Through The Dark

by Jae

  “I am too.” I agree. “Especially because I got an offer from this institute in Paris; I would go to school and take different art and photography classes during the morning, and then in the afternoon I would go intern at this really awesome art company.”

  “Wow, that’s…” Liam sighs as he looks down at his feet that are floating in the water. “Paris is really far away.”

  “Yeah, I know.” I glance over at him and see there’s a look on his face that almost seems like sadness. “I haven’t decided yet though. I’m still considering all my options.”

  I watch Liam nod his head and then slip back into the pool. I pull my camera back up to my eye and take some pictures of him swimming under the water before getting back in the pool myself. We swim around, have races, and splash each other some more. After a while we just float around until we bump into each other and move back into vertical positions. I hesitate to wrap my legs around Liam’s waist at first, but when he reaches out and tugs me closer to him I relax. Liam snakes his arms around my waist, holding me closely to him while his legs gently kick around to keep us floating. I trail my fingers down the sides of his neck and then across the tops of his shoulders.

  “You have a lot of tattoos.” I think out loud while I trace one of the black ink marks on his skin.

  “And how do you feel about that?” Liam chuckles.

  I tilt my head from side to side, pretending to be weighing my answer before smiling. “I like them.”

  “Good,” Liam smiles back. “Because it wouldn’t be very easy getting all of these removed.”

  Liam’s answer makes me pause my tracing. Would he really get his tattoos removed if I said I didn’t like them? Oh my God, what am I thinking – of course he wouldn’t! I’m sure he was just kidding.

  After a few minutes, we finally decide to get out of the pool. I toss a towel to Liam and quickly wrap mine around myself. Even though it’s summer time, it still gets a little chilly at night. Clearly noticing my shivering body, Liam sits down on a lawn chair and pulls me onto his lap. I let out a small, content sigh and rest the side of my head on his shoulder while he wraps his arms around my body. I untangle my arms from the tight embrace and pick up my camera to show Liam the other pictures I took of him swimming, and then we take a few pictures together; making funny faces at the camera.

  When we’re done, Liam slides one of his hands up to the back of my neck and tilts my face up to him. Our eyes lock for a moment before he just barley brushes his lips against mine, testing how I will react. When I don’t pull away, he gently places his lips completely on mine and I let my eyes fall shut. While our lips move in perfect sync with each other, I get an idea that I can’t help but act on. Slowly, not to ruin the moment, I raise my camera to the side of us and take a picture. I can instantly feel Liam smile into the kiss, clearly aware of what I just did, but he makes no move to stop what we’re doing.

  Eventually we make our way inside and change into actual clothes. When I come back downstairs, I find Liam sitting on the couch watching TV. I grab a blanket from the hall closet and snuggle next to him while we watch some more of the Friends marathon. Before too long, Liam announces that he should probably go, even though he doesn’t like that I’m staying in my house all by myself. Our goodbye is filled with a kiss that leaves me breathless when Liam pulls away. I lean my back against the front door after I close it behind him and let out a girlish squeal that turns into a childish giggle. I can’t believe today actually happened.

  “So, what did you do yesterday?” Taylor asks me after we sit down at a table outside of a Starbucks.

  “I hung out with Liam.”

  “Oh, really?” She questions with a silly smile on her face. “And how was that?”

  “It was fine.” I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “We ordered pizza and swam in my pool.”

  “That’s all?” She pushes, knowing there‘s more.

  “Well, no…” I pause. “We kissed.”

  “Oh my God!”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “So what does that mean?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Well, are you guys together?”

  “I don’t know?” I pause again, thinking. “I don’t think so.”

  “Do you want to be with him?”

  Her question makes me realize that I’ve never really thought about it until now. I’ve spent pretty much every minute that I’ve known Liam being afraid of him, that I never really considered actually liking him. And to be honest, there’s a little part of me that’s still afraid of him because I don’t really know anything about him; his interests, his past, or even just his life in general. All I know, only from observation, is he’s persistent and willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants and he’s an amazing basketball player. Though, I don’t really think that’s enough to assume any type of romantic relationship on?

