Before...
I knocked on the door of Sally's house. I looked at Charlie who was kicking at the step in front of her. The door opened suddenly. Sally stood before me, her face looking tired but content. There was a comforting light behind her eyes that reassured me instantly. She was happy to see me.
The pair of us worked together to make dinner and once Charlie was safely in bed, I let the tears flow. This was it. Tomorrow, Charlie would be going to her care home. I wouldn't be responsible for her anymore. I loved her. More than anything in the world. But I had to let her go. Otherwise she would have run away from me. She would have hated me. Just like I hate my parents.
"It's going to be alright you know..," Sally comforted handing me a box of tissues, "It's not easy but you'll get through it. You're doing this for her you know. She seems like a mature kid, she'll understand.."
"She knows I'm going.." I replied wiping my tears, "I just hope she doesn't come to hate me.."
"I don't think anyone could hate you. It's just unfortunate. You're a kid yourself and well the timing's not right!"
I smiled sadly. I had to stay strong for Charlie and fight through it.
"Does Mike know what's happened?" Sally asked. My mouth went dry.
"No but.."
"You've got to tell him!"
"I will. I'm going to head up to Manchester.."
"Don't you want to give him a call first? Let him know..?"
"No. Look I'm still coming to terms with it as well, I need to do this alone. I'll inform the police once I'm there as well.."
"Ok.. just stay safe yeah. You're a good kid Elektra, just don't get mixed with the wrong crowds"
I fiddled with my bracelet. Charlie had made it for me out of pasta.
"So.. how did you know Mike?"
Sally smiled and began, "My dad left us. It was really sudden but Mum took care of me. She got really depressed and well she was in no fit state to look after me. Mike's care home was nothing like I'd expected. It felt like home.."
"Yeah I guess it does.." I added.
"It was different to what I'd imagined. I made a friend quite quickly there. Sara. And I'm still friends with her to this day. Even when my mum died she was always there for me"
"How did your mum die?" I asked without thinking.
"She.. she killed herself. But she loved me. She just couldn't cope.."
"I'm sorry"
"Don't be. I had people around me; Sara, Aaron.."
"Aaron?"
"My ex. Childhood sweethearts, if you like. He got fostered and forgot about me.."
"Oh.." I breathed, thinking about Liam.
He'd probably moved on by now. Even though what I had with him felt serious.. it probably wasn't. That was just life. People move on.. get stronger.
Present
Liam was in his room looking through Elektra's book of poems. With a bit of work he could make them into songs. Oh what was the point?
He'd come a long way from living his splendid life with Jack. A very long way...
Before
Liam had just started to get used to school and life in London. He was in the middle of Year 10. He frequently texted Frank and the others, having regained contact with the DG. Elektra had been fostered and was living in London. He'd tried texting her but she hadn't replied. She'd either changed her phone or moved on. It seemed that she'd changed her phone as she wasn't contacting anyone.
Liam sighed. He had to forget about her.
He'd made good friends with James, Zoe, Tash and even Amrit, who with Liam's persuasion had shown more confidence in his art skills and now had a girlfriend.
Liam had also realised exactly what this angel-seeming girl Penny was really about. She'd tried to get Liam in trouble multiple times and now had been moved to a different school. It seemed that the cause of her trouble was to grab the attention of her busy parents. So she wasn't that bad after all.
Liam strolled into school focused on studies and getting the grades he wanted. Starting at the new school had been good for Liam. As his home life was less chaotic Liam focussed on what he really wanted from life. He had been enjoying music immensely and found himself arranging small compositions every now and then.
He jumped out of Jack's car and strolled into school feeling content. Life was truly brilliant. Until a small hand yanked an invite into his face.
"My house at 7. Don't be late!" cried Zoe skipping off into the distance while Natasha trailed behind her throwing back a pitiful glance. How could he forget? Zoe had been yapping about it for days.
Amrit joined Liam in the classroom. "No offence to Zoe but parties are not my scene.." he stated.
"I don't fancy going either but.. I don't want to disappoint her.." Liam added, realising how many people would be there.
"Aw come on.. stay for an hour at least!" James begged joining the pair as they watched the whole class hype about what they were going to wear.. etc. etc.
