unnoticed feelings

The week passed in a blur, but something between Liam and Emily felt… off. She still smiled at him, still laughed at his jokes, but there was a distance—like she was holding something back.

Liam didn't push.

He wanted to. He wanted to ask if she had been thinking about her ex more, if she was considering giving him another chance. But he knew Emily. If he pushed too hard, she would shut him out.

So instead, he waited.

Hoping she would tell him when she was ready.

---

Friday afternoon, Liam was at his locker when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Liam, hey."

He turned, surprised to see Naomi standing there. It had been a while since their last real conversation, since she had admitted that she saw him differently now.

Liam had moved on from her, but still, seeing her felt strange—like looking at an old version of himself.

"Hey," he said, closing his locker.

She hesitated, then sighed. "Look, I know things have been kind of weird between us, but I meant what I said before. You've changed. And… I kind of miss talking to you."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "You're not just saying that because I stopped chasing you, are you?"

Naomi smirked, but there was a hint of guilt in her eyes. "Maybe a little."

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I'm not going to start chasing again, if that's what you're hoping."

She laughed. "I know. That's not what I want, anyway. I just… I think I took you for granted before."

Liam studied her for a moment. He could tell she was being honest. But the strange thing was, he didn't feel anything anymore. Not the old longing, not the frustration. Just… closure.

"I appreciate that," he said finally.

Naomi gave him a small smile. "Good. So, friends?"

Liam hesitated, but then nodded. "Yeah. Friends."

But as Naomi walked away, he couldn't help but wonder—why did it feel so easy to close that door when the one with Emily felt impossible to even touch?

---

Saturday evening, Emily finally called him.

"Hey," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

"Hey," Liam replied, leaning back against his bed. "What's up?"

She hesitated. "Do you… want to go for a walk?"

Liam sat up straighter. "Now?"

"Yeah."

There was something in her tone—something uncertain, maybe even vulnerable.

"I'll be there in ten," he said without hesitation.

---

They met at their usual spot by the park. The air was crisp, and Emily had her hands shoved deep in her jacket pockets. She didn't say anything right away, just started walking, and Liam fell into step beside her.

After a while, she sighed. "I talked to him again."

Liam's jaw tightened. "Your ex?"

She nodded. "I didn't mean to. He just… showed up outside my house today."

Liam stopped walking. "What?"

Emily turned to face him, eyes troubled. "He said he wanted to talk. That he needed to see me one last time."

Liam exhaled sharply, trying to keep his anger in check. "And what did you say?"

Emily looked down. "I listened."

Liam clenched his fists. "Emily—"

"He told me everything," she cut in, voice shaking slightly. "Why he left. Why he hurt me. And the worst part? I believed him."

Liam stared at her, heart pounding. "Are you—" He swallowed hard. "Are you saying you want to give him another chance?"

Emily let out a shaky breath. "I don't know. But I know that talking to him made me realize something."

Liam braced himself. "What?"

She looked up, meeting his gaze. "That I'm scared. Scared of making the wrong choice. Scared of not knowing what I really want."

Liam's heart ached at the uncertainty in her eyes. He wanted to tell her what to do, to tell her to forget her ex and see what was right in front of her.

But he couldn't.

Because this wasn't his choice to make.

So instead, he said the only thing he could.

"Whatever happens, I'm here. No matter what."

Emily's expression softened, and she reached for his hand, squeezing it gently.

"I know."

And for now, that had to be enough.

---