Greg Calling - 1. Greg Calling

It was wet, windy, and cold. The rain fell from the sky in buckets as Liam stood on the open platform, the warm tears falling down the sides of his face from his eyes. He'd left a simple note in Greg's room as he left this morning.

I've left and gone into the city. I cannot be here while you hate me.

I'm sorry. I may go back to America anyways. Please forgive me.

L.

Liam continuously went over the events of the previous night. The more and more he thought of it, the more he hated himself. He hated himself for loving Greg, for spending all his money to see him, and for being stupid enough to think that Greg would ever love him back.

Liam had to get out, to get away. He could easily go back home. He could easily stay in a hotel or hostel for the last few days of his time. He could easily get around on his own without Greg he figured. Liam had been here before. How bad could it be, he wondered?

The platform was unusually deserted. This was the platform for the London-bound train. Surely there would be more riders? Surely London commanded the attention of more than just himself alone?

Perhaps not today.

Suddenly over the speakers ahead a crisp female voice spoke.

"The 07:30 train to St. Pancras is now arriving at Platform 3. Please stand clear of the yellow line and mind the gap between the platform and the train.”

Liam looked up at the approaching train, his rescue. The train came to a stop. As the doors opened, Liam stood aside to let a few passengers off before getting on. Once he was on the train he chose a seat. Looking around he noticed the carriage was empty. Liam was alone on the train.

The train remained at the platform for longer than Liam would have expected as there were no other passengers to collect for the journey to London. Liam sat there thinking about how the train should leave now and get him away from this town and away from Greg. Surely the driver knew no one else was to board?

Liam was about to get frustrated at the train not departing as the doors closed and the train began to move. Looking out the window at the platform one last time he saw a tall figure running down the stairs toward the train wearing a black jacket and sweater. Liam couldn't believe his eyes. The figure was Greg.

Liam looked back at Greg until he was out of view. Liam smiled thinking to himself that Greg should have got there sooner. Then anger flooded him, anger at Greg for even trying to intercept him. Greg didn't care. Why should he try to stop him? Why should he even bother?

The train sped faster and faster down the track. Liam put in is earphones and turned on his iPod. He put the music on shuffle.

“I never knew how complete love could be
Till she kissed me and said
Baby, please, go all the way
It feels so right
Being with you here tonight
Please, go all the way
Just hold me close
Don't ever let me go”

Liam couldn't listen to the song anymore and began to cry again. Wiping his tears off his face, he took out the earphones and sat in his seat with his eyes closed. He couldn't help but feel sorry for himself. He couldn't help but wonder what Greg was doing now that he missed intercepting Liam before he got on the train. He couldn't help but hope Greg felt like an ass.

Suddenly the train was slowing down coming to a stop. The driver announced their arrival at St. Pancras to the deserted carriage. Once the train stopped, Liam exited. Liam went down to the middle of the platform and went up the stairs into the atrium of the train station. Walking quickly he made his way down the escalator. To his right at the bottom on the escalator there was a coffee shop. Liam went in a purchased a small coffee and began to proceed towards the London Underground at the end. He'd just starting walking towards the Underground when a voice came from behind him.

“Liam! Wait!”

It was Greg. Greg was running towards him as quick as he could. Liam stood there and shook his head, not wanting to see or be near Greg. Liam did the only he knew to do to get away from Greg. Liam ran. He ran as fast as he could go into the Underground station. He didn't know which line to go on so he quickly decided on the Piccadilly Line. Greg followed Liam, doing everything he could to stay on him.

“Liam stop! Wait! You don't know where you're going! You'll get lost!” yelled Greg. The other passengers in the station were looking at him like he was crazy.

Liam didn't stop. Running faster and faster he manage to swipe his Oyster Card on the card reader and get through the gate before Greg could catch him. Through the gate, Liam quickly decided to just go straight to Heathrow Airport. Looking back to see where Greg was, Liam was pleased when he saw Greg scrambling to get to a gate. Smiling Liam made his way down to the train. He stopped running thinking he'd lost Greg. He was on the escalator almost down to the platform level when he heard Greg call him again.

