Give me love like this

I wake up extra early, this whole vacation thing and relaxing doesn't work when you wake up at 6:00 am for no reason. Maggie is slightly snoring in the bed over so I decided to throw my shoes on and head down to the gym. Liam and I aren't eating breakfast for a while now and I'm quite tired of my book, its getting to the scientific parts and the rate of spread, so I decided to take a break.

I needed to run. Try to clear my head. Maggie and I were in dance from when we were three, I really liked to dance but to be honest, I was all danced out after the University. We practiced everyday for hours, it worked out because we went to Nationals, but after dancing for 17 years, almost everyday, I preferred other things.

I made my way down to the gym, the sun just starting to come up over the horizon. It was so pretty here, seeing what beautiful colors the water looked with the sun reflection. Of course, I'm the only one in the gym. It's just a small place, a few bikes, treadmills, free weights, and some machines. I stretch a little bit and make my way towards one of the treadmills, hop on the closest one and start a program. After I begin I throw on my favorite workout playlist and get in the zone.

I start looking through my phone, I really haven't been on it since my first day but I haven't really had a need, I had texted a few friends throughout the week, but most of my friends knew I was on vacation and that I couldn't answer anything anyway. Thankfully the hotel has free wi-fi so I won't get yelled at for going over the data plan.

Nothing majorly new on Facebook, a few new engagements, people announcing they're pregnant, graduation countdowns, the normal. I posted a few new photos on my instagram account and then to check twitter. As soon as I open the app, I know something is off. Since I last checked, I had 20+ notifications. In fact, before I had about 300 followers, now I have over 12,000. And hundreds of mentions. What the hell?

Then I notice it.

Liam Payne mentioned me in a post.

With a picture.

And he followed me.

Well that explains a lot.

I notice a lot of girls are pissed at him. Telling him I'm ugly, others are saying I'm pretty and they're happy for him. Honestly, I don't care. I don't know any of these people, they don't know me, they can say whatever they want about me. And to be quite frank, I might be getting rid of my twitter soon, or making it private, but so many people are already following me, it might be easier to just delete, I don't really think my soon to be students need to see my twitter from college.

I finish my run in record pace for myself. And it's only 6:45. I walk back to my hotel room and take a quick shower. I just brush through my hair, not bothering to style it or blow dry it. Put my swim suit on, pair of jean shorts and a plain pink tank top.

Liam is already sitting down at now our usual table. He's wearing a Yankee's hat, swim trunks and a plain white tee. As I look up, he looks a little upset.

“What's wrong Liam?” I ask as I pull a chair out to sit.

“You're not mad?” He asks, not making eye contact with me.

“Mad at you for what?” I'm confused. I'm sure he's talking about twitter, but I want to make sure.

“Have you not seen twitter? I added a picture of us, and 'Liampaynenewgirlfriend' was trending for a few hours last night. I saw you got pretty popular last night, some people wern't very nice. I should have warned you before I just decided to add it. I'm so sorry.” He looks almost ashamed.

“Liam, its fine. Were best friends, remember? I don't care what people say about me, I don't know them anyway. I don't understand why you're freaking about this.”

“You're not mad?” He asks, finally looking at me.

“No. I'm not. A fair warning would have been nice but I'm not picky. I'm sure I'll be the talk of the high school I teach at when I get back though. I'll use it to my advantage.” I laugh trying to lighten the mood.

“Sorry, it's just, usually when I take a picture with a girl and it gets posted on twitter she gets tons of hate, and she either gets upset with me, or backs off. And to be honest, I don't want either one to happen with you.” He tries to explain himself.

“All good Liam. Can we please eat now? I had a run this morning and I'm quite starving.” I reach my hand out to pull him up out of his chair and he pulls me in for a hug, kissing my hair.

Thursday Evening

Everyone spend the whole day lounging like we did yesterday. We swam in the pool for a little bit and did some scuba diving when they offered it. They had to keep adding weights onto my vest because I apparently struggled “sinking”, scuba diving is an odd feeling. It was fun, but I can see how people can freak out under the water.

Maggie and I picked up some souvenirs in the hotel gift shop, she had to get a few things for Michael. I, myself, found something quite hilarious for Liam and couldn't pass it up. It was an eagle magnet, I have no idea why it's in a gift shop for Aruba but I couldn't help but laugh. Maggie didn't quite understand, when I tried to explain it to her all I could do was laugh so that didn't help.

