The following morning, as sunlight streamed through the window, Liam sat at his desk, lost in thought. The confrontation with Joe still lingered in his mind, and he knew it wouldn't be the last time they encountered each other. Determined to be prepared, Liam mentally rehearsed possible comebacks to everything Joe might say if he dared to approach Lily again.
He was tired of seeing her treated like a cash cow, and he wouldn't stand for it. If Joe thought he could walk all over Lily, he was in for a rude awakening.
The next day, as Liam strolled through the school halls, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was off. He spotted Lily sitting at a table in the cafeteria, her usual bubbly demeanor noticeably absent. She was pale, with dark circles under her eyes, and a light sheen of sweat on her forehead.
"Hey, are you feeling okay?" Liam approached, concern etching his features.
"I'm fine!" Lily insisted, trying to sound cheerful despite her obvious discomfort. "Just a little tired."
"Lily, you look like you've just run a marathon. Are you sure you're not getting sick?" He studied her, noting the way she shivered slightly despite the warm cafeteria.
"I told you, I'm fine! Just a little fever, that's all," she replied, attempting to wave it off with a dismissive hand.
"Right. And I'm the queen of England," he shot back, crossing his arms. "You need to take care of yourself."
Just then, Joe swaggered in with his usual entourage, eyes scanning the cafeteria before landing on Lily. He approached with a cocky grin plastered on his face, completely unaware of the tension in the air.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite little cash cow," he said, feigning concern as he leaned over Lily's table. "What's the matter? Did you finally spend all your money on something useful?"
Liam's fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to stay calm. Lily's eyes flickered to Liam, a mix of fear and frustration evident on her face.
"Joe, I'm not in the mood," Lily said, her voice weak but defiant.
"Aw, come on, I'm just trying to check in on you," Joe replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You know, maybe I could help you out with some funds for your 'sickness'—oh wait, I forgot, I don't have any of your cash to lend!"
Liam stepped forward, unable to contain himself any longer. "You know, Joe, it's funny how you're so obsessed with money when the only thing you're rich in is arrogance," he said, his voice steady.
Joe smirked, leaning back slightly as if amused. "What's this? Are you trying to play hero again, Liam? You know she doesn't need saving from me."
"Actually," Liam continued, keeping his tone light but firm, "it seems like she needs saving from the guy who thinks a personality is just a mask for his own insecurities. How's that working out for you, by the way?"
"Nice comeback, Foster. Are you going to write a novel next?" Joe shot back, but there was a crack in his confidence.
"Maybe I will," Liam retorted, keeping his tone teasing. "But I doubt you'd be able to read it. It would be full of words too big for you."
Lily stifled a laugh, feeling a sense of relief as she watched Liam confidently confront Joe. This was the side of him she loved—the protective, witty friend who knew how to stand up for what was right.
Joe's bravado faltered as he tried to regroup. "You think you're so clever, but I'm just here to see how my friend is doing," he said, trying to salvage the situation.
"Right. Because bullying her while she's sick is such a caring thing to do," Liam shot back. "What's next? Offering her a hot bowl of your own ignorance?"
"Just keep it up, Liam. One of these days, you'll realize you're fighting a losing battle," Joe warned, attempting to regain control.
"Losing battle? You wouldn't know a winning strategy if it hit you in the face," Liam replied. "But I guess being a loser has its perks—like pretending to care about someone you only see as a dollar sign."
With that, Joe's face flushed with anger. "Whatever, Foster. You're just jealous that she doesn't see you the way you want her to." He turned on his heel and stalked away, his friends trailing behind him.
Liam let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Did I go too far?" he asked Lily, concern washing over him.
"No! You were amazing!" she said, her face lighting up despite her fever. "I've never seen you like that. It felt so good to finally have someone stand up for me."
"I just hate seeing you get treated like that," he said, his expression softening. "You deserve better."
"Thanks, Liam. You're always looking out for me." She smiled, a genuine warmth radiating from her, even through her discomfort.
"Now, let's get you taken care of," he said, standing up and reaching for her bag. "What do you need?"
"I have some homework to finish, but I don't think I can focus right now," she admitted, groaning slightly.
"I'll help you with it. You can't just let school pile up on you because of a little fever," he said with a grin, trying to lighten her mood. "Besides, I owe you some friendly tutoring after all the drama."
Lily chuckled softly, despite her discomfort. "You really don't have to, but I appreciate it."
"Of course I do. You're my best friend," he replied. "And besides, you might be a little airheaded sometimes, but I can't let you fall behind."
She laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. "Just don't expect me to remember everything."
"Don't worry," he assured her, "I've got it covered. Just focus on getting better, and I'll handle the rest."
As they settled into their routine, Liam helped her with her homework while keeping a close eye on her symptoms. He brought her water and made sure she took breaks to rest.
As the afternoon dragged on, Lily felt grateful to have Liam by her side. The world outside faded into the background as they lost themselves in their schoolwork, a comforting camaraderie developing even amid the chaos.
"Hey, what would you do if I was actually a terrible student?" she joked, a smile playing on her lips.
"I'd still be here," Liam said, his voice steady and sincere. "No matter how many times I have to tutor you, I'm not going anywhere."
And in that moment, Lily realized just how lucky she was to have a friend like Liam—one who saw her for who she really was and stood by her through thick and thin.