Chapter 13: Eleven

The door opens to Ian's room and Liam wants to check but he's also comfortable. Ian's hand drops to his hair again and he closes his eyes contently.

"Oh hey Em. Good morning." Ian speaks, telling Liam who it is. He blinks his eyes open and turns to look. When he moves, Ian's hand drops.

"Hey." Liam speaks and Ember smiles at him.

"What are you guys doing?" She flicks her eyes between Liam and Ian, then goes to Chris and the TV.

"I was teaching Liam how to play but then Chris came in and was being an ass so now Liam's just watching." Ian says. Ember's eyes suddenly narrow and she glares over at Chris.

Part of Liam wants to say something to get the pressure off the boy with the piercings but he doesn't know what.

"I wasn't being an ass." Chris says, sounding more confused than offended.

"You were laughing at him. That's why he quit."

Liam decides not to say anything. They're talking about him like he isn't here so that should be easy. Ember shuts the door behind her and goes to sit on the bed.

She seems to be done scolding Chris because she asks to join the card game. Ian isn't though because he's still glaring.

"Hey man, I'm sorry." Chris is looking at Liam now. "I didn't mean to offend you. It's just because you're new, you'll get better. I just can't help myself, when I wanna laugh I can't stop myself."

Liam shrugs. "It's okay."

It is. It doesn't bother him anymore, he's just too embarrassed to keep playing. Chris smiles like he's accepted that and turns back to the game.

Ian rolls his eyes and runs a hand through Liam's hair again before going back to playing. Liam leans his head against Ian's leg again and watches the screen. He's found that watching is more entertaining than playing. Maybe that's just how he thinks because he sucks but either way, he likes to watch.

After three more rounds of the game, the door opens again. Liam looks up this time to see Izzy walking in. She walks over to the bed and sits down by Ember, resting her head on the girl's shoulder and looking at her cards. Ember smiles and just like that they all go back to what they were doing.

Ian's hand moves Liam's fringe a bit before going back to the game. Liam rests against his leg and watches them. He'd never dream this is something he would be doing in the future but now he can't imagine trying to do something else. He likes it here.

"I'm bored." Izzy's voice cut in after Chris and Ian had played a couple more rounds. "Let's do something as a group."

Ian runs a hand through Liam's hair while turning to look at the girl. The action makes Liam stay where he is rather than move to look at her as well.

"What do you want to do?" Ian asks.

"I don't care."

"We don't have a lot of time. I've gotta go home at one." Lucas speaks. This makes Liam finally moves to look over at the bed. Ian's hand leaves his hair but that isn't what he's focusing on.

"What time is it?"

Lucas checks the time on his phone. "Almost twelve."

"Shit. I gotta be home by twelve thirty." Liam bites on his lower lip.

Izzy sighs. "Fine we can keep just sitting around. I demand we do something fun next time though."

Lucas rolls his eyes. "This is fun."

"This is boring, dipshit."

Lucas rolls his eyes again before looking at his cards. The sound of shooting makes Liam looks back at the game. Ian's hand runs through his hair once when he leans his head back up against the boy.

"Oh, Thursday is the grand opening of that new arcade in town." Chris speaks up. "We should go. We can go to my house before since it doesn't open until seven."

"Oh, sounds fun." Izzy says excitedly. "I'm definitely down. I'm so excited for that arcade."

"Me too, I'm in." Ember agrees.

Liam isn't fully paying attention anymore. His eyes are still on the TV screen. He hears Lucas and Javi mumble out agreements too. Then a few seconds later he suddenly feels eyes on him.

He turns his head a little to see Chris who's looking at him expectantly. His brain doesn't connect the dots fast enough so Chris smiles. "Are you going to be there Liam?"

"Uh-" Liam's caught off guard by that. He wasn't expecting them to actually invite him. It sounds fun but he thought they'd want to go together. He didn't know he was already part of their group. "Sure."

"I've got to go to my mom's first after school. She wants me over there this weekend and I have to go talk to her about it to tell her I can't." Ian says, taking Chris's attention off Liam.