A few days later Liam found himself surrounded by music, drinks and lights. Someone had slipped in some alcohol but Liam was sticking to his orange juice. He wasn't in the partying mood and felt claustrophobic. Fortunately Zoe had planned a few games to keep everyone from wandering off and doing god knows what!
"Truth or Dare Liam?" Zoe asked a few moments later.
"Errm.. truth.." Liam replied feebly.
Zoe pondered for a moment then stated, "Out of all the guys here, who would you bang if you were gay?"
Liam's eyebrows shot off his face.
"Really Zo? Really?" Jordan said wearily.
Before Liam could come up with an answer the doorbell rang and Zoe left to answer it. He was off the hook... for now.
"ARGHHHHH," screamed Zoe and James turned to Liam in fear before rushing off after his girlfriend.
"IT'S FUCKING ADORABLE!" she screeched and she returned into the room holding a bundle of fluff in her hand.
"What is it?" Natasha asked.
"A dog. Duh! Can't you see?" Zoe retorted stroking the fluff. And indeed, somewhere under the rolling black curls were two frantic looking eyes preparing for a lifetime of disaster with Zoe Morgan.
It was easy to overlook the visitor who had given the dog but Liam's eyes were firmly focussed on her.
Long blonde hair flowed past the woman's shoulders and her heavily mascared eyes and red lipstick didn't hide those mischievious twinkling eyes or that beautiful white grin. And it definitely didn't hide her shiny Cobra earring. Callie.
"Do I know you?" Asked the woman in question as the name flowed from Liam's mouth. He could only stare in shock. The more he stared, the more he remembered the Cobra antics, the fights and Elektra. He had a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling...
The door clicked open and Natasha jumped across to console Liam who had his head in his hands and was sitting on a bed in Zoe's messy room with a pre-prepared excuse.
"Sorry I don't feel too well must be the foo.."
"Now we both know it ain't that! This Callie, you know her don't you.. "
Liam's head finally snapped up to meet Natasha's wise brown eyes.
"Yeah.. " he finally spoke with more clarity.
"Was she... a girlfriend or...?"
"Why are you here?" Liam asked wearily.
"Well James and Amrit can't do emotions and Zoe's got too much of them. So here I am..." She smiled with jazz hands.
"She was my girlfriend's best mate. They were in a gang. The Cobras. I.. I just.." Liam rambled helplessly.
"I get it. Must be hard having the past turn up suddenly.." Nat spoke gently.
"I just want to move on" Liam told her.
"And you can. Look we'll be here for you no matter what. But if you want to prove that you've moved on you need to go out there and face her" Natasha emphasised.
"Liam, gosh it's been a while!" Callie exclaimed as they headed away from the party towards Jack's flat.
"How's Lex?"
"I don't know" Liam stated.
"Right.." Callie said looking into the distance awkwardly, "You two have a fight?"
"No! Ever since I came here.. I haven't been able to speak to her properly and we've just y'know drifted apart" he explained.
"..yeah I get it. But I quite liked you two together. You made her happy. You made my baby girl happy.." She mused quite unlike herself. Callie was.. Sad.
"What's up?"
"I miss the old times. I miss the old gang and Lex and when life was simpler. Now I've been stupid and Cobra's become this huge theft organisation. It ain't messing about anymore; it's serious. All cos of money"
"Well can't you just leave?" He asked.
"If only! If I leave, I have to go into hiding otherwise I'm dead! They'll think I'll grass and trust me they'll do whatever it takes to shut you up"
"Who's they?"
"Rovers. I had a fling with one of them without knowing who he was and they slowly took over the gang; I was so blind. I mean they were in trouble but I didn't think they'd steal from us then use us... I guess I was too in love to realise, I took my eye off the ball"
We had arrived at the flats.
"Look, this may be the last time I see you but send my love to Lex won't you? If you see her.."
Liam watched her float into the distance. She deserved a happy ending.
"Wait. Don't, don't go. I wanna help"
"No you don't"
"Yes I do. You meant the world to Elektra. Let me try and help you.."
Callie stared in shock before a small grin gradually appeared on her face. "Okay".
Present
Liam sighed in remembrance. If only he'd known. If only he'd known what Callie was like...
