If you haven't already I encourage you to read the Recap in the previous chapter :)
The next day Justin, Dylan and I sat at the breakfast table in the kitchen. They were eating some weird concoction and I had some waffles. "I think you should look at the bright side. You're going to have such a cool scar to tell everyone at school about," Justin said happily snacking on his popcorn. Dylan shook his head at him and I rolled my eyes. Of course, he would say something like that.
He looked up at the both of us, confused. "What? I think it's cool," he said shrugging. I laughed and shook my head. "Well, no one will be able to see it anyway," Dylan said. Which was true, my hair covered it.
"Then shave your head?" Justin said like I was stupid. "You make less and less sense every day," I said shaking my head. "I think it's about time we take him back to where he came from," I said to Dylan who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, but I'm not sure if Jacob or Jason told him yet."
I held back my smirk as Justin looked between the two of us slightly confused. "It's fine. I think they would appreciate us telling him for them," I said. I took one glance at Justin, who now looked completely confused and I couldn't stop myself from laughing and Dylan followed.
"You guys suck," he said getting up from the table. Dylan and I high-fived as we once again successfully annoyed Justin. "So what do you want to do today?" Dylan asked now fully turning to me. I shrugged not really knowing what he expected me to say.
"Why can't we just chill?" I asked. An emotion flickered across his eyes but I didn't have time to decipher what it was. "Because..." he said trailing off. "Because?" I asked looking at him expectantly. "Just because. There is no explanation. We just need to do something," he said.
I knew where this was coming from. I heard him talking to Jason about it last night. He was scared something like this would happen again so he wanted to cherish every moment. Which was also very uncharacteristic of him.
"Okay fine," I said. "But...before we go can we do one thing first?" I asked. This was bugging me since I got out of the hospital. I hadn't heard from Liam at all. Not one call, one message, one anything and it was honestly making me very worried. Maybe he got caught somewhere, or maybe my mom got to him before she was arrested. It was just very unlikely for him to just...take off.
"What?" Dylan asked breaking me from my thoughts. "..have you heard anything from Liam? Like..did he call..or anything?" I asked. Dylan's features immediately darkened. "Don't worry about him, Lisa," he said.
I furrowed my eyebrows at him confused. "Well, why?" I looked at him but he didn't answer. "Did- did you guys run him off?" I asked already expecting the worst. "What? Lisa no. I'm sure he's around here somewhere." I looked away from him already feeling the tears prick my eyes.
Dylan sighed and bent down to my level. "Look, I'm sorry okay? But if he really cared about you, he would have called, he would have texted. Heck if he really really cared, he would have been here already," Dylan said. And I hate to admit it but he was right.
"Now come on. We can go to your favorite spot," he said with a smile I smiled back and nodded. He ruffled my hair and got up. "Put something warmer on, it's cold out and meet me and Jacob in the car," he said.
I went up to my room and changed. Feeling less happy then I was earlier. I wished I could just see Liam so that I could say anything to him. I hated not knowing anything.
~Overprotective~
We pulled up to the cafe and the familiar feeling of 'home' came over me. I've been here too many times to count. People were milling about drinking their coffees, reading the newspaper, enjoying a delicious pastry. It was a place that just smelled and looked like home.
"So we can't stay here too long, because Jason and I have to go somewhere," Jacob said. I looked up at him expectantly. "Is it to the prison?" I asked. I knew they had to sign some papers and make a few statements, I knew that much.
He smiled softly down at me opening the door. "Yeah, they just want to check a few things."
We sat in a booth and I took the window seat. "Well, what do they have to check?" I asked confused. "Don't worry about it okay sweetie," Jacob said and I rolled my eyes. That's all I ever hear from them.
"Alright what would you like?" A waiter asked and I half expected to see Liam as he's usually the first to meet me, but I did recognize the guy in front of me. He's pretty much always here when I come here. It's like he never stops working.
We all ordered our usual. My triple chocolate muffin that Liam first introduced me to. It made me a little sad, as I still didn't know where Liam was or what was wrong with him. "I swear you'll only ever get the same thing," Dylan said shaking his head.
"Well, what's wrong with that?" I asked defensively. "Nothing, nothing," he said smirking. "You should try it, its really not that bad," I said shrugging. "No thanks," he replied making a face. I rolled my eyes and laughed.
"Well then don't hate on my food."
"It really isn't that bad," Jacob commented. "Yes exactly it's amazing," I said smiling at Jacob. Dylan looked between Jacob and I. "What is this? Jacob you're supposed to be on my side," Dylan said.
"Not when your side sucks," he replied and I laughed. Dylan rolled his eyes and smirked. "Well, see that later then."
