“We brought you food!” Bea announces and my jaw drops all the way to the floor as Lilia and Bea unveil the array of dishes they’ve brought. Sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and—oh my god—cake. I can’t even remember the last time I had cake. I’m rendered speechless for a moment.
“You… you brought all this for me?” I ask, stunned.
“Duh,” Bea says with a grin. “We didn’t know what you liked, so we got everything.”
Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back, overwhelmed by their kindness. “Thank you. But I can’t let you pay for this…”
Bea waves me off. “Don’t be ridiculous. As if I’d let you pay after what just happened.”
“Bea, I can’t just take this without paying you back. I promise, I’ll find a way to repay you. Please, let me do something,” I ask, panicked. How could they just pay all of this money for someone they had just met a few hours before? Are they crazy?
Bea’s looks at me like I’ve just uttered something completely irrational. She looks to Lilia, then back to me. And they both chuckle softly.
“Are you out of your mind? We’re friends, Addie.” She smiles.
Her words hit me harder than I expect, and I can’t help but smile back.
I reach for a sandwich, taking a tentative bite. The flavours explode on my tongue, and before I know it, I’m devouring the food with a level of enthusiasm that I can’t at all hide. Lilia andBea exchange a glance, concern flickering in their eyes, but they don’t say anything.
***
I don’t think I realize just how savagely I attacked that meal. But frankly I’m too hungry to care. Who knew sandwiches were so damn good?
For the first time in forever, I feel full.
***
School after lunch passes in a blur, faster than I’d expected, though not fast enough to keep me from worrying about the time. I have to get to the café soon. I can’t afford to be late—not again.
I’m halfway to the exit when something catches my eye. Or someone.
By the school gates, Christian stands with Liam, their presence almost impossible to ignore. They’re taller than everyone around them, like they belong to some different species entirely. My gaze lingers, caught against my will. There’s something magnetic about them, the way they seem so at ease, like they know the world is theirs to command.
Christian turns his head slightly, saying something to Liam before walking away, leaving Liam standing alone by the gates. The spell breaks, and I blink, scolding myself for staring.Damn them and their stupid, stupid good looks.
I’m ready to leave, to focus on getting to the café on time, but my feet betray me, carrying me toward Liam. My heart pounds harder with every step, and I’m already rehearsing what to say. I need to thank him for earlier. It’s the right thing to do.
When I reach him, my confidence evaporates. The words I’d practiced dissolve into a jumble, and all I can feel is the warmth creeping up my cheeks. “Uh, hi… Liam. Um… I just wanted to say…”
Liam’s gaze shifts to me, cool and steady. He doesn’t rush me, doesn’t look annoyed. He just waits, his calm demeanour making my nervousness even worse.
“I just wanted to say thank you,” I manage to get out, my voice quieter than I’d hoped. “For helping me earlier.”
Liam’s gaze shifts from the distance to me, his eyes piercing but guarded. I can’t help but notice his eyes briefly flicking to my worn-out shoes, and a flush of embarrassment makes me instinctively look down to the floor instead of him.
“Yes, I’m wearing ugly shoes.Jesus,what is with everyone?” I mutter that last bit under my breath, heat creeping up my neck.
Although I’m almost positive he heard anyway.
His brow lifts slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching as though he’s trying not to laugh.
“You’re welcome,” he says lightly, and with the same posh cadence as Christian. “It was nothing.”
“Well, it meant a lot to me,” I say, trying to regain some dignity. “So… thank you.”
Liam’s expression doesn’t change much, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—understanding, maybe.
“No need to thank me,” he says after a pause. “Take care of yourself, kid.”
