William's POV
She fainted on me and I don't think my heart could've possibly broken more than it did in that moment. When she woke up, it was dark out and the lights in her room were turned off meaning the only source of light was coming from the balcony doors.
"What happened to me?" She asked groggily
"You fainted" I replied
"Did I really faint?"
"Yeah"
"Liam,come here" she patted the space on the bed next to her. I take the space next to her and she lays her head in my lap.
"He just carried me. I was tired-" I stopped her by pressing a finger to her lips.
"Stop it, Lexie. I spoke to Alyssa,she told me you worked late and then you fainted on me and I was so scared. I thought something happened to you,I could never doubt you darling you don't need to explain anything to me. David told me you weren't looking so well and he carried you to your car" I said and ran my fingers through her hair.
"I couldn't do it y'know" she said to me
"Do what?" I asked
"I couldn't cope with the stress. I had breakfast with my brother and then I put my sister to sleep so I could fulfill my promise. I got back home and less than two hours later all the girls show up and then the pictures. I'm stronger than this" she whispers
"You're strong but I'm here for you,we all are. Learn to delegate and depend on people and cancel plans if you need to but don't do that to me again"
"I've always been independent,what if I'm just scared of being dependent on others? I'm scared because people can fail"
"It's okay to be scared, we're holding you up baby. You won't fall"
"What if I fall?" She whispers brokenly
"What if you fall darling but what if you fly?" I whisper back pressing a kiss to her jaw.
"I just didn't want to cancel the plans on our first outing,it would create a bad impression"
"Sometimes you need to think about yourself"
"I know,I'm just not selfish y'know"
"Yeah I know"
"Are you still upset with me?"
"I'm just upset that you overworked yourself"
"Is that really all?"
"Yes" I replied and rolled my eyes at her. She placed one palm at the back of my head and pushed my head down to kiss me. She pulled away first
"Stay with me till I fall asleep" she says and I can't find it in me to refuse her because it's partly my fault she ended up here. I nod slowly at her and she smiles before she gets back under the covers.
As she lies on her side,I can't help but think about everything. If I had never spoken to her about the pictures which had made her stress levels rise because she was trying so hard to convince me and then she fainted. Those moments were the worst,I called her name over and over again but she didn't even stir.
The doctor came in and told us she was stressed. She's seventeen for God's sake, how can her stress levels rise so high that she would faint? Her breathing evens out and I know she has fallen asleep but I need to go home now.
I leave her a note using the notepad and pen sitting by her bed.
Lexie,
I'm sorry I had to leave you alone but I need you to rest for me baby and take care okay. P.S. Eat something
xoxo Liam
I slip out of her room and take my phone out. I shoot a text to my Mom saying I'd be home soon and I put the phone back in my pocket. I make my way downstairs to the living room where everyone is sitting looking worried.
"She woke up and talked to me but she's asleep now" I announce and I hear sighs of relief coming from everyone.
"She won't leave the house tomorrow but I need someone to brunch with her right here" Daniel says
"I'll do it" Alyssa volunteers
"She just looked so stressed but she kept talking to us and then she saw the pictures and she spoke to William and then she fainted" Tatiana shakes her head
"She's my sister and I know her well. She's prone to this stuff and I know her,she can handle pressure and she doesn't crack rather her health suffers. I knew she was stressed,it was obvious but I let her go meet with that guy because it seemed important to her" Landon holds his head in his hands
"Hey,it isn't your fault. We just thought she needed sleep to reenergize her,we never thought our friend would actually faint and I spoke to her just minutes before she fainted and I scolded her" Tatiana says to Landon who smiles a small smile at her.
"It's friends like you who keep my sister from drowning in all that work she does. Thank you guys but you should really get home now,it's late" Landon admonishes
"Thank you so much everyone for being here for our daughter. We're very grateful that she has people who care about her genuinely" Lucia says to us all with her eyes glistening a bit.
Landon stands up and gives the girls a hug before turning to me and doing the same.
"Take care of my sister" He says slowly
"Always" I reply and he releases me from the hug. Daniel and Lucia say bye and leave us all alone.
"Let's go outside" Landon says to us all and we all walk outside.
