The school corridors buzz with excitement as exam results are posted. Lily's heart pounds as she scans the list. Her fears become reality: her name is at the bottom in several subjects, with a string of failing grades beside it. She sighs, feeling both defeated and embarrassed, especially when she notices Liam's name at the top with perfect scores in every subject.
In the crowded hallway, Liam notices her expression and nudges her gently. "You okay?"
Lily forces a smile. "Not really, but I'll survive. Congrats on, you know, being perfect. As always."
Liam shrugs, a faint smile on his face. "Thanks. But it's not as easy as it looks."
Back at the apartment, Lily's phone rings—her family. Their disappointment is clear, and they insist she enroll in extra classes to pull up her grades. After the call, she looks over at Liam, who's studying at the kitchen table.
She sits down across from him, watching as he meticulously reviews a textbook. The weight of his calm focus feels oddly comforting, though a little intimidating. After a moment, she decides to ask him something that's been on her mind.
"Liam… do you ever get tired of being… I don't know, perfect?" Her voice is quiet, filled with curiosity and a bit of frustration.
He glances up, surprised, then considers her question. "Sometimes. But my parents expect it from me. So it's easier to just meet their expectations than to deal with what happens if I don't."
Lily frowns, sensing the heaviness in his words. "That sounds… exhausting. I didn't realize it was that intense for you."
Liam gives a small nod. "It is, but I've gotten used to it." He offers a slight smile. "Besides, you'll catch up. Just keep working hard."
Something in his tone makes her feel understood, and she resolves to work harder, not just for herself but out of newfound respect for the effort Liam puts in.
In the days that follow, Emily notices Lily's dedication to her extra classes and sees it as a perfect chance to spend more time with Liam. With Lily busy, she starts lingering around Liam whenever she can, asking him for help on assignments she barely needs help with. She leans in a little closer, letting her hand brush against his arm now and then, and looks up at him with a playful smile.
One evening, as they're working through math problems at the kitchen table, Emily sighs and lets her fingers rest on his hand for a moment. "You know, you could take a break too. Not everything has to be about numbers and formulas."
Liam looks up, his brow furrowing slightly. "Taking breaks means falling behind."
Emily chuckles softly, pulling her hand back but letting her gaze linger on him. "Falling behind? I've never seen you 'fall behind' in anything." She glances over at his textbook, eyes shining. "Don't you get tired of always playing by the rules?"
He shrugs, focused on his work. "Rules keep things in order."
Emily's lips curl into a playful smile as she leans in closer, her shoulder brushing his. "Maybe a little chaos would do you good, Liam. You could have fun, you know."
Liam looks at her briefly, his expression neutral, but she catches the flicker of a smile at the corner of his mouth. It's enough to make her heart flutter, even if he doesn't respond directly.
Avery, watching from across the room, takes in the interactions. She's noticed the tension building as Emily tries to chip away at Liam's stoic composure, and the way Lily seems more focused and determined than she's been in months. One afternoon, she finds herself sitting with Liam, talking between studying and taking small breaks.
"You know," Avery says, glancing over at Liam as he stacks his books, "you don't let up, do you?"
Liam gives her a quizzical look. "What do you mean?"
Avery shrugs, resting her arms on the table. "I just mean, you're always working. It's impressive… and kind of intense." She looks away, her voice softening. "I think everyone else would've burned out by now."
Liam considers her words for a moment. "Thanks, I guess. It's just… I'm used to it. I don't have much of a choice."
She nods, respecting his answer but feeling a bit of sadness for him. "Just remember to breathe sometimes, okay? You don't always have to carry everything alone." Her words linger in the air, and though he doesn't reply, he gives her a small nod.
One evening, Lily is struggling with a particularly tough chapter when Liam, noticing her frustration, offers to help.
"Here," he says, taking a seat next to her on the couch. "You're overthinking it. Let's break it down."
For the next hour, he explains each problem step-by-step, his patience unwavering. She watches him closely, a newfound appreciation growing for the way he carries himself. When they finally finish, she lets out a long breath, leaning back with a soft smile.
"Thank you. Really. You're… a lot nicer than I gave you credit for."
He smirks, folding his arms. "Well, don't go around telling everyone. I have a reputation to maintain."
They share a quiet laugh, the tension between them easing into something warmer. Lily glances down, her voice dropping. "I never really thought about how much pressure you're under. You make it seem so… easy."
Liam's expression softens, and he gives her a rare, honest smile. "It's not easy. But… you learn to live with it."
For a moment, she feels a closeness to him that she hasn't felt before, like she's glimpsed a side of him he rarely shows. She returns his smile, feeling both gratitude and a deeper admiration for him.
As the days pass, Lily finds herself pushing harder to keep up, her respect for Liam growing as she realizes the weight he carries. Emily continues to test her limits, determined to break through his composure, while Avery watches each interaction, piecing together the dynamics unfolding in the apartment.
With exam season behind them and new pressures on the horizon, each of them senses that change is coming. And for the first time, Liam feels both the weight and warmth of true connection around him—connections he's beginning to value more than he ever expected.