Outside, the cold air bit at Liam's face as they followed Coach Benson to the field. The coach handed them a pair of gloves and pointed to a pile of equipment and debris near the bleachers.
"Environmental development," he announced, his tone mocking. "You're going to clean up this mess. Every piece of trash, every stray ball, every weed. And you're not leaving until it's done."
Liam glanced at Dave, who looked like he was about to explode. "This is ridiculous," Dave muttered, yanking on the gloves.
Liam sighed and bent down to pick up a crumpled water bottle. "Just get through it," he said quietly.
As they worked, laughter echoed from the cafeteria windows, where Robbie and his friends watched them like an audience at a show.
Liam ignored them, focusing on the task at hand. He couldn't afford to let the anger bubbling inside him take over—not here, not now.
One day, he thought, gripping the bottle tightly before tossing it into a bag. One day, all of this will be behind me.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in muted hues of purple and gold before Liam and Dave trudged toward the school gates.
They'd spent hours cleaning up the field, their hands sore and their bodies aching.
"See you tomorrow, man," Dave said, waving as his older sister pulled up in a beat-up sedan to pick him up.
"Yeah, see you," Liam replied, giving a tired nod. He watched Dave hop into the car, the two siblings laughing about something before the vehicle disappeared down the road.
Liam envied that ease, that comfort of having someone who cared.
With a sigh, he turned to his bicycle, which leaned against the fence where he'd left it.
His legs felt like lead as he pedaled down the quiet streets, the faint hum of crickets filling the air. But he couldn't go home just yet—he still had to pick up the items his aunt needed.
When he reached the grocery store, he locked his bike outside and stepped in, the fluorescent lights glaring down at the aisles.
The familiar smell of cleaning products and freshly baked bread greeted him as he grabbed a basket.
He moved quickly, selecting the items his aunt had listed: toiletries, a few household supplies, and a small bottle of ointment for her bruises.
His hands paused over the shelf as he grabbed a lighter, tucking it into the basket without thinking too much about it.
His stomach growled as he passed the snacks, but he ignored it, his focus set on finishing and heading home.
At the register, the cashier gave him a curt nod as he paid. Liam stuffed everything into his backpack and slung it over his shoulder, stepping out into the cool night air.
As he adjusted his bike, fumbling with the handlebar, a voice caught his attention.
"Hey, Liam."
He froze, his heart skipping a beat. Turning slightly, he saw her—Maya.
Maya was standing a few feet away, her caramel-brown hair pulled into a loose ponytail, her warm hazel eyes sparkling under the store's neon sign.
She wore a simple jacket and jeans, looking effortlessly perfect. Liam had always noticed her in class, the way she was quiet but still part of the "cool crowd," the way her laughter always seemed softer than the others'.
"Oh, uh, hi," Liam managed, his voice cracking slightly.
She smiled at him, a small, shy curve of her lips that made his stomach flip. "Getting some late-night shopping done?" she asked, glancing at his backpack.
"Y-yeah," Liam stammered, gripping his bike tighter. "Just, uh, running errands."
She nodded, stepping closer. "Cool. Well, see you around."
Before he could respond, Maya turned and walked into the store, the glass doors sliding shut behind her.
Liam stared after her for a moment, his mind racing. She smiled at me. She actually smiled at me.
He shook his head, forcing himself to focus as he climbed onto his bike. The tires wobbled slightly as he pedaled down the street, his thoughts still stuck on Maya.
As he rode into the quiet night, a mix of exhaustion, hunger, and something unfamiliar swirled inside him.
He couldn't talk to her, not really—what could he possibly say? She was rich, she was cool, and she had a life so far removed from his own that it might as well have been another world.
But still, she smiled.
And for now, that was enough.