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Ever has it been that love knows not its own death until the hour of separation
-Kahlil Gibran
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Past (3/4 years ago)
Long chapter. Sit back. And arrange tissues.
I shut my locker and sighed, followed by a smile, knowing who's behind me.
" Hey beautiful ", he breathed into my neck. Tingles appeared and I closed my eyes.
" Someone's in a good mood. ", I giggled.
" Cause being you of course. ", Liam hugged back.
It's been one year and a few months now. But it all feels like it was yesterday. I'll never forget that Saturday. It was absolute bliss. Liam made me believe in love again. I'm in love. Again. I'm in love with Liam Anderson.
The bell rang and brought me out of my trance.
" See you in English? ", he asked.
" Of course. ", I smiled and he pecked my lips lightly.
I turned around and was immediately met by the infamous stink eye of Isabella. I rolled my eyes and minded my own business and entered French .
Time passed like a wind. My phone suddenly buzzed. I took it out and saw a text from Liam.
'You look beautiful ' . I blushed and looked down. This was probably in years, that someone made me smile like crazy and gave butterflies in my stomach. I entered the canteen and saw Liam waiting for me at our designated table.
" Hey you. " , I greeted.
" Hi beautiful. ", he smiled.
" Let's get the food first. I'm too hungry. "
" When are you not? " , he laughed and I nudged him as I shook my head.
We got our food and came back to our seats. I dipped a fry into the sauce and was going to start a conversation when Satan showed up.
" Hey Liam. ", she squeaked.
" Umm, hi Bella. ", Liam looked uncomfortable.
Yep, you guessed it right. They still talked and I always get put in an awkward place.
" So, I hope you're coming to the party tonight. ", she chirped, " can't wait to see you two. Bye Liam. ", she smiled at me as well.
Oh please. Just drop that goody two shoes act! People can be so pretentious sometimes.
But I just smiled back. She left soon with her two minions and I turned towards Liam.
" What party? ", I said confused.
" I wanted to tell this to you as soon as possible, but I always got caught up in something. Isabella has arranged this party for our team's win last Friday, with her being the head cheerleader and all. ", he sighed, "but if you're uncomfortable we can just stay home. "
" No. Hey, it's okay, okay? All your friends are going to be there, and I don't want to hold you back or anything. You should go. I'll stay back. I'll just call in sick or something. ", I said.
" No Ash, if you're not going, I'm not as well. ", he shook his head.
"Alright fine. ", I sighed, " I'll go as well.", I smiled.
" Thanks. It means a lot. ", he kissed my forehead.
" But promise me we'll get out as soon as possible. It's a college night. ", I said.
" As you wish mother. ", he laughed.
I nudged him again and laughed getting back to my now cold fries.
******
I knew I should have said no. I don't even have a proper dress. And the last thing I want is for Isabella to taunt me about it for the rest of my life.
I sighed and sat on the bed. Soon I heard a knock, "Come in ", I said.
" Hey sweetie. Here's a mail for you. "
" Thanks mum. ", I smiled but immediately dropped it and looked at my wardrobe.
" What's wrong? ", she pushed.
" I just don't happen to have a decent dress for a party tonight. ", I sighed.
" You're going to a party? ", she asked shocked.
Oh no. I forgot to ask again.
" Sorry mum, I just forgot to tell you. There's a party tonight. Can I go?", I asked. I know, it's very odd to ask her about going to a petty party at 23, but I can't help it. After that one night, I never go anywhere without asking my parents. Somewhere it gives me peace to know that they too know where I am.
" Of course Ashley. It's just... it's good that you're finally letting yourself get mixed with the crowd. I know it's been pretty rough years. So, I'm just happy, I guess. ", she smiled widely and gave me a short hug.
" Well, I still lack a good dress. ", I laughed.
" I think I have just the right one for you. Wait here. ", she ran down the stairs like a five year old.
In five minutes, she was back in my room.
" Ta da! ", she said showing me a black and white dress.
" Woah Mom. How did y-"
" Bought this for Amanda. But it was too loose on her. So, take it. ", she beamed.
" Thanks. This looks perfect. ", I hugged her back.
