By the next morning, the rain had cleared, but my mind was still stuck on the night before. More specifically, on Liam Harper. Who was that guy? He just swooped in, turned my disastrous evening into some weird meet-cute moment, and then vanished into the storm like a human lightning bolt.
I kept telling myself it didn't matter. Guys like Liam weren't part of my universe. I was the girl who preferred books to parties, Saturday shifts to sleepovers, and routine over risk. Liam, with his careless smile and broken skateboard, clearly belonged in a movie, probably one with a killer soundtrack and credits rolling over a sunset.
I tugged on my hoodie—dry now, thank you very much—and grabbed my bag. Another day of school, another batch of mediocrity to get through. As I headed down the hallway toward homeroom, I overheard snippets of conversations: who broke up, who made up, and, of course, which teacher snapped during third-period algebra. Typical gossip.
Then I turned the corner and nearly collided with him.
"Whoa!" Liam stepped back, his skateboard tucked under one arm, his lopsided grin aimed right at me. His green eyes practically sparkled with amusement, like running into me was the highlight of his day.
"You've got to be kidding me," I blurted out before I could stop myself.
"Good morning to you, too," he said, clearly enjoying my stunned reaction. "Guess I should've mentioned I go to Rockwood High."
I gaped at him. How had I not noticed him before? A guy like Liam didn't just blend into the wallpaper. "You go here?"
"Yup," he said, popping the "p" like this wasn't the craziest coincidence ever. "Transferred a few weeks ago. You're, what, a junior?"
"Senior," I corrected, eyeing him suspiciously. "And let me guess—you're going to keep popping up everywhere now?"
"Only where the entertainment's good," he said with a wink, then gestured down the hall. "You heading to homeroom or just planning to loiter?"
I rolled my eyes and pushed past him, but I couldn't help noticing the way people turned to look at him as we walked. Girls whispered and glanced his way. Guys gave nods of approval. Liam was the kind of person who lit up a room just by walking into it, which only made him ten times more irritating.
"You're kind of popular for a new kid," I said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
"What can I say? I have a gift."
We reached homeroom, where he veered toward a seat in the back, leaving me to wonder how someone could be that casual about…well, everything.
At lunch, I was just settling into my usual spot in the library when he found me. How? No idea.
"You eat here? By yourself?" he asked, pulling out a chair like he'd been invited.
"Is that a problem?"
"Not at all. It's just…bold," he said, tossing a granola bar onto the table before resting his arms across it. "Everyone else is crammed into the cafeteria, pretending their friend's sandwich isn't weirdly damp."
"Maybe I'm not interested in cafeteria politics," I shot back, flipping open my book.
"What are you reading?" He snatched the cover before I could stop him. "The Odyssey? You're reading this for fun? Are you okay?"
I snatched the book back, my cheeks flushing. "Some of us like to learn things."
Liam grinned, clearly unfazed. "And some of us prefer their adventures with fewer ancient boats and more wheels."
"So, what's your story, Liam?" I asked, more curious than I wanted to admit. "Do you skateboard into storms every night, or was last night a one-time gig?"
He leaned back, balancing his chair on two legs. "That depends. Do you always pick fights with your umbrella, or were you just having an off day?"
I stifled a laugh, surprised by how easy it was to talk to him—even if he was maddeningly confident.
"Fine. No stories. Yet," he said, tossing me a smirk before standing up. "But don't worry, Ellie. I'm pretty sure this is the start of something good."
Before I could argue—or ask what that was supposed to mean—he strolled out of the library, leaving me staring after him.
I tried to go back to my book, but Liam Harper was already lodged in my mind. Like a spark waiting to ignite.