"Basically this is about Laila's birthday. It's on Wednesday and I want to throw her a surprise party alongside my Dad. The invite is family and friends only" Landon says and smiles
"So how are we going to pull it off?" Marilyn asks
"We already have a plan in motion" I say
"Who is we?" Tatiana cuts in
"William, Alyssa and I" Landon replies and Tatiana glares at us
"So what's the plan?" Kayla asks bringing the focus back
"William has already asked her on a date so all you guys have to do is behave normally. Wish her a happy birthday and promise to send her gifts later on, she'll leave school during lunch for a meeting. The meeting is going to keep her busy till three,then I'll distract her and send her off to go prepare for her 'date'. William will pick her up at six from the house and bring her to the venue where the party is being held, he'll cover her eyes and lead her inside and everything starts from there" Landon explains
"So we all just have to show up for her party with gifts?" Tatiana asks unsure
"You just have to shut up and pretend you know nothing then show up to her party with the gifts you planned to give her" Landon retorts dryly
"We have one problem guys" I tell them
"What?" Marilyn asks
"I got her a dress for the day but I don't know how to give it to her without it seeming like something else is going on" I admit sheepishly
"That's cute" Tatiana says without missing a beat
"I'll sneak the dress in for you. Every year on her birthday, Laila wakes up extra early to leave the house so I'll come over after she leaves and place the dress in her closet" Alyssa supplies with ease
"How long has she been doing that?" Landon asks
"Since we were 13" Alyssa replies reluctantly
"It's taking place in the event hall of our hotel so you guys have three hours to get dressed and make it to the party before Laila does" Landon announces
"It's settled then,we should all head home now" I say and everyone says their goodbyes.
All this took place on Saturday. It's Tuesday now and I'm looking at Laila as she talks to Alyssa and laughs at something. Alyssa points at me and Laila gives me a concerned glance but I wave her off. She stands up and drags me out of the cafeteria with her.
"What's wrong,Liam?" She asks and cradles my face with her hands
"It's nothing" I reply her
"I don't shut you out,so you shouldn't shut me out"
"It's really nothing"
"Would you just tell me the truth?"
"I was thinking about Saturday"
"Why?"
"I'm worried about you,Lexie" She removes her hands from my face.
"Don't be"
"Huh?"
"I don't want you to worry about me so much,I can take care of myself" She didn't get to finish her sentence before I cut in.
"Do you have any idea how I felt when you fainted? Did you know that I sat by your bed from the time you had fainted until you fell asleep again?" I pause and release a breath I didn't know I was holding
"In those moments you weren't there, you were unconscious and I was conscious of everything going on around me and I kept waiting for you to wake up. You were out cold and I was so scared that I kept shaking during the first hour" I finish
"If someone else said this to me,I would ignore them and call it rubbish. You are genuinely worried for me and I understand you but I'm fine now. Look at me" She gestures to herself from head to toe.
"You were perfectly fine and standing just like this before you-" She cut me off by placing her hand over my mouth.
"Don't say that to me. I'm fine now besides we shouldn't argue when we have a date tomorrow" Laila intertwines her fingers with mine and smiles.
"We shouldn't but I just want you to take care of yourself more"
"I will' She says with a daunting smile on her face as we walk back to the cafeteria and take our seats again.
Alyssa raises her eyebrows at me but I just send a careless shrug in reply.
I shoot Alyssa a text
Me: Pick the dress up from my place today?"
Aly: Yeah,after school:).....
Me: Waiting on it
Aly: yeah yeah
"I'll see you tomorrow,Liam. I'm going home to rest after school, I'm getting overwhelmed yeah I guess I'll listen to my special doctor's advice this once" Laila linked our fingers together and stared up at me with her eyes twinkling. I looped my one arm around her waist and kissed her on the forehead, she leaned into me resting her head on my chest before pulling away with a sigh. She whispers a small see you to me and I whisper a take care back.
The rest of my classes for the day are manageable I guess. I'm home waiting for Alyssa to come pick the dress up but then the door bell rings and I answer it because no one else seems to be around not even my younger sister. Alyssa is standing at the door
"Hey" She says and I gesture for her to come in
"The dress is in this box,you just have to hang it up for her. Place the note in the box in the label of the dress and your job is done" I explain
"I got it"
"Thank you,Aly. This means way more to me than you think" I give her a brief hug
"You're welcome and truly maybe I don't know how much it means to you. I hope you've extended the invite for Laila's party to your parents and siblings"
"I've done that. David is coming right?"
