Strings and Schemes

Chapter 8

Louis smiles at me, "It's really something, far away from all the bullets and the negotiations that will never be fair." I smile weakly back, how are they supposed to spend the next 12-18 months here and keep morale?

Liam looks out at the skyline, "I think I'd actually like it here, if it were not the way it currently is."

"Let's get going, curfews going to be coming any minute and we've got a ten minute run back to the base," Louis says. We head back to the base as quickly as possible, before anyone can notice that we're gone. Of course we'd always gotten up to our usual shenanigans of sneaking out, even in a literal war zone.

Later that night we're all laughing at YouTube videos, after smoking Afghani Kush that someone snuck over the mountains and somehow we ended up with. Liam is absolutely on another universe and looks half ready to pass out at this point, I nudge Louis in the ribs eyeing his little brother. Liam half falling off the couch from sinking into it so much. Louis laughs, shakes his head, but gets up and pulls Liam up.

"Come on lil bro, you've gotta keep up some appearances with Raina. She hasn't seen you in forever, you can't let it all go the first moment you see her in a year."

Liam eyes me, "Alright, alright, I gotta crash, I can't stay out here at Pluto for much longer while on the couch."

I laugh, standing up to hug my friend. I hug into him, feeling his broad shoulders and smile a genuine smile. "I'm so glad we have this week together."

"Me too," he smiles, going to kiss my cheeks but lingering a little too long. We both laugh, "oh god, that's gross. Going to bed now." He says, handling himself and bringing himself to his room on the second floor.

We sink into the couch, much like we did all those years ago, and I smile at the familiarity of it all.

"Catch me up, Rain," Liam says, "what's going on? How's your heart? And don't give me that bullshit of it's fine and you're feeling nothing."

I shake my head, "I'm not sure what there is to tell, honestly." I fidget with my hands. "I like him, I think; it's been a long time since I've liked someone like that."

Liam smiles a gentle smile at me, "Really?" I nod.

"I've just spent so much time avoiding all of it, the risks, but I guess also the true happiness. I spent so much time alone, it's hard to find a reason to let someone in when I feel content by myself."

Liam laughs, "Rain, I know you too well. You've never been content, melancholy maybe, but content is not an emotion I've seen on your face in a long time. I mean, when is the last time you actually dated?"

I laugh, "I don't know, a few months ago I went on a few dates with that guy from class."

"Oh, you mean Leroy?" He scoffs, "that guy was basically illiterate. Which like, great cause he's in art school and doesn't need to read ever, but you were so bored. You only went out with him because you give everyone a chance who asks you on a date, once. He was such a wanker."

I laugh, "Alright, fine - "

Liam cuts me off, "when have you actually went out with someone who made you feel something?"

"I've had orgasms, Liam." I scoff, "from other people!" I clarify

Liam laughs, "oh yeah? Who?"

I crack up, "Alright fine, maybe it was nobody outside of Zayn for a while."

He smiles, "Are you going to invite him to your senior gallery exhibit?"

I shake my head, "I doubt he'd be interested in that stuff."

"Oh yeah, the rockstar who made his name from being the moody creative one isn't interested in an art gallery? Stop kidding yourself, babes, he'd love it."

I shrug, swirling the tea in my cup. 'I don't know if I'm ready. My art is personal—too personal. I've never invited anyone I actually care about to a gallery before.' The idea of Zayn standing in front of my paintings, seeing the rawest parts of me, makes my stomach twist in a way I don't fully understand."

Liam smiles, squeezing my hand, "For what it's worth, you're an incredibly artist, and I know anyone who goes to your gallery will love you; especially the guy who hasn't stopped blowing up your phone all week."

I laugh, looking down to see yet another message from Z.

Vas Happenin'?xx

I send him a photo of mine and Liams feet up on my coffee table, cups of tea visible.

Zayn texts back almost immediately, Come over later

I smile at my phone, Liam noticing, "are you smiling, at your phone? This is serious Raina, I've never seen you smile at your phone."

I laugh, "So what if it is?"

Liam smiles, a glimmer in his eyes, he pulls me into him, throwing his arm over my shoulder and messing with my hair.

"I knew it! I knew you'd start to fall for him."

I laugh, "Its been like two weeks. I'm not falling for him."

"Yet," Liam says, as if he can see something that is so obvious to everyone but me. I shake my head.

Maybe, I text back

I'll take it, Z responds immediately

I shrug, "I think I'm going to make the official request to not be included in these events when my parents return. Give them a few months notice and remove myself from the public facing life they want for me."

Liams eyes go wide, "Removing yourself from the diplomatic corps entirely?"

I shrug, "It's never really been my dream. I know I could do it easily, but I don't want that."

Liam nods knowingly. "It's really too bad, you'd be a great diplomat."

"I think it's more about the fact that I could never serve the President of the United States, earnestly."

"You really were meant to be a Brit," Liam laughs. "But, it really does feel like you're in a golden cage, hey?"

Liam offers to drive me to Zayns later, knowing I prefer not to take the embassy vehicles when I can avoid it. I hug Liam goodbye, "Don't be so scared of feeling something, if you crack yourself wide open, he'll only love you more for it."

I shake my head, "I'm not talking about this with you anymore Mr. Wears his heart on his sleeve."

Liam winks, "yeah, well, it's not any better on your side of the grass."

I walk up to Zayns flat, and he opens the door for me, already waiting for me. I smile warmly.

"Hey you,"

"Hi to you too" He smiles, waving bye to Liam before he drives away.

The moment I step inside, my pulse stumbles. The scent of him—cologne, something musky and warm—wraps around me like a memory I've barely had time to make. The possibilities swirl in my chest, a mix of anticipation and nerves, as I meet his gaze.