Chapter 9: #Impressive

(Maya’s POV)

I had been home for three days now. I had avoided any contact with Jane as much as possible but today there was a lunch at my parent’s house with everyone on my mom’s side. I wish Liam was here they all want to meet him.  My parents and sister love him along with Serra and Makayla, but they are the only one out of my family that has met him. I really want him to meet everyone, I feel like it’s a good thing to do.  Carter was super close to my family and that’s how I hope Liam will be too. I know it will take time since he is busy on tour, but I hope it happens eventually. As I rolled out of bed I heard a knock at the door. I looked at my clock it was only 6:45 in the morning who was here so early?

I didn’t even bother to check how I looked before I opened the door. “Good morning love!” Liam chimed. I squealed and threw my arms around him hugging him as tight I as possible could. He hugged me and I buried my head into the crook of his neck. I let go a couple moments later and let him come inside. I noticed he had a bag. “Do you plan on staying?” I asked him with a laugh. “Oh yea, I’m here for about a week,” He laughed. I  couldn’t help but laugh more. “Well, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” I asked him. “Well, you wouldn’t come home so I had to come to you plus we are on break,” He explained to me. “Good, you can come meet all my family today,” I told him as I took his bag.

“Wait…we can’t stay home?” Liam whined. “Sorry Charlie, but I have to go,” I said as I gave him a quick kiss on the check. “You are so mean!” He whined. “Go get something to eat I have to get ready,” I told him. I shuffled off to the bathroom but as I saw the pictures of Carter I froze.

“Maya, do you have any bread?” Liam asked as he entered the hallway. It snapped me back into reality. “Yeah, it’s probably in the breadbox by the toaster,” I told him. He nodded and stared at me. “What?” I asked him. He walked up to me and pulled me into his arms. “I know you miss him, I can tell every day.” He told me. “You can?” I asked him. He just nodded. I buried my face into his chest.  I had missed the way his arms wrap around me so perfectly I felt like nothing could possibly go wrong just in that moment. “I’m no Carter, but I promise I’ll try to be my best for you,” Liam whispered.

I didn’t say anything, I waited a few minutes and then walked into the bathroom. I looked into the mirror hoping that today would be good day. I heard Liam making noise in the kitchen probably making some breakfast. I curled my hair and did my makeup. I really didn’t want to go to this family gathering because I knew Jane would be there. Even better her whole family would be there. As I did my eye liner I couldn’t help but think about what life would be like if Carter was still here, would I be hating Jane at the moment? Or would be best friends just like we use to be?

“Maya! I knew you stole my hoodie!” Liam exclaimed. I can’t believe he didn’t noticed that before. When I snuck out of our hotel room I grabbed his hoodie to wear on the plane ride home. “Sorry, I needed it!” I called out. I could hear him laugh. I finished up with my makeup and headed to my room to get changed.  I put on my distressed skinny jeans with a black tank top and a red flannel. “Hurry up you slow poke!” Liam called. “Sorry looking this good takes time!” I joked.

 Soon we arrived at my parent’s house. “Is Jane going to be here?” Liam asked me. “Yeah, sorry about that,” I sighed as I parked the car. “What about Serra and Makayla?” He asked me. “No, this is only my mom’s family,” I told him. “Well, then,” He huffed. I leaned over and kissed his check. “I apologize in advance. They are crazy,” I assure him as we walk up to the front porch.

My mom greeted us at the door.  When we walked in everyone stopped talking and stared at us. “Hi,” I said.  I spotted Jane right away. Her cold stare could cut through anything. I grabbed Liam’s hand and we walked through the people to the backyard. “So this where you grew up?” He asked me. “Yeah, maybe if you’re lucky I’ll show you my room,” I joked. He just laughed.

As the day went on everyone got to meet Liam and they all seemed to love him. It felt great to be back  in Nebraska with my family and have Liam with me. “Can we stay longer than a week?” Liam asked me. “I wish, but you have to get back on tour,” I sighed. “Will you come back with me?” He asked me. I didn’t say anything I went back to putting food on my plate. I knew I probably should go back since the tour was almost over, but I didn’t want to leave home again.