The waiter came back with our food and I smiled at how good my muffin looked. It was the same every time, nothing was different, but the smell and taste was everything. "Absolutely disgusting," Dylan commented but I ignored him.
"Is that why you got a milkshake instead of an actual pastry like the rest of us?" Jacob said not so subtly smirking. "Okay Jacob I get it," Dylan said scowling. "Oh little bro," Jacob said laughing.
Soon enough we finished and started to head out. "I'm going to use the restroom," I said breaking off from them. "Okay be careful," Jacob said. I turned around and rolled my eyes. The restroom was 5 paces away. What did he think was going to happen?
I did my business and when I walked out I was stopped by the waiter. "Um hi?" I said confused as to why he stopped me. "Read it when you get home," he said handing me a piece of paper. I stood there dumbfounded as the waiter walked away. I furrowed my eyebrows then looking back at the piece of paper in my hand. What could this possibly be about?
I tucked it into my pocket and joined Jacob and Dylan out in the car. On the ride back home I couldn't get the note out of my mind. Part of me was actually scared to open it.
When we got home I immediately went straight to my room. Still holding the note that was in my pocket. I was anxious to open it but at the same time nervous. Why would some random waiter give it to me? And what could it possibly say? Maybe he got me mixed up with the wrong person, or maybe it's just a prank. Regardless, I wanted to know what it said.
I opened the note and began reading it,
Hey, Lisa, it's Liam, I know you're probably wondering what's going on with me, or why you're receiving this note in the first place but I can explain. It all started when I went to your house with Justin and Dylan, you were already at the hospital and I just wanted to see you. To be with you and make sure you were okay.
That was the plan, and then I saw my Dad...He was there right amongst the mess and right at that moment I knew, I knew immediately that it was him who hurt you, and I've never felt such so much anger and sadness all at once.
My Dad's part of the reason you were in the hospital and I couldn't- I can't live with that. I didn't know how you'll see me once you found out, and I didn't want to face you knowing what I know. So I never visited you, but I made sure that Dylan would tell me how you were.
I'm sorry Lisa, but I had to leave. My dads somewhere and I know if I'm still around you then you could possibly get hurt again. And I don't want that. I want you safe and the only way Impossible is if I'm gone.
So by the time you've read this note, I've probably skipped a few states. I've got a few friends I can stay with. You have to understand I had to do it this way. If I told you in person I may have never left. So....saying that, this is goodbye from me to you. Don't worry about me, don't cry about me, and it's okay even if you hate me because it will be easier to forget about me. Goodbye.
I reread the letter about 3 more times hoping I read it wrong. This couldn't be true. It had to be a prank, a joke. There's no way that he left with just leaving a letter? That also meant that Dylan lied to me. He had to have known that I wouldn't see Liam anymore IÂ couldn't believe it.
I stared at the paper as If I was in a trance. I could see the words but they weren't actually registering. My tears fell on the paper and mixed with the ink causing a mess. Was this real? Did he really leave me? W-with a note? Grayson was right. At the hospital, he told me that this was going to happen. He told me that Liam knew. He knew all along that I was in the hospital yet he never came.
He had to have known that I wouldn't care that it was his dad that hurt me. He wasn't responsible for his dad's actions, but he left. I may never see him again. I balled the paper and through as far away from me as I could. My breathing was coming in more and more labored and my vision was blurring. Why is this happening? Haven't enough bad things happen in only the span of three days!?
"Hey, whats going on in-" Dylan paused in his tracks when he saw me. "Lisa, what happened? Is something hurting?"
"No, you lied to me!"
Dylan looked confused, but slowly, it was as if he was starting to understand what this was about. "Lisa I-"
"No don't say anything. You knew he wasn't coming back, didn't you? That's why you didn't want me to talk about him. How could you lie to me?" Tears were eagerly rolling down my face and I couldn't stop them. Call me overdramatic but Liam was one of the few good things going in my life.
Dylan walked over to me but I moved back. I didn't want to be near him right now. The hurt on his face made me nearly regret that decision. But he lied straight to my face and he would have kept lying had I not gotten this note. He reluctantly stayed where he was.
"Lisa I....I was only trying to protect you-"
"- I don't want your protection Dylan I wanted the truth!" I cried. He moved closer despite me not wanting him to. "I'm sorry okay? I'm sorry but I tried to tell him to stay to convince him to be there for you when you would need him most. It was his decision not to stay and his only. You don't deserve that Lisa-"
"-Can you just go?" I cut him off. He stared at me and I could see the hurt in his eyes. "Please?" I asked when he didn't budge. I just needed to be alone right now. I-I don't know how to think. Dylan sighed, kissed my forehead and left.
