One Direction Imagines

Promise Me (Liam Payne)

The front doors to the school looked bigger than I remembered. Only three months have passed since the last time I walked out those doors, and now here I was, starting Year One. The swarm of students shuffled in and out of the entrance, catching up over the summer’s events. I clung onto my new Toy Story lunch box, adjusted the straps of my backpack, and prepared to hunt down my friends. As I walked through the doorway, the headmistress was just walking out of her office.

“Ah, Mr. Payne, it’s nice to see you again. I expect your behavior’s improved over the holiday?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. I nodded and bent my head down, making a run for it. I didn’t intend to start off on the wrong foot, and I suspected that her finding the whoopie cushion hidden in my backpack wouldn’t help.

I reached my classroom just in-time for the five-minute bell to ring. I stuffed my belongings in my cubby and took my seat, disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to talk to my friends before the school day started. 

My phone starts ringing from the cup-holder as I drive down the highway. I’m spending the weekend with my family; taking a break from London and more importantly the negative side effects of my fame. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for all I’ve accomplished in my life thus far and I have tons of people to thank for that, but every now and then I need a breather. I unlock my phone and bring it up to my ear. “Liam, honey, are you on your way?” my mum asks hurriedly. 

“Just got on the highway a few minutes ago,” I reply, glancing down at my clock, “Should be another two hours or so.” 

“Oh, great, sweetie. I can’t wait to see you. I set up the couch for you in the study, so…” “Wait,” I interrupt, “What’s wrong with my room?” 

There’s muffling on the other end, then my mother returns to the phone, “Oh, sorry, Liam. Your father forgot to mention to you that the (Y/L/N) family is in town visiting. Remember them? Oh, it’s been a while since you’ve seen their children but your father and I have kept in contact with the parents since they left. Such a lovely family. My, you were so young you probably barely remember them. How old were you? Seven, when they moved? I don’t know but we can catch up when you get here. See you soon!”

I threw my phone in the passenger seat, fuming as my grip on the wheel tightens. Of all weekends this is when my parents schedule a get-together with old friends?! I haven’t been home for months, working my butt off and this is my reward? I slam on the wheel, trying to focus on the road. Wait a second, that name rings a bell. How do I know that name? Oh yes….now I remember.

“Excuse me,” a voice next to me whispered. I turned my head, my eyes widening. Sitting in the chair next to mine was a beautiful girl, with stunning (y/e/c) eyes. For the age of six, I was quite shocked at how mesmerizing she was. She smiled,”Do by any chance have a spare pencil? I can’t seem to find mine.”

I combed through my pencil box, finding the only pencil I had. I gave it to her. She thanked me and turned back to face the board. I couldn’t focus the rest of that morning.

When lunch break finally came around, my friends ran up tasking me if I brought the whoopie cushion. But I wasn’t paying attention, I was looking for her. In the sea of Year One students she wasn’t anywhere to be found. I handed over the goods and excused myself. After checking every table in the cafeteria and getting plenty of strange looks, I made my way out into the courtyard. That’s where I found her. She was sitting in the grass, holding a book in her hands. I sat down next to her, “Hi, I’m Liam.” She looked up, waved, then returned to the book. “What are you reading?” I asked.

“Anne of Green Gables,” she said, taking a bite of her sandwich, her eyes never leaving the page. 

“What’s it about?”