I Always Be Here For You

IX

Liam's POV
It all began with that day at school. Everything was going bad for me that day. My girlfriend, at the time, had just broken up with me because I wasn't spending enough time with her. My friend Daniel ditched me to go hang with the popular kids. Daniel, at the time, was my only friend. But the worst part of that day was that my parents had just kicked me out of the house. I didn't know what I was gonna do or where I was gonna sleep that night.
Anyways, on that day, everybody already knew that I was in a pissed off mood. Nobody tried to get in my way because they knew that if they did, I wouldn't hesitate in hurting them. I had a bit of an anger issue back then. I don't know what caused me to behave that way but I always did lash out at anyone who got in my way.
We were all in the cafeteria when it happened. Addison was walking in with Matthew while I was stumbling around to get to the door (I was having a massive hangover). I guess she wasn't looking where she was going because she bumped right into me, causing me to drop my bottle of vodka. I was so fucking pissed at her but that was before I looked at her.
I was staring at my broken bottle before I shifted my eyes toward Addison. She stood there with a sad expression on her face. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you" she said as she looked me in the eyes. I was dumbfounded. Everyone in the cafeteria was staring at me, waiting for me to lash out at her.
"Don't worry about it. I was done with it anyways" I said, surprised that I wasn't yelling at her. "My name is Addison Winters. How about you come sit with Matthew and I?" She gave me a smile. I smiled back. "Sure" I replied back. Addison then introduced me to Matthew. I was kind of jealous that she was hanging out with him but that was before Matthew and I became best friends. After we became friends, he told me that he didn't like Addison that way. He said that he was in love with another girl.
We all hung out together after that day. We were like the three musketeers. Nothing could separate us.
"Liam?" Addison questioned as I snapped out of my thoughts.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"What are you doing? Why aren't you asleep?" she asked with a look of concern in her eyes.
"I couldn't sleep. Nick's downstairs. I'm gonna be down there with him so you just go back to sleep" I said.
"Okay. I love you" Addison said as she laid her head down onto her pillow.
"I love you too" I replied as I kissed the top of her head.
I got up from the bed and made my way downstairs. Nick was on his phone, holding a can of beer that he probably got out of my fridge.
"Hope you don't mind me taking a beer out of your refrigerator. I just need something to calm me down" Nick said as he took a sip out of the can.
"It's okay. I wasn't gonna drink them anyways" I said with a shrug.
"Do you still go to the Alcoholics Anonymous group?" Nick asked.
"Once a week. I hate it but Addison forces me to go" I replied.
Then a knock came at the door
"Who could that be?" I asked Nick but he just gave me a shrug.
I went to the door and opened it to see Julie and Rosie.
"Oh hey guys. What's up?" I greeted as they walked into my house.
"Did Erick come around here?" Julie asked concerned.
"No. That asshole knows better than to show his face around here" I said angrily.
"Whose Erick?" Nick asked.
"My ex-boyfriend" Julie replied.
"Oh" was all Nick could mutter. He then took notice of Rosie, standing behind Julie. He stared at her up and down.
"Hey, my name is Rosie. I don't think we have met before" Rosie said to Nick.
"I don't think so. My name is Nick. I'm Liam's cousin"
"We don't have time for introductions. I need to talk urgently to you Liam" Julie said in a serious tone.
"About?" I asked with an eyebrow raised.
"It's Erick. He's back in town" Julie stated.
"Any reason why?" was the only thing I could think to ask.
"I don't have a clue. He came by my house. He asked about Addison and you"
"Who asked about me?" Addison asked as she came down the stairs.
"Nobody" I quickly said.
"Yeah right. I heard you guys" she replied as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"It's Erick. He's back. He came by my house to ask about you" Julie muttered out as she looked down at her shoes.
I looked at Addison and saw her face go from confused to scared.
"It's okay Addison. I won't let him hurt you" I said, trying to comfort her.
"I know but there's something I need to tell you" Addison said nervously.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I've been talking to Erick. I know that he almost hurt me in the past but I just can't hold a grudge against him" she said as she played with her fingers.
I was completely shocked. That guy almost hurt her but she forgave him anyways. I didn't know how I felt at that point.
"Are you fucking kidding me Addison? You forgave that asshole?" I yelled at her.
Everyone looked surprised at my sudden outburst. I didn't care though. I just kept my glare on Addison until she looked up at me.
"Of course I did. I don't hold grudges against..." she tried to explain but I interrupted her.
"What about your brother or Sam? Did you forgive them?" I muttered but immediately regretted saying it.
"No. My brother hurt me worst than anybody ever did. I can't forgive him yet but I'm trying to. As for Sam, I don't know. I just don't want to talk to him right now" Addison explained as she gave me a look of sadness.
My eyes softened at the sight of her being sad.
"We all just need to calm down" Julie said as she walked between Addison and I.
"Exactly. Getting mad at each other isn't gonna help the situation" Nick said.
"You guys are right" I said to Julie and Nick.
"I'm so confused at this moment" Rosie said as she stared at all of us.
"Don't worry about it Rosie. It's nothing" Addison said as she walked back upstairs. I followed her.
In Liam's room
"Addison, I'm sorry about the way I acted" I said, sincerely.
She ignored me. She walked toward the closet, grabbed some of her clothes and started getting dressed.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Leaving. I need some space right now" Addison replied as she was fixing her hair.
"Where are you going to go?"
"I don't know. I just need to be alone"
With that, she walked toward our bedroom door and left.