"You can't?" It's Ember talking now.

"No, we got the whole school event Friday night that I have to go to for student council. I would've never signed up if I knew I'd be required to do all this shit."

Ember and Lucas snicker on the bed at him. Chris chuckles too. Liam just smiles a little.

"That's cool, I'll drive you. Hey, maybe I'll pick you up too Liam. It'll make it easier so less of us are driving. That way we'll take up less parking spaces." Chris says making Liam's eyebrows raise. "And I just really wanna see your house. My curiosity is going crazy."

"Um, okay."

"Paige can tell you where to go since she'll probably be carpooling with you too." Ember says from the bed. Chris nods and turns back to the game.

Just like that the discussion is over. Liam looks back too and watches as Ian and Chris murder people on the TV screen. It's really more entertaining than it should be. His mother would throw a fit.

"Why do you have to be home at twelve thirty?" Ian's voice is quieter and he leans over a little so it's obvious he's just speaking to Liam.

"My parents have a luncheon thing and they want me to go with them." Liam answers, his voice just as quiet.

He remembers last week when his mother told him about it. She made sure he knew it was not a choice, he has to go. Then he told her he had plans Friday night and she freaked out for awhile before giving up and telling him to make sure he's home in time.

Ian hums. "Sounds classy."

Liam can't help the little snort he lets out and the smile that takes over his face. "That's certainly one word for it."

Ian's wide grin is missed by Liam since he's still looking at the TV. The boy runs a hand through Liam's hair some more and Liam soaks in the feeling. He really does feel relaxed here.

"Hey, babes, it's twelve ten." Ember's voice cuts through Liam's calm little bubble. He sighs and stands up. "Have you got your stuff?"

Liam nods. "My bag's still by the couch. I'll see you Monday."

"See you." Ember speaks as Liam starts to walk away.

"Hey, Liam, we'll see you Thursday!" Chris says happily. It's enough to bring a small smile to Liam's face.

"Yeah, see you."

"Bye." Ian looks over and waves a little. Liam waves a little too before leaving, shutting the door behind him.

He sighs while going down to pick up his backpack. He leaves the house and slips out to his car.

The drive home is anything but peaceful. The entire way Liam feels the dread settle into his bones. He hasn't been to a luncheon at the club in a long while and for good reason.

He parks when he finally gets home and steps out of the car. He swings his bag over his shoulder and then shuts the door.

When he opens the door he hears talking in the living room but ignores it in favor of running up the stairs before his mom can see what he's wearing. He gets to his room and goes over to the walk-in closet.

He puts on a white button-up, long sleeve shirt and some black slacks, slipping on his dress shoes as well. He hates it but knows his mother will like it. With that done he combs his hair a few times to make sure it's smoothed down and them leaves his room again.

"William!" His mother smiles as he approaches. She takes in his appearance and then nods once as in approval. "You couldn't have worn a nice jacket?"

"It's seventy five degrees out." Liam points out. "There's no need for a jacket.

His mother sighs at him and turns back to his father. She smiles and fixes his tie. "Are you ready to go dear?"

"Yes." His father nods and then they start moving. Liam follows behind as they leave the house and pause at the end of the walkway. Liam's father looks over and sees Liam's car, causing him to sigh. "Will, how many times have I told you to park in the garage?"

"I apologize." Liam mumbles out. "The garage is far from the house. It seems unnecessary."

His father shakes his head but says nothing more. A black car pulls up in front of them as the driver had pulled it around from the garage. Liam's father opens the door for his mother and then both get in. Liam follows after them and shuts the door.

The entire drive to the club Liam remains silent. His mother tries asking him questions about where he was but he just shrugs or nods until she gets the point. She seems fairly pissed by the time she's done but Liam doesn't care. He's too focused on putting up with this luncheon.

They arrive at the club and Liam exits the car quickly. He hates the car. He hates sitting with his parents. He hates the stupid button-up shirt he's wearing.

