Episode 9

"Hey, what are you doing?" A voice I thought was familiar suddenly spoke when I answered the phone. The number was unknown. I frowned.

"Err, who's this?" I asked cautiously. There was a chuckle on the other side.

"Sorry, I forgot you don't have my number. It's Liam." The voice said. I was a little surprised. Ok, now where did he get my number..?

"Liam, hey. How did you get my number?" I asked. He chuckled. Ok, what's so funny?

"Well, I have my sources... What are you doing? You busy?" Liam asked.

"Um, no, not really..Why?" I asked, mystified.

"I kinda need your help." Liam said.

"Oh, with what?" I asked, mystified.

"I need to buy my mum's birthday present, but I have no idea what to buy for her." Liam explained.

"Oh, okay. When's her birthday?" I asked. There was a pause. Then Liam replied sheepishly.

"Err, today," I raised my eyebrows. Then I chuckled.

"You forgot, didn't you?" I said with a giggle. Liam chuckled sheepishly.

"Yeah. Umm, so can you help me?..Please?" Liam pretty much begged me.

"Well,okay. You're lucky I'm bored out of my mind." I chuckled over the phone.

"Great! So, I'll pick you up in an hour? I'll call you when I get to your dorm room, ok?" Liam said.

"Alright," I said and hung up.

I changed into a pair of my favourite skinny jeans and a girly fitted white top. I took my leather jacket and put on my boots. Just as I put down my lip gloss, my phone vibrated.

"Hey, Hannah. I'm at the lobby." Liam spoke on the other side.

"Ok, I'm coming." I said as I got out of my room.

When I reached the lobby, I saw Liam on his bike. Dayummm.... He looked crazy sexy straddling the huge bike. There were many girls who were straight up staring at him. He's every girls' wet dream right there. Just then he turned to me and smiled. He handed me a helmet. I took it and felt all eyes were stabbing at me. I looked at the helmet and concentrated on putting the damn thing on.

When I've put it on, I climbed onto the bike and clung to Liam. Damn this bike is high. I grabbed him by the waist and held tight. Just then, Liam looked over his shoulder.

"You're ready?" He asked and I nodded. Liam started the bike engine

and he roared off. I gripped his waist tightly as the bike went faster. Seriously, this bike will be the death of me.

After a few minutes, we arrived at a a nearby mall. Liam parked and I jumped off first, grateful that I was there in one piece. Liam got off gracefully. I stared at him. Damn this guy is seriously sexy. Why the hell is he hanging out with me?

"Okay, so what does your mother like?" I asked as we walked into a boutique selling women's accessories.

"Well, she likes scarves, shoes and handbags, just like any other woman." Liam said. I nodded and looked around at the lines of gorgeous scarves. Suddenly, 1 caught my eye. It was gorgeous ruby red and soft as gossamer silk. Looking at the price, it probably was. It was soo expensive, but sooo gorgeous. Liam came up behind me and reached out to touch the scarf. His thumb grazed my hand and I felt an electric current suddenly zapped me out of nowhere. I gulped.

"Wow, this is so nice." Liam said as he fingered the fabric. I was paralysed my back to him.

" I know right? Get this for your mom." I said, trying to sound casual.

Suddenly, the salesgirl came over with a huge smile on her lips.

"Hello, can I help you?" She asked as she glanced at me and let her gaze linger on Liam.

"Um, yeah. I'd like to take this scarf, please." Liam said with a smile.

"Good choice. This is actually our brand's limited edition. It's one of a kind. Only 5 pieces made for every colour we have." The salesgirl explained. I sucked my breath quickly. That's retail speak for effing expensive.

"Great. And can you gift wrap it up please? It's a birthday present for my mom. " Liam said as he took out his platinum card.

"Oh, I thought it's for your girlfriend here." She twittered as her voice went up an octave.

"Oh, I'm not his girlfriend." I said automatically. The girl feigned being surprised and it took all I could not to roll my eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you guys were together." She gushed as she carefully wrapped the box with the scarf in with soft tissue paper and some decorative stuff. Yeah, she did not look sorry at all.

"It's for my mom. Today's her birthday." Liam said with a sheepish smile.

"Aww...that is so sweet. Your mum is so lucky to have a considerate son like you. Here, I'll throw in a nice brooch for her." The salesgirl said as she smiled at both if us. Yeah, she's smiling to me now since I'm no longer a threat.

"Oh, wow. You don't have to do that." Liam said shyly.

"Oh, but I want to. And um...here. Call me.." The sales girl said sweetly and whispered the last part, pretty loudly though as she handed the present to Liam and a piece of paper as well. Liam took them, a little taken aback. She even let her hand linger in Liam's for a bit. I saw him visibly amused at her obvious attraction to him.

"Oh... Um, yeah. Thanx." Liam mumbled as he legged it out of there. I followed behind him. I couldn't help but giggle at Liam's awkward response to the salesgirl's flirting.

"Erm, you want some lunch? I'm famished." Liam announced and took my hand in his suddenly. It took me by surprise.