  “I’m not sure.” I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe?”

  I watch Taylor nod her head before taking a drink of her iced tea. Eventually she takes over the conversation and talks about how she and the other girls got the numbers of Liam’s friends we played basketball with.

  “Jack and I have been texting almost non-stop. He’s so sweet!”

  “That’s really cool, Tay! I’m glad you like him.”

  “Me too!” She squeals. “So, Zoie and I were thinking all of us should go out to dinner tonight.”

  “All of us, meaning just the girls?” I ask, not really sure who she’s referring to now.

  “No, I mean the girls and the boys.” She says in a sort of snobby voice followed by her signature eye roll.

  “Oh.” I nod my head, resisting the urge of kind of wanting to slap her face. I really do adore Taylor, she’s a lot of fun, but she can be so rude sometimes. “Yeah, I’ll call Liam and see if he’s free tonight.”

  “Great!” She exclaims, clapping her hands together while standing up. “Well, I have to go, but could you call Ella for me and see if she and Tony are free too?”

  “Yeah, sure.” I stand up and give her a hug goodbye.

  “You’re a lifesaver, Daze! Call or text me after a while and let me know what everyone says.” Taylor calls over her shoulder as she walks away.

  “Yeah, whatever.” I mumble and sit back down in my seat.

  I take long drinks from my Cool Lime Refreshers while I watch people walk up and down the street, moving in and out of different shops. After a while, a random girl and I lock eyes for a moment and I suddenly start to feel like a creep. I quickly pick up my phone and decide to call Liam.

  “Hello?” Liam answers, sounding a little irritated.

  “Hey, it’s Daisy.” I respond, instantly wishing I would’ve text him instead. “Are you busy?”

  “Yeah, sort of.” He says quickly. “Hold on a second.”

  “Oh, umm… Okay.”

  I can hear people talking while I wait for Liam to get back on the phone, but I can’t make out what they’re saying. For a few minutes I contemplate hanging up and just sending him a text to call me when he has the time. But a part of me feels like that would be incredibly rude, so instead I stay on the line.

  “Daisy?” I hear Liam say into the phone after a few more minutes.

  “Yeah.” I answer, jumping in my seat a little bit when I hear the slamming of a car door on his end of the phone. “I’m still here.”

  “Okay, good.” He replies, letting out a deep breath. “Sorry about making you wait. I had just walked into the locker room from practice when I heard my phone ringing and then when I answered my coached yelled for me and –“

  “It’s fine.” I cut him off, causing us both to chuckle. “If you’re still busy though, you can just call me back later. It’s not a big deal.”

  “No, I’m sitting in my car now.” Liam quickly responds, but I don’t miss how tired his voice sounds. “What’s up?”

  “Well, I have a proposition for you.”

  “I like the sound of that. What is it?”


  “First, I want you to know that you can totally say no if you don’t want to do it because you sound exhausted.”

  “Daisy, just tell me.” Liam demands, amusement clear in his voice.

  “Okay, well, I guess the girls got Tony, Jack, and Connor’s numbers after your game on Friday,” I pause.

  “And?”

  “And Taylor and Zoie want all of us to go out to dinner tonight. I’m guessing Jack and Connor are already cool with it since Taylor suggested it to me, but I still have to talk to Ella and if she’s okay with it, she still has to talk to Tony. But now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t even know what’s going on between Ella and Tony. I have no idea if either one of them would be okay with it…” I ramble off in one breath.

  “Daisy, clam down.” Liam interjects, breaking out into a fit of laughter and I take another long drink of my Cool Lime Refreshers. “First, Tony told me he and Ella have been talking and it seems like they’re really hitting it off. I’m sure they would be down to go if they’re not busy.”

  “Oh, okay.” I nod my head, even though he can’t see me.

  “Actually, hold on a second. The guys are about to walk past my car.”

  I respond with another okay before hearing Liam yell for the other guys. After a few seconds I can hear all of their deep voices talking about tonight and whether or not they are free. From what I can tell, it seems like all of them are okay with the idea.

