Hero

It was now almost the end of the semester and Liam was about to head off for a summer tour (which he was more than happy to ask me to go on with him). “I don’t know if I can, Liam.” I frowned as I looked over my History text book one last time as I packed my backpack for my final exams. “I was thinking about taking summer classes so I can finish early and—“

“Between semesters then?” Liam asked and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. “I really want you to be there.” He pressed his lips to the back of my neck as I shut my text book and stuffed it in my bag with the rest of my overpriced crap.

“You know how much I would love to, but—“

“Please…” Liam poked out his bottom lip and rested his arms around my waist as I turned to face him. I sighed and shook my head in defeat.

“Fine, but the week before the semester starts I need to be back home.” I warned and stepped out of his hold before slinging my backpack over my shoulders.

“Home?” Liam smirked as I walked towards the door. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you say that since you moved in.”

“I’ve really not called it ‘home’ in two weeks? Weird.” I shrugged and backed out the front door. “I’ll be back in two hours!” I called out as I got in my car and watched Liam stand at the doorway smiling as I drove towards campus.

~*~

“History wasn’t too bad.” I sighed as I talked to Liam over the phone. “I think Math absolutely murdered me. If I get above a sixty-eight I’ll be amazed.”

“What final do you have next?” I smiled at the sound of Liam’s voice. Yeah, okay, I know it’s cheesy, but I’m in love.

“English.” I smiled. English had always been my best subject. “I’ll be shocked if I get below at least an eighty.” I said truthfully. I had gotten a ninety or above on every single assignment in that class. “And tomorrow is my Music Industry final, and then I’ll be done for the semester.” I smiled proudly at the thought of being a junior in college.

“And we can start packing your bags to come on tour with me!”

“Just for a few weeks!” I added in as I saw Quin’s curly head waiting in line in the student center. “Hey, I’ll call you after my next final. I’m meeting Quin for lunch.”

“Alright. Good luck, darling. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” I smiled and hung up before making my way to my best friend. “How’re your finals going?”

“We have a problem.” Quin shoved her mobile at me and I raised an eyebrow at her. “Read.” I sighed and looked down at the texts between her and Niall.

“I don’t think I want to read these.”

“Just read.” Quin rolled her eyes as we moved forward in line.

Niall: Hey, I need to talk to you about something.

Quin: Shoot.

Niall: This… thing between us has been going on for a while, and I really like it and all, but I kinda sorta want more than just this

Quin: …what?

Niall: I like you. A lot.

And that’s where the messages stopped. “How’s that a problem?” I asked and handed her mobile back to her.

“Because!” She groaned and got her usual order at the sub sandwich station. “I like just what we are. I don’t want anything more!”

“But…?”

“But that last message was from three days ago and I haven’t responded.”

“And…?”

“I miss him!” She threw her arms up in defeat. “Not just what we did, because god, that’s good… but I miss hanging out with him! Why can’t people just be friends with benefits?” Just then a guy who was at least two years younger than Quin stopped and smiled at her. “Keep walking.” I laughed and ordered rice and chicken from the Chinese station. “Seriously, Mels. Help a girl out.”

“Just tell him you don’t want to be more than friends… with benefits.” I shrugged and paid for my food and tried to find an empty table.

“I don’t want to hurt him.” Quin sighed and followed me to an empty table in the back. “He’s a really nice guy and any girl would be lucky to be with someone like him.”

“So why can’t that someone be you?” I asked as I took a seat, waiting for it to click in her head that she likes Niall, too.

“Oh my god.” Quin sat up straight.

“Ah, there we go.” I smiled and took a bite of my rice as Quin grabbed her mobile and let her thumbs race across her iPhone.

~*~

“Honey, I’m home!” I yelled as I walked through the front door of the apartment. I tossed my backpack onto the floor and instantly went over to the couch, letting myself fall face first into the soft cushions.

“Welcome back.” I looked up and smiled at the handsome face that greeted me every day. “How were finals?” Liam asked and sat down next to the couch to be eye level with me.

“Stressful.” I groaned and buried my face into one of the throw pillows. “My head is killing me.” Liam chuckled and I felt a strange weight sitting down on my legs. “What the hell are you doing?” I asked and did my best to turn my head to see him.

“Shhh…” I rolled my eyes before I felt Liam’s fingers meet my temples and slowly massage them. I sighed in relief at the soothing touch before his lips met the back of my neck and his hands moved down to my shoulders.

“Liam…” I sighed and turned over so he was now straddling me. “Not now, please. I’m really tired and just want to take a nap before I start studying again.” I half expected him to make me anyways when he took my wrists in his hands and brought my hands above my head.

“Okay.” He smiled and bent down and gently pecked my lips. He awkwardly climbed off the couch and went back to sitting on the floor. I turned onto my side and looked at him curiously. “What?”

“That’s it?” Liam cocked his head to the side in confusion. “I say ‘no’, and we just… don’t?” The confusion let his face and it was almost instantly replaced with anger.

“He… he never… no matter if you said ‘no’ he would still…” Liam took in a deep breath and calmed himself down before looking back at me with a softer expression. “That’s how it works. You say ‘no’, it means ‘no’.” He shrugged and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Now come on, let’s get you upstairs and in bed for that nap.” Liam picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder.

“Liam!” I laughed as he carried me up the stairs with ease. “Put me down!” I shrieked as his hands wrapped around my waist and nearly tossed me onto the bed. I looked up at him as he wore a goofy smile on his face. “What?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing him closer to me.

“I love you.” Liam kissed me softly and drew back the covers for me before tucking me in for a nap. “Sweet dreams.” He whispered in my ear before kissing my cheek and walking out of the room.

~*~

A few days after finals, I nearly flung myself out of bed practically gasping for air as I woke up from my nightmare. I couldn’t get the image of Mitchell choking me out of my head as my hands flew up to my neck.

As I tried to fill my lungs back with the air they needed, Liam burst into the bedroom and rushed to my side. “Mels? Are you okay?” I reached out for his hand as I nodded. “No you’re not. What happened?” I was finally able to breathe as Liam helped me up off the floor.

“Nothing. It was just a nightmare.” I slowly began to breathe normally again.

“What happened in your nightmare?”

“Liam it was nothing.” I said and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Please tell me what’s wrong.” Liam sat next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him.

I took a deep breath and looked up at him. “It was about Mitchell. He… he was choking me, but it was nothing.” I quickly explained as I saw the anger flash over his face for the second time today. “It was just a dream.” I placed my hand on his leg, trying to calm him down.

“Have you been taking your medicines?”

“Yes, Liam.” I rolled my eyes and instantly moved away.

“You’re not having doubts about us, are you?” Worry was written all over his face.

“No! God, no! I would never!” I said and turned towards him.

“Then why are you dreaming about Mitchell?”

“Nightmares, Liam. They were nightmares.” I corrected. “Look, it was nothing. Honestly. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Liam smiled and leaned forward to kiss me. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I smiled and pecked his lips. “Now let’s get packing for tour.”

“Okay.” He smiled.

Notes

One more chapterrrr
Please don't hate me when it's over.
I love you guys.
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