That Magical Summer

Chapter 12

             He looked like a whole different person. He was a whole different person. You watched as he was the last person to walk through your door. He was taller, much taller. Since the last time you’ve seen him at least. His hair. You remember his long, straightened hair that took him hours to perfect in the mornings. But now it was all gone. Most of it at least. You noticed the tattoos on his arms, nothing he would’ve done while he was with you. As soon as he saw you, he dropped his bags startled. You brought your eyes up to face him. You swallowed hard, as your breathing grew shallow.

“Y/N-“ you took off. You couldn’t stand confronting him like that. Everyone was silent as they watched you two meet for the first time since then. It was terrifying, and you weren’t waiting around to see what would happen. You were afraid to see what he would say to you. Would he apologize? Part of you didn’t want to stay because you couldn’t stand being in the same room as the person that broke you into bits, but also because you knew for a fact that those buried feelings you had for him, would soon erupt. You must’ve looked like a freak running out of the room like a sissy. But you ran straight through the 4 new boys, out the door. You felt each one of their pair of eyes burning your back as you ran down your front steps. But you felt Liam’s gaze the strongest. You heard someone call you, but then you heard footsteps as someone followed you. You ran faster. You ran bare-foot to the ocean. To the rolling waves, where you felt safe. You stopped right before the sea line gasping for breath. You felt someone’s gentle touch rest itself on your shoulder. You should’ve recognized it but you didn’t.

“Niall go away! I’m not in the mood-“ it was Liam. He let his hand down gently resting at his side.

“Y/N,” you looked up at his dreamy brown eyes as they tried to mold an apology. You brushed your gaze away, shielding it from his.

“What do you want?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I-I’m staying here for the summer,” it was the truth.

“Why?”

“Just for fun,” it was a lie.

You wanted to stay that you were staying here to get away from you. You. Liam Payne.

            Just the sound of his voice made you wobble at the knees. You didn’t know whether to scream at him for what he did to you or to fall into his arms hugging him close. You put your head up, faking a third of a smile and trying to walk away. “Y/N!” he called out to you. You turned to look at him. “Can we talk?”

“What is there to talk about Liam? I know what you’re gonna say,” the feelings just started pouring out of you, “That you’re sorry right? That you regret what you did and how much you hurt me? Because you did hurt me Liam. Badly. I don’t want to hear it alright. I don’t want to hear your lame apologies. I don’t want to ever hear it!”

“I was-” his lower lip trembled slightly, “-just going to say that it’s nice to see you again.” Your lower jaw twitched as you walked away for real.

            As you made your way back into your house, the boys were all lounging around your tv including Ellie. As soon as you walked in, they all stood up. You gave Ellie a look that told her to back off. She held Niall back as well, as you made it into your room undisturbed. Except for Liam’s cold words nagging at the back of your memory.

            Hours later, someone finally came to get you. First they knocked politely, before knocking louder and louder. “Y/N? We’re gonna go out for lunch. It would be great if you could come with us,” it was Niall’s voice speaking. You threw a pillow at the door not wanting to have anything to do with him, or anyone right now. Then you heard a different voice.

“Y/N. May I come in?” It was Ellie. You opened the door making sure it was really her, and let her in.

“What happened out there?” she asked grabbing the box of tissues from the night stand and putting them in between the two of you.

“Nothing,” you said honestly, “Nothing to be worried about. He’s the past. And I’m just going to forget about him.”

“Good,” she said placing her hand atop yours gently and smiling up at you. You smiled back knowing that she was the only person hear who could make you do that. “Come with us to lunch? Please?” You shrugged.

“Is he going?”

“I think so-“

“Then no.”

“C’mon please! You don’t have to talk to him, or sit by him, or even look at him. Come on trust me. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Starving. But no way am I eating a meal with them…” before you could protest any longer she grabbed a hold of you dragging you out the door.

“Ellie! No! Stop!” you tried fighting back, but such a pretty girl can be just as strong. As soon as she got you out of your room you saw 5 faces staring back at you. You stood up straight, as Ellie let you go. You straightened yourself up, wiping dried mascara from down the sides of your cheek.

“Good! We’re all here. Now let’s go,” Niall said. The boys all looked at you smiling one by one as they walked out the door. Zayn was just as he looked on tv, he looked like the stud of the group. He had a small quiff, that was sketched blonde at the tips. Then came Harry. His curls all in perfect place, not one single one hanging out. His perfect teeth illuminated his face with a bright beam. Louis walked cheekily out the door smacking Harry’s bum as he did so. You laughed under your breath as Niall came out, followed by Liam. He watched you as you watched him. Your eyes silently fighting with one another. You looked away quickly, heading towards the car.

“How long have you two been together?” Harry chimed, filling the awkward car ride. You looked behind to look at Liam. He was staring intently out the car window, not saying a word. But when he heard Harry’s question his eyes shot up for once.

“Who?” you asked looking back at the road ahead of you.

“You and Niall.” You almost barfed as Niall jerked the car forward.

“We-“ you sputtered.

“-are-“

“-not-“

“-together.“ you finished in unison. The whole car watched as you two tried to explain yourselves. As Niall told them all about how you guys first met, and how you’ve been helping him with some fix-ups and what not, you snuck a glance at Liam. He was staring back at you. His eyes held emotion in them, some untold emotion that kept you puzzled. He looked at you almost with envy, almost with jealousy. A spark in his eye that told you he was still thinking about you all these months. And that’s when you knew what you had to do.

Stay away from him.