Seriously, walking beside a tall, gorgeous guy in a leather jacket really make people stare. I dunno what to feel. I mean, what is Liam's deal? Is he pretending still? I mean, why should he when Trey was nowhere near me. I didn't say anything as he pulled me into the nearest Chillies restaurant.

The hostess smiled widely when she saw Liam. Liam smiled back and she took us to our booth. I followed meekly behind. Just then a familiar voice called.

"Hannah?! Liam?!" I looked towards the voice and saw Trey looking at us. He was with 3 girls. They're clearly waiting for their food.

"Hey, Trey. What's up?" Liam said with a smile. Trey smiled as the greeted each other. I looked at Trey and smiled too. The girls were looking at me and Liam while smiling widely. It was clearly for Liam's benefit.

"Hey, why don't you guys join us for lunch? Got room for 2 more." Trey said, acting like nothing was wrong. Acting like he hadn't been AWOL all weekend.

"Yeah, come on, join us." A gorgeous brunette said as the others heartily agreed. Liam glanced at me and I shrugged.

"Hannah, come here. Haven't seen all weekend!" Trey said as he pulled to sit beside him. The girl on his other side looked a little pissed at his obvious friendliness to me. The other two pulled Liam to sit between them. This felt weird.

"Yeah, been busy you know. Finishing our assignment and whatnot. What have you been up to? I called you a bunch of times but you didn't pick up." I asked brazenly while the other girl looked bored.

"Oh, sorry babe. I was comatose the whole day yesterday. Killer hangover." Trey said simply with an apologetic smile. The waitress came and Liam and I ordered. I ordered the cajun chicken sandwich while Liam ordered the burger.

The girls monopolized Trey and Liam the whole time. I just sat there, looking through my phone. Just then I saw a message from Amy.

Amy : Hey babe, where you at?

Me : The mall. Chillies. Having lunch. U?

Amy : At my sister's place. Got laundry to do. Who are you with?

Me : Liam and Trey and a bunch of girls I don't know.

Amy : ???? How did you end up with them?

Me : Well, Liam asked me to help him find a birthday present for his mom and we stumbld upon Trey and his harem in Chillies when we came for lunch.

Amy : Ooohh...choosing a present for the future mother-in-law..nice!

Me : Urgh, hardly. I was bored since you weren't around, so I followed when he called and asked me to help him.

Amy : Wait, Liam specifically asked you to help him find a present for his mom? Whoa...

Me : What?! He's a friend. I help my friends.

Amy : Oh, so he's a friend now. I thought you didn't like him since he called you...you know..

Me : Urgh, seriously..nothing is going on Amy. Look, I gotta go. Food's here. See you back on campus.

Amy : Okay2, go have your lunch date. See ya later babe. Tell me absolutely everything when you get back, ok!

Me : Fine, whatever.

The food came and they look yummy. All the girls ordered starter salads except the one sitting beside me. She ordered grilled rosemary chicken with veggies. The salad eaters looked at me in disgust when I picked up my sandwich and took a bite. The one beside me looked appreciatively as she smiled at me. I smiled back, glad to have a normal person beside me.

I didn't get to talk to Trey much. He was busy with the girls. Liam didn't talk much with the girls and kept sending looks over at me, like he was begging me to save him. I giggled a few times. Emma, the girls who sat beside me was a nice company. We talked and I found she's a year below me and we go to the same college. She's doing Chemistry, which was impressive considering the company she keeps...the two bimbos who kept glaring at me when I tried to talk to Trey. And he seemed a little preoccupied. It kinda pissed me off. Suddenly, I got a text. I read it and looked at Liam. he was staring at me.

Liam : Let's get outta here!

Me : Ok, sure. Lead the way.

"Urm, hey guys, me and Hannah gotta go. We got some stuff we gotta do. Urm, see ya ok. Here, lunch's on me." Liam said as he started to get up. I followed suit. Trey looked at us in surprise.

"You guys are leaving already. I thought we could like go bowling or something." Trey said a little frantically.

"Maybe next time. We got somewhere we need to go." Liam said as he got up and took my hand. The girls stared at our joined hands. Trey as well.

"Um, ok. Sure. See ya later." Trey said, looking at me. I just smiled. Then as we walked out, hand in hand, I realized that Trey and I didn't even have a conversation. Shaking my head, I just ignored that fact and turned to Liam.

"Um , Liam, I gotta go the ladies' for a bit." I said and Liam nodded his head.

"Ok, I'll wait for you here." Liam said.

I went to the ladies' and freshened up a bit. Seeing Trey after the night Liam kissed me was unnerving. Maybe it didn't really affect Trey at all..that kiss. Well, if it doesn't then maybe I should try harder.

When I came out of the ladies', Liam was outside waiting for me. We hopped on the bike and then he turned suddenly before starting the engine. He pooped open his visor and mine. I blinked a him curiously.

"Hey, come over to my house. My mum's having her birthday party." Liam said. I stared at him in disbelief. What?! Meet his family?! What the heck?!

"Relax, as friends, ok. I just ...look, keep me company, ok." Liam pleaded. I sighed and nodded reluctantly. Liam looked grateful and he started the bike. As we sped away, I felt my stomach churning a the prospect of meeting Liam's family.....

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