Before dinner we all packed up our things, we couldn't stay out late tonight, our flights were leaving extra early so our bus from the hotel was leaving at 3:15 sharp. We had to catch a flight to Miami leaving at 6 am, and a few other people on our bus had a flight leaving even earlier.

“So what are you and Liam going to do?” Maggie asks from across the room as she's folding some shirts.

“Well, were just going to be friends. It kind of sucks, but it's for the best, we live so far apart and honestly we might not ever see each other again.”

“Don't say that! Of course you two will see each other again, not every day like this week but you two can't not see each other.” She exclaims as she throws her shoes on the bed.

“We shall see. I'm not planning on expecting much. I don't want to get my hopes up, I can't let myself get my hopes up.” I whisper that last part, it's true. I want my life to be a romance novel but it just can't happen like that.

“Codi, just let things happen when they happen. I know he really likes you, he's not just going to go back to London and forget about you. And if he does I'll give him a piece of my mind and kick his ass if I ever see him. I'll get Michael to do it too.” She giggles as she closes her bag.

“Thanks Maggie. I really like him too, but like we've talked about, we are from two different worlds, and let's face it, people from Jupiter are not friends with people on Saturn.” Wow, that was the dumbest thing I've said in a while.

“What? First off, there is only one earth, so please just stop talking. People don't live on Jupiter and Saturn. Second, don't be so quick to think Liam and you might not ever work out. You never know, and like you said, you two are going to be friends, you can always snapchat, skype, do facetime, text, call, it's like he'll be down the street instead of across the world. It will be fine Cod.” Maggie always is good at cheering me up.

“Thanks Mags. Are you finished packing?” She nods. “Lets see if mom and dad are done and grab some dinner before the show. I think tonight they're having a dance instructor.”

“Should be a good time when we show them up.” She laughs as we knock on our parents door.

We ate dinner, just the four of us, Liam and his family must still be in their rooms. I already gave Liam his “present” I once again laughed uncontrollably while Liam just got red in the face. Apparently his long toe nails were a touchy subject, but he knew it was all in good fun.

Maggie, mom, dad, and I take some open lounge chairs and plan our attack for tomorrow. Basically, we were all just going to get up at 3 and go from there. Maggie and I were planning on showering tonight so we didn't have to worry about it in the morning. Doesn't matter what you do, traveling is always exhausting and you always smell like poop when we get done, all that recycled air does nothing for you.

We had some time before the show started for the night, we met up with the Payne's after dinner, they ate at on of the nicer restaurants on site, they're all free to eat at, but after we had a fancy dinner earlier in the week, we all decided that the food wasn't any different then what the buffet offered, just looked fancier.

I was dreading saying good-bye to the Payne's, more so Liam. I really didn't want to be just friends but it really is for the best, I guess.

“Hey.” I hear a familiar voice from the chair next to me, I was so deep in thought with myself that I didn't realize he sat next to me.

“Hi.” I reply as I bring my knees up towards my chest and lean back in the chair looking at him. He really is perfect. His face looks so relaxed and at peace, much different from the person who I met five days ago. I'm thankful for that, he was so stressed out when I met him, you see the tension on his face.

“So.....” he trails off looking at me then towards the stage as the MC starts talking and introducing performers. I smile at him as he looks forward, tonight will be hard. This will probably be the last time I see him in person. And it breaks my heart.

“You want to get out of here?” Liam whispers to me with his arm out.

I nod my head and start to get up looking at my mom and dad, “I'm going with Liam, I won't be out late.” I whisper.

“Ok, but don't be too late, we have to get up ultra early tomorrow.” My mom replies.

I nod and join Liam who's already on the path walking towards the beach.

We walk further then we have in the past, all the way to complex c and then walk towards the beach. The performers were quite loud tonight so we had to walk further to drown out the sound of people.

“So what time are you leaving tomorrow?” Liam finally breaks the silence.

“Um, 3:15 a.m.” I say as I take a seat on the lounge chair next to him.

“So this is the last time I'll be seeing you them?” He says. “Minus all the other times I'll see you in the future, just the last time I'll see you in Aruba.”

“I guess. You think we will really see each other in the future Liam?” I'm hopeful he'll say yes but I just don't know.

