I almost didn't go to Liam's. But not going would mean admitting something.
So I went.
Liam opened the door before I knocked twice.
"You're alive," he said, relief flashing across his face too quickly to hide.
"I usually am," I replied.
He stepped aside to let me in. "You ignored my call."
"I was asleep."
"You don't sleep that early."
I slipped off my shoes. "I was tired."
He studied me for a second longer than usual.
Then he smiled.
"Okay."
Just like that.
We moved into the kitchen like muscle memory. He handed me a glass without asking what I wanted. I leaned against the counter in the exact spot I always did.
Normal.
"So," he said casually, "remember when you failed your first math test in senior year and blamed me?"
I blinked. "I did not blame you."
"You said I distracted you."
"You did distract me. You kept passing notes."
He grinned. "They were important notes."
"They were drawings of our teacher as a potato."
He laughed—really laughed. The kind that made his shoulders shake.
God, I missed that sound.
"You cried," he continued. "You swore you were going to drop out."
"I was dramatic."
"You still are."
I nudged him lightly. "Says the guy who pretended to have food poisoning to avoid prom."
"That was strategy."
"That was fear."
He raised an eyebrow. "You went with me anyway."
"Because you begged."
"I did not beg."
"You absolutely begged."
We were both smiling now. It felt easy. Familiar. Like slipping back into an old sweater.
For a moment, I almost believed nothing had shifted.
He leaned his hip against the counter, close enough that our arms brushed.
"You know," he said softly, "we survived a lot."
"Yeah."
"Your parents' divorce. My failed college transfer. That stupid road trip where we almost ran out of gas."
"You forgot your wallet," I reminded him.
"You paid."
"I always pay."
The words came out before I could soften them.
He stilled slightly.
"Not like that," I added quickly. "I just meant—"
"I know what you meant."
Silence stretched between us.
Then he cleared his throat. "You remember when you sprained your ankle and refused to go to the hospital?"
"You carried me," I said quietly.
He looked at me then. Not laughing. Not teasing.
"I'd still carry you," he said softly locking eyes with mine.
My breath caught.
The doorbell rang.
We both froze.
"That's weird," he muttered. "I'm not expecting anyone."
My stomach dropped.
He walked toward the door. I followed slower.
When he opened it, Claire stood there.
Holding a small paper bag.
"Surprise," she said brightly.
The word felt sharp.
"Oh," Liam said, clearly caught off guard. "I didn't know you were coming."
"I was nearby," she replied. "I thought I'd bring dessert."
Her eyes shifted past him.
She saw me.
"Oh. Hi."
Her smile faltered just a fraction before returning.
"Ava. I didn't know you were here."
"Neither did I," I said before I could stop myself.
The air changed.
Liam stepped back awkwardly. "You both can come in."
Claire walked inside, glancing between us.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"No," Liam said quickly. "We were just talking."
"About high school," I added.
Claire laughed softly. "That sounds dangerous."
"It was," I said.
She placed the bag on the counter. "I didn't mean to show up unannounced. I just… wanted to see you."
The way she said it.
Simple. Direct.
She didn't hesitate.
Liam rubbed the back of his neck. "You could've texted."
"I wanted it to be spontaneous."
Silence.
I suddenly felt like furniture.
"I should go," I said lightly.
Liam turned to me. "You don't have to."
"I do," I replied. "It's late."
Claire looked at him. Then at me.
"You can stay," she offered.
It wasn't cruel.
That made it worse.
"I'm fine," I said, already reaching for my bag.
Liam followed me to the door.
"You're leaving because of this?"
"I'm leaving because it's late."
"Ava."
I looked at him.
"What?" I asked.
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
"I'll text you," he said instead.
Of course he would.
I nodded and walked out before my expression betrayed me.
The night air was cooler than I expected.
I didn't go home.
I didn't want to sit in my room replaying that moment again and again.
So I walked.
And walked.
Until I found myself outside a small bar I'd only been to once before.
The music inside was low. The lights dim.
No one here knew me.
That felt safe.
I ordered something strong and sat alone at the counter.
My phone buzzed.
I didn't check it immediately.
I took a sip first.
It burned going down.
I finally turned the screen over.
It wasn't Liam.
It was Claire.
Claire: I didn't mean to make things weird tonight.
I stared at the message, pulse quickening.
A second later, another one came through.
Claire: Can I ask you something?
I didn't open it.
I didn't reply.
I just stared at the words glowing in the dim light.
And for the first time, I wasn't sure which part of this hurt more—
That she showed up.
Or that he didn't stop her from staying.