  “Alright, they’re all free to go.” Liam tells me when he gets back on the phone. “I guess Jack and Connor have already talked to Zoie and Taylor about it and Tony told me he’ll call Ella so you don’t have to, but he’s sure she’ll want to go too.”

  “Okay, cool.” I smile, happy that I don’t have to make a bunch of phone calls now. “Do you want to go?”

  “Yeah, of course.” He answers before letting out a very obvious yawn.

  “No, Liam, honestly it’s fine. I can tell you’re tired.”

  “I’m fine, Daisy.” He says his voice hardening for a second. “I’ll just take a nap when I get home.”

  “Are you sure?” I question skeptically.

  “Yes, I’m sure. Tony and I will pick you and Ella up at 7:00, so be ready.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you after a while, then.”

  “Yes, you will, Little Miss Daisy.” Liam confirms before ending the phone call.

  I take one more drink of my Cool Lime Refreshers before getting up from the table and walking to my car. When I get home, Ella comes over right away and we start getting ready. I find out from her that Jack and Connor are going to pick up Zoie and Taylor and we’re all going to meet at some really nice restaurant, so we have to dress a little fancier than normal.

  A few minutes before seven o’clock, Ella asks me if she looks okay when we hear my doorbell ring. She’s wearing a red sleeveless dress with a tan woven belt around her waist and a pair of tan platform lace-up ankle boots. Her hair is in soft waves and her makeup consists of a thin winged eye and red lipstick on her plump lips.

  “You look great.” I tell her before she darts out of my closet to answer the door.

  I look over my outfit in the mirror one more time, making sure everything is in place before I walk into my room. I’m wearing a sleeveless cream and black lace shift dress with contrast panels and mesh at the front yoke and a pair of leather platform ankle booties. My hair is in a sock bun and my makeup consists of a shimmery cream eye shadow.

  I’m stuffing my phone into my purse when I hear a light knock on my door. I turn around to see Liam leaning against my doorframe, his eyes traveling up and down my body. My breath easily catches in my throat at his appearance. He’s wearing a gray blazer with a white dress shirt that’s buttoned up all the way and tucked into nice black jeans, and a pair of all black Canvas Authentic Vans shoes. His hair is messily swept across his forehead like always and I can see his left dimple becoming known as his lips slip into a crooked smile.

  “You look amazing.” Liam compliments, pulling me out of my trance.

  “Thank you.” I smile shyly. “You clean up nice too.”

  “Thanks.” Liam chuckles as he steps away from my doorframe and enters my room.

  I watch him look around, his eyes taking in everything on my walls before eventually landing on my queen size bed. His lips twist into a smirk and I immediately know nothing but dirty thoughts are running through his mind. When he finally looks back at me, his green eyes are dark with lust. I swallow hard before unlocking my eyes from his and finish putting the things I need into my purse.

  “How are you feeling?” I ask, trying to push the tight feeling in my stomach away.

  “Fine.” Liam replies. “That nap helped a lot.”

  “That’s good, I’m glad.” I respond and start walking out my bedroom door.

  “Hey,” Liam says before I disappear into the hallway. “Hold on.”

  I turn around and am instantly met with Liam’s tall frame. My head instinctively tilts back when he slides one of his hands to the side of my neck, the other resting on my waist. I slowly close my eyes as he dips his head down and places his lips on mine. It’s a soft sweet kiss that doesn’t last very long, but still leaves my entire body tingling when it’s over.

  “Now we can go.” Liam says, grabbing a hold of my hand and leading me downstairs.

  “Hey, Daisy!” Tony greats while pulling me into a quick hug. “You look great.”

  “Thanks.” I smile politely and take in his appearance before we make our way out to Liam’s Range Rover. He’s wearing a white and gray vertical stripped button up shirt that’s rolled up to his elbows, nice dark gray jeans, and a pair of white Chuck Taylor All Star Converse shoes. “So do you.”

