The new transfer student was magnetic. But my childhood friend, Liam, said her behavior was just a desperate cry for attention. Then, one night, I was crumpled on the floor, paralyzed by cramps. He stumbled in, reeking of alcohol. "Do you have any idea," he slurred, "that if I hadn't come to get you, I would've had her tonight?" I froze. Later, he blocked my path on the way to school, his face a mask of confusion. "Quinn," he pleaded, "why are you ignoring me?" 1 The new transfer student, Maya, caused a stir the moment she arrived. The low-cut tank top she wore under her uniform revealed the edge of an intricate tattoo just above her chest. The second class ended, a swarm of boys surrounded her desk, all trying to start a conversation. The only one who didn't join the frenzy was Liam. He walked over to me instead. A smile played on his lips. "Come on, Quinn. Let's go get you a carton of chocolate milk." On the way to the vending machine, I asked him, "Don't you think the new girl is cool?" Liam's brow furrowed. "Stay away from her, Quinn. To guys, that's not 'cool.' That's just being easy." I didn't answer. He grabbed my arm. "Did you hear me? A girl like that… she's cheap." I just nodded. When we got back to class, the crowd of boys had dispersed. I was surprised to see Maya had moved seats. She was now sitting next to Liam's empty desk. She smiled and extended a hand toward him as he approached. "Hi there, new deskmate." The next second, Liam's hand was in hers. Maya turned her head, and her eyes met mine. For a fleeting moment, our gazes locked. Then, she broke into a wide, triumphant grin. 2 After school, I was packing my bag when I noticed Liam, who was usually the first one out the door, hadn't moved. Maya was propped on her elbows, gazing at him with an expression of pure adoration. Liam's eyes found mine. "Hey, Quinn, you head home by yourself today. I'm helping Maya with her homework." My hands stilled. My gaze flickered to Maya. She gave me a sheepish smile. "Everyone says you and your 'Prince Liam' are childhood sweethearts. Mind if I borrow him for a bit? Just to help me with my English?" She winked. "I'll buy you ice cream tomorrow, little sis." Liam chuckled. "Why aren't you buying me ice cream?" Maya leaned so far into him that her body was practically draped over his. "With our relationship," she purred, "you should be the one buying it for me." Had they really gotten that close in just one afternoon? I said nothing. I just turned and walked away. As I reached the doorway, I heard Maya's voice. "Uh oh, is your little wifey upset?" "Don't be ridiculous," he said. "That's just a joke everyone in class goes with." "Hehe, so not your little wifey, huh?" My heart hammered against my ribs, a sour ache spreading through my chest. I walked faster. 3 When I got home, Liam's mom was already waiting downstairs, just like every other day. She greeted me with a warm smile. "You two rascals, why so late today?" Her eyes scanned the street behind me. "Hey? Quinn, where's Liam? Why are you by yourself?" I kept my head down, afraid she'd see my red-rimmed eyes if I looked up. "He had something to do." I sidestepped her and bolted into the building. "What's wrong, Quinn?" she called after me. "Did Liam bully you? I'll give him a good talking to for you!" 4 It had always been like this. For as long as I can remember, Liam's mom had treated me like her own. "Quinn is my future daughter-in-law," she'd declare. "No one gets to bully her, not even my own son!" When we were in elementary school, there was a trend of buying gold lockets for your "future daughter-in-law." Without a second thought, Liam's mom bought one for me. It was a tiny, perfect gold ax charm. My mom said it was too expensive and told me I couldn't accept it, but Mrs. Anderson insisted, fastening it around my neck herself. Liam's eyes had crinkled with laughter. "See, Quinn? Now you're officially my little wifey. You can't run away now!" It's embarrassing, really. It seems I was the only one who ever took it seriously. 5 The next morning, I didn't wait for him like I usually did. I went to school early, alone. My deskmate, Trista, was surprised. "Hey, Quinn. Where's your other half?" I didn't say anything, but my eyes drifted uncontrollably to Liam's empty seat. Trista's face lit up with understanding. "Ah, you two had a fight." A moment later, she nudged me. "Look, here comes your knight in shining armor. He's got breakfast. Definitely an apology offering." I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. If Liam apologized, maybe I could forgive what he'd said about me and Maya… Just then, Maya came jogging into the school from the other side of the courtyard. She called out his name. Liam stopped. He handed her the breakfast he was holding, a wide, undisguisable smile on his face. Trista's jaw dropped. "What the hell is going on?" I tore my eyes away and opened my textbook. Liam and Maya walked into the classroom, laughing and talking as they sat down. He didn't even glance in my direction. Trista fell silent. 6 During gym class, the boys were playing basketball. Maya came back from the snack bar with an ice cream cone. As if by some cruel coincidence, she tripped right in front of me. The ice cream landed, with perfect precision, right on my brand new skirt. Trista gasped. "You did that on purpose, Maya!" Maya looked at me, but there wasn't a hint of apology in her eyes. "Oops, my bad, Quinn," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. Trista immediately stepped in front of me. "What is wrong with you? Just because you've latched onto Liam, you think you can provoke Quinn? Don't you know they've been practically inseparable since they were kids? You really think you can come between them?" Before Trista could finish, a basketball came flying toward us, whistling past her ear. She let out a terrified shriek. Liam jogged over. He pulled Maya behind him, shielding her, his voice sharp and accusatory. "Quinn, are you bullying her?" I stared at him. His face was a mask of impatience. The sour ache in my chest suddenly went numb. "Are you blind, Liam?" He froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. In all our years, even during our worst fights, I had never spoken to him like that. Maya tugged on his arm, her voice a whiny drawl. "Don't fight, you guys. It was my fault. I'll apologize, okay?" She prattled on. "I know you and Quinn are a couple. I won't make things difficult for you." "Don't be ridiculous," Liam cut her off, his eyes still locked on me, cold and hard. "That was all a joke. How could I ever be with someone who can't take a hint?" He picked up the basketball and started walking away. Maya giggled and skipped after him. "What do you mean, 'can't take a hint'? You're just talking nonsense." The wind whipped across the field, a cold gust that chilled me to the bone.
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