Liam's Secret

Chapter IV: Isolated

Not a word was passed between me and Liam for a solid week. No laughing, no talking, no eye contact, nothing. The one thing that I noticed the most was how Liam never smiled and the sparkle in his eyes was no longer there. When he talked to Ryan, he was smiling and chuckling, but from being around him for so long, I knew immediately that it was all fake. I'm really worried for him. I want to comfort him but I don't know how.

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"Where's Liam?" My mom asked.

"I don't know." Ryan answered, walking out the door.

"Bella?" My mom asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Nope." I answered, shrugging my shoulders as I started up the stairs.

"Alright, well I'll be reading in my room for a couple hours if you need me." My mom said then left.

I came to the top of the stairs when my ears picked up a faint sound of crying. I made my way over to Liam's door as the sound grew louder and louder. I knocked and Pushed the door open slowly, not waiting for a response. And there he was, sitting on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. He looked up and turned towards me so I ran and half tackled him. We hugged for a couple minutes until I let go and sat next to him. I reached over him for the tissues, grabbed one, and wiped his face with it. He gave me "That" look again and smiled a little. That's the first time I've seen him do that for a while now.

"Please, what's going on this time?" I whispered as drops of tears splashed on the ground. Liam didn't say anything.

"Please tell me." I begged. Liam looked up at me, kissed me, then rested his head in my lap. I played with his fluffy hair and stroked his cheek with my thumb. I made a cute face at him and he laughed. He sat up and hugged me super tight. He let go and I looked him dead in the eyes.

"Don't tell me now, but promise me you will later, ok?" I asked, holding his hands.

"I promise." Liam said. His voice alone gave me butterflies.

I smiled and checked my phone. 10:32.

"Ooh, it's time for my nightswim. Care to join?" I asked in a fancy accent.

"Of course, my darling." Liam replied also in a fancy accent. He took my hand and kissed it.

"Meet me down there when you're ready." I said, then left to go back to my room. I quickly slipped on my suit and hurried down the stairs, to the basement, down the stone steps, and finally to the pool gate. I unlocked it and left it open for Liam, backwards diving into the warm water. The currents rushing past my face felt so nice after a day of stress. I can't wait until Liam feels this because he's the one that needs it most.

I come up for air, running my hands on my hair.

"Hey, Bella." Said a familiar voice that made me relax just listening to it.

I turn around to see Liam in navy trunks leaning up against the pool gate, arms crossed and grinning like an idiot. I tuck the hair behind my ear, knowing that will make him go wild.

"Well, whatcha waiting for?" I asked, seriously curious as why Liam didn't come in yet or how long he had been standing there.

"Nothing. I was just-"

"Watching me?" I said, cutting him off.

"Bingo." Liam said, snapping his fingers and pointing at me.

"Well, Mr. Capasso, don't just stand there. Come in." I said, trying my best to give him the look that he gives me.

"As you request, Ms. Oakley." Liam said, bowing then running full sprint to the edge of the pool and leaping off, landing right in front of me. I push away but I still get drenched by the splash. I rub the water out of my eyes fast enough to catch Liam shaking the water out of his hair. He turns to me and gives me "That" look and it sends jitters all through my body, especially since his hair is wet.