Chapter 16
Monday morning carried a quiet tension that Liana couldn't ignore. The weekend had passed in a blur of thoughts about Aiden, replaying every word, every glance, every moment they had shared. She felt lighter, braver, yet nervous too—because the closer she grew to him, the more aware she became of Brianna's ever-watchful eyes.
As she walked through the crowded hallway, she noticed Brianna leaning against a locker, arms crossed, smirk fixed firmly on her face. Liana felt a flicker of anxiety but reminded herself that she was no longer invisible—and that Aiden's attention made her stronger.
A soft tap on her shoulder made her spin around slightly. Aiden stood there, casual as ever, yet radiating a quiet warmth that made the rest of the hallway fade into the background.
"Good morning," he said softly.
"Good morning," she replied, smiling despite the tension.
"You okay?" he asked, his gray eyes scanning her face.
"I… I'm fine," she said, though her voice wavered slightly. "Just… thinking."
"About her?" he asked, nodding toward Brianna, who was now walking down the hallway with an almost calculated grace.
Liana's chest tightened, but she shook her head. "Not really. Just… everything."
Aiden smiled faintly, as if he understood without needing more explanation. "You're stronger than you think," he whispered. "And I'm here, you know… if you need someone."
His words wrapped around her like a shield. For a moment, Liana felt the old fears, the old insecurities, dissolve under the weight of his quiet support.
---
By second period, Liana found herself more focused than she had expected. The lessons passed quickly, her attention sharpened by a mixture of determination and excitement. When Aiden passed by her desk to return a pencil she had dropped, their fingers brushed lightly. The contact was brief, almost casual, but it sent a jolt through her chest, and she caught herself staring a little longer than intended.
"Careful," he murmured, a playful glint in his eyes. "You might make me like you even more."
Her cheeks warmed, and she quickly looked down at her notebook, pretending to scribble notes. She could feel her heart hammering in a way that was impossible to ignore.
---
Lunch brought a familiar rhythm. Liana found her usual corner, but this time Aiden arrived first, holding two juice bottles. "For you," he said softly, handing her one.
"Thanks," she replied, her voice slightly breathless.
They talked quietly, laughter mingling with soft confessions about school, music, and small dreams. Every word between them felt like a thread weaving a connection stronger than yesterday, an unspoken understanding building in the spaces between sentences and glances.
Brianna's gaze lingered from across the cafeteria, sharper now, as if she could sense the bond forming. Liana noticed but refused to let it bother her. She had something Brianna couldn't take: Aiden's quiet, genuine attention, and the thrill of being seen for who she really was.
"You're… different," Aiden whispered suddenly, leaning closer. "In the best way. You make me feel… alive, I guess. Weird to say, but it's true."
Liana's chest fluttered, her words catching in her throat. "I… feel the same," she admitted softly, a small smile breaking across her face.
For a moment, they sat in perfect stillness, letting the silence stretch comfortably between them. The world outside—Brianna, the gossip, the chaos—faded into insignificance.
---
After school, they walked side by side in the quiet streets behind the school. Liana felt a thrill in the simplicity of the moment: the sun glinting off the pavement, the warmth of his presence beside her, and the unspoken connection growing steadily between them.
"You know," Aiden said softly, glancing at her, "I don't think I've ever felt this… close to someone before. Not like this."
"Neither have I," Liana admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
They shared a small smile, their shoulders brushing lightly, and Liana realized that the space between them wasn't just shrinking—it was becoming a place where she could finally feel seen, safe, and alive.
And somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew Brianna's shadow would not disappear easily. But for the first time, Liana felt ready. Stronger. And not alone.
---