“Can you at least think about it?” Liam whispered. “Yes, I will think about it,” I agreed. “Maya, you should come to the movies with us tonight,” My mom said. “I wish I could, but Liam and I already have plans,” I told her. I hated turning down my parents but I knew I needed to spend time with Liam and get everything figured out.

“Did you have fun?” I asked Liam as we talked to my car later that day. “Yeah, your family is amazing, your little cousins are crazy,” He laughed. “Yeah, they are little monsters,” I joked. “Can we go to your old job?” He asked me. “You want to go now?” I asked him. I was confused I barely talked about that and he wanted to go. “You want to go to Hy-Vee?” I asked him. “Well, I really want some Starbucks,” Liam laughed. “That does sound good!” I agreed.

“Beware these people are huge 1D fans,” I warned him. Liam just laughed and turned up the radio. As he sang along to “Best Day Of My Life” I couldn’t help but realize that I was falling in love with him. I didn’t want to be, it was too soon but I couldn’t help myself. I loved Liam Payne. When I pulled into the Hy-Vee parking lot it looked busy. “For a grocery store they packed,” Liam pointed out. “Yeah, it’s the nicest one in town,” I told him.

I turned off the car and set there for a minute. “What’s wrong?” He asked me. “It’s just I haven’t been here for like 5 months,” I told him. “Then they will be very happy to see you!” Liam assured me. I leaned over and kissed him quickly and pulled away. He smiled at me.

As we walked through the parking lot everyone stopped and stared at us. “Shoot! We forgot our beanies and our sunglasses!” Liam joked. “Oh my goodness! Whatever will we do?!” I cried laughing as hard as I possibly could. “Don’t tell Paul, he’ll come find us and yell!” Liam swore. When we walked into the store we went straight to the Starbucks. “Maya, is that you?” My old manager, Barb, asked me. “Yeah, it’s me,” I said trying to smile. “And this must be Liam?” She asked. “Oh yeah, Barb this my boyfriend, Liam Payne,” I introduced her. “Nice to meet you ma’am,” Liam said with a smile. “Well, what can I get for you?” Barb asked. I drew a blank. I was so use to having Lou surprise me with different drinks each time I forgot what I usually get. “I’m going to try something new, Can I have a Venti Iced Caramel Latte please,” Liam ordered. “No, problem,” Barb said as she took his order.

“Are you going to get something?” Liam asked me. “Yeah, I’ll have a Venti Passion Tea Lemonade with Raspberry syrup along with the classic please,” I ordered. “Still drinking that?” Barb joked. “Well, as bad as it sounds I usually have someone order for me so I forgot what I use to order,” I confessed. “That must be nice!” Barb chimed. “Eh, honestly it’s a pain,” Liam told her.

We paid for our drinks and waited as Barb and Hanna made them. “Are you guys just visiting?” Hanna asked. “We’ll be here for a week and then we are off to Huston,” I told her. “That must be amazing just traveling around,” Barb commented. “Not all the time,” I sighed. “I agree with her,” Liam said. I was shocked by his response but then again he is never truly home so I could understand that he would agree.

After we got our drinks we walked around the store talking to people who would stop us and we took some pictures.

Harry: MAYA!! I miss my best friend.

Maya: Hello, Harold.

Harry: It’s Harry…H-A-R-R-Y!

Maya: Sorry H-A-R-R-Y!

“What’s so funny?” Liam asked me. “You’re lad Harry won’t leave me alone,” I told him. Liam just chuckled to himself. “Maya Claire is that you?” I heard a woman ask. I turned around and saw Alyson one of the HR managers standing there. “Guilty,” I laughed. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming home?” I asked me. “It was a last minute thing,” I told her. “And you bring home celebrities now?” She joked. “Oh! Right! Liam this is Alyson she was my life saver and Alyson this is Liam Payne member of the annoying somehow crazy famous British boy band One Direction, who happens to be my boyfriend, Liam Payne,” I introduced them.

“Nice to meet you, Liam, would you guys like to go see everyone else?” Alyson asked us. “You shouldn’t even have to ask to know the answer to that one,” I told her. Alyson laughed and lead us to the back of the store which we use to the call the behind the scenes where the everything was kept and offices were.

Alyson was truly my life saver. When Carter died she was the one who helped me through the whole thing every day when I tried to come into work but I couldn’t focus or keep myself together she would help me through it all. When everything was too tough to deal with I had decided to quit until I could get my feet back on the ground.

