Alyssa's POV
Liam and I were finally discharged from the hospital yesterday.
During my time in the hospital, I kept on visiting Liam... I think that he really enjoyed my company. It was awkward at first, because technically, Liam had just met me. But as time flies, the awkwardness was gone.
I also realised that after the accident, it was as if Liam had turned into a new person. But not exactly whole new as there are still some part of him that haven't changed at all. Like the way he runs his fingers through his hair, his very-hard-to-read expressionless face, his bored eyes, the way he likes to chew on the straw when drinking and etcetera.
But other than those little things, he has changed. He smiles more. He speaks his mind more. He seems more honest than before. I don't hate it, though. I love him.
The doctor encouraged everyone to act normal and don't be all weepy about his condition as to help him regain his memory. I couldn't agree even more to that. Even I think that I would give up on catching back my lost memories when everyone is all depressed about me.
But I believed that someday, Liam's memory will be cured. He will remember everything and go back to his old self. And by that time, I would be very happy for him. But before that time comes, I want to be there for him.
I had just finished showering when my phone rang, and I almost dropped my phone after knowing that it was Liam who's calling.
He asked for my number back when we were in the hospital. He even showed some curiosity on why we never exchange our numbers even though we go to school together everyday, and were sort of friends.
That kind of curiosity were the kinds that I could not give any answer to him. They make me feel awkward. What on earth should I answer him? "Oh, Liam, you were a living tsundere! You always hide your real feelings and you would rather hurt me than showing your any form of affection towards me!"? I don't think so.
But I have decided to stop being the usual, shy self, I was whenever I'm around Liam. It is all for him. I think I need to be tougher in order to help Liam. It is time to act more like myself. And I swear, if he don't appreciate me later on, I will not be nice to him anymore. Never mind the fact that I have a soft spot for him in my heart... The reason why I have always been considerate towards his hypocrisy.
"Um, hey, Alyssa," I heard Liam's voice from the other side of the phone. "sorry for calling you so early in the morning."
Is he in need for something? "Nah, it's not that early. Why you calling for?"
"I don't remember the way to the convenient store. Ahaha," I could hear hint of nervousness.
It's kinda sad, but my positivity was on point, so I was actually holding my laughter in. What would the original Liam Holden would feel? Asking me the way to the convenient store... No doubt, he would call himself pathetic for it.
"Wait, I'll take you there, hold on for a sec."
"But, Alyssa, you can just tell me the direction and I w-"
"Liam, I'm not good at giving directions. You said that yourself before, " It was a little too late when I remembered that technically, he actually never said that. "oops, sorry."
Liam laughed, though. "Okay okay. I'll wait."
Immediately, I pulled on a random hoodie and a pair of shorts. I ran downstairs after combing my still dampen hair.
"What's the hurry for?" Bree asked when I passed her by the stairs. She was waiting for her turn to take a shower.
"Will be gone for like 15 minutes. Will be with Liam," I shouted the announcement so that the whole house knows.
"Tell Liam he can stop by if he wants," mom shouted back before I closed the door behind me. "I excidentally made brownies with the amount of even Bree can't finish."
I opened the door to see Liam leaning against the fence that was built around my front yard, checking on his phone. He was also wearing a hoodie, paired with basketball shorts. His messy, dark brown hair being blown slightly by the light, morning breeze. His bruises from the accident can still be seen clearly. But he instantly smiled at the sight of me.
"Morning," I greeted him.
"Yea, morning. Can we take the longest route?"
I stared at him. "Odd, but okay," I guided him to west. "can I ask why?"
It's not like I don't want to waste my time being alone with Liam, because that's exactly what I want to do. I was just curious.
Liam hesitated for a second. But finally, he let out a sigh. "I was trying to do some of my routines to find familiarity in my daily life."
He paused. "aren't you sad?"
"About what?" I jerked my head away from him.
"About me..." he inhaled, as if didn't want to say the next sentence. "not remembering anything."
I thought about it. If I say no, that would be lying. And I doubt it if he would believe in that. He have seen too much of everyone worrying about him. But if I say yes, he would not know how to answer. Would he apologise? I don't want that.
So I simply told him my opinion. "What do you mean? Of course I'm sad. And worried."
He gave a forced, weak smile.
"But what is the point in being sad?" I added after seeing his reaction. "you're still here. And I'm already overjoyed with that. And now, the only thing to do left is to stay by your side until the day you remember me again."
I paused. "Until the day you remember everything again."
That was very embarrassing... I sounded selfish.
I turned to see Liam. His expressionless face barely changed. "Is that so?" you can hear it from the tone of his voice, however. He liked my response.
I reached up to pat his shoulder.
Liam sighed. "My parents..."
Kept on walking, I waiting for him to talk more.
"They'd start bawling their eyes out everytime I ask them about anything."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Makes me feel guilty," he lowered his voice.
Again, I was lost for words.
After nearly a minute of silence, he laughed a rather dark laugh. "Nahh... Forget it. You don't need to respond to that."
"Liam," I cut him. "you have to understand that everyone's worrying about you."
I tried to sound as considerate as possible.
And with that, silence came attacking. I was hoping that I didn't hurt his feelings. But after buying three cartons of milk from the convenient store, he smiled when I invited him to have some brownies at my place.
Liam's POV
"What a lovely surprise! Come in, come in!" said Mrs Wilson.
"What do you even mean, mom? You're the one who asked Alyssa to bring him in," Bree, Alyssa's bestfriend faked rolling her eyes, earning herself a glare from Mrs Wilson.
I joined them at the table, reaching for the piece of brownie Bree handed to me. I thought I have never tasted anything better than it. It tasted so sweet... Soft... Warm...
I wondered whether it was because of the secret recipe Mrs Wilson probably has for it, or maybe... My eyes stopped at Alyssa. Rather quickly, she was just taking her first bite on her piece, staring down at the table as she did so.
For a moment there, I swear I could feel her stare on me... Weird.
Earlier, she told me that she wanted to stay by my side until the day I remember her again. Thank God I was not a mirror or else she would explode herself seeing how red her face got when she corrected her sentence.
"That reminds me! I bought another helmet yesterday! It's pink!" Bree said with her mouth stuffed.
Alyssa frowned. "I told you, you are not going to make me ride a motorbike to school tomorrow."
Bree looked a little disappointed. She pushed Alyssa's head with her index finger. "You're lame."
"I'd rather take the bus."
"Alone?"
"Yea. What's wrong with that?"
"I'm not gonna insult you, mate. But a girl like you could get kidnapped at any time."
"Still... I'm not gonna ride a motorbike."
Just when I thought that their conversation would go to nowhere, I cleared my throat. "I'll take the bus with Alyssa."
Mrs Wilson clasped her hand to her mouth with a look of awe. "Problem solved!"
Alyssa shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She looked down at the table again. Slight patches of pink were on her cheeks.