HIGHWAY TO HELL - Ziam, Larry (Completed)

Chapter 2

     Liam entered the library and hurried towards his favorite spot in the corner. He grabbed a few pillows and looked around for something to label it as reserved while he'd go and get the book.

- Li, chill. Nobody will take that place. We all know it's yours. - one of the employees, a cheerful Irishman named Niall, chuckled.

     Liam grinned and jumped up on his feet. The lobby was on the other side of the huge room, and he ran there instead of looking through all the bookshelves on his way. Sure, he loved reading and exploring new things, but Thursdays were "Lucifer" days in his calendar. It started two years ago, when Louis got the book as a joke, thinking it would be filled with horror stories and murderous plots. He decided to read it out loud after midnight and scare his roommate. But turned out the book had nothing to do with the devil. He woke up late at night, keeping quiet not to wake Harry, and sneaked into Liam's room, making sure to scratch his nails over the furniture for extra sound effects. But when he opened it and turned on his flashlight, all he found were poems. Not even spooky ones. Just poems about life and death, mistakes and regrets, passion and love... everything except what Louis needed for the prank. So, disappointed by the failed attempt, he just put the book on his sleeping friend's nightstand and let him survive the night without any surprises. The next morning, he waited and waited for Liam to enter the kitchen and have a breakfast, but he never came. Harry was already at work and Louis was starting to worry. He took a trey with coffee, fruit, and waffles, and went to the lad's room. Liam was in his bed, leaning against the headboard, still in his pyjama bottoms, reading the book. It took him a while to notice Louis, but when he did, he couldn't stop rambling about the amazing poems that engulfed his mind. Starting from that day he kept reading a few poems every week and soon it was over. First, he complained a lot. But then, he started rereading. When he found out that new collections were on their way, he couldn't be happier, even though his friends already forgot about it. He found the books in his favorite library and right on that day marked two days in his busy schedule as his special reading days.

     Liam reached the lobby and glanced at the reservations shelf. The current book was always there. He didn't even need to reserve it beforehand anymore.

- Malik, your turn! - Niall called from the other side, earning glares. - What? I'm the librarian.  The keep silence rule doesn't apply to me. - he shrugged.

     Liam shook his head and turned to the stranger. Throughout all the three years he knew everybody that worked there. But this one was new. The lad, 'Malik' as Niall called, groaned and dragged himself to the counter lazily, dropping the Spider-Man comics he was reading. He huffed and looked at Liam. But the boy's chocolaty orbs alone were enough to catch his interest.

- How can I help you? - he asked, leaning forward on the counter with a smirk.

     Liam took a breath, not feeling comfortable with taking to a new person, especially one that was smirking at him like that. He usually didn't need to talk around the library anymore, as the employees knew his preferences too well. And communicating with a stranger was always a challenge for the shy introvert guy.

- Can I have the poem collection? It's in the box with my name, L-liam Payne. - he answered quietly, and his fingers started to play with the edge of the counter nervously.

- As you wish, Liam Payne. - the man winked and smiled at the way Liam's name fitted between his teeth.

     He walked to the shelf and easily found the box with a messy handwritten "LIAM PAYNE :) " on it. He took out the book and stared at the cover. Raising his eyebrow and looking at Liam he walked back and put the book in front of him.

- Seriously? You read this crap? - he asked in disbelief.

Liam frowned, and his shy smile vanished immediately. All he wanted was a peaceful reading time. But he couldn't just leave without giving an answer.