The months passed and suddenly it was November. Nights got longer and darker and the temperature dropped below -10 degrees Celsius at times.
Liv rarely heard from Thomas, he was probably buried in work. That is what she liked to think anyways, instead of that he had decided to forget about her again. Time passed relatively quickly anyways and the first term of the gymnasium did not leave her much opportunity to sulk about it.
Things with Alice and Wilma were moderately patched up but far from what they used to be like. That was not all bad though. She had made a couple new friends and still saw plenty of Wilma. The fact that Lars was still off the radar, as far as Liv knew, and that they had never even really discussed the matter had managed to drive an awkward wedge in between her and Alice. When possible they avoided each other.
This particular afternoon she was heading home with Melvin, a boy she had gone to the same elementary school as but had only got to know now that they were in the same class.
He was funny in an effortless, charismatic way, tall and sported prominent dimples which he proudly showed off every chance he got. As it happened, he was excellent in math, and him offering to tutor Liv was how their friendship had begun. In opposition to what Wilma believed, it was a friendship and nothing more to Liv. That's what she had decided for now anyways. Melvin was only serious half the time so it was not easy to decide what he thought about it.
If Liv had known how this evening would turn out, she would have cancelled with Melvin immediately and walked home on her own, sparing herself a great deal of trouble. However, she did not and therefore there was nothing she could do when she and Melvin stumbled upon Thomas on the threshold of her house. He looked impossibly adorable in her mother's apron, with his per usual exhausted look but there was something else too, a crease between his dark brows. Swearing inside her head she hugged him and introduced him to Melvin. It was clear Thomas was not putting any effort into mustering up some enthusiasm.
"This is Thomas, my older brother's best friend."
"Pleasure", grinned Melvin and reached out his hand.
"I'm sure", Thomas said without the trace of a smile.
Maria, Liv's mom, appeared from out of the kitchen and eased the weird mood a bit.
"Hello, dears! Me and Thomas are making lasagna. I'll add a plate then."
She winked at Melvin who barely had time to respond given that he was being rushed up the stairs by Liv.
Damn it, damn it, damn it, she thought on repeat, not entirely sure why this whole thing bothered her so much. Still, out of all the times Thomas could have chosen to visit, he chose tonight. It was not only annoying that Melvin sort of stole her time with Thomas, although she knew that was unfair of her to think, but there had also been something about Thomas. Something very different. He had not even looked straight at her once. Melvin interrupted her train of thought. "That's the most threatening a guy wearing an apron has ever managed to look."
Liv smiled.
"He's usually really nice, I swear."
Not seeming very convinced, Melvin flung himself onto her bed.
"We're doing trig today right?"
They got to work but it was not long until distraction came in between.
"God this is boring", Liv yawned.
Melvin raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah? Am I not making it interesting enough for you?"
"No, sorry. What, does that trigger you?"
"That is so bad...", he said but his smile widened.
Suddenly they lied sprawled on the floor laughing and discussing everything but math.
"Why is your brother not here if his friend is?", Melvin asked.
"He's studying in Strasbourg. Thomas is practically family so he comes and goes here as he likes anyways."
"Yeah? So there's nothing between you or anything?"
Liv was sure she had heard wrong.
"Between me and Thomas? Are you crazy? Why would you think that?"
Melvin touched a strand of her hair distractedly.
"Dunno. He gave off this vibe. Maybe it was just an overprotective brotherly-sort of vibe."
"I doubt that too. He doesn't seem all that interested in my life anymore."
She was aware of how bitter she sounded but Melvin just flashed a broad smile.
"So he wouldn't care then?"
Liv looked at him confused.
"About what?"
"About this."
Without as much as a warning Melvin leaned in, stopped just before their lips met and then kissed her tentatively. After a couple of seconds she pulled away and looked a bit startled at him. "Sorry! I mean, I'm sorry if you didn't want to..."
"No", she interrupted, "I... I think I do. Just... Not now. Not with my mom and... you know."
"Yeah. The big bad chef. He's probably poisoning my lasagna as we speak."
She frowned, not really listening.
"No. I don't care what he thinks."
"I do. He might knock me out with his oven mitt."
"Sure. Got any more of those?", she semi-smiled.
"Yeah, he might spank me with a spatula. Hey, that's actually sexy, I wouldn't mind that."
"Ew no, that's disgusting", she laughed.
"Yeah? Well I'm prepared to risk it."
Melvin kissed her again, his hand coming up to cup her cheek and pull her closer. This time it was not she who interrupted. A strained voice from the door did.
"Are you sure?"
Liv ripped away from Melvin immediately. Thomas stood leaning on the side of the doorframe, no longer wearing the apron. He held his arms crossed and would have looked very casual if it were not for the look on his face. It was not anger... not quite annoyance this time either but something like that.
"Dinner's ready", he gave them another cryptic glance before he left.
"Well I'm dead", Melvin said matter of factly and actually looked a bit pale.
The swearing had begun inside Liv's head again.
"No. It's fine", she ensured, not positive about if it was meant to convince Melvin or herself. "God! Why won't he knock?!", she then spat, surprising herself with how exasperated she sounded.
She dragged Melvin with her out of the room and down the stairs, all too aware about the fact that both of their cheeks were glowing.