She left shortly after and I stripped out of my comfortable long sweater and wore the dress. It felt cold on my warm skin. Once adjusted, I stood in front of the mirror quite proud that it fit perfectly.
Quickly I applied minimal make up and curled the lower parts of my strands. Wearing silver hoops and my black heels, I went downstairs. It's already 7:00 . Can this guy ever be punctual?
" Hey, where are you? ", I said over the phone.
" Right behind you. ", he said.
"Wha-", I turned around and indeed he was there looking at me with those gorgeous eyes.
" Don't ask how, cause I've been waiting for ", he checks his watch, "five minutes now. "
J shook my head and laughed, " You could've called me. Atleast told me that you were already here. "
" Now where's the fun in that? Shall we now? It's already late. ", he said.
"Uh huh. ", I nodded, "Bye mum. "
" Bye . Enjoy yourself. ", she said.
********
Music was blaring out of the system and people were literally everywhere. I'm pretty sure, one was also on a tree.
I linked my arms with Liam as a cold breeze blew and I shuddered . Soon we entered the living room area of Isabella's house. The smell of sweat mixed with alcohol and cigarettes hit my nose and I mentally gagged. Ew! Gross!
" Hey! Liam! Ashley! ", Theo came running.
" Theo! ", I hugged him.
" Hey mate. ", Liam hugged him next.
" Oh hey Lucas. ", I hugged him as well. Turns out coming here wasn't a bad idea after all.
" Hey pumpkin ", he said, "let's get you a drink. "
"Nope. I think I'll pass. ", I scrunched up my nose and looked around.
" Oh cmon Ash, it's not that bad. You won't get STD by a drink. ", Theo said.
" Well, you never know. So, I'm just gonna have water. ", I shook my head.
We all sat in a circle and talked about almost everything. We laughed and were having fun until Satan showed up. Again. I mean, it's her house, what was I expecting?
" There you guys are. Glad y'all could make it. Oh, and Ashley, the dress looks terrible on you. Have fun y'all. ", she said in a breath.
"Ugh! What's her problem? ", I said once she was gone.
"Ignore her sweetheart. ", Liam said drawing circles on my back. I smiled and sipped my orange juice.
" I think, she just wants something she can't get. ", Lucas said.
" Hmm, I like to call that something 'Liam ' " , Theo laughed.
" You guys, I'm miserable here. ",I whined.
Theo put his hands up in surrender and mouthed 'sorry '.
My phone suddenly buzzed and the ID showed mom.
"I think I'm gonna go and get some fresh air. This place reeks of alcohol and sweat . Yuck! ", I kissed Liam on the cheek and waved to the boys.
I went to the backyard where the noise was a little less and there were some couples making out on the benches. Small fairy lights adorned the place and the breeze was cool. I felt good to be here. Well, here minus Isabella. Finally it's like things are falling back into the right place.
" Hey mum. ", I said.
"How's the party? All good?", she asked.
She always has this habit of asking me or calling me whenever I'm away. I can't really blame her. The past incident did take a toll on me as well as my parents.
" Yep. I'm actually enjoying myself. I'm really happy toady mom. Liam... he's just... I don't know, makes me so happy. It's like, he's the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm just... so thankful and, happy. ", happy tears soon arrived.
" Aww my child, I'm so happy for you. You deserve the world. I love you. Dad loves you. Come back soon, okay? "
"Uh huh. Bye "
"Bye. Enjoy."
I cut the call and sighed wiping away my tears. I turned around and was met with Amara, one of the two minions of Isabella.
"What do you want Amara? ", I said absolutely annoyed.
" Nothing, just looking for Bella. ", she shrugged.
" And you felt like I was the best person to approach to ask about her whereabouts? Did they teach you logic in the fifth grade ?", I scoffed.
" Whatever Payne. Just so you know, things are going to go down the hill pretty soon for you. Enjoy the party. ", she said in a dead serious tone. Felt like she was sarcastic for her last sentence.
I brushed past her and walked back to my circle. I felt like a pit in my stomach. Like something bad's going to happen. I tried my best to ignore it. But her words kept coming back to me.
"Hey. Where's Laim?", I asked.
