Crossing The Line
592 Words
I avoided Liam for exactly two days.
Not because I wanted to.
Because I needed to prove to myself that I could.
That I wasn’t becoming one of those people who made decisions based on emotions.
But the problem was…
Liam had become an emotion.
A constant one.
I saw him in the cafeteria.
I looked away.
I saw him at the arena.
I left.
I saw him across campus.
And I hated how much I wanted him to stop me.
He didn’t.
That somehow hurt more.
Until Friday.
I was leaving the library when I found him waiting outside.
Not blocking my way.
Not demanding my attention.
Just standing there.
Like he had been deciding whether he should approach me.
“You’re avoiding me.”
Straight to the point.
I crossed my arms.
“Maybe.”
His lips almost curved.
“You’re honest.”
“Someone has to be.”
That hit.
Because we both knew what I meant.
His expression became serious.
“I deserved that.”
The apology surprised me.
“You actually admit things?”
“Sometimes.”
“Wow.”
I pretended to be shocked.
“Liam Carter admitting he’s wrong?”
He laughed quietly.
And for a moment…
Everything felt normal.
Easy.
Then his smile faded.
“You asked why I’m dangerous.”
I went quiet.
“Yes.”
He looked away.
“I don’t want to tell you something that makes you look at me differently.”
“That’s not your choice.”
His eyes met mine.
And I realised I had said something very similar to what he said to me.
He noticed too.
“You really are stubborn.”
“Maybe.”
“Definitely.”
A small smile.
Then silence.
“I made mistakes.”
The words were quiet.
“Everyone does.”
“Mine affected people.”
“Ethan?”
He nodded.
“Among others.”
I waited.
But he didn’t continue.
“What happened?”
His jaw tightened.
“I can’t tell you yet.”
That frustrated me.
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you, you’ll be forced to choose.”
“Choose what?”
His eyes held mine.
“Me or him.”
My heart tightened.
Because he was right.
That was exactly what would happen.
───
That evening, I went to the hockey arena.
I told myself I was there for Ethan.
But when Liam stepped onto the ice…
I knew.
I watched him.
The way he played.
The way he protected his teammates.
The way he helped a younger player after he made a mistake.
And I realised something.
People’s actions told the truth.
Not rumours.
Not reputations.
Actions.
After practice, I waited.
Again.
Liam walked toward me.
“You’re still here.”
I shrugged.
“So are you.”
A small smile.
“Fair.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he said:
“You should go home.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“Because every time you stay, I forget why I should keep my distance.”
My heartbeat changed.
“What if I don’t want distance?”
He froze.
The air between us became different.
“Sophie…”
The way he said my name made me stop breathing.
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
Giving me every chance to move away.
I didn’t.
His hand lifted.
Barely touching my cheek.
And then—
“Sophie!”
Ethan.
We jumped apart.
My brother stood at the entrance.
And his expression told me everything.
He knew.
The rule had been broken.
And this time…
- Writer