I sat alone in silence with only the sound of my cries. I looked over at the paper wishing it never existed. Wishing Liam could just be here in person, in front of me and it would be like old times. His presence would make me feel as if nothing had ever happened.
I could feel a headache coming on and I just wish this day would end already. As I laid there thinking about the letter, the words that were written on it my window startled to rattle. I jumped up and looked over with wide eyes to see Grayson hauling himself in.
"Do you know how much work it actually is to get up here?" he said standing there out of breath. "And now it's hot," he said taking off his shirt. My eyes got even wider if possible.
"Are you in the right house?" I wanted to ask but the words never came out. It was more like a sound. He finally turned around to look at me as if noticing that he just crawled into my bedroom. I could see that he was about to say something snarky but his face changed to one of worry instead.
"Ho- wh- why did you just crawl into my room?" I hesitantly asked. Grayson looked between the window and me. "um-I-uh- were you crying?" he asked totally changing the topic. I turned away from him and wiped my face. "Please leave before I call someone." I was still very confused as to why Grayson practically broke into my room from my window...but I wasn't in the mood.
I heard his footsteps come closer behind me. "No why were you crying, Lisa? What happened?" he asked now with full concern. The tears started to well again but I wouldn't allow myself to cry in front of Grayson of all people.
"Just go away," I said but my voice betrayed me, there was no hiding it now. The tears made their way down my face as I tried to hold back sobs. I heard my bedroom lock turning and in another instance Grayson was behind me, hugging me.
"Come on talk to me," he said. I stiffened not really knowing how to feel. Why was he hugging me? Why was he being this nice to me? "Let go of me," I said trying to break out of the hug but he wouldn't let me. "Grayson stop," I said but he remained the same.
"Not until you tell me what's wrong?" At this point, I knew he wasn't going to let up so I broke down. Grayson caught me before I could hit the floor. "Liam's never coming back. He left me, Grayson. He just- he just left me," I cried. He turned me around so that I could see him, well his chest.
He bent down to my level and wiped away my tears. "You don't deserve him, Lisa," he said. I rolled my eyes and pulled away. '"That's exactly what Dylan said."
"Lisa it's true. If he doesn't have the guts to face the situation and stay with you then you don't deserve him." I could see him balling his fist but his eyes still held concern.
"Don't you see Lisa! You need someone who will always be there for you no matter the situation. Someone who would do anything to make sure you were safe. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to take a bullet for you. Liam is none of those things. He never was and he never would be. And he didn't leave to protect you, he left to spare himself of facing his own problems. He doesn't deserve you, Lisa." His voice got softer towards the end.
I didn't want to believe it. I shouldn't believe it. I won't believe it.
"he's not the guy for you. You need to let go of him because he's already let go of you."
The room was silent and only the sounds of me sniffling could be heard. "I would die before I let that happen to you," He said coming closer.
I looked up at him puzzled. "W-what do you mea-" before I could finish my sentence Grayson's lips connected with mines. I instantly pushed him way feeling disgusted. "Why would you do that!?"
"Lisa let it happen," he said searching my eyes and I stared right back into his. "You can't deny it anymore....I know- I just know you feel the same way." I didn't feel the same way. I couldn't. I cant. "I- no- no this is wrong Grayson. This is wrong."
"Who cares if it's wrong!? It feels right....and you know it." he never let go of me. His eyes searched mine. Why hadn't I moved yet? Why hadn't I pulled away? Maybe because he was right. I didn't want to admit it but he was right. He was there for me, not Liam. He stayed at the hospital and even though I still have no idea why he was crawling through my window he was there for me.
"See you know it, Annalisa..." he trailed off. Memories of my entire childhood flashed before me. On one side was the Grayson that always pulled pranks with my brothers, calling me names but on the other side...the other side was the Grayson that would help me with my homework. He made sure I was never bullied and If I was he would deal with them. He made sure I was always okay even after those silly pranks. The other side of Grayson I never payed attention to, but he was always there. I'm only seeing it now.
"Annalisa..can I kiss you?" he asked breaking me from my thoughts. I stared up into his eyes. He was asking..? Every other being in my body said no. Not with Grayson, but it was as if I had no control. Before I could do anything my mouth spoke for me.
"yes"
Overprotective
Hewoo Everyone! It feels really good to be back I've missed my bbys so much and you guys as well. I hope everyone is doing well. There is only the epilogue left, but I'm sure most of you have gotten the answer :) And it was the popular choice indeed. But anyway epilogue will come out and then I'll talk about next book ideas. I'm so excited and grateful for those who stuck by me I appreciate you all :)))
xoxopeacefulwriting101