unnoticed feelings

Liam couldn't stop thinking about Emily as he walked home that evening. The way her expression had darkened, the urgency in her voice—it wasn't like her to run off without an explanation.

Something was wrong.

The thought sat heavy in his chest as he lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling. He debated texting her, but something told him she wouldn't answer. Maybe she just needs space.

Still, when Saturday morning arrived, his concern hadn't faded.

By noon, he found himself outside Emily's house. He hesitated before knocking, unsure if she would even want to see him. After a few seconds, the door opened—not to Emily, but to her younger brother, Josh.

"Hey, Liam," Josh greeted, looking surprised.

"Hey," Liam said. "Is Emily home?"

Josh hesitated, glancing over his shoulder before turning back. "She is, but… she's been in her room all morning. She hasn't really talked to anyone."

Liam frowned. "Do you know what's wrong?"

Josh shook his head. "No idea. She looked upset when she got home last night, but she won't say why."

Liam hesitated only for a moment before nodding. "Can I see her?"

Josh stepped aside. "Go ahead. Maybe she'll talk to you."

Liam made his way up the stairs and stopped in front of Emily's door. He took a deep breath before knocking lightly.

"Emily? It's me."

For a moment, there was no response. Then, after what felt like forever, he heard a quiet, "Come in."

Liam pushed the door open and found Emily sitting on the edge of her bed, her phone clutched in her hands. Her expression was troubled, her usual brightness dimmed.

He closed the door behind him. "Hey."

"Hey," she said softly, not meeting his eyes.

Liam sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders almost touched. "You ran off yesterday. I was worried."

Emily sighed, staring at her phone like it held answers she couldn't find. "It was just… something from my past. Something I didn't expect to come back."

Liam studied her carefully. "Do you want to talk about it?"

She hesitated. For a long moment, Liam thought she might brush it off again. But then, she turned to him, her eyes searching his like she was trying to decide if she could trust him with whatever was weighing her down.

Finally, she whispered, "I got a message from someone I never thought I'd hear from again."

Liam's chest tightened. "Who?"

Emily swallowed. "My ex."

The word hung in the air like a storm cloud. Liam felt an unexpected pang in his chest, but he pushed it aside. This wasn't about him.

"What did he say?" Liam asked, keeping his voice steady.

Emily clenched her fists. "He wants to talk. Says he regrets everything. But I don't know if I even want to hear him out."

Liam's jaw tightened. He had never met Emily's ex, but he knew enough to understand that their breakup hadn't been easy for her.

"You don't owe him anything, Emily," Liam said firmly.

She let out a shaky breath. "I know. But part of me wonders… what if hearing him out gives me closure? What if it helps me finally move on?"

Liam felt a dull ache in his chest. Move on? From what?

But he knew this wasn't about him.

"If that's what you need, then I'll support you," he said, even though the words tasted bitter.

Emily looked at him, surprised. "You would?"

Liam forced a small smile. "Of course. Just… don't let him drag you back into something that hurt you."

Emily exhaled slowly. "Thanks, Liam. I really don't know what I'd do without you."

And just like that, the ache in Liam's chest deepened.

Because no matter how much he wished otherwise, he was starting to realize something painful:

He wasn't just afraid of Emily getting hurt again.

He was afraid of losing her to someone else.