"Babe what's the matter?" I ask.

"Ellery. Valerie. You. The boys." She begins. "You all have a plan. A career. I don't. My life isn't going anywhere. I don't have any money. No job. I don't even know what I want to do!" Maya looks up at me. Her eyes are red. "I'm homeless. Jobless. Moneyless. Broken. I'm useless."

"No." I say. My tone is sharper than I mean it to be. "Maya. Don't say that. You will keep living at the house!"

"But Liam. I can't pay you for rent. Or food. Or clothes. I can't just sit at home all day!"

"You must have a university fund somewhere," I say, my voice rising like it is question.

"My parents wouldn't give it to me. They hate me. The don't even care I'm gone." Her voice is bitter.

"It's yours though lovely. It's the law. They have to give it to you." I can feel my hope rise. " We'll find the fund when we get back. We still have a week until universities start! We can send in your applications late. On the plane home tomorrow. It'll be okay baby. I swear." I whisper the last part.

Her sobs being to subside until she is merely breathing.

"You the best Liam. I love you." She whispers into my chest. Lifting up her head, I plant a kiss right on her lips. Maya leans in again but I stop her.

"There will be more time for that later," I cheekily whisper to her. I stand up, grab her hand, and we both walk back to the breakfast table.