MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER

Untitled Episode

The next day, Julia insisted I ride with her and Liam. I pleaded with her not to, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Besides, I desperately needed to find a way to get over him—and, more importantly, stop being weird around my best friend’s brother.

On the way, I caught Liam looking at me in the rearview mirror. I instantly snapped my gaze away, refusing to make eye contact as I normally would. I was determined to lock him out of my heart for good.

“Lizzy,” he called out. “How have you been? It’s been a while. Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m good, thanks for asking,” I replied, trying to sound completely nonchalant.

I won’t lie: if I hadn’t seen Liam with other girls, that simple question might have made me feel special, but who was I kidding?

“And how is high school treating you so far?” he pressed.

“It’s only been a day, Liam, so it’s a bit hard to tell right away,” I replied, my voice deliberately cold.

“Oh. Okay,” he said, sounding confused, probably wondering where the sweet girl he was used to had gone.

We soon arrived at school. I didn't even say goodbye or wish him a good day as I usually did. I just bolted out of the car, hoping Julia was right on my heels. Liam must have asked Julia what was wrong with me afterward because he wasn’t used to this reaction—especially from me. He was accustomed to me being gentle and sweet, always smiling at him or laughing at his jokes, which, now that I think about it, weren't nearly as funny as I once believed. I'd been blinded.

Julia and I had Chemistry together, so I made sure to save the seat next to mine since I'd left her behind.

When she sat down, she immediately asked, "Are you okay?"

“I’m fine, don’t worry. In fact, everything will go back to normal once I get over your brother,” I said, forcing a smile.

“You know it’s not that easy to get over a guy you’ve been in love with forever,” she countered.

I looked at her. “Believe me, I will.”

Time flew by, and soon it was lunch. Julia and I were in the cafeteria with our friends from yesterday, laughing and sharing stories.

I was completely caught off guard when Liam appeared by our table.

“Here. I brought you this,” he said, handing me a slice of cake and some strawberry milk. “I know it’s your favorite.”

I was so stunned I couldn’t get a single word out. At this point, I could feel people staring and whispering. I bet they were all wondering who I was that the most good-looking guy was giving me cake and milk.

“Hope you feel better,” he said before turning and walking away.

I couldn't help but blush a bit, but the moment was cut short by the flurry of questions I was bombarded with after what just went down.

Later, while walking through the halls, I could swear I felt people staring at me and whispering—some of them, especially the girls, not looking happy at all.

Revised Passage

It was finally Friday evening, and I was done with my first week of high school. I won't lie, it was quiet exhausting, but I’d expected it. The teachers had already flooded us with assignments, but like the good student I was, I'd already finished mine. I found a weird sort of peace and joy in doing my assignments early and just studying in general. What can I say? Studying came naturally to me.

I was supposed to have movie night with my mom and Julia. I headed downstairs to prep our snacks before my mom got back from work. As I was making popcorn, the doorbell rang. I figured it was either Julia or my mom, but to my surprise, it was Julia and Liam. Julia wasn't a shock, but Liam? He quickly informed me he was there to hang out with Noah and Leo. This is going to be a long night, I thought. Part of me had forgotten this had been their hangout spot for, well, forever. Noah, Leo, and Liam had become best friends over the years, hanging out constantly and even having classes together, just like Julia and me.

My mom soon arrived and hurried off to freshen up while Julia and I put the final touches on our movie night snacks.

“Hands off!” Julia yelled. It was Noah, trying to steal our popcorn.

“You guys should have made your own snacks, you know,” I said, glaring at him.

Liam and Leo joined him, begging for a bowl of popcorn, but we held firm. Leo, ever the negotiator, offered to pay us if we let them have some of our stash. Julia and I exchanged an immediate smile.

“How much?” we asked in unison.

“Nice doing business with you guys,” we said, with a hint of mischief. Leo knew how to get to us. When he or the guys really needed something, he always came up with an exchange. I loved that about him; he understood our priorities.

My mom was finally ready, and we all settled down for our movie. We were watching How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days for the thousandth time. We loved that movie. Too bad Julia’s mom couldn’t join us like usual; she would have loved this, I thought.

I got up to go to the kitchen for some water. “Bring me some lemonade on your way back!” Julia called after me.

“Me too!” my mom added.

As I was mixing the lemonade, I heard someone walk into the kitchen. It was Liam.

“Aren’t you guys tired of watching the same movie?” he asked, pouring himself a glass of water.

“Oh, Liam, you wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you,” I said, smiling.

“Well, you seem much better than the last time I saw you. Feeling better?” he asked.

“Yes, Liam, I am better. And I don’t think I said thank you for the cake and strawberry milk, so... thank you.”

“No worries. I knew they would cheer you up,” he said.

An awkward moment of silence stretched between us.

“Not as talkative as you usually are, huh?” he finally asked.

I smiled. “I guess.” I continued squeezing my lemon.

“Can I have some when you’re done?” he asked.

“What? This lemon?” I questioned.

“No, dummy. The lemonade,” he added, smiling.

“Oh, okay,” I said, smiling back. He sat there and watched me make the lemonade, making small talk the whole time. I loved these little moments with Liam. I wondered if he knew the effect he had on me, or if he always pretended to be oblivious.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked. My furrowed brow must have made it obvious I was lost in thought.

“Nothing,” I blurted out.

“Oh, come on, Lizzy. I know you. Now tell me what’s bothering you,” he asked so sweetly it almost made my heart melt.

“You’re famous with the girls at school, huh?” I asked, trying to sound joking, though deep down I desperately needed an answer.

“I guess. What can I say? They love me,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips. “Is that what was bothering you, Lizzy?” he teased.

“Ummm, no. I was just curious,” I said, handing him his lemonade and then practically running off with the rest, leaving him there smirking.