Dry Humour
Holly Michaels likes keeping to herself. It's a strict rule- don't care too much, and keep quiet. Becoming friends with Liam O'Donovan completely goes against that, but falling for him makes it even harder.

"I can't believe you agreed to this," I said, glaring out of the window. It was raining, each droplet managing to dampen my mood even more. "I was fine in Burnywood."

"Burnywood was... is... a bad place."

"But I fit in there," I muttered. Janice sighed, her long blonde hair sticking to her face. She had bags under her eyes and the tone in her voice was just about evident. I knew it wasn't easy to take care of a kid like me. Hell, it wasn't easy to hear about a kid like me, but Janice had done good. She was one of the best social workers they had, even if it meant she had to sacrifice a few things for the children she was looking after.

She put the car in gear and turned to face me. "You'll fit in here, too. You might even recognise some people."

"Fat chance."

Janice pursed her lips together, a gesture that meant she was fed up with the arguing. I was moody throughout most of the car ride, and the only times I opened my mouth to speak were the times I felt like I needed to scream at her.

Yeah, like I said. I wasn't a very easy kid to get along with.

"Give it a month, alright? Look, Holly. I know it wasn't easy for you to just leave like that, but-"

"Burnywood was my home," I told her. "Sure, there were some bad people there. And sure, maybe the fire put everyone on edge. But you can't just dump me in the middle of yet another care home, without giving me a valid reason as to why!"

I stormed out of the car and slammed the door shut, Janice letting out yet another frustrated groan before doing the same. Without a word, she unlocked the car boot and I took out my suitcase and bag, before looking up at my future home.

"You'll like it here. I promise." she said, but the tone in her voice was worrying. I rolled my eyes and made my way to the entrance, dragging my luggage behind me. Janice knocked while I stood there dumbly, taking in the front view of the place.

A middle aged man answered the door, a big smile seemingly plastered on his face. I didn't return the favour. I didn't need expect to be given anything from these people, and I hoped they didn't expect too much from me either.

"You must be Holly," he said, putting out his hand. I didn't take it, so he just smiled and shifted so that Janice could shake it. "Nice to see you again, Janice. Please, come in."

So we did. And, no matter how much I missed Burnywood, I couldn't argue with the fact that this new care home took better care of itself, inside and outside. "Welcome to Elm Tree, Holly. My name is Mike."

It didn't sound right. My name with any other place besides Burnywood? It just wasn't the same. I said this to myself over and over as Mike introduced me to a young boy named Gus, who had a notepad clutched in one hand and a pen in the other. Not once did he look up at me, apart from when he asked my name.

"Holly."

"Holly what?" he asked, all of his attention suddenly focused yet again on the pad of papers. "I need to know your surname before we begin my tour."

"I don't think I need a tour, thanks."

"Uh," interrupted Mike. "It's crucial that Gus gives his tours."

"Why?" I asked.

"Holly, please," sighed Janice. "Just do what Mike says."

I clenched my teeth before turning to Gus. "Michaels. Holly Michaels."

"That's an unusual name," he said, before beckoning me to follow him.

He showed me around the living room, pointing at everything like it had just been invented the day before. "And that over there is the television," he'd say, before returning to the annoying task of scribbling loudly.

Just as I thought we were done, he motioned for me to follow him upstairs, which I reluctantly did. "You'll notice that not everyone likes to be disturbed," he said, putting his hand on the door knob of the first room before a shriek was heard from inside.

"You open that door, Gus Carmichael, and I will end you!"

"That's Elektra," he said. "Nobody likes her that much."

He introduced me to some other care kids, the only ones I clearly remembered being Tee Taylor and her older brother Johnny, a guy named Frank Matthews, Carmen Howle and a little boy named Harry. There were other people too, but by the time Gus introduced us I was already half asleep.

"And this," he said, pushing a door open. "Is your room."

I stepped in, flinging my luggage to the side. It was big, bigger than anything I'd ever lived in before. I had to admit- Burnywood was nothing compared to Elm Tree. However, it didn't mean that I wanted to stay. All I had to do was get through one month, and I'd be back home.

Well, as close as a home can get.

"There is only one person I haven't introduced you to yet," Gus explained. "His name is Lia-"

"What you want me for?" a guy came into the room, leaning against the doorframe and looking me up and down. I glared at him, suddenly feeling very self conscious.

"This is Liam, Holly," Gus said. "This used to be his room. Before he left."

"Why's he back here then?" I asked him.

"Visitin' an old mate." Liam answered, smirking.

"Liam's best friend is Frank. Frank supports Manchester United," Gus told me, writing down yet another couple of paragraphs. "Your tour ends here. In your room."

"My room." Liam corrected him, and it was then that I took note of his accent.

"Not anymore." Gus said. He quickly walked past Liam, completely ignoring the fact that I didn't know this kid, let alone want to speak to him.

