At The Stroke of Midnight
I broke eye contact with Liam and leaned back against the wall.
"So I guess this is it, huh?" I asked softly. I closed my eyes tightly, willing the tears not to fall.
"Chlo-"
"Don't Liam, I get it." I turned to leave. I was slightly shocked when he grabbed my wrist.
"I don't want you to go."
"And what, Liam? You want me to stay? So I have to go through all that crap everyday? I don't know what's happened to you Liam." I spat at him. He exhaled.
"I'm so sorry Chlo, I'm so, so sorry."
"I don't know what's happening, or why you're behaving the way you are now, but this is most definitely not the Liam Payne I love." I pulled my wrist from his grip and walked out the door. I had enough. That person inside wasn't Liam, he was someone who was always angry, who always had a bad temper. He wasn't Liam. He couldn't be.
I couldn't help the tears which started flowing freely from my eyes. I ran away from his apartment. I didn't stop until I reached a nearby park. I slowed down my pace and went to sit on a wooden bench. I brought my knees up to my chest, arms automatically wrapping around my legs and rested my head against my knees. I let myself sob softly.
What happened to Liam? Lately he had been so distant and cold, he always seemed so tired and angry about absolutely everything. Even the other boys in the band seemed different. I know they were all stressed about the upcoming tour and rehearsals and the dance choreography and everything, but did that give Liam the right to act the way he was acting?
I heard footsteps running towards me and felt a jacket being placed around my shoulders. I looked up, seeing Liam.
"Chlo, I'm so sorry. I've been nothing but a straight up jerk to you and you have no idea how much I regret it. You're right, I don't know what's happened to me either. I can't blame that on stress, it won't be fair to you. But I know I love you."
"I don't want to get hurt Liam. I'm afraid to get hurt." I whispered.
"I'm asking you, Chlo. Give me one more chance?"
"Liam, I don't know."
"Please Chlo, I'll change."
"It's typical. You just want to know you can have me anytime you want. It's what all boys say, isn't it? You won't be saying the same thing when you find another-" I was cut off as I felt Liam's lips on mine, kissing me softly.
After a while, he stopped and leant his forehead against mine.
"I don't want another girl. You've helped me get through so much, and you make me so happy. I'm so sorry, I've been treating you rubbishly and I didn't realise until just now. This is an apology from Liam Payne, not an angry jerk. Please Chlo, give me another chance to let me show you I love you." He pleaded softly. I could see the tears running down his face.
Slowly, hesitantly, I wrapped my arms around him. In the distance, I heard a bell toll twelve times.
Midnight.
Christmas.
"Thank god you're back." I buried my face in his neck and breathed in his scent. I started to cry. His arms found their way around me, one was wrapped around my waist and the other was stroking my hair.
"Thank you. For giving me another chance." He breathed in my ear and his lips found mine again. This time, I kissed him back slow, gently.
"I've missed you so much." I felt him smile against my lips.
"Merry Christmas Chlo, thank you for everything."
We stood like that for a while, embracing each other while light snow started falling around us.
The snow wouldn't last long, but for that moment, it just felt as if our relationship would.