Chapter 30: Twenty-eight

Liam follows Ian inside the building. Ian smiles at the woman behind the receptionist desk. She smiles politely back at both of them.

"We wanna use the basketball gym." Ian begins, glancing over at Liam with a little smile.

"Okay, are you aware we close at eight thirty?"

"We are." Ian nods. "We'll be gone before then."

"Okay then." She types something up on the computer and then Ian and Liam are paying. They split the pay halfway and then go through the small gates.

Ian smiles, loosely wrapping his hand around Liam's wrist and tugging. "Follow me."

Liam follows close in step behind him. Ian's hand stays wrapped around his wrist. They walk down the wide hallway, the floors white tile and clicking under their feet.

"Here it is." Ian drops his wrist in order to open up the big blue doors. A big room that's the size of three gyms put together awaits them. There's a volleyball net set up on the first one and the two behind it are for basketball.

Liam follows Ian over to the farthest area. Big windows are on the wall, showing the parking lot. There's a walkway hanging around the walls, higher up than the basketball goals. It's a cool place.

"Okay, you know how you dribble right?" Ian asks, picking up two basketballs out of the bin. Liam doesn't answer so Ian demonstrates. He bounces the ball in his right hand repeatedly. "It's pretty simple, you try."

He bounces the ball in his left and it hops over to Liam. He catches it and looks down at the orange ball in his hands. He bounces it on the floor once and catches it afterwards.

"Yeah. Basically like that but when it comes back up instead of catching it, send it back down." Ian instructs and then shows him once more.

They take about five minutes to let Liam warm up and get used to dribbling the ball. Once he feels confident he can do it consistently, if only a little shaky, they move on.

"Okay, come back here." Ian walks backwards to stand on one of the green lines. Liam goes and stands next to him. "Okay, this is the free throw line, and that line back there is the three pointer line."

"Okay." Liam nods. "So, past that line is three points?"

"Yeah." Ian nods. "And inside the line is two points. Then, if someone fouls you, which that's when they touch you illegally when you have the ball. So like pushing or shoving while guarding you, that's a foul. Anyways, if someone fouls you then you usually get at least one free throw, typically two, and sometimes three. A free throw is only worth one point though."

"Um, okay." Liam nods, trying to soak in the information.

"Okay, the basic point of basketball is you have to always be dribbling no matter where you are on the court, as long as your moving. If you pick it up you have like five minutes to pass or shoot before it's against the rules." Ian says, and then he starts dribbling. "Which, I don't guess any of this matters because I kinda thought we'd just mess around and shoot a little."

"Oh." Liam nods. He starts dribbling the ball too, eyeing the goal a little. "So, do you play basketball?"

"Not anymore." Ian shakes his head. "I did in middle school and freshman year, but didn't take it seriously enough to continue with it all throughout high school."

"Oh." Liam nods. He stares down at ball as he dribbles it.

"You wanna try a shot?" Ian asks, looking over.

"Oh." Liam picks up the ball, almost dropping it. "Okay."

"Alright." Ian picks his ball up and spreads his feet apart some more in an athletic stance. Then with a little smile he adds, "Watch and learn."

Ian stretches his arms up and when he shoots he flicks his wrists. The ball flies up and bounces off the backboard, straight back into the net. Ian smirks while jogging over to catch the ball.

"Alright, we'll take turns." Ian sits down his ball on the sidelines and walks over so he's standing halfway between the goal and where Liam stands at the free throw line. "You shoot once, I'll shoot once, and we just go back and forth okay?"

"Okay." Liam nods. He looks down and adjusts his feet like he saw Ian do. He throws the ball, trying to aim for the net.

The orange ball flies through the air and bounces off the side of the backboard, right on the outside of the taped square. It comes flying and Ian jogs over to catch it before it can hit the floor.

He smiles and walks over to stand next to Liam. "Okay here."

He hands the ball over and so Liam takes it. He holds it, unsure what to do now. Ian reaches out and moves Liam's hands for him. He does his best to adjust Liam's hold and instructs him on how to shoot.

Liam tosses the ball up with more accuracy this time. It hits the square and bounces over to roll around the rim. It falls out and goes down to the floor.