  The drive to the restaurant doesn’t take very long and the boys act like true gentlemen by opening the car doors for Ella and me. I watch ahead as Tony wraps his arm around Ella’s shoulders, making her smile up at him and then I feel Liam slide his hand into mine while we walk through the parking lot. Once we’re inside, Liam informs the hostess of our reservation. I’m almost surprised when she bats her eyes at Liam, clearly trying to flirt with him, but to my relief Liam doesn’t pay any attention to it.

  “It’ll be about ten minutes.” Liam says after he walks back over to us. “They just have to clear the table and reset it.”

  “I wonder where everyone else is.” Ella thinks out loud as she pulls her phone out of her purse and starts pressing some buttons on it.

  “Come here.” Liam says softly, grabbing my hand and pulling me to him; our bodies now pressed together. I play with the buttons on his shirt while he places his hands on my waist and kisses my forehead.

  “I like this shirt.” I tell him while gently tugging at the collar.

  Liam nods his head before playfully narrowing his eyes on me. “So, are you going to run away this time?”

  My eyes grow wide and my head snaps up to look at the smirk on Liam’s face.

  “I’m joking.” He reassures me with a small chuckle and a quick kiss to the tip of my nose.

  “That wasn’t funny.” I pout, slightly sticking out my bottom lip.

  “Oh, stop.” Liam responds, clearly amused by my actions. Then he quickly pulls my bottom lip between his teeth before kissing me, leaving me with a smile on my face when it ends. I wasn’t expecting him to do that, but it was really sexy and I definitely liked it. I guess Liam’s just full of all kinds of surprises.

  “Hey!” I hear Zoie’s voice say as her, Connor, Taylor, and Jack walk into the restaurant and we all greet each other with hugs.

  “You guys look so cute!” Ella compliments and I take in Zoie and Taylor’s appearances.

  Zoie is wearing a short sleeve blue lace mini dress with a high neckline and a pair of black suede platform Mary Janes with a bow accent in the front. Her hair is in soft curls and her makeup consists of a thin line of eyeliner on her eyelids. Taylor has on a light pink sleeveless blouson dress with ditsy bejeweled embellishments and n
ude colored pumps. Her hair is pulled back into a curly pony tail and her makeup consists of a light brown smoky eye. They both look very beautiful.

  “Who knew a bunch of basketball players could clean up so nice.” Taylor jokes as I take in the other boy’s outfits.

  They both look similar to Liam and Tony, yet somehow Liam manages to look like a male model compared to the other three.

  “You’re table is ready.” The hostess informs us, giving me a slight evil eye when I walk past her.

  “Thanks.” I smile too sweetly, knowing it will only piss her off.

  “Play nice.” Liam whispers in my ear after we sit down.

  “I always do.” I wink at him before opening my menu and scanning over the items.

  Since there is eight of us at the table, we all are sitting relatively close together. Liam pulls my chair over so it’s pressed up against his and now gives a good amount of space between Ella and me. I like how while we wait for our food Liam is leaned back in his chair with his left arm draped over the back of mine. Every now and then, he will trace random patterns on my bare shoulder, giving me small goose bumps. When our food comes, Liam removes his arm from my chair and instead places his hand on my thigh, rubbing his thumb around in small circular patterns. If I was out with any other guy and he acted this way towards me in front of our friends, I probably would’ve felt embarrassed and instantly pushed him away. But there’s something about Liam that makes it feel natural. Instead of me feeling dirty and repulsed, I feel sexy and relaxed.

  While we eat, Liam and I pick off of each other’s plates. I know we probably look like one of those super lame and cheesy couples, but I don’t care. After we’re done eating and are just chatting with each other, Liam leans back in his chair and drapes his arm around the back of mine again. Even though his hand isn’t on my thigh anymore, I can still feel the pressure of his thumb moving around in circles.

  I lean back in my chair, playing with my hands in my lap, and look up at Liam. I watch the way his eyes sparkle while he talks with the boy’s about their upcoming basketball game. Without thinking, I lift my hand and gently poke the dimple in his cheek. This causes him to smile even wider as he glances down at me and places a kiss to my forehead. I slide my finger down his cheek until it falls off at his jaw line and then place my hand back in my lap.