unnoticed feelings

The week after their conversation at the swings, Liam found himself in unfamiliar territory—self-reflection. For years, his life had revolved around chasing Naomi and daydreaming about what it would be like if she finally noticed him. Now, with her attention firmly fixed on him, he felt a hollow satisfaction.

Instead of feeling fulfilled, he kept thinking about Emily—how her smile was different lately, smaller and guarded. How she didn't wait for him by the gates in the mornings anymore. How the silence between them felt heavier than it used to.

Liam wasn't sure if he missed the past or if he was starting to see Emily in a way he never had before.

---

At lunch, Liam was sitting with Naomi and her group of friends. They were loud, joking and tossing fries at each other, but Liam felt disconnected from their energy.

"Liam, you're quiet today," Naomi said, nudging him with her elbow.

"Yeah," one of her friends chimed in. "You okay? Too cool for us now?"

Liam forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just tired."

Naomi frowned slightly, but the conversation quickly shifted back to the latest gossip. Liam looked across the courtyard, his gaze landing on Emily, who was sitting under the oak tree with her friends. She was laughing, but there was a distance in her expression he couldn't ignore.

"Hey, I'll catch you guys later," Liam said, standing abruptly.

Naomi looked surprised. "Where are you going?"

"Just need some air," he said, already walking away.

---

Liam approached Emily hesitantly, shoving his hands into his pockets. She noticed him and raised an eyebrow.

"Hey," he said awkwardly.

"Hi," she replied, her tone neutral.

"Can we talk?"

Her friends exchanged curious glances, but Emily nodded. "Sure."

They stepped a few feet away from the group.

"What's up?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"I just... I feel like we've been off lately," Liam said. "I hate it."

Emily tilted her head. "We've been off because you've been busy. With Naomi. And all her friends."

Liam winced. "I didn't mean to push you away."

"But you did," Emily said softly.

"I know. And I'm sorry," he said, meeting her eyes. "I guess I got so caught up in trying to be someone I thought I wanted to be that I forgot who I was. And who's always been there for me."

Emily's expression softened, but she stayed quiet.

"You've always had my back," Liam continued. "Even when I didn't deserve it. I don't want to lose that."

Emily sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "You're not going to lose me, Liam. But... you have to figure out what you really want. Not just who you want to impress."

Her words hit him hard, and he nodded. "I'll work on it. I promise."

She gave him a small smile. "Good."

---

That evening, Naomi texted him:

"Hey, still up for that café after school tomorrow? I really want to spend more time with you. 😊"

Liam stared at the message, conflicted. He'd spent so long wanting this kind of attention from Naomi, but now he wasn't sure it was what he needed.

He typed out a reply:

"I don't think I can tomorrow. Maybe another time."

Naomi responded almost immediately:

"Oh... okay. Let me know when you're free!"

Liam put his phone down, feeling both relieved and uncertain.

---

The next day, Liam decided to walk Emily home after school, like they used to.

"You don't have to do this, you know," Emily said as they started down the familiar route.

"I know," Liam said. "But I want to."

They walked in silence for a while, the sounds of their footsteps filling the gaps between words.

"Do you remember that time in fifth grade when we got caught sneaking into the teacher's lounge?" Liam asked suddenly.

Emily laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "You mean the time you dared me to steal a soda and then chickened out halfway?"

Liam grinned. "Hey, I was trying to be supportive from a safe distance."

Emily shook her head, still laughing. "We got detention for a week, and you tried to make it up to me by sharing your lunch every day."

"Classic me," Liam said.

"Classic you," Emily echoed, smiling.

For the first time in weeks, Liam felt at ease.

---

As they reached Emily's house, she turned to face him.

"Thanks for walking with me," she said.

"Anytime," Liam replied.

She hesitated, her expression unreadable. "Liam... just don't lose yourself, okay? No matter who you're trying to impress."

Her words lingered in his mind long after she'd gone inside.

---

That night, Liam sat at his desk, staring at a blank page in his notebook. He started writing:

"Sometimes, the people you think you want aren't the ones you need. And the ones you need have been there all along."

As the words took shape, so did his thoughts.

He was starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, his life had been pointing him toward Emily all along.

---