Belong by Nerdy Cat (the false prince series TXT) 📕

"Or it could be the truth that you're hiding deeply into the depth of your heart?" I asked as he held the lit lighter for me to light my cigarette. I smiled at him then said, "You know sometimes we tend to hide our feelings, not from the people but even rom ourselves. So we bury them so deep within us and try to cover them with other things...Things that might not be as important"

Liam was about to say something, I am sure of it. However, the group sitting on that table started to make a commotion. I couldn't understand what is it exactly they were saying, but I couldn't help but focus with them. Liam turned his head to look at them as well. 

"This is crazy, it is the third one this month" A tall blonde guy exclaimed in a loud voice and a slight stammer. He didn't look older than eighteen.

"Wow, this is so cool" Another said with a wide smile, and the excitmenet was all over his face. There was a girl holding a phone; she was looking at something. She had long black hair, and had a dark blue lipstick on which formed an extreme contrast with her pale skin. She was staring at her phone, and the other hand covered her mouth. Her expression was that of fright... terror. SHe didn't say anything, but the other continued talking among themselves and I couldn't make a word again. 

The tall blone guy walked to Mark giving him the check, and he stood in front of their table listening to their conversation. I saw Mark going to them and I could hear the question that I really wanted to ask, "Hey Matt, what is this all about?" 

Somehow everything happened at the same time. the blonde guy, now known as Matt, was about to answer Mark question. The girl with the dark bluelipstick stood up at that same moment, and another gust of the cold wind ruffeled my hair as the sound of the door to the cafe being opened hit my ears. A shiver ran through my body, and Liam looked at the direction of the door, my eyes following his, and we both were shocked. 

It was him...a coincidence maybe? I don't know and I fear dwelling on the matter. Arnold walked in with a sinister smile on his face. His eyes immediatley fell on me, almost as if he knew I'd be here. He walked the few steps to my table after he had shut the door. Goosbumps ran through my body, and for some reason I feard him. Arnold was never a physically harmful person, but I can't really understand that feeling I have. "Emily Webber" He said my name is a slow whisper, like he was tasting its letters on his tongue. The smile didn't fade from his face, and he grabbed a chair sitting own. I was so absorbed in the staring contest that Arnold started. His ocean blue eyes looked very different, maybe more menacing, or diabolical? He extended one of his hands and slightly touched my hair, "You've been filling this little mind so much"

I didn't have the time to dwell in his words, my first reaction was to pull away from him, "Arnold, it seems you're doing well" I said with a scowl. People touching other people just like that ater months of not even contacting them was not really something I would accept. He pulled his hand away and then sat down on the chaiir that Liam used to hang his jacket. I heard quick footsteps and the girl started running to the door. It seemed like she was running from death itself. Matt followed her and grabbed her by the elbow, "What the hell is worng with you Donna?" He shouted at her and her face, Oh God her face, it held pure mortification. 

"We can talk outside, not here" Her words came in a whispered stutter. She, in spite of her situation, gave me a quick glance. Her eyes travelled quickly between Liam and I then they landed on Arnold's back, maybe a bit longer than necessary. 

Matt followed her out, and that was the end of a scene I understood nothing of. 

"It's been a while Arnold" Liam said in a stiff voice. His tensed shoulders were obvious even from where I was. Arnold gave an eerie chuckle turning his gaze to Liam. "Oh good friend Liam. It sure has been a while" I noticed a slight twitch on his arm, but i thought nothing of it. I heard Liam sigh, his face was full of concern then he asked, "How have you been?"

A long, loud, thudding laugh came from Arnold. He stood up streching both his arms widely and stood up straight, "I have never been better" He then walked away. Not another glance, not a single word. He just walked to Mark and embraced him in a strange hug, and it is true that I wasn't wearing my glasses but I could swear I saw him sniffing Mark. "I think I should...uhmm....Leave" I said and I know the hesitance was ovbious in my voice. I felt so uncomfortable, scared, worried, and this ominous feeling wouldn't go away. 

Liam looked at me, "You see this too, don't you? There is something wrong with him." The worry that was evident on his face made me wonder, was he worried about Arnold or from him? 

 I knew what he meant. I could sense that there was something off about him. I sighed and put my elbows on the table and said, "Liam I haven't seem him in a long time, so maybe my judgment won't be really accurate. Moreover, it could be one of the medications he takes. I heard they can be quite strong you know"  

Well, that was the only logical excuse that I could give, and I had the tiny hope that it would comfort Liam a little bit. Even though he never showed it before, but that whole Arnold ordeal was affecting him. I remembered Diana telling me some time ago that Liam, in spite of his appearance and confident demeanor, had always had a good heart. 

'Sometimes I feel like he is so sensitive for a guy in his age. I remember when he used to tell me about his girlfriend and how much he loves her and he would have that goofy smile on his face. And oh lord let's not start talking about him after the break up. It was around a year ago or so. Although he doesn't show that many emotions around people, he does feel more than your average person at least' 

 I recalled Diana's words from few months ago. The conversation just popped up out of nowhere; he had come that day to see her in the lunch break, and I commented afterwards about how he looks arrogant and cold. She went on explaining about how much of a great guy he is, and how he is easily misunderstood. 

It is really strange how we, as humans, work. I know all too well that what we show isn't necessarily what or who we are. We all use facades and masks to deal with the world, with life, and with people. Unlike many other people, I see nothing wrong in doing so.

The door opened once again, and Matt entered the place. However that conversation with the girl ended, his face said it was terrible. I saw him looking at me and the moment our eyes met he started walking to my direction. "Hello Miss, uhmm..can I have a word with you?" 

His question was met with a raised eyebrow from my end, and nodded my head for him to say whatever he wanted. He looked around and his eyes lingered on Arnold and Mark for a bit longer, and then he turned back to me and said, "Outside if possible" 

The guy was fidgeting badly, and his voice was very low. It was a mere whisper for me to hear, he sounded scared and guarded, both I couldn't find a reason for because just few minutes ago he was joking and laughing with his friends. Maybe I felt bad for him, or perhaps it is my overwhelming curiosity is what drove me to nod my head and mumble a quiet okay. My eyes found Liam and he asked, "Want me to come with?"His voice was so ... Manly, maybe gruff? All traces of the previous emotions were long gone. I stood up and grabbed my cell phone from the table, looked down at Liam and said, "Yeah, sure thing" 

Although my agreement was automatic and I didn't give it much thought, but as he stood up and walked with me an that other guy, Matt, I knew my automatic reply was the best course of action. The night air hit me straight away and a shiver ran through my body. Matt walked few steps ahead still looking around him as if he was being watched or afraid to be caught. Both Liam and I looked at each other, and perhaps my face gave away my worry for I found Liam walking a bit closer to me. We didn't exchange any kind of talk for the walk it self was very short. We just stopped into an ally that is next to 'Hamlet'. 

Matt stopped and his eyes seemed wider, and he looked straight at me "How do you know this person?"

 I always get this queasy feeling when worry strikes my heart. Sometimes certain feelings arouse within our hearts for no exact reason, and the logical explanations are futile to achieve such a goal. Perhaps my situation was a bit different. I had all the logical reasons to worry, to be scared even. Standing in that dark ally with the sound of the cold wind blowing around us, and a quievering guy trying to ask me about another guy who I haven't talked to in a long time, of course we let's not forget how the said guy looked rather alarming. 

"He is my friend. Is that the reason why you brought us here?"

Liam answered in a laid-back tone, but there was this sound of confidence, assurance, and a little bit of menace in his voice.