Two weeks after…
Camilla walked back to her dorm room, where she stayed with one of her classmates, and opened the door feeling low.
She walked into the toilet to ease her bowels and returned to lie down on her bed.
Luckily, she had applied to other law major schools, or she would have been stuck at home.
Studying for the next five years at the Arts Institute without Liam and any of her close friends felt like more years than it really was, but she hadn't contacted any of them since she left—including Liam.
Camilla had read all his messages but hadn't replied to any.
As the days passed, she lost the confidence to contact him first.
She closed her eyes to take a nap, hoping it would relieve the pain in her head, when she heard a knock on the door.
Reluctant to get up from the bed, Camilla asked who it was but got no response.
She stood up to open the door, assuming it was one of Loretta's many visitors.
The door opened to reveal Liam's face, and Camilla was stunned.
She stared at him in shock for almost a minute before hearing his voice asking her to let him in and make way for him.
Liam walked further into the room and asked which of the two beds belonged to her.
Camilla quickly pointed to her side and hurried past him to arrange the space.
Liam was a little surprised to see her arranging her things because of his presence and told her to stop.
Camilla chuckled nervously and stood in front of him.
"How did you get in?" she questioned.
"Is that the first thing you want to say to a friend you ghosted for a month?" he asked, trying to sound angry, but his words came out concerned.
He never really got angry with her.
Seeing her in a new look in such a short time made him smile.
He placed his hands in his pockets, trying to control his emotions before they got the better of him and made him hug her but Camilla beat him to it and threw herself into his arms before he could avoid her.
"I'm sorry," she apologized under her breath, but Liam heard her clearly.
He took his hands out and cooped her into his arms, taking in the scent of her new cologne.
"I'm so glad you're here," she said.
Liam reluctantly let go of her and smiled again, then rubbed her hair playfully, making Camilla blush.
She pulled him to sit on her bed, no longer feeling the pain in her head, and quickly sat close to him, putting her arms around him.
Liam wanted to object to her behavior but let it be and allowed her to snuggle closer, resting her head on his shoulder.
"How are you feeling? Your dad said you're not doing well," he asked.
"I guess I'm homesick, and I miss you and everyone," she said truthfully, suddenly realizing that the reason she hadn't felt good for days was because she hadn't spoken to him in a long time.
Liam heaved slowly, unsure if she truly missed him the way she said.
He hadn't slept comfortably at night and had tried everything to see her at school.
"Why did you run off without telling anyone?" he questioned.
"I was angry with myself, and maybe I was a little ashamed," she said quickly, not holding back her true feelings.
Camilla didn't know why, but she always let the truth spill whenever she was alone with him.
She didn't want people to think she had fallen from the top now that her family was in crisis, yet she couldn't hide anything from him.
"Why would you be ashamed to talk to me about anything? Do you know how worried I was?" Liam said, slightly upset, but the look on Camilla's face made him stop complaining.
She looked like she was about to cry and pouted like a child.
Liam rolled his eyes, knowing she was pulling one of her tricks that he always fell for, and patted her hair lightly.
"Okay, we won't talk about that," he said, and she smiled innocently, though her actions weren't helping his feelings at all.
He had hoped that seeing her again might make his growing feelings disappear, but staring at her adorable face only made his heart race.
"Did you sneak in?" Camilla asked, her breath falling on his face, oblivious to what she was doing to him.
"No. Your dad told the matron I'm your brother here to check on you, so she let me in," he explained.
"He told her you're my brother?" she repeated, laughing, then moved her face closer, staring deep into his eyes.
Liam moved back, but she kept coming closer until his back hit the wall and she stopped.
He wanted to tell her off, but he was afraid he might accidentally kiss her.
Camilla held his face and turned his head sideways several times.
"I'm trying to see if we look alike for the matron to believe you're my brother," she said, and Liam pushed her away in disbelief.
She truly didn't see him as a man and dared to come so close.
They used to be this close before they turned fifteen.
After their birthdays, he had tried to end such intimacy, but Camilla didn't mind and even thought it was fine for them to share a bed after turning sixteen.
"I was allowed in as your elder brother, not your twin," he informed her, and she nodded in understanding.
"Makes sense. You're taller and look a lot older than I am," she said to annoy him, but Liam didn't mind.
He informed her that he had brought some of her favorite delicacies, which he left in the car downstairs.
"We can get those later. I want to sleep first," she said and lay down on his lap, closing her eyes.
"Use your pillow and lie down properly if you want to sleep," he told her, adjusting her dress to cover her legs.
"I prefer this pillow," she said, patting his leg, adjusting her head properly, and hugging his waist.
Liam sighed and gave up.
He received a message from Eric and checked it, knowing he was curious if he had seen Camilla.
"Good. So are you going to confess your feelings to her?" Eric sent.
Liam read the message and ignored it, then turned off his phone to avoid more questions.
He had confided in Eric about his feelings, and Eric had advised him to tell Camilla, but Liam was reluctant.
What if Camilla didn't feel the same and rejected him? Their relationship would be at stake.
Liam stared at Camilla's sleeping face and felt tempted to touch her.
He placed his hand on hers and watched her for a long time, unable to look away.
Her long brunette hair brushed her face, and he gently moved it aside, carefully observing her features.
He withdrew his hand when he heard movement at the door.
A tall girl walked in, surprised to see a guy in the room especially in that position.
She stared at him oddly before greeting him.
"Are you Camilla's boyfriend?" Sarah asked.
She was Camilla's roommate, a business management major.
They were placed together because Camilla had accepted her admission late.
"He's my brother," Camilla responded, opening her eyes.
Liam was startled to realize she hadn't been asleep and worried she might misunderstand his action earlier.
He looked at her, but her expression gave nothing away, so he decided to play along.
"My older brother, Liam. Liam, this is Sarah, my roommate," Camilla introduced, noticing the unease on his face.
"You didn't tell me you have such a hot brother," Sarah said, her impression changing instantly.
She stepped closer and extended her hand, flipping her hair back to look more attractive.
"It's nice to meet you," she said brightly.
Liam turned to Camilla, who was grinning.
"He's my friend," Camilla revealed, satisfied by the annoyed looks on both their faces.
Sarah found it strange how close Camilla was with her brother, but learning they were just friends felt even stranger.
"Tyler is waiting outside to see you," Sarah said, remembering why she came in.
Camilla jumped off the bed and rushed outside.
"Who is Tyler?" Liam asked, watching how fast she ran.
"The guy pursuing her," Sarah replied nonchalantly.