I knew seeing Liam after the whole text incident was a mistake. But, of course, I didn't care. Stupid, right? Totally stupid,anytime it's about Liam,I'm always not myself.
It was lunch, and the cafeteria was buzzing with people, trays clanging, everyone pretending they weren't eavesdropping. And there he was, sitting at the same table as yesterday. Like he owned the spot or something.
I sat across from him, trying to act normal. Fail number one: my hands were still shaking and of course it's always happen.
Hey, he said softly, giving that half-smile that's equal parts charming and aggravating.
Hi, I muttered, because apparently my vocabulary starts and stops at three letters around him.
For a moment, silence fell over us. Not the awkward silence. The charged silence. The one where my chest felt way too small and my heart way too big,I was waiting for him to talk first.
Then someone came by. A girl. Blond, cute, with this annoying laugh that made my stomach sink for no reason. She leaned over Liam like she owned the world or him. My brain screamed move,I wanted to move her away but my body froze.
Hey, Liam,she said, voice sweet, too sweet. Are you free after school? We should hang out.
Liam's smiled. Just slightly. But it was enough. Enough to make my stomach twist.
Oh… uh, I've got plans,he said, and my chest did a weird little flip. Plans with me, maybe? I hoped. I prayed.
The girl got angry, obviously used to getting what she wants, but Liam didn't flinch. Maybe another time,he said, firmly this time.
She huffed and walked away, and then he looked at me. Really looked at me. Eyes soft, almost apologetic,straight into my soul.
Kaya,he said, voice low, don't let anyone make you feel replaceable. Because you're not.
My heart? Yeah, totally wrecked. I wanted to roll my eyes, act annoyed, look totally unbothered but I couldn't. My stupid, ridiculous heart refused to cooperate.funny right?.
Thanks,i whispered, because apparently that was all my brain could come up with.
He smiled, and it was like someone turned on the sun inside me. Good. That's all I need to hear.
And then, of course, the universe decided to make things even messier. My tray slipped. I dropped my drink. Coffee everywhere. On me. On him. On the table. On my already ruined jacket. Perfect. Disaster achieved.
Liam groaned, grabbed napkins, and muttered something about how do you survive every day? But then he smiled, looking at me like it was my fault and somehow, I couldn't even be mad.
Because between us chaos felt like home. And maybe, just maybe, forever wouldn't be so scary after all.