antithesis. // payne

Chapter fifteen: Please Don't Do This.

Edited.

***

"It's going to be fine Liam, I love you. And so will they."

I hope.

With one last encouraging smile I grab Liam's hand, interlock our fingers, and walk to the front door where my family awaits. Nervously, I straighten out my black belt around my waist before taking a deep breath. Liam lets go of my hand, confusing me for a second before he wraps his arm around my waist and kisses my temple. Nodding silently I open the door to be greeted by Johann and Daniel glaring at each other, Mum looking excited, and Dakota looking determined.

I smile seeing them all and muster out a,"Hi."

Johann and Daniel turn their eyes back to me and no sooner than I can blink I'm wrapped in a familiar pair of muscular arms, that aren't Liam's.

"You haven't seen me in forever and all I get is a 'Hi'? Not cool Ash, not cool," Daniel teases making me laugh and wrap my arms around his torso.

"I am very cool, you just can't handle me," I say getting out of his arms and hugging Johann.

"Hey Jo, how've you been?"

"Great, Greece was incredible! The food was to die for. You would have loved it! I know Brandon did," She said. I lean back letting me see the dreamy look in her eyes as she spoke about her boyfriend.

I can't help but wonder if that's how I look when I talk about Liam.

"Well, you pay for the trip and I'll make my way to Greece!" I joke getting a few laughs and hugging Dakota.

"Find a home and school yet?"

"Nah, I'm living with Joey for now and don't have any school picked out yet. The joy of graduating early," He says sarcastically making me laugh before seeing my mum hugging Liam who is smiling.

"Well, lets go eat and then hang out!" I say excitedly watching my siblings notice Liam for the first time. Quickly, I grab Liam's hand and make our way to the living room. I gesture for my family to sit down on one couch, my brothers ignoring me and standing to the side of the couch, before I sigh and look up at Liam then to my siblings.

"Danny? Jo? Koda? Meet Liam Payne," I introduce them a bit nervously watching my brothers go rigid and my sister's jaw drop. My mother simply smiles encouragingly at the pair of us.

"Ashley? Are you serious?" Daniel asks me in astonishment.

"I thought he had a Mohawk?" Dakota asks looking at me questionably.

"I heard he had tattoos covering his entire body," Johann says looking at Dakota. I frown at their theories and wrap my arm around Liam's torso.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. Ashley has told me a lot about you. And it's nice to see you again Veronica, looking as lovely as ever," Liam says kindly with a smile. I watch my siblings sit there shocked but my mum smiles and I already know she's going to let us talk alone.

"Liam, it's lovely to see you again. Gone crazy running after Ashley yet?" Mum laughs standing up and walking up beside Liam who just laughs along with her.

My mum turns to look at my brothers and sister before turning back to Liam." Why don't we go the kitchen? I can help set the table, yeah?"

"I would love that Veronica, excuse us," Liam says to my mother before turning to my siblings and kissing my cheek making a smile find it's way to my lips. As Liam leads my mother to the kitchen I turn to my siblings slowly not wanting to know their reactions.