Secrets & Scandals

Mondays were simply the worst.

As I walked through the hallway, I sighed, wishing that the weekend had been twice longer. My legs felt too heavy, I honestly could have used another twenty-four hours to sleep.

Dragging my tired self along, I rounded a corner without thinking and bumped into someone, smacking my face hard against what felt like a rock, or maybe a chest. I staggered back, totally ready to fall.

Strong hands caught me, stopping me from hitting the floor.

"Oh my God," I gasped, my face instantly going hot. I wanted to disappear.

I closed my eyes for a second. Just a quick thank you to whoever was watching out for me.

I was about to say sorry, but then I looked up, and wow.

Staring back at me were the most breathtaking sea-green eyes I had ever seen.

His eyes were... yeah. Definitely not helping.

Liam.

The star quarterback of our school football team.

For a second, I swear I forgot how to breathe.

My whole body became tensed as I realized what I had done. I had just bumped into our school's golden boy.

I forced myself to look up to gauge his reaction.

He was tall, towering over me. I already felt small. Now, I felt invisible.

He stared at me like he could see right through me. I looked away, avoiding his eyes, but he was too close, and I could feel his eyes anyway.

His hands brushed against my skin as he held me up, and instantly goosebumps covered my arm.

I snuck a glance at him, peeking through my lashes. But his face was totally blank, his eyes giving away nothing. I was so caught up, I forgot to breathe.

"Careful, little one," he said, his voice low. "You're too tiny, we wouldn't want any crushing, would we?"

I almost swooned, my cheeks instantly blazed hot.

I hastily untangled myself from his hold, skittering back a few feet, nearly tripping over my own feet in the process.

Unconsciously wrapping my hands around myself, as if that would somehow protect me.

His lips twitched.

He kept staring at me. I bent my head and used the leverage of few loose hairs to shield my face from his view.

I completely missed the moment he moved.

Large hands swept across my face, tucking my loose hairs behind my ear.

I froze.

My eyes went wide open, jaws dropped open in disbelief. I lost all trains of thought. I couldn't even move.

What was happening?

I stood there, brain still scrambled. I barely noticed Sophia, running toward me.

Her gaze flickered between me and Liam, her face a look of confusion mixed with questions.

But underneath that look, I saw something else.

Longing.

It clicked.

Her eyes lingered on Liam a second too long before finally settling on me.

Sophia had always had a thing for him, even with his cold, mysterious nature.

"Ivy, are you okay?" she asked softly, almost pulling me from Liam's arms, which I hadn't even realized held onto me.

I nodded, and tried stepping back, only to realize Liam's hands still held onto mine.

I hadn't realized I had gone mute, staring confusedly at Liam, until Sophia shook me.

I looked to her. "What's wrong?"

She subtly nodded to Liam's direction. "What happened?"

"I...... just tripped."

I glanced over at Liam. Instead of looking away, he took a few steps back but kept on staring as if to make sure I was really alright.

His actions confused me.

A hidden part of me actually warmed up, to think that he was not as bad as he portrayed to be.

I looked back at Sophia, and caught her straight up staring at him like he was some kind of movie star.

I nudged her with my elbow, already grinning, ready to tease her.

But when she turned to me, her smile slipped.

She winced, and something in her eyes just... hurt.

The amusement vanished.

Why the sudden change?

Was it jealousy? Regret?

I made a move to hug her, but misstepped and almost landed on my butt for the second time that day. Liam's hand immediately shot out to hold me steady.

"Careful," he said, steadying me like it was no big deal.

"Seriously, you're gonna knock someone out one day."

My eyes immediately went to Sophia, mortified. She froze, hands extended, mouth slightly open.

I yelped, darting away from Liam and hid behind Sophia.

Oh, Lord!

I peeked at Liam from Sophia's shoulders.

Liam's face relaxed, just a little, and for a second, I could swear I saw it. There was a tiny bit of amusement in his eyes.

Before I had time to figure out what that meant, Claire showed up out of nowhere.

The head cheerleader.

Liam's "supposed" girlfriend.

She walked up to Liam, but her eyes occasionally moved between Liam and me.

She put her arms around Liam but kept staring at me. I didn't know what to say. So I just looked away.

I could feel her still staring, so I avoided eye contact.

Liam finally looked away from me. His expression went blank.

"Hey Claire."

The shift in tone was immediate.

Sophia snorted. Claire turned to glare at us before facing Liam again.

I panicked.

Should I leave?

Was this the moment I was supposed to walk away or what?

My heart skipped. I looked up. His sea-green eyes were locked onto mine again.

What was with the constant eye contact?

From everything I'd heard about Liam, he was cold, mysterious, no nonsense. Never chatty or caring. He only talked to the A-listers, the trendsetters.

But he had just stared at me like I was the only person in the hallway.

Claire whispered something to him. I had no idea what. It didn't matter. Whatever it was pulled his attention away.

That's when I noticed people were watching.

Whispers filled the air.

Claire's hand grazed his arm as she smiled, like I wasn't there. "Coming, Liam?"

Sophia yanked my arm. "Hurry, Ivy. We've got class."

I nodded, turning back to Liam.

I lifted a hand in a small, quiet wave.

His expression didn't change, but he gave a small stiff nod and looked away.

My hand dropped immediately.

Sophia elbowed me and leaned in. "What was that about?"

I shook my head. I didn't say anything.

What was there to say?

I turned to look back. Just a small peek.

His eyes were on me once again. His lips moved.

He was saying something.

My heart skipped.

"Run"

I blinked.

Sophia pulled harder. "Ivy, come on!"

I turned away.

Run?

I didn't imagine that. I couldn't have imagined that. Right?