Til the End of Time

“Are you sure about this?” Jessie asks, entering my room.

I hold up a pair of earrings to my ears so see if they go with my dress. “Yes, I am sure. Look, Jessie, I know you don’t like Liam but I told him I would have dinner with him.”

“But you could always cancel…”

I put down the jewelry and turn to face my friend. I put my hands on her shoulders and look her straight in the eye. “I know you’re just watching out for me but I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for a long time now.”

Jessie looks at me, frowning. “Alright, but I got you something and you have to promise me you’ll use it if needed…” She pulls a small can out of her pocket and hands it to me.

“Pepper spray?!” I exclaim. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Jessie!”

“You haven’t seen this guy in three years; you never know what he might try to pull,” she explains.

I sigh, thinking it over. She is probably right. “Alright, I’ll keep it in my purse.” I set the canister on my vanity and look back up at my friend. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” Jessie nods. She then exits my room.

I continue to get ready for my date with a constant thought in the back of my mind: what am I really getting myself into? What if Liam is some sex-crazed demon that just wants a hit? What if he is genuinely likes me and misses what we had? But what if he has changed?

I grab the pepper spray, putting it into my purse and snapping it up. I walk down the stairs to find Jessie and Molly waiting for me at the bottom. Molly hugs me, telling me I look beautiful and to have fun. Jessie hides her worry with a sheepish smile and tells me ‘good luck’.

I hear a horn honking. “Bye, you guys!” I say with a smile. “I’ll text you when I’m on my way home.”

“Sure thing,” Jessie replies.

I walk out the door and down the driveway to SUV waiting for me. “Hello,” I say to Liam as I climb into the backseat with him.

“Hello,” he mimics.

“Where are we going?” I ask, buckling my seatbelt.

“That’s a surprise!” He tells me. “We’re ready back here,” Liam tells the driver.

And we are off. No turning back now.

The ride to the restaurant is extremely quiet. Liam and I take quick glances at each other, careful not to make too much eye contact. I just stare out the window, noticing that we are heading downtown—most likely a fancy restaurant due to the attire Liam requested of me.

“Here we are,” the driver says, pulling up to an impressive eatery in downtown Grand Rapids; Italian, I’m guessing. I don’t get out much on a baker’s apprentice’s paycheck.

“Liam, you shouldn’t have,” I blush.

“Oh, please, it’s the least I could do,” he assures me.

We enter the building and are guided to a back private room where Liam orders a couple of lemonades—being underage in the States much not be too much fun for him.

We order our food and once the waiter leaves our table, I notice Liam staring at me. “What?” I ask.

"Nothing…” Liam says, embarrassed that he was caught and attempting to recover.

“No, why are you staring at me?”

“You’re… you’ve just turned into a beautiful young woman,” Liam croaks. “And I was just admiring that beauty.”

I turn a bright crimson and begin waving myself. “Is it warm in here or is it just me?” I say, tears springing in my eyes.

“Oh! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to embarrass you…” Liam exclaims.

“It’s fine. I’m just… not used to… being complimented like that…” My voice lowers to a faint whisper.

Liam looks around awkwardly; obviously wanting to change the subject for fear that I may burst into tears. “So, what have you been up to… these past three years?”

I go into detail about my finishing high school and going to the local community college for culinary arts; then moving to New York City to get my training out of the way. I tell him about my roommates and best friends, Jessie and Molly.

When I am just about out of breath, Liam describes his journey of becoming one of the noteworthy people in the world. But instead of bragging the entire time, he tells me how hard it is being away from his family and old friends all the time. My heart sinks at the thought of that. I have been away for six months—he has been away for three years. I cannot imagine.

We leave the restaurant holding hands and I tell him about a more secluded place down by the Grand River. Liam lets the driver know where we are going and then we are on our way. Luckily it is pretty quiet on this lovely, warm Tuesday night.

I link my arm with Liam and lean into him. “That was nice,” I say. “Well… this is nice.”

“I think so too,” he agrees, looking out across the river. “Would you like to do again sometime?”

“Of course,” I say almost too quickly. I am not thinking with my logical side tonight. It’s just… being around him makes me feel like I was when I was sixteen—young and free without a care in the world. Now everything is so serious and… dangerous.

“Great!” Liam smiles.

“So what do your band mates think about all this? They must think you’re crazy.”

“Yeah, they are seriously questioning my sanity. But I don’t care. I needed to see you again. I didn’t want to end our relationship on that note.”

I stop us and take a step in front to face him. “I should really apologize for the way I acted at the fundraiser. I was way out of line—“

“—No, no you weren’t. What I did to you was terrible, and I feel so guilty for treating you that way. I’m the one who should be apologizing and I feel like I could never apologize enough.”

Tears form in my eyes once again as I stare up at Liam. “Really?” It feels so good to know that he feels that way, although, it’s making me feel somewhat guilty.

“Yeah,” he whispers, almost inaudible. He looks around; making sure no one is around. “May I kiss you?”

I think a moment, throwing logic out the window. I nod. Liam presses his lips against mine and I practically pounce into his arms. I put my hands on my neck and open my mouth, sucking on his lips. His tongue feels warm and soft as it glides against mine and for a split second, I am brought back to England on the day of our last encounter before Liam left for the X Factor.

Suddenly, my logical being brings me back to reality. I immediately break the kiss and pull away, putting my fingers to my lips. “I’m sorry… I just think I should go home.”

Liam nods. “Right,” he says, hiding his hurt.

I climb out of the SUV at the end of my driveway and thank Liam for the date. I assure him that I will call him in the morning. I hold back tears as I walk up the driveway to my front door.
“How was it?” Molly exclaims when I enter the living room.

I plop down on the couch and burst into tears. “It was wonderful,” I sob.

“Oh, honey,” Molly says in a soothing voice and she and Jessie sit down next to me.

“I just don’t think I can do it,” I weep.

Notes

Sorry this took so long. Geez. Inspiration for me is so shady--for all my stories. I have the next chapter planned in my mind so hopefully I can get the post in about a week. Anyway, tell me your theories/thoughts on the story so far! :)

Cali's Outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cali/set?id=113677575