“Liam! Just wait a minute will you mate? Jesus!” he said.

At that Liam went into the left side of the escalator and quickly went down it. The train was already sitting at the platform. A rapid beeping sound signaling that the doors were about to close convinced Liam to leap into the train. He was thankful that not many people were in the compartment he was in, or else he would have looked like a fool. Liam sat down with his backpack in his lap. He looked back to see Greg entering the platform running towards the train. The train began to move just before Greg could get near it. Looking a Greg, Liam waved at him with a smile and sat back in his seat sighing contentedly.

Liam was pleased. He was so pleased at having lost Greg that he decided that he would get off at the Hyde Park Corner station. Liam walked across South Carriage Drive into the park and began explore. The rain had let up by the point, giving way to pockets of sunshine. It was beginning to warm up also so Liam took off his jacket and stuffed it into his backpack.

Liam strode through the grounds of the park taking his time to bask in the park's scenery. He made his way to a bench just by the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain when he noticed he was hungry.`Liam pulled out some snacks and began eating. Liam began to think about the previous night's events that led him to leave Greg's house to contemplate going back home to America.

Was it that Greg and him had gotten a little drunk? Was it his fault for flirting with Greg? Was it his fault for making out with Greg when Greg in his drunken state wanted to do so? Was it his fault for going with the flow of things which would lead to the two of them in the same bed? Was it his fault for showing Greg how much he meant to him? Was all of this his fault? Did he deserve what Greg said to him when he sobered up and realized what had happened? Did he deserve Greg's malicious insults?

Just as Liam finished his snack a voice from behind him spoke.

“I just knew I'd find you here.”

Liam spun around to see Greg. Liam made to move but Greg spoke again.

“Do not move. I want to talk this whole thing out,” he said. “Please hear me out, mate.”

“Look Greg, I fucked up. Last night shouldn't have happened. It's my fault. You now hate me. I'm going to chill here for a little while and then I'm going to Heathrow and go home,” said Liam.

Greg sat down next to Liam.

“Liam, I do not hate you. Yes I said horrible things to you. I said those things because after what happened between us I began to realize just how I felt about you and was angry and scared. I was angry for letting my guard down, not at you. I was scared because I knew how you felt about me and I didn't want to potentially hurt you over my insecurities over my sexuality. So in fear and irrationality, I fought back in anger. I hurt you and I'm sorry. I came after you because I was scared you'd get lost or hurt. London is not a place you want to get lost, especially if you don't know where you're going.”

“I can take care of myself thank you,” said Liam slightly blushing.

"But seriously Greg, the things you said, they really hurt me. I mean, to hear them come out of your mouth just tore me up. You really don't know my feelings for you.”

“Well if they're anything like mine for you, they must be pretty strong,” said Greg slightly blushing.

“So you like me now, is it?” asked Liam. Greg smiled warmly.

“I'd say a different L-Word instead of like, but yes, I definitely like you, a lot.”

Liam smiled and blushed.

“And I love you too. I'm sorry I scared you.”

“Don't do it again,” said Greg.

“No promises. That was too fun in the end.”

Greg laughed and smiled. “Do you want to go back to mine? Maybe make up for lost time? No drinks?” he asked with a sly grin.

Liam got up, took Greg's hand in his and pulled him up. “C'mon, let's go home.”

The two young men began walking away from the bench on the sidewalk along the lake, holding hands.

“I meant what I said Liam. Don't ever run from me like that again. I don't want to lose you.”

“You won't.” Liam smiled and looked down at their two hands intertwined.

He was happy.

Author's Note:

Thanks to Johnathan Colourfield for editing and beta reading this short story. Song lyrics within the story are lyrics to “Please Go All the Way” by the Raspberries. All rights to the song/lyrics are to the respective owners of them.

Thanks for reading!