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Here we are with chapter three everyone! The stress of Liam's situation is finally beginning to show through. I know how it will turn out, but I wonder if any of you have any guesses? ;) The picture above is of Liz!

~*~*~

Chapter Three

The next month followed rapidly.

School was going well. Most of the freshman class was finally getting used to their schedules and classes. The sporting events didn't excite Liam in the least but he still went in order to get that experience. The homecoming dance went well enough at least. Liam went with Liz and they had a lot of fun. The only thing that could have made it better was if he and Brody had gone together.

Many things have changed between them. After their first date together they went on a second, and then a third. Eventually they went on so many dates that they lost count. They seemed to grow infinitely closer as each date came and went. Liam, who was awkward regarding physical contact during their first date, now enjoyed every moment of it. They hugged, held hands and even wrapped their arms around each other. He seemed to crave the touch and welcomed every second that Brody's body touched his.

Now there only seemed to be one problem standing in their way, and that problem was Liz. Liam loved her. She was his best friend. She had been there for him for as long as he can remember, but her hatred of Brody doesn't seem to be getting any better. In fact, if anything, her hatred for him seemed to worsen the longer they were in the same school.

Liz and Liam were currently walking to his house from school and Liz simply couldn't find anything else, besides her hatred of Brody, to talk about.

"I mean he's just such a conceited jerk. He struts around as if he owns the school," Liz complained.

It wasn't often that Liz lost herself in these rant sessions, but it did happen. Usually it was better not to disagree. Just shut up, nod, and hope that there will be a subject change as soon as she gets it off her chest.

Huffing one last time, Liz turned to Liam, "You're quiet today."

He nodded evenly. "I'm just tired."

"Well are you sure it's okay for me to stay the night this weekend?" She asked. Her parents went away for an anniversary weekend and his parents said that she could stay weeks ago. "I mean, you're parents fight a lot on their good days. Maybe it's just not the best time?"

"No," Liam argued. "We told you that you could stay and stay you shall. Besides where would you go? You're not sleeping at your house by yourself for the entire weekend."

Liz smiled at his concern. "Well thanks. I appreciate it."

Returning the smile, he said, "You know it's no problem. It never is. Anyway, maybe with you at the house mom and dad will actually keep the fighting to a minimum."

This time it was her turn to send him a concerned look. "So it's still bad?"

He snorted. "Bad is an understatement." He sighed helplessly. "As much as I want the fighting to stop I really don't want their marriage to end in the process. I don't know if I could handle that."

Liz threw a comforting arm around her friend's shoulders. "Well no matter what you won't have to go through it alone. I'll always be right here beside you. No matter what."

Liam hesitated. "Yeah." His voice was quiet as he spoke. "No matter what."

He just hoped that she remembered those words when the time comes for her to find out about Brody. Liz had always been there for him. He couldn't lose her. Honestly, at the moment he wasn't sure he could lose either of them. All he could do was hope that didn't happen.

~*~*~

His parents were indeed on their best behavior that weekend. On Friday night, they had a Harry Potter marathon that continued into Saturday as well. Normally his parents would have been against their sitting on the couch and watching TV all weekend, but since they were working in order to avoid each other, Liam and Liz basically got to do whatever they wanted until they got home.

Overall, the weekend went well, at least it was until Sunday night. He and Liz were currently watching Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them when he suddenly felt his phone vibrate. Picking it up his pulse quickened as he read the text.

Come outside. I haven't seen you in forever.

Liam bit his lip anxiously. As much as he loved having Liz spent the night he really did miss being with Brody, and of course he couldn't tell her he was going out because then she would most likely join him. He had to see him, he decided, at least for a few minutes.

"Hey Liz, wanna make some more popcorn?" He held out the empty bowl. "I'm going to head to the bathroom real quick." Picking up the remote he quickly paused the movie and left for the bathroom before she could respond.

"Uh sure," he heard her reply as she picked up the bowl and walked to the kitchen.

Double checking that she had left the living room, Liam made a brake for the front door. He quietly closed it and sighed with relief when he didn't hear her moving around in the living room. Turning around, he found Brody smiling widely at him. He quickly walked over and kissed him in greeting.

"God I've missed that," Brody breathed. "Why haven't I seen you?"

"I'm sorry," Liam apologized. "Liz is staying with my family for the weekend while her parents are away."

Brody gave a bit of an annoyed sigh. "Of course she is. Why don't you just tell her already? What harm would it do?"

Shaking his head, Liam argued, "I'm sorry, but no. I can't tell her. Look Liz really doesn't like you and . . . I just can't tell her yet."

"Why does she hate me again?" He asked.

Liam thought about that answer. The only problem was that he couldn't remember. He didn't think he'd ever actually heard Liz tell him why she disliked him only that she did. "I don't know," he admitted.

"What's her last name?" Brody wondered.

"McGuire," Liam told him.

In that moment something seemed to change in Brody's eyes. His green eyes which were clouded with anger and annoyance suddenly cleared as if a strong wind blew it away. A hint of recognition seemed to cross his features before it suddenly disappeared again.

Cautiously, Liam asked, "Do you know something?"

There was a momentary pause before Brody shook his head.

"You sure?" He asked again.

Brody's eyes hardened on his. "What you think I'm lying?"

Liam's eyes widened at his words. Shaking his head, he argued, "No. Of course not. Forget I said anything. Look I . . . I need more time. I can't just tell Liz out of the blue. This has to be planned right."

"Fine," Brody relented. His green eyes seemed to travel up Liam's body. "Have you thought about that other thing that we've been discussing?"

Liam sighed at the question. He reluctantly nodded as he worked up the courage to speak his mind. "Yeah, I've thought about it."

"And?" he pursued wanting an answer.

"And I'm sorry Brody. I've given it a lot of thought and I just don't think I'm ready to have sex yet." Brody's face fell at his words. "I don't know when I'll be ready but it's not yet."

"You sure?" He asked this time.

Liam nodded affirmative.

He really had given it a lot of thought. He liked Brody and genuinely cared for him. He hoped that Brody felt the same, but as of that day he just wasn't quite ready to take the step like sex. He wanted more time. Maybe in a few more months, but now was not the time.

"Alright." Brody probably didn't mean it, but Liam could hear the snipe in his voice.

"I'll talk to Liz. Soon. I promise," Liam offered.

With a curt nod, Brody responded with a single, "Yep." He walked away a couple of steps before turning back to his boyfriend. "See you around Liam."

Without another word from either of them, Brody walked away into the darkness.

"Liam?" Liz's voice carried from the front door. "What are you doing out here?"

"Nothing," he called back. "I just thought I heard something."

Liam turned his back on the street and made for the door. He just hoped that Brody wasn't too mad at him. 

~*~*~

Sorry the updates have been a bit sparse lately. I'm back at school working on my final spring term before I graduate and transfer to my next school. On top of that I'm also working a lot, and finally I just bought Sims 4 so my inner-Geek has been playing almost non-stop. I will try and get better about the updates and writing. I'll try and post the next chapter soon. 

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