"Yeah he is, Laila and David get along really well and they've started a friendship which doesn't involve me" She pouts
"You're his girlfriend,Aly" I chuckle
"Yeah right I am. Speaking of which I should get going,I have to see him"
"Bye Alyssa" I say as she walks out the front door
"Bye Willy" she calls back
Whitney walks in through the front door some ten minutes after Alyssa has left.
"You're kinda late sis. Where are you coming from?" I ask
"I got held up by something at school"
"You're a sophomore,what could possibly hold you up?" I ask
"It's nothing" She squirms
"You're 15, Whitney. If you date anyone, don't keep it a secret I won't judge you"
"I won't divulge all my secrets to you, William. If I do get a boyfriend you'll only find out if I want you to" Whitney retorts
"That's all I want, Whitney. Don't hide things from me and I say so because I don't want some guy to mess you up"
"I get it,William. Someone you care about got messed up by a boyfriend who she kept a secret,your stand on the subject makes it obvious"
"Are you in my head or something?"
"Yeah a little bit" She laughs at me
"You're ready for Laila's party right?"
"Yeah,I've gotten her a gift already"
Wednesday.................
The day felt different maybe because it was the birthday of one of the most precious girls in my life. I get dressed and leave for school but when I do get there,Laila is in homeroom staring off into space.
I walk straight to her desk and plop my backpack down on the desk in front of hers. She stands and I give her a hug while whispering 'Happy Birthday' in her ears.
"Thank you,Liam" she whispers and sighs contentedly leaning into me.
"You should really save your thank you's for now,you'll have to say plenty of those to me during our date tonight" I smile teasingly.
"I guess so" She chuckles and smiles against my shirt.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I groan a little,Laila giggles as I loop one arm around her waist and the other pulls my phone out. It's a text from Tyler
Adult child: Bring Laila to the parking lot,we still have time before class. Hurry!!
"Come with me"
"Where to?" She asks
"It's a surprise darling" I tell her as I lead her out of the classroom and towards the school doors.
In the parking lot,our friends are standing in a circle and their arms are linked. I pushed Laila into the circle and linked my arms through Alyssa and David's successfully closing it again and everyone starts singing.
"♪Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Lailaaaa
Happy birthday to you♪"
Everyone unlinks their arms and Alyssa takes a step towards Laila.
"Happy birthday my mischievious partner. I love you for who you are. Your heart is so big and it's not made of stone, you're confident, beautiful and pretty diligent even though you don't see it. I wish you all your hearts desires,I love you" Alyssa hugs her and steps back.
David steps out next and grabs her hands.
"Happy birthday dear Laila. You're an exemplary person and I wish you all the best" He gives her a hug and steps back too
Tatiana steps out
"Happy birthday Woman of Steel. I love you and wish you what you wish me"
"I'm not good with words,happy birthday" Tyler steps back
"Happy birthday Laila. To be honest,I've got nothing to say because I'm sure our friendship speaks for itself" Marilyn says and everyone laughs as they hug.
"Happy birthday dear friend. I pray that you are safe and healthy and alive this new year of your life" Dennis hugs her and steps back
"Happy birthday sweet Queen. I do hope you get that thing which you want most" Alistair smirks and gives her a hug too.
"Happy birthday Laila" Kayla says and Laila laughs rolling her eyes.
"I'm terrible at this honestly. I want to thank you for being supportive and for being there for me. I'm wishing you a very happy womb escaping day" Angel embraces her and they seem to be whispering in each other's ears,she giggles as he whispers something in her ears before letting her go.
"Thank you guys so much" Laila thanks us and everyone smiles. We walk back into school and everyone parts ways. I walk back to homeroom with Laila and I feel a sliver of excitement rush through my body because I just know tonight is going to be awesome.
*****
Yoooo
I wonder what tonight will be like?
who is up for a party?
Comments?
What do you guys think of Angel and Laila's friendship?
xoxo
konyinn<3