Nagging feeling

When Liam returned home after school, he found himself standing in Cindy's study, contemplating whether to open the window or not. 

There was no sound coming from the other block, so he concluded Oliver wasn't there. So why was he still standing there? 

Why was he there in the first place? He had never been this worried about someone before. There was just something that was making him worry about the boy who obviously didn't need his concern. What was he going to do to stop the nagging feeling he kept having whenever he saw Oliver? 

It wasn't his duty to protect the boy. If he had any problems, he had a rich family to handle them for him, so why?

His thoughts were broken when he heard a soft melody filtering into the room. He didn't realize his heart had skipped a beat until it started pounding faster. Should he check the window? 

After deliberating on it for a while, he finally opened it a little and peeked. 

He saw him. 

Oliver sat there just like he had yesterday. The building was a little far away and even his good vision could not help him see clearly. Yesterday, he had used the binoculars Cindy had given him to watch the boy. Cindy had said she liked listening to him play, that was why she came here often. He didn't know where Cindy had left the binoculars, and she was currently studying with her home teacher, so he didn't want to bother her. 

Thank God for technology. He took out his phone and turned on the camera. He directed the camera at Oliver and zoomed in on him. It was a little blurry but better than before. 

His hair was also wet and dripping, just like yesterday. He looked like his eyes were closed and he was slowly touching the keys to producing a nice but sad melody. 

He almost jumped out of his skin when his phone began to ring. The action caused him to take a picture of Oliver, but he didn't think much about it and quickly shut the curtain as if he had been caught doing something wrong. 

It was his aunt calling, so he answered immediately. "Aunt— I mean... Lucy." 

She giggled, "More like it. How is it going with you?"

"All good. Cindy is currently studying. " 

"I know. I wanted to know how you were faring and if you still had cash with you. Also, why are you whispering? " 

"What? I... am not. " He said it with a frown. 

"You are still whispering." She pointed out. 

He hadn't realized he was doing so until she mentioned it. Why was he whispering? 

His eyes went to the closed windows. 

"Sorry... I... it's nothing." 

"You aren't doing something illegal right?" She asked jocularly causing him to force out a laugh. 

"No. And to answer your question, there is still money. It's just Thursday for goodness sake!" 

She laughed again. "I'll be coming over tomorrow morning. But I'll have to return on Saturday morning." 

"Really?" He asked, surprised. He had been thinking about how to tell Harry he wouldn't be able to attend his party since he had to stay with Cindy. Thankfully, Lucy was going to look after her. 

"Yes. I miss my baby. And I need to make sure she is all caught up with school work and everything else including what she'll be wearing for the rest of the week." She explained. 

 "I cannot wait to see you aunt— Lucy. How is mum doing?" 

"She is doing great. Let's go together to your place after your classes tomorrow. I need to get some clothes for your mum." 

He took in a deep breath before asking hesitantly. "She is going to stay there for quite a while, isn't she?" 

Lucy was quiet for a while before she answered softly, "She is going to be fine. Your mother is stronger than you can imagine. Do take care of yourself. I'll see you tomorrow and you can tell me how it feels like to be the man of the house."0 She added lightly causing him to laugh even if he wasn't in the mood for jokes. 

"Take care aunt. I love you." 

"I love you too. And it's Lucy!" 

After they hung up, he remained there for a minute before his eyes went back to the curtains. 

He took gentle steps towards it and only realized now that there was no piano sound entering the room. 

When he eventually pulled the curtain to a side, the blinds in the other building were shut, with no sign of anyone being there just a few minutes before. 

"Oliver Sallow." He muttered.

Was he ever going to stop worrying about him?