“Guys I found Maya!” Alyson cried as she walked into one of the offices. Everyone turned around and looked at me. “Maya! Guys look Maya is here!” Kassie exclaimed. “Hi to you too, Kassie,” I laughed. Kassie was one of the assistant managers. “Who is that hottie over there?” Kassie asked me. “Right! Everyone this is Liam Payne, my boyfriend. The one I ran away with,” I told them.

Niall: Do you have Liam?

Maya: Yeah do you need him?

Niall: No just making sure he is having a good break.

“Do you guys want to go out for dinner tonight?”  Alyson asked me. I looked and Liam and he smiled the biggest I have seen him smile in awhile. “We would love too!” I told her with a smile. “Awesome! Kassie, you are coming with!” Alyson informed her. We all laughed. “The boys keep texting me to make sure you are having a good break,” I told Liam as we walked to my car. “Yeah, they text me too, but I didn’t reply,” Liam said with a sigh. “Are you okay?” I asked him. “Sort of, I just realized we will have to go back soon, I really don’t want to leave,” Liam explained to me. I was happy to hear him say that. “You want to stay here?” I asked him as I back the car out of the parking spot. I wanted him to say he wanted to live here and how much he loved it. It would be my dream come true, but I knew it was probably too good to be true.

“I just love it here. No paps in your face all the time, rarely anyone comes up to and ask for an autograph or picture they wait for you to come to them,” He explained. “We will live here soon,” I told him.

(6 days later)

I had decided to go back on tour with Liam when the break was on and we were leaving tomorrow. “It’s our last day in town,” Liam sighed. “Sorry, Lee, but we’ll be back,” I assured him. He pulled me into his lap and I curled up into his chest. We didn’t speak it was a peaceful silence. When Liam started to hum “You and I” my heart took off.

“Liam?” I whispered. “Yes love?” He replied. “Never mind,” I said. “What were you going to say?” He asked me. “It’s…uh nothing…nothing,” I mumbled. “I will get it out of you, missy Maya Claire!” He threatened. I hoped off of his lap and practically laughed in his face. “I would like to see you try Mister Liam James!” I cried as I ran to my bedroom slamming the door behind me.

(Liam’s POV)

I laughed so hard I couldn’t manage to get off the couch. I knew I was in love this girl I had picked out of a crowd almost 6 months ago. I picked up my phone and tweeted about this hilarious moment.

@Real_Liam_Payne I can’t stop laugh @_MayaMay_ probably just set the record for the fasted 100 meter dash! #girlfriendgonecrazy

I wasn’t ready to go back on tour. I wish this is how it could be all the time, but I knew that was too good to be true. My life could never be like this until One Direction was finished and that wasn’t going to happen for a long time. Sometimes I think to myself what life would be like if I was still just Liam Payne a normal guy, but I really can’t picture what it would be like. I would probably be at University or something, but then I would have never met Maya and I don’t like that thought every much.  Maya has changed my life more ways than I could ever imagine was possible. From day one I knew she was something special as I got to know her more I knew she was something else, but in a good way.

I loved all the memories we have together, the good and the bad. We have to go through bad times to makes you realize that you should cherish every moment you spend with the people you love. I had dated amazing girls before, but there was something different about Maya, but I couldn’t tell you what it was. It might be the fact she is so easy to talk too?  Or maybe it was the fact that she was always there for me, she never put herself first. I’m not sure what it is, I could probably list a bunch of reasons, but then again who would want to hear those?

I heard Maya’s door open and soon she appeared back in the living room. “Hash tag boyfriend is a liar!” She joked and she set down next to on the couch. “You should have seen how fast you ran!” I cried out. “Yeah, well I use to be in track,” She proclaimed. “Really? What event?” I asked her. “Oh you know, the running ones,” She mumbled. “Impressive,” I said with a laugh.

*Hey guys if you want to follow me on the old Twitter it is @thatgabsgirl. I hope this is getting better as it goes. Please vote share and comment. Tell all your friends about it. If you get a friend to start reading it and you let me know I'll make you a character in the story or something  (Tempting I know).  I'm happy you guys keep reading! Thanks darlings!XOXO*