"A brunette took her. ", Lucas slurred.
"Lu-wha- Lucas, are you drunk? ", I was shocked.
" OH LOOK! A PIG! ", Theo shouted over the music pointing towards a stuffed dog.
" You too? What the hell is happening? ", I was actually angry now.
"Ashely come here. Drink this. ", Lucas passed me a red coloured drink.
" What? No! Wheres Liam?!", the bad feeling was taking over me.
" A brunette took him. Tha-that bitch you keep talking about.", Theo stuttered.
" Who? Isabella? ", I said.
" Bingo! You get one thousand imaginary dollars, my friend. ", Lucas said.
" Lucas stop! Where did she take him? ", I was panicking.
"Upstairs. "
I rushed towards the stairs. People were every where. I pushed them out of my way and called out Liam. Once I reached the hall way, there were as many as ten doors. If that bitch does something to him, I swear to god ,she won't live to see tomorrow.
The noise was a little less upstairs. I had opened four doors by now. Suddenly my heart skipped a beat. Is that... is that moaning ? It was coming from the end of the hall.
I slowly pressed my ears next to the door and could now hear it distinctly.
" Liam! ", someone moaned. A girl. My eyes widened. No no no no no no...
This can't be. It has to be some other Liam. I mean, there are many Liams.
I opened the door and the sight broke my heart into a million pieces. On the bed, I could see Liam on top of a girl. Wait.... that's Isabella. For a moment, I felt like it was all her. That she was forcing him. But when I moved a bit closer, my eyes widened more and immediately a hand went to cover my mouth.
Liam was kissing Isabella's neck and he was topless, grinding her.
My eyes met Isabella's and she had her infamous smirk.
'I told you so. ' she mouthed.
Unable to take it anymore, I ran. I ran like there was no tomorrow, like I have nothing else to live for, like I needed to run to take my mind off everything.
My heels were killing me and I decided to pull them off. I threw them god knows where and ran again. My barefoot clapped with the cold ground and I rushed to my safe haven.
The cemetery.
Once I found the head board, I sat beside it and cried and cried and cried.
" I can't take it anymore Katherine! I can't, I can't, I can't. I-I-", I sobbed.
" Why? I loved him! I loved him Katherine! Make it stop. It hurts . I need you. ", I was suffocating on air. I clutched my heart. Oh no, here comes another panic attack. I hugged the head board and tried relaxing myself.
"You remember, when I got hurt after falling off from the swing? It was you to told me to stand back up. It was always you who protected me like there's no tomorrow. But I can't forget and forgive this time. I was too hurt to love and yet he came and made me realize how much I've been missing out, how wrong I was to not fall in love, only to, only to break my heart again? He's that heartless ? "
I pulled myself together, "I love you best friend. I'll seen you again. I promise. "
I walked to my home but not before fixing my make up. I can't tell my parents. Somewhere deep down, they know that I'm happy. And seeing me happy makes them happy. I can't make them worry about me again by telling them that their daughter had a heart break. We'll be back to square one then.
" Ashley, you're back soon. ", mum chirped.
" Yep. ", I smiled, "I'm gonna go and take a shower. "
" Of course honey. Anything you need. ", she smiled looking at the TV. I was partly happy she didn't notice.
I checked my phone and there wasn't a single text or call from Liam. I atleast thought he would try and call me to explain what happened. But, nothing.
After a long shower and twenty minutes of crying, I put on my purple sweater and sat beside the window. So it was all a show. His love. His kisses. Everything. All of it. I can't live here. I need to go away. Every street will make me think of our good times. I can't.
I shook my head and my eyes fell on the mail that mom brought me before. I sighed and opened it.
Once I read through, I had tears in my eyes . Guess now I have a valid reason as well. It's as if god wants me to leave this town as well.
I went down the stairs and sat beside my mom. I gave her the letter.
" Oh my goodness Ashley. Congratulations! ", my mom shouted in joy.
" I want to leave for London tomorrow.", I said with zero emotions.
" But-"
"No mom. It's final. No more discussion. It's a two year internship. I leave tomorrow afternoon. ", I stood up and went back to my room.