Chapter 3
The next morning we are awakened by the sound of Olivia walking around.
“Up already?” I croak, rubbing the tiredness out of my eyes.
“Yeah, I feel great” as she rummages through her closet.
“Well, that makes one of us” I manage to get out “I feel like a dumpster on fire”.
“Oh, a dumpster fire? My favorite” Liam says with a sleepy smirk while leaning up and kissing my cheek.
“Oh shit-” I exclaim as I run to the bathroom down the hall, Liam hot on my heels.
Liam got there right in time to grab my hair, to keep me from vomiting throughout my brunette curls.
“Thank you” while rinsing my mouth out with water in the sink.
“ Of course,” he looks at me adoringly.
“How can you look at me like that after watching me vomit? Weirdo” I tease, making sure to brush his fingers as I walk by.
“I don’t think there will ever be a part of you I don’t like, even when you’re barfing”.
The three of us walk downstairs where everyone is cleaning up from the night before, and getting ready for the graduation ceremony later that day.
“Hey, nice bruise, what the hell happened?” Noah points at my arm while walking in with a hangover smoothie.
As I predicted, he doesn’t remember a thing.
I ignore him as I walk outside for fresh air, hoping that will soothe my stomach.
“Isabel, what the hell?” Noah is hot on my heels.
“Noah, please, don’t start with me this morning” I mumble, rubbing my temples, trying to relieve the headache that is already pounding in my skull.
“What the hell happened? Did he do this to you?” looking directly at Liam.
Liam, instantly fuming.
“No, you did,” Liam interrupts.
Everyone in hearing shot, stops in their tracks, looking right at us.
Olivia hands me my bag, “Here babe. I’ll see you later”.
“I am so sorry Liv, I tried to not cause a scene” my eyes stinging with tears.
“You’re not the one who needs to apologize, Isabel. It’s Noah” she says while she glares at Noah with piercing eyes.
“Noah, he’s right. You did this. Call me when you remember last night. I don’t want to hear from you until then” I turn to Liam “Will you take me home please so I can freshen up for Olivia’s ceremony?”.
“Yeah, let's go,” opening his passenger side door.
“Liv, I’ll see you later. I love you” hugging her.
“I love you too” she returns my embrace.
The ride from Olivia’s to my place was unbearably silent. I hugged my bag to my chest, cheeks hot, stomach twisting. I was embarrassed. Terrified. Terrified that last night had just ruined something good.
Noah had a way of getting what he wanted, but this time?
He might have destroyed it for me, and the thought made my blood boil.
I swallowed hard, blinking furiously to keep the tears from slipping, refusing to let Liam see me falter.
Every second felt like waiting for a verdict. Waiting for the end.
Wow, Isabel. Twelve hours. Officially your shortest relationship. Way to go.
Liam’s hand brushed mine for the briefest second. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. Enough to remind me I wasn’t entirely alone.
“Thank you for the ride,” I said as I got out of the car, quickly walking to my house before Liam could catch up.
“Not so fast, Bella” as he chases quickly behind me, “Will you just wait?”
I stop and look at him, my heart pounding. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” I say, the words tumbling out. “Me and you. I’m sorry for everything that happened last night-”
He cuts me off with a kiss.
The way he kisses me lights something deep in my chest, all urgency and need. Like he needs me to survive. Like I’m the air in his lungs, and he’s been holding his breath all night.
When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine. “That’s all I needed to know,” he says quietly.
“And thank you. For defending me.”
Relief floods through me, my shoulders finally dropping. “Hey,” I add softly, “my parents are out of town. Do you want to come over tonight when I get home? I don’t really like being alone.”
His thumb traces my jaw, slow and deliberate. “Then you won’t be, but I have some things to do with my mom today first” he says.
“See you then,” I said and I closed the door behind me.