Fighting With Him

Chapter 11

There have been a lot of arguments between myself and Liam since I have moved into his, now our, home. Some of them have been good for us and some of them were totally pointless and I am fully aware that I have caused and/ or started 99 per cent of them. Yet, here and now, wrapped up in Liam’s arms, as he snores lightly in my ear, and as the sun begins to rise, I vow to try harder.

Being truthful had triggered something inside me that surprisingly feels a lot like freedom; which is odd since I know that I don’t have a choice in the life that I will lead from now on. Nevertheless, I know that as long as that life includes Liam it can’t be all that bad.

Gingerly I lift up his arm and slide out from underneath him, grabbing my phone I back away from the bed, my bed, slowly and slip into my wardrobe area, I grab a set of clean clothes and quietly shut myself into the bathroom. Last night had gone well, to my relief, and as I brush my teeth I can’t stop smiling.

When I finally stopped crying there had been food and TV and then while I read a book in bed Liam had gone through some paperwork, we must have looked like a real couple and it makes me feel so much older than my eighteen years. It would seem that even after I had fallen asleep Liam hadn’t left my room as his suit was discarded on the end of the bed and his papers were piled high on the bedside table. But that, as I have come to find out, is Liam; the most thoughtful person I know. For the hundredth, maybe thousandth, time I compare the Liam I know now to the Liam I first met, in my opinion they aren’t even the same person.

After completing my morning routine I head out of the bathroom, but not back into my room. Instead I walk into Liam’s and sit on the end of his unmade bed, he hasn’t been in here since yesterday morning and the lingering scent of his shower gel clings to room. Reclining on his mattress I dial the number for my mum’s mobile into my phone and she answers on the third ring.

“Morning sweetie.” The warmth in her tone flows through the phone and makes me instantly homesick.

“Hey mum, you okay?”

“Fine, we’re all fine. How are you?” I can tell she wants to say something else.

“I’m doing good.”

“Get in much trouble yesterday?” I can’t work out if she is annoyed so I just tell her everything. “Baby girl, I’m so proud of you.” She exclaims when I finish the story about me telling Liam everything.

“I should have done it sooner though.” Refusing to be praised for something I have been putting off for weeks.

“You told him when the time was right for you, as was your prerogative. There is nothing wrong with that.” My mum doesn’t sugar coat things for me, if she thought I should have told Liam sooner she would have told me so, the fact that she thought I was right this whole time is a great relief.

“Thanks mum.”

“So sweetie, anything else to report?” It had only been a day since I saw her last so I really didn’t have anything else to say, like a nervous child I just wanted parental reassurance. After hanging up I just lie on Liam’s bed staring at the ceiling, the clock on my phone screen informs me that it is nine thirty in the morning, I can’t help but be annoyed at myself, to some 9:30 isn’t early but I don’t have to do anything until lunchtime, so would it have been such a crime for my body to allow me a bit of lie in?

Movement in the main flat, the sound of my bedroom door opening, informs me that I am not the only one up, however, considering Liam’s schedule he is probably already running late. I listen to the muffled movements from the next room and turn my head to face door as it slides open. Just like most mornings Liam pads around the flat in not much more than his boxers (or a pair of shorts, mood depending), it can be quite distracting. “Morning.” I smile from my position on his bed.