The next day at school, Liam felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted. For the first time, he wasn't trying to impress anyone or chase after something that felt out of reach. Instead, he was focused on what truly mattered.
He spotted Emily near the lockers, talking to one of her friends. She looked relaxed, laughing at something the other girl had said. Liam hesitated for a moment before walking over.
"Hey, Emily," he said.
She turned, surprised but not displeased. "Hey, Liam."
"Can we talk for a second?"
Her friend glanced between them knowingly. "I'll see you later," she said, giving Emily a quick wave before walking off.
"What's up?" Emily asked.
"I was thinking," Liam began, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "I owe you more than just an apology. I owe you effort. You've always been there for me, and I've taken that for granted."
Emily looked at him carefully, her expression unreadable. "What are you trying to say, Liam?"
"I'm trying to say I want to be better. Not just for me, but for you—for us."
Her eyes softened, but she crossed her arms, still guarded. "That's a nice thought, but words aren't enough, Liam. You have to show me."
"I know," he said, nodding. "And I will."
---
Later that day, Liam found himself walking through the hallways with Naomi. She had a way of drawing attention wherever she went, and Liam was acutely aware of the stares they were getting.
"So, about that café," Naomi said, smiling up at him.
Liam hesitated. This was his chance to have what he thought he'd always wanted. But the hollowness of their connection lingered in his mind.
"Naomi," he said, stopping in his tracks.
She looked at him curiously. "Yeah?"
"I think we should... keep things simple," he said, choosing his words carefully. "You're amazing, but I don't think we're on the same page."
Her smile faltered. "Wait, are you saying you're not interested?"
Liam nodded, feeling a strange mix of guilt and relief. "Yeah. I'm sorry."
For a moment, Naomi looked genuinely surprised. But then she shrugged, her confident demeanor returning. "Well, your loss," she said with a wink, before walking away.
Liam watched her go, feeling a sense of closure.
---
That afternoon, Liam decided to walk Emily home again. She seemed surprised when he appeared beside her outside the school gates.
"Two days in a row?" she said with a raised eyebrow.
"Get used to it," Liam replied, grinning.
She rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her face.
As they walked, Liam found himself talking about things he hadn't shared with anyone before—his insecurities, his struggles to figure out who he was. Emily listened quietly, occasionally offering a word or two of encouragement.
When they reached her house, she paused at the gate and looked at him.
"You're really trying, aren't you?" she asked.
"I am," he said, meeting her gaze. "You're worth it."
A faint blush crept into her cheeks, and she looked away. "Well, keep it up."
Liam laughed. "I will."
As he walked back home, he couldn't help but feel like he was finally on the right path.
---
That evening, Liam's mom noticed the change in him.
"You seem... different lately," she said over dinner.
"Different how?" Liam asked.
"Happier. More confident," she said with a smile.
Liam thought about Emily and how much she had always been there for him, even when he didn't realize it. "I guess I'm just figuring some things out."
His mom nodded knowingly. "Sometimes, it takes a while to see what's right in front of us."
---
As Liam lay in bed that night, he replayed the day's events in his mind. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was living for himself—not for someone else's approval, but for the connections that truly mattered.
And at the heart of it all was Emily.
---