Liana honestly didn't know why she felt that way. She knew Ethilia was more than capable of choosing good friends, and she never doubted Ethilia's feelings for her. Still, something about the way that girl stood so close to Ethilia didn't make her feel good.
She stepped forward and cleared her throat. Ethilia frowned at first, like she hadn't recognized her.
Liana took a deep breath and was about to say something. However, Rin, who was holding Ethilia's hand, reacted immediately. She frowned and stepped forward, subtly placing herself in front of Ethilia. "Who are you?"
Ethilia blinked, surprised by the sudden protectiveness from her friend. She squeezed Rin's hand, a silent reassurance, while Tessa stayed a step behind them, clearly ready to step in if things went wrong.
Liana clenched her jaw but kept her voice calm, "I'm here to pick up my girlfriend."
Rin and Tessa frowned, but the moment Ethilia heard the very familiar voice, she pulled her hand free from Rin's grip and walked toward Liana.
"Ana… were you waiting for me?" She smiled a bit, but the tension in Liana's posture didn't go unnoticed by Ethilia.
Liana nodded and reached for Ethilia's hand, pulling her a little closer than necessary. "Hmm.. but don't worry, I just got here."
Ethilia smiled and leaned closer to Liana, holding Liana's hand more tightly. She could feel something was wrong with Liana, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
Rin relaxed and offered her hand. "Sorry, I didn't realize." She waited for Liana to take her hand, and when Liana finally took her hand, she smiled brightly and added, "I'm Rin, Ethilia's friend."
Liana nodded and narrowed her eyes as she looked at the girl from up to down. Ethilia noticed the way Rin shifted under Liana's gaze and squeezed Liana's hand.
"Ana..." She warned, but her voice was soft and low.
Liana hummed and released Rin's hand. "I'm Liana... Nice to meet you," her eyes moved to Tessa.
Tessa noticed the stare and came forward. Tessa extended her hand, "Tessa... Nice to meet you."
Liana just nodded, and as her face was already covered by a mask, her expression wasn't in view.
Ethilia noticed the way Tessa was looking at Liana. Even if Rin seemed relaxed, Tessa's expression was sharp. Almost like she was suspicious of Liana.
Ethilia cleared her throat and looked at Tessa, "Is there anything wrong?"
Tessa shook her head slowly, but her eyes were still narrowed. "No… but I'm pretty sure I've heard this voice somewhere."
Liana shifted and cleared her throat, pulling the cap more to cover her face. "Umm.. it's already late. I think we should all head home."
Ethilia nodded and waved at her friends before moving to the passenger seat. Liana opened the door for her, then walked around to the driver's side.
Ethilia waved at her friends from the car, and Liana fastened her seatbelt before starting the engine.
"Ready?" she asked, but her voice shook slightly.
She kept her eyes on the road, but her thoughts were a mess. A part of her was worried that Tessa might have recognized her.
Still, what truly unsettled her was the way Rin had stepped in... So instinctively protective of Ethilia
She knew she should be happy that her girlfriend was finally living her life. That Ethilia got such friends who genuinely cared about her. So why did it feel like this?
"Am I being toxic? Why am I… feeling like this?" Liana exhaled slowly, pushing the thoughts aside as she tightened her grip on the wheel and focused on the road ahead.
Ethilia, who was staring at Liana since they got into the car, placed her hand on Liana's thigh.
"What happened?" she asked softly, but the faint frown on her brows betrayed her calmness and revealed her concern for Liana.
She hadn't seen Liana like this in days, and the sudden tension inside the car wasn't something Ethilia had ever felt before. There wasn't the warmth she usually looked forward to after a long day at college.
Liana shook her head. "Nothing…" Her voice stayed calm, but her grip on the steering wheel tightened until her knuckles turned white.
Ethilia's frown deepened; she squeezed Liana's thigh gently, "Ana… pull over." Her voice softened, but there was no mistaking the concern in it. "Something's wrong. You're hiding it."
Normally, Ethilia would have stayed quiet and waited until they got home. But Liana's one-word, the way she wouldn't look at her, was making her more anxious.
Liana exhaled slowly before nodding. She signaled and pulled the car to the side, then turned toward Ethilia. "What?"
Ethilia unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned closer to Liana before removing Liana's mask, "You're hiding something from me," she said gently. "What happened?"
Liana's expression softened. A small, helpless smile curved her lips as she unbuckled her own seatbelt and leaned forward, wrapping Ethilia in a tight hug.
Ethilia gasped at the sudden tight hug, but she quickly relaxed, arms sliding around Liana's neck.
"What happened, love?" she whispered.
Liana nuzzled into her, trying to calm the burning she had felt in her chest. "I'm being a fool," she murmured. "Nothing else."
Ethilia tightened her hold slightly. "Hm? And who gave you the audacity to call my girlfriend a fool?"
Liana took a slow breath, inhaling the familiar scent that always eased her nerves. "It's just… I didn't like how that Rin girl was standing so close to you."
She buried her face in Ethilia's neck; she wasn't ready to meet her eyes after such a silly confession.
The rapid thud of Liana's heart against her own made Ethilia smile. She tried to pull back, but Liana only held her tighter.
Ethilia pressed her lip on Liana's shoulder, "She isn't into me," she said quietly, "And I'm committed to one of the most wanted women in the city."
The words eased something in Liana, even if they didn't erase the embarrassment. She finally pulled back, lips forming a small pout as she avoided Ethilia's gaze.
"I know. I trust you. It's just…" She threw her hands up in frustration, "It's not a good feeling. I don't like it."
Ethilia laughed softly and flicked Liana's forehead. "And here I was thinking there was an actual problem."
Liana rubbed her forehead and crossed her arms, but her smile betrayed her as Ethilia's laughter filled the car.
"If making a fool of myself is the price for hearing this laugh," Liana thought with a small smile tugging at her lips, "then I'm ready to be the clown."
Her thoughts broke when Ethilia smacked her hand lightly.
"Come on," she said, already reaching for her seatbelt. "Let's go. Alena must be waiting for her moms." She winked, and Liana's face lit up instantly like a new bulb.
The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence. Ethilia munched on the snacks Liana had brought for her earlier, the quiet no longer heavy, but just warm.
When they reached home, Maria told them that Alena had already fallen asleep. Ethilia smiled at her and headed toward the bedroom, but Liana still went to check on Alena.
She paused by the bedside, taking in the steady rise and fall of the little girl's chest, then pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before leaving the room.
Back in the bedroom, Liana sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her shirt over her head. That was when Ethilia peeked out from the bathroom.
"Liana..." Her voice was soft but hesitant.
Liana turned and frowned, "What?"