once, still & forever | a Matty Healy story

They Just Leave - Chapter 82

I was the embodiment of a song from my favourite band The Smiths as I was rushing through the busy streets of London in a panic, dodging my way around the mass amounts of ongoing people as I made my way towards the wine bar I was supposed to be fifteen minutes ago.

Walking around a corner, I hear my ring tone vibrating from my handbag, the familiar sound making me stop in my tracks to move to the side of the street, reaching in to grab the source of the noise as I pull it out to press the green call button quickly.

"Hello?" I answer breathlessly as I hitch my handbag back around my shoulder before running my hand through my windswept hair.

"Sophia, hey!" I hear a familiar voice announce happily through the phone line, my eyes instantly widening while a broad smile spreads across my face.

"Zach! Oh my God," I grin as I hear him chuckle in reaction, all while I begin to walk again, reminding myself that I needed to be somewhere as I continue to make my way towards the wine bar.

"I really want to talk to you, but I have a meeting I'm super late for," I whine as I walk briskly through the crowded street, my heels echoing as they clink off the cobbled ground.

"That's fine, just ring me back when you're free. I need to talk to you about something," he says before we say our goodbyes, leaving my mind to wander on what he wanted to talk about.

As I hang up and finally come into view of the gorgeous brick building, I rush up to the entrance of the bar, my hands holding my white lace skirt down that was blowing about in the wind, just before the man that was stood outside kindly opens the door for me.

"Thank you!" I grin enthusiastically before walking into the welcoming heat, my eyes instantly darting around the room until I see a handsome Liam sat at the table near the window, my legs automatically walking over to him.

He was in his usual attire, his dark suit complimenting the presentable and controlled man that was in front of me, and it looked like it was almost made just for him. His broad shoulders looked tight in the cloth of his dress shirt, and his facial hair complimented his strong jaw line that I knew loads of women would swoon over. I couldn't help but admire him as I ran my hand through my wavy hair to tidy it, before adjusting my matching laced crop top and making my way over.

"I am so sorry," I apologise as I approach him, his head snapping up from his paperwork to lock eyes with me, and I watch as he soon smiles, a beaming grin taking over his attractive face as he stands us to greet me.

"Don't be silly, you're alright," he tells me softly before wrapping his arm around my bare waist, pulling me into him to place a kiss on my temple, us both then moving to sit down.

"It's lovely to see you," I tell him just as a waiter approaches us, and I turn towards him eagerly, already knowing exactly what I had wanted.

"I'll have a Shiraz please," I smile as the man grins down at me approvingly, then looking across to Liam who orders the same, before the attentive man leaves so we were left on our own.

"How are you? You look beautiful by the way," Liam tells me, his voice deep and husky as he sets his hands on the table, his broad and toned arms tense as I dart my tongue out to lick my lips before speaking, and I couldn't help but blush at his compliment.

"I'm good," I smile shyly, "The boys are away to LA now, so I'm purely focussed on writing. I've got my work head on," I tell him as his eyebrows shoot up and he leans back to stretch his arms behind his head, leaning back in his chair.

"Oh yeah, that's pretty cool," he says, "How's things with you and your boyfriend now anyway? You know... after what happened at your artist talk," he asks with a low chuckle and I can't help but giggle, my cheeks flushing at the memory of Matty crouched on top of Elliott, the guy that was way too eager for his own good.