"Hey, almost." Ian knocks their shoulders together, running over to pick up the bouncing ball. He passes it back to Liam. "Try again."

Liam shoots it again and it does go in that time. Ian cheers and he feels a little smile forming on his face. They take turns taking shots. Liam only makes it about half the time. Ian misses on occasion too which makes him feel a little better.

They spend around forty-five minutes in the empty gym. Liam finds himself smiling easily as they stay. Ian bumps their shoulders on occasion and pretends to block Liam when he shoots but really does a shitty job so Liam can shoot anyway.

"My turn." Ian beams, catching Liam's rebound and dribbling back to the three point line. Liam leans over and takes a swipe at the ball, eyes widening when he actually gets it away from Ian. He scrambles to grab it and start dribbling.

Ian wears a challenging smile, trying to get it back. Liam turns his back on him, smiling at the sounds of Ian's laugh. An arm hooks around his waist and pulls him backwards, making the ball in his hands drop and bounce away.

Liam laughs as he's pulled against Ian who's laughing too. He moves his head, trying to get a look at the boy behind him. "Isn't this a foul?"

"Maybe." Ian says in a sing-song voice. He's still chuckling as he wraps his other arm around Liam's lower stomach, resting above the one already there. "This is the most efficient way to get the ball away though."

Liam laughs again, his head tilting back to rest against Ian as he does so. "You're crazy."

"Maybe just a little bit." Ian laughs out. A loud upbeat tone rings out and Ian slips his arms away from Liam to pull his ringing phone out of his pocket. "One second, this is my mom."

He still has on a big smile as he answers the phone. While he does that, Liam goes over to catch the runaway ball. He scoops it up and walks back over to where Ian is.

"Yeah." Ian looks up, meeting eyes with Liam while still talking in the phone. "I'll be home soon. Is it cool if Liam comes too?"

Liam's eyes widen a bit. He hadn't been expecting that. Although he smiles a little. He didn't really want to go back home anyway.

"Alright, thank you." Ian says. "Bye."

He hangs up the phone and slides it back into his pocket. Liam hugs the ball to his chest and raises his eyebrows. "Time to go?"

"Yeah. We probably should've been leaving anyway, they close soon." Ian says with his friendly smile. He walks over and picks up the other basketball that got discarded at the very beginning.

Liam follows him over to the bins and they put the basketballs with the rest. Ian's hand flutters over the small of Liam's back to push him a little towards the exit and then quickly leaves as he continues to walk in front. Liam marks off the hot feeling on his face as an aftereffect of all the running around the basketball court they just did.

He follows Ian through the halls, pausing in front of a vending machine. Ian bumps lightly against him. "Want anything? A soda?"

"Um." Liam looks at the snacks and the bottles of soda behind the glass. "Sure."

"Pepsi good?" Ian asks as he inserts a dollar. Liam nods once so Ian clicks it. The bottle falls to the bottom and Ian pulls it out, handing it to Liam. He then takes out another dollar bill and after uncrinkling a corner, sticks it in. Another Pepsi falls down and then they start walking back to the exit again.

Liam opens his bottle of Pepsi and takes a drink. They exit the building and he looks around. It's a lot darker now, but still bright enough to see. They get in the car quietly, Ian putting the AC to a higher setting before pulling out of his parking spot.

"So," Ian begins as they drive. "You ever gonna tell me what was bothering you?"

Liam looks over at him. His eyes are on the road but he glances over and catches Liam's gaze. With kind eyes he smiles and turns back to the road again.

Liam looks down at his hands resting in his lap. He twists them over to inspect his palms. He's not sure exactly how to explain it all. What if Ian just thinks he's being over dramatic? Even worse, what if Ian is upset about his mom shit talking him.

"I got home and my parents were arguing. My mom's just pissed at me for my behavior issues."

"Behavior issues?" Ian's eyebrows furrow. "What's that mean?"

"It means having a life." Liam huffs out. "She's mad I've got friends now. Actually, more specifically, she's mad that my friends aren't from rich families. It's a bunch of bullshit."

"She's mad about us?" Ian asks.

"Pretty much." Liam shrugs. "She's mad I'm not studying all the time, but even when I did study all the time she was still always mad at me. I'm pretty sure she's just mad about my existence."

