Part 3The Day I Took It Back

When Liam arrived at the high school, it was already evening.

The hallways were crowded with parents helping their kids move out. Standing at 6'1", he stood out in the crowd.

Even my homeroom teacher recognized him. "Here to help your sister move?"

Liam smiled politely. "Yes."

He had graduated from this same school. Same teacher, too.

The teacher led him to my desk. "She's moved most of her stuff. Just a few boxes of books left."

Liam nodded thanks and crouched down to organize them.

The boxes were filled with old test papers and reference books. And my notebook.

He flipped it open casually, seeing my handwriting. He could almost picture me sitting in class, taking notes seriously.

He flipped a few more pages.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something tucked between the pages.

He pulled it out.

It was a stack of sticky notes, covered in handwriting. Obviously notes passed during class.

Liam frowned slightly.

Beside him, the teacher chuckled. "By the way, now that your sister has graduated, dating is allowed, right?"

Liam froze. "She's dating?"

The teacher waved a hand, teasing. "You know how kids are during puberty, hiding their crushes. We teachers see it, but we don't burst their bubble since they need to focus on exams."

"But exams are over. Let them be."

Liam smiled but said nothing.

Once the teacher left, he looked down at the notes again.

Intuition told him the handwriting wasn't from a girl.

Liam narrowed his eyes.

He looked up at the wall where the model essays were posted. He compared the handwriting one by one until his gaze landed on the last sheet.

Signed: Josh.

He turned to look at the back wall where the class photos from Sports Day were hanging.

Second row, first on the left: Josh.

He scanned the faces until he found the boy.

And standing right next to him, smiling brilliantly, was me—Chloe.

After singing a song, my phone vibrated.

A text from Liam: [Moved your stuff home.]

I replied: [Okay, thanks Bro~ Don't touch my stuff, or I won't be able to find anything later~]

He replied instantly: [Left it exactly as it was on your desk.]

[What time are you coming back?]

I sent a voice message: "Dunno. Maybe eleven?"

Immediately, Liam called.

His voice sounded a bit raspy over the phone.

"Send me your location later. I'll pick you up tonight."

I refused quickly. "No need, that's too much trouble."

Silence on the other end.

Then, a cool voice: "Not trouble. I'm on the way."

On the way? We were twenty miles apart.

I didn't expose his lie.

Just then, Josh, our class monitor who organized the party, asked me, "Chloe, what do you want to eat tonight?"

I laughed. "Anything works. You pick."

Liam's voice on the phone suddenly turned strange.

"You're at a party... with boys?"

I laughed. "Yeah, it's a class reunion."

Liam asked casually, "What's his name?"

"You wouldn't know him, Brother."

"How do you know I won't know him if you don't say it?"

I waved Josh over and handed him the phone.

"Tell my brother your name."

Josh, bless his clueless heart, grinned. He took the phone and announced loudly:

"Hello, Big Bro! I'm Josh!"