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 Hey everybody I have some good news! Now I'm not gonna name the school, obviously for security reasons, but I got accepted into the school I was hoping to transfer to in the fall! I'm very excited and can't wait to graduate from my community college this June. Because of this news I figured it would it would be a good day to schedule an update for this story. Here we are with Chapter four. 

The picture above is of Adam Fitzgerald. Adam is a new character and won't actually come into play until part two and three of the story, but I am posting the pic of him now. 

~*~*~

Chapter Four

Tragedy struck one month later.

The very thing that Liam feared would happen had begun. His parents have been fighting almost nonstop the past two weeks. Often Liam would ask one of them a question and then the other would disagree causing the fight to break out once more. The feeling of hopelessness seemed to ache at his every core. The fighting echoed throughout the house so even though Liam was in his room with his door closed he could still hear them.

He tried everything at this point: listening to music, reading, watching a movie, sticking pillows against his ears, and even leaving the house. Only nothing seemed to take away the echo of their words from his head.

School wasn't much better. Due to their constant fighting he wasn't able to concentrate as well as before. His grades were beginning to drop. He would snap at another student or teacher if they so much as asked him a question. One day he was even sent to the principal's office for snapping at a teacher.

As he sat in one of the chairs in the main office waiting for the principal to finish up with another student, he knew. In that moment, he knew that he was beginning to lose his former self and that terrified him. Worst of all, he didn't know how to retreat back to his former self. He feared what would become of him in another few months to a year. Would he be the same? Would his actions be worse? If he looked in a mirror, would he recognize himself?

At this point he honestly had no clue.

One night the fighting reached a new level. The screaming and swearing was louder than ever before. Liam could hear their yelling as if he was standing right next to them. For some reason this fighting seemed different. It was more than just louder. It was more firm . . . more final.

Then it happened.

"I hate your yelling! You don't even look at me anymore unless you're yelling at me! I don't deserve this!" Liam heard his father yell.

"Fine then leave." His father must have looked surprised, because his mom said, "You heard me! Get out of my house!"

Liam's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. His breathing stopped. He sat there silent and waited desperate wanting to hear his parents' apologies as they made up. Only no such apologies came. For the first time he wished he could hear the yelling because that at least meant that they were together, but now it seems like everything is about to change for good.

Then the loud slamming of the front door dashed Liam's hopes for any reconciliation. It was official. His dad left. His mom could be heard angrily pacing in the living room. Maybe they just need some time, he hoped. Dad will return tomorrow morning and they will work it out. They always do.

Liam's hopes were dashed the next morning when his father didn't return, and again the day after that. Every day that week he convinced himself that this would be the day that he returned. This would be the day that his parents made up and apologized for their behavior. Only nothing of the sort happened.

An entire week passed of Liam getting his hopes up and having them crash down around them. Finally one night he got a call. It was from his father.

"Dad thank god," he said, "I've been worried. Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry son," his voice was rough and dry as if he had been crying.

"Where are you?" he asked again.

"I'm nearby," he answered vaguely. "Listen Liam I already called your sister and let her know what has been happening."

Liam's heart sank again. They would only inform Leslie if it was serious. "What's going on dad? When are you coming home?"

His father paused. His voice was quiet as he said the next two words that would forever change their lives. "I'm not."

Suddenly a quote entered Liam's head as he heard those quiet words. Only one word would be changed.

This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but with a whisper.

~*~*~

Liam carefully elbowed his way through the crowd searching for a familiar face. The music was blasting and echoed loudly through the house. Dozens of teenagers were talking, dancing, and partaking in various party-like activities. Attending a party a few hours after his father told him that he wasn't returning to their house had not been Liam's idea. He would have much preferred to curl up in his bed and ignore life all together.

Unfortunately, Brody used his powers of manipulation and forced him to come along. He didn't want his boyfriend to wallow alone in self-pity and felt like a party could uplift his spirits. So far the plan wasn't working out that well.

Finally pushing through another group of dancing teens, Liam spotted Brody standing by a set of French doors that seemed to lead outside. Brody had a drink in his hand and was talking to another boy who seemed to be about his age. They were smiling and seemed to be chatting a bit.

"Brody." He looked up at the sound of his name. Brody seemed to say something to the other boy before walking over to Liam. Oddly the other boy seemed to watch them for a moment before walking away to another room.

"Hey babe," he greeted giving Liam a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi," Liam's voice sounded a little uneasy as he spoke. "Who was that?" He asked.

Brody glanced back where the boy had formerly stood. He shrugged. "Just a new friend."

"Right," Liam said a little awkwardly. He wasn't sure if he completely believed that or not. "Look Brody I know you meant well, but I'm really just not in a party mood tonight."

Annoyance seemed to grow in Brody's green eyes. "Come on, Liam. You need to liven up. You've been moping all night long."

Liam narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend. "Well I'm sorry but parents' marriage is over. I told you I wasn't in the mood."

Brody paused for a moment before sighing, "Look I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You have every right to be depressed right now. I was just really looking forward to coming to this party with you. You were excited about it too. Don't let the decisions your parents make ruin your life."

In a way, Liam knew that Brody was right. His parents' choices were just that. Their choices. No matter what he did or how he reacted he can't change the outcome. Nothing he did could have saved their marriage either. That decision wasn't his. It was theirs and they were the only ones who could change it. He knew this in his brain.

However, in his heart, he still felt as if he could have done something . . . anything to change it. He wished he could. If only he could find a genie's lamp, rub it, and wish for their marriage to remain intact, only then they would be unhappy and fighting just like before. At this point, he's unsure of which scenario is better for the long run.

"I'm sorry," Liam apologized to Brody, "and you're right. We had big plans for tonight, and I've pretty much let me parents' news ruin everything."

Brody raised a suggestive eyebrow. "Well the night's still young."

Liam's breath caught in his throat. Nerves seemed to course through his body causing it to shake. Shakily, he nodded his head.

Just the other day, Liam had decided that it was finally time to have sex with Brody. They had been dating for a while now and it was well past time, at least that's what Brody told him. At first, he had been apprehensive, over the past few weeks though he began to warm up to the idea. He cared about Brody and wanted to prove it to him.

That means he's ready. . . . Right?

"You sure?" Brody asked. Liam's nerves must have been obvious to him.

Last chance, Liam thought to himself. Feeling stubborn, he pushed away his feelings of anxiety and decided to take this next step with his boyfriend.

"Yes," Liam answered strongly. "I'm sure."

With a genuine smile, Brody took Liam's hand in his. The two walked slowly together to another part of the house. Various bedrooms littered the hallway. Some were empty while others were occupied. There was a short moment of uncertainty as they knocked on the doors to find out which were empty, but they quickly found one.

So together, hand in hand, the seventeen year old and the fifteen year old walked into the spare bedroom prepared to take the next step that life was about to offer them. 

~*~*~

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I will upload the next one soon enough. 

~Kaylee

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