LMPYITP: The Random Passages

HISE

            "Can't you just stay home tonight?" Liam asked as he watched me put my make-up on. "We've only got a few hours left."

"No." I said firmly as I got some powder on my brush. I began dusting it across my cheeks. "Noel invited me. I have to go."

"No ya don't! He's done this on purpose! He knows you're leavin' and he's tryin' t'keep ya away from me!"

Liam hadn't been invited. Surprise, surprise. I was to sit in the audience with Sara amongst some of Noel's biggest friends and fans.

Like the contest in December of 2015, lucky winners scored tickets to witness another one of his epic shows.

"Quality gig as always." I reckoned they might say.

Noel Gallagher, innit?

He knew just as well as his younger brother that if they were in the same room together the shit storm would begin. Surely their ability to be in the same place at the same time meant the Oasis reunion was definitely on.

I could tell Liam still hurt for reconciliation even if he'd never openly admit it. And truth be told there was reconciliation...just not the kind everyone wanted.

It was my doing, they said. I brought them back together. I made them act like brothers again because I couldn't be arsed for any other way.

It was weird seeing my name in the paper for things other than 4-H club news reports, honor roll and Dean's lists, and college graduations. But then I think of all the times I featured for interviewing folks in the NME and realize I've got a lot to be proud of.

The nineties were over. Liam and Noel weren't the biggest news stories anymore but they still had the ability to provide tabloid fodder. And seeing myself in the pictures and articles right beside them made it clear I provided that stuff too. I was never interviewed, not that I had much clever to say. But the boys were always quick to acknowledge me anytime they were asked about who I was.

To Liam, I was the girl who saved him. Who looked after him when he was sick. Who saved him from himself. It sounds so cliché but it wasn't. He needed me because I made him feel safe. He could trust me and knew I wouldn't fuck him over like other people had. I was my own person and I wouldn't change myself just because I was his missus. I provided him with good books and a clear head, making him think for himself and take responsibility for his own actions.

To Noel, I was the little sister he always dreamed of. He trusted me like Liam did because he knew I was too smart to fall for anyone's bull shit. He felt a need to look after me but knew I didn't necessarily need it. But it was in his nature I guess and everyone knows how he liked being in control.

"Taxi's here." I mused as we sat in the living room and saw it pull up.

Liam squeezed my hand tighter. "Make them wait." He pleaded softly. "Just a few minutes more."

But I didn't have a few minutes more. If I was late, I'd never hear the end of it. Noel was way more excited for this gig than he was for that one in 2015. I really didn't know why.

Fuck knows his concerts all ran together.

"I love you." Liam said by my ear as he held onto me while we stood by the car. "I love you so fuckin' much!"

"I love you too." I told him.

He squeezed me tighter. "Please don't stay any longer than ya have to. We've only got-"