“Of course we will. I can't forget about my best friend.” he laughs trying to lighten the mood.

We sit in silence for a while in the dark just listening to the waves crash onto the beach and random bird noises until Liam gets up and sits next to me, leaning back and pulling me into him.

“Everything is going to be fine Codi, don't worry about it.” Squeezing me more as a tear falls from my eyes. I can't really help it, I'm a little emotional about it.

“I know, just kind of sucks.” I whisper. About the only sounds I can make to keep from breaking down.

“Um, I got you something.” Liam says as he starts digging into his pockets. “Well, actually Ruth made it for me to give to you. It's nothing exciting. But hopefully it will remind you of me. She made us matching ones.” Liam explains as he holds his palm out to show me a bracelet. “The red, blue, and yellow are to remind you of Aruba, it's their national colors.”

I take the bracelet and run my fingers across it, its nothing special like he said, but it's the gesture that counts.

“Can you put it on me?” I ask holding out my right wrist.

Liam quickly grabs it from me and ties it ever so gently over my wrist.

“I love it Liam.” I say as I hold it with my other hand. I can't hide my smile. At least this is holding back my tears.

“I know it's not anything special like I said, but I looked in the gift shop and I couldn't see anything I liked, and I would order something online but I don't know your address and I wanted to see your face when I gave you something.” Even in the dark I can tell he's a little shy about his present he's offered me.

Another moment of silence. We're both still entangled together and laying in the moonlight. Before we know it, I hear Maggie.

“Codi, its past 10, mom sent me to find you, I'm sorry but we need to get some rest, we have to be up in about four hours.” Maggie reminds me.

“Shit. Thanks Maggie, I'll be up in a minute.” I say to her as she nods and heads back to complex A.

I turn to Liam whose looking at me.

“Well, I guess this is it.” I state as I start getting up. Liam follows.

As we are both standing, Liam pulls me in for a hug that seems to last forever and I'm so thankful for it.

“I will miss you.” He whispers in my ear. “I'll call you and text you everyday.”

“You promise?” I say as my face is buried into his shoulder.

“Forever and ever.” He whispers into my hair.

We stay there for a while before we start to pull away. I'm sure my face looks like a nightmare, I can't not cry. Liam looks down at me and wipes my tears. His hand still resting on the back of my neck, the other around my waist, our foreheads touching. I know he's trying to look at me, but I just can't bring my eyes up too meet his. I know once I do I'll start crying again.

“Don't cry. It's not the end.” He whispers.

“I should get going.” I say as it pains me to.

“Yeah.” Liam says as he keeps his hands and face exactly where they are.

He applies a little bit of pressure to my neck making my forehead break our connection and our lips to meet. Not like any of the other kisses we've shared, this one seems to have desperation and longing, like we both know it's our last kiss together. I bring my hands up to meet his neck and face guiding him a little sideways as we deepen our kiss.

We pull away and Liam grabs my hand.

“I'll walk you back to your room.”

I simply nod and wrap my free arm across me and grab his arm. Anything to get closer to him. He lets go of my hand and wraps his right arm around my waist, pulling me in as close as possible as my arms go around his waist.

We arrive at my door and he once again pulls me in for a hug.

I pull back after a little bit, this night has been emotional and I'm suddenly so tired.

“Tell your family I'll miss them.” I say as Liam nods.

“I'll talk to you tomorrow.” He says.

We hug one last time, kiss one last time. I slide my card, open the door, and turn back to Liam.

“See you later?” I ask hopeful.

“I would count on it.” He smiles at me and watches me walk into my room.

I shut the door, lean against it, and slowly slide down the door as my tears begin to flow. Maggie came out of the bathroom door and rushes over to me and embraces me.

“Its going to be okay Codi, everything will work out.” She tries to help me.

“I. Just. Want. Everything. To. Be. Normal.” I try to say between my sobs.

“I know Codi. I know.” Maggie says as she lets me sob all over her clean pajamas. “Come on, lets get you to bed.” She says as she pulls me up to drag me to bed. She pulls the covers back and makes me get in. Soon enough I notice she's out sleeping. While I'm wide awake. I can't turn my brain off enough to focus.

Notes

Vacation is almost over!

Sorry my updates have been all over the place today, I didn't have to work so I was put on brother duty...I had to drop him off and pick him up from baseball practice this AM.

Enjoy!