Chapter 7: A Night Under the Stars
Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that Liam was hiding something from her. She had seen the pain in his eyes, the vulnerability that he had tried to mask.
As she lay in bed that night, Ava couldn't help but wonder what Liam's story was. What had happened to him in the past that had left him with those emotional scars?
Just as she was starting to drift off to sleep, Ava heard a knock at the door. She got out of bed and made her way to the entrance, wondering who could be visiting at such a late hour.
When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Liam standing there, a small bag slung over his shoulder.
"Hey," he said, smiling at her. "I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk with me."
Ava's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Liam. There was something about him that drew her in, something that made her feel like she could trust him with her deepest secrets.
"Okay," she said finally, grabbing a light jacket and following Liam out into the night.
As they walked through the quiet streets, Liam told Ava about his love of astronomy. He pointed out different constellations in the sky, telling her stories about the myths and legends behind them.
Ava listened, entranced, feeling like she was seeing the world through Liam's eyes. She had never felt such a strong connection with someone before, and it scared her.
As they reached the top of a small hill, Liam stopped and turned to Ava. "Look," he said, pointing up at the sky.
Ava followed his gaze, gasping in wonder. The stars were spread out above them like a canvas of diamonds, twinkling and shining in the night sky.
"It's beautiful," Ava breathed, feeling a sense of awe wash over her.
Liam smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you like it," he said. "I come here whenever I need to clear my head."
Ava turned to him, her heart pounding in her chest. "Why do you need to clear your head?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Liam's smile faltered, and for a moment, Ava saw a glimmer of pain in his eyes.
But then, his mask slipped back into place, and he smiled wryly. "Just the usual stuff," he said. "Nothing to worry about."
Ava nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. She had been hoping that Liam would open up to her, that he would trust her with his secrets.
But as she looked into his eyes, Ava saw something there that gave her hope. She saw a glimmer of attraction, a spark of connection that went beyond mere friendship.
And Ava knew that she was in trouble. She was falling for Liam, hard.