Ian looks over with a concerned expression. His eyes quickly go back to the road but the concern doesn't leave. He reaches over and ruffles Liam's hair. "If it helps, I'm not mad about your existence. I am very happy you exist."

Liam's lips tug up into a little smile. "Thanks."

"Yeah." Ian nods. "So, is that what upset you?"

"Kinda." Liam says. "I spoke up and she snapped. I got banished to my room, she said she didn't want to see me for the rest of the night."

"Wait, so have you eaten?" Ian asks suddenly.

"Um, not since lunch." Liam shakes his head. "I don't really care too much about that though."

"We've got left over pizza at home. You're eating some when we get there." Ian says, his tone carrying finality in it.

Liam smiles a little. "Okay."

"Good." Ian grins. "Also, I'm really sorry about your mom. That's kinda fucked up."

Liam's shoulders slouch a little. He feels like melting back into the car. "It's okay. She just expects too much from me. It's a little tiring."

"I can imagine." Ian's arm reaches over. His hand massages Liam's shoulders lightly. When he drops it he slides it down Liam's forearm before pulling it away to rest on the center console. "You wanna eat pizza and watch movies until you feel better?"

Liam smiles again. "Sounds good."

They're quiet the rest of the drive. Ian pulls into his driveway at 8:43. Liam follows him inside.

Ian takes off his shoes once they're inside. Liam shuts the door behind him and copies his actions. Mrs. Morrison comes out of her bedroom and spots them, smiling fondly.

"Welcome home. Hi Liam, it's nice to see you again."

Liam smiles politely. "Hi, you too."

"We're gonna warm up some pizza and then head up to my room." Ian says. The woman nods.

"Alright well I'm probably going to go to sleep soon then. Goodnight you two."

"Goodnight." Liam and Ian say at the same time. Ian adds afterwards, "Love you."

"Love you too." She then returns to her bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind her.

Liam follows Ian into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table. Ian opens a box of pizza that's sitting on the counter. "Ember must've been on charge of putting it in the fridge and forgot."

Liam smiles a little at the mention of his friend. That makes sense, Ember is easily distracted.

Ian puts three slices on a plate and sticks it in the microwave. He warms it up for a minute. While the slices are heating up, he puts the box up in the fridge.

Liam spots a second box in the trashcan. They must've ordered two and only had leftovers in the second. Ian leans up against the counter while waiting for the microwave to beep.

Once the food is done Ian carries it upstairs and Liam follows him. They disappear into Ian's room, closing the door behind them. Ian plops down on the bed, looking at Liam expectantly.

Liam sits down next to him and accepts the plate when it is offered to him. He starts munching on a hot pizza slice while Ian grabs the remote.

"You got anything you wanna watch?"

"Yes. That." Liam nods as the zombie apocalypse show appears on Ian's continued watching.

Ian smiles while clicking on it. "So you liked it?"

"Yeah." Liam nods. "I watched a little at home too."

Ian presses play on the show. Quiet passes between them while Liam eats his pizza and people scream on the TV. It's more relaxing than it should be.

Two slices down and Liam's no longer hungry. He glances down at the third slice and then over and Ian. He holds the plate over. "Want it?"

Ian looks down at it. He takes it and immediately picks it up to take a bite. After swallowing he asks, "Full?"

"Yeah." Liam nods. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Ian gives him a sideways smile and then finishes the slice of pizza. When he's done he sits the empty plate on his side table. At the side eye Liam gives him he laughs. "I'll take it down and wash it in the morning."

"Mhm." Liam hums, a small smile dancing on his face. Ian's smiling wide at him. His stomach feels fuzzy, it's weird but not unpleasant.

Ian lays down, his legs popping up on the bed and settling behind Liam. Liam leans back so he's just barely resting on Ian's legs. A few moments later, Ian tugs on his arm and mumbles something about being more comfortable. Liam lays down next to him and they both watch the TV silently, Ian's head propped up on his arm so he can see over Liam.

They laid quietly for about an hour longer before Liam felt himself starting to drift off. He wasn't totally aware when he was falling asleep but he could feel Ian moving next to him. The TV turned off and a blanket was pulled over him. He was completely asleep less than a minute later.

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Love you ♡

- Z