He follows behind his parents as they walk inside the restaurant. There's a bar in the center for drinks and behind it is the kitchen. Then there's tables scattered around and windows on every wall that looks out onto the green grass of the golf fields.

Liam follows as his parents walk over to a big table where a few other people already are. His mother smiles and immediately dives into conversation with another woman. His father shakes hands with the two men that are already there and they both take a seat next to each other.

"William." His mother motions to the seat next to her and Liam slowly sits down in it.

When another family comes by they have a son Liam's age. It's the boy that said hello to him one morning. His dad works and Liam's father's law firm.

"Will, hey." The boy goes to sit across from Liam and smiles.

"Raymond." Liam smiles politely and nods his head. He's thankful that he must've got the boy's name right because his smile doesn't falter.

The server comes by then. A young boy around Liam and Raymond's age. Liam smiles up at him and he smiles back.

"Hey Jim." Liam greets and Jimmy grins widely.

"Hey, Li, how're you?"

"Holding up." Liam shrugs a little. "How's work going?"

"About the same." Jimmy shrugs nonchalantly. He then scans the table with a polite smile that looks a little forced. "Speaking of, what can I get you guys to drink?"

They all take turns ordering. Liam's mother orders for him as well as herself when it's her turn. She gets him a water and herself a sweet tea.

Jimmy walks away with one sympathetic smile pointed towards Liam. There's nothing he can do and there's nothing Liam can do either. He turns to face Raymond again and tries to act like he doesn't mind being there when in reality he would rather be anywhere else.

Under the table, his mother hits his leg. He looks over and she's still in the middle of a conversation with the other ladies, but her smile seems a little strained. When he doesn't understand whatever hint she's trying to give him she leans over to mumble through her gritted teeth.

"Sit up straight." She sounds mad and Liam complies immediately. He hadn't even realized he was slouching.

He was not ready for the lecture on the way home for that one.

He's heard it all a million times before. According to his mother he has terrible posture and that's rude. It's also bad for the imagine. He needs to sit up straight at all times. It's so weird how she can lecture for ages about something that should be summed up in two sentences.

The drinks arrive and Jimmy takes their orders for food. Of course, his mother says Liam's order for him. He didn't even get a chance to look at the menu.

"Oh and the boy here wants your salad. He isn't all that hungry today." She laughs lightly like she's making a joke.

"Yes ma'am." Jimmy nods and moves on to the other orders. The way his eyes flick subtly to Liam's in sadness show he knows she's lying. Liam raises one side of his mouth in a weak half smile and shrugs a shoulder.

There's nothing he can do. There's never anything he can do. He has to sit through it.

When the food comes Liam finally has something to do with himself. He eats even though his stomach churns and doesn't want him to. He eats and pretends to be interested in his father's conversation so Raymond stops trying to talk to him.

He forces himself to eat all of his salad. He was going to stop halfway through but the glare his mother sent him had him eating more. Not finishing meals in public was another thing she considers rude.

Liam hates lettuce. The texture of it and the lack of a taste makes him want to puke every time after eating it. He swallows it all down anyway though.

The entire experience is terrible. His mother glares at him if he does something she doesn't like. Anytime he hasn't said anything in a while, she glares. If he does say something but it isn't proper enough, she glares. When he doesn't talk about his law classes with passion and interest, she glares.

By the time they get home Liam is exhausted. He just wants to run up and puke all the green leaves he ate back up. He doesn't though.

Instead, he goes and changes out of his fancy clothes. He hates those almost as much as he hates having to eat salad. He gets into something more comfortable and when he flops down on his bed the sickness in his stomach has subsided a little.

Just a little bit.

He lays there until dinner where he barely picks at his food and eats only a little bit. His parents both seem happy and talk around him about business like he's not even there.

When he returns to his room all he wants to do is lay down and sleep. So he does. He slips into sleep and part of him hopes to never wake up.

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Hope you enjoyed! :)

Love you ♡

- Z