We stood in silence for a while, me doing a double take and mentally gawking at how big the room was, and Liam deciding to stare at me.

"What?" I asked, quietly.

Liam grinned, holding out a hand. "Liam. Liam O'Donovan."

"Holly," I murmured as I shook it. Liam raised an eyebrow, but I didn't bother to give him my second name. His grip was firm, and I was surprised that the smile was still on his face even after I refused to give him my surname.

When one of the other care workers, Gina I believe, called us all for dinner, I was surprised that my soul hadn't left my body just yet. Elm Tree, with it's horrifyingly good-aura and tolerable residents, was sucking the will to leave out of me. Slowly, but surely. It was effective, alright. I hadn't even thought about my old room back at Burnywood.

"So, Holly," said Tracy, one of the care workers. "Heard you used to live in Burnywood?"

I took small sips of my water, knowing that everyone's attention was on me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Mr O'Donovan, who'd taken the liberty of pausing his and Franks conversation just to listen to what I had to say.

"Yeah." Oh, great. You had one job.

"Is it rough 'round there, then?" Liam asked. I shrugged.

"You get used to it."

"Have you been in a lot of fights?" Carmen's eyes started twinkling. I just bit my lip and looked down at my plate. It was Burnywood- obviously I'd been involved. It was hard not to. Trouble in Burnywood was like a plate of peas being passed round at the dinner table. Unavoidable.

"Ya have, ain't ya?" laughed Liam, and I couldn't help but avoid his gaze as I sheepishly looked down at my interlocked hands.

"Some."

"Liar."

I shrugged. "Alot."

"Knew it," he grinned. "Nice knowin' we got a female Liam in the house."

Elektra groaned. "We could barely cope with one of you," she said, glaring at him. "We don't need another one."

Liam ignored her, rolling his eyes as if he'd heard it a million times before. He caught my eye and winked.

After dinner I offered to wash up, watching as an unusually happy Tracy practically skipped to the lounge. "Careful, Trace," said Liam, handing me a plate. "Don't want ya breaking nothin'."

I just stood leaning over the kitchen sink in silence. If I were to be at Burnywood, at that moment in time, I would have been on the roof. And no, not wanting to throw myself off. I'd just be up there- ignoring everything around me.

But now that's all gone. And in it's place is...

I don't want to say it. Not yet. I'd only been here one day- I couldn't have registered all these people as the sort I'd want in my life. Not yet. Not yet, I wasn't ready.

I did miss the roof though. Nobody but me knew how to get up there- and it was complete bliss.

I stopped for a moment, turning to look at Liam. "This place doesn't have a roof, does it?"

"If you mean the kind you can lie on, then nah," he saw my shoulders droop and grinned. "But I know of an even better place."

He dumped the half-washed dish to the side and quickly washed his hands. I raised a curious eyebrow. "Uh-"

"Well, c'mon then," he said. "Gotta go now before anyone tries lookin' for us."

The attic.

It was no roof, but it was quiet. And a break from all the busy care kids that were fighting and screaming in the lounge was all I needed.

"Well?" Liam asked, sitting on the makeshift swing attached to the roof. "Whatcha think?"

"It's great," I murmured.

"You don't talk much, do ya?"

I shrugged.

"There ya go again," he said, softly. "Goin' all quiet on me."

I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my head. It wasn't hard- Liam wanted to know something about me. He knew I was scared. And no matter how hard I tried to keep everything on a low profile, it was still difficult to get past him.

I didn't say anything. If I wanted to be quiet, well, it was my choice. Liam O'Donovan couldn't stop me from doing what I did best. Keeping quiet.

"So," he said, attempting to break the silence. "How do you like Elm Tree so far?"

I was just about to shrug- until I could feel the readily made eye-roll that Liam was eager to put into practice. "It's okay."

He scoffed jokingly. "Just okay?"

I cracked a small smile, one that I didn't let him see. "Better than okay, right?" he said, smiling. "I mean, I'm here."

I let out a small laugh, which seemed to make Liam's smile widen- if that were in any way possible. "I thought you were an ex-care kid?"

He nodded. "I am."

"Shouldn't you be going home then? It's like," I checked my watch. "11pm?"

Time flies when you're having fun. "Huh, about that," he chuckled, nervously. "Ain't really got a place to stay for the night. Seein' as you jacked my room and all."

I felt guilty. It was obvious Liam was a runaway- though what he was running away from, I had no clue. I didn't know how to make it up to him. "Can't you sleep in there with me?" I asked, immediately slapping my hand over my mouth. Liam's cheeky grin slowly came back, widening as my words stumbled one after another. "Oh, god, Liam! I didn't- I didn't mean it like tha-"

"Sure," he smirked. "I'll sleep with you tonight."

Im screaming because I feel like everythings moving way too fast BUT NOT TO WORRY THEY WONT BE GETTING TOGETHER JUST LIKE THAT OK XD I like to pace my stories :D