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Whenever Liam noticed changes in her small town, they were usually so insignificant that nobody else paid attention. But this time, the change was causing a stir among the residents—though Liam herself seemed completely indifferent to it.
The buzz was all about the new girl in town. She was confident, borderline cocky, and unapologetically bold in her five-inch shorts and a tank top rolled up above her belly button. And Liam thought, Ugh, just another “cool” girl.
Most of the time, Liam didn’t have to go out of her way to see her—the girl always seemed to be on shift whenever Liam stopped by the grocery store.
“Aha, look who’s playing house on a day off,” the girl drawled, giving Liam a slow, appraising look.
Liam met her with a glare, tugging at her own crop top to adjust it over the waistband of her skirt. “And you? Practicing how not to be a jerk?”
“Why would I bother? I’m nice to people who deserve it,” the girl retorted, her grin widening as she leaned forward, resting her face on her palm.
Liam rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore the comment. She grabbed eggs and flour, tossing them into a paper bag without realizing she was essentially doing the girl’s job for her.
“Twenty-four dollars,” the girl said, holding out a messy handful of cash with a cheeky grin. “And twenty-five cents back.”
Liam glared at the pack of chewing gum the girl handed her instead of proper change. “Stop sneaking this junk into my bag and give me the actual change, will you?”
The girl just wiggled her eyebrows, clearly amused.
Deciding it wasn’t worth the argument, Liam rolled her eyes again, snatched her bag, and left without another word.
***
Tuesday was just another one to get through. Liam was on her way home when Ruth rang her phone, asking for an emergency packet of pads. She sighed, kicking a rock with her foot as she walked.
“Liam!”
She turned, startled. She must have been too lost in her thoughts to notice anything around her.
“Josh!” she greeted, a small smile tugging at her lips as she waved her fingers. “Didn’t see you there.”
“I figured,” he replied with a mock shrug, though his nervous fingers quickly betrayed him. “I mean... I didn’t see anything from you.”
Liam raised an eyebrow, and Josh hurried to clarify. “I mean—uh—you know, we exchanged numbers and... I was just wondering why you didn’t text me?”
Liam almost laughed but held it back, waving her phone instead. With a slight giggle, she began typing.
Hi, Josh. How are you? xLiam.
She glanced up, amused to see the boy in front of her smiling so easily.
Having my head messed up. Just crashed by a cutie pie. Think I’m asking her to coffee, he texted back.
Think she’s down for it, Liam typed.
Yeah?
Dunno. Just stay in draft if you’re not actually gonna do it, she replied.
Josh hadn’t answered yet, but Liam’s face was already flushed. When she looked up, they exchanged equally raised eyebrows, both slightly awkward yet amused.
Just as Josh was about to cross the street toward her, the door beside Liam swung open.
The raven-haired girl stepped out, her eyes narrowing in a way that made Liam think, Oh, fuck. She looked like she was about to kill someone.
“Liam!” Her voice was low, sharp, and demanding. Liam swallowed hard, resisting the urge to whimper.
“The store closes in five minutes,” the girl said curtly before turning back inside, leaving the door ajar.
Liam stared at the door, incredulous. Did she just leave an order and expect me to follow it? She snorted, but the girl wasn’t wrong. Liam didn’t want to be late for dinner—or for Ruth to call her again.
Josh gave her a pitiful smile as she pointed toward the grocery store and shrugged apologetically. With that, she turned and made her way inside.
***
Liam swore she could burst into flames right then and there.
She squirmed, cursing under her breath as the raven-haired girl meticulously examined her pack. After a moment, the girl looked up, biting the inside of her cheek.
“Smoothies after waking up and a cup of ginger tea before sleep,” she said, tying the pack with practiced ease, her eyes focused on the knot. “Make sure to warm it up. Cold tea won’t help your cramps.”
Liam froze, then spoke up. “I don’t remember picking those.”
The girl glanced up, and then—snap. “Does it matter?”
“Yes, because it’s on my bill, not yours,” Liam retorted.
She didn’t know what she’d said wrong, but something shifted in the girl’s expression. Her eyes darkened, her stare sharp enough to make Liam’s confidence waver.
What the hell did I just do? Liam thought, her hands twisting nervously as her teeth grazed her bottom lip. She felt like she’d committed some unspoken crime and was about to pay dearly for it.
What was this? This girl wasn’t some holy saint, but Liam felt an almost instinctive urge to bow before her.
“Just take it,” the girl said, her tone final.
Liam didn’t need to be told twice. She cautiously grabbed the pack, said nothing, and nearly walked backward out of the store, heart pounding in her chest.
***
“Liam,” Ruth dragged out her voice. “Are you for real?”
Liam glanced at her sideways, too busy with her assignments to give it much thought. “What?”
Ruth was sprawled out across the bed, pillows tucked under her back, one hand lazily rubbing her stomach as she giggled like an idiot.
“This is cheesy as hell,” she whined, though there was a faint fondness in her tone.
Liam rolled her eyes. It seemed her sister was at it again. She turned slightly in her chair, her legs swinging. “Ruth,” she warned. “Don’t think you can get away with it. None of that was free.”
Ruth cooed, waving a small yellow note in the air. “You know, little one, you’re not as cool as you think you are.”
Liam squinted at the note, unfamiliar with it. She didn’t even remember ever using notepads.
“What does it say?” she asked.
Ruth hummed playfully. “Can’t read it.”
“What?”
“It’s too gross to come out of my mouth, yeah?” Ruth teased, grinning.
Confusion etched across Liam’s face as she snatched the note and carefully sat down on the bed.
The handwriting was rushed, but somehow it still came off as cute and legible. Liam cleared her throat and began to read it silently:
"Alright, so basically, since you’re just too stingy (God, I haven’t met someone who looks as snug and cool on the outside but acts like a little mean, uptight lady), I suppose I have no other option but to do you a little favor (in simple terms: the extra things are free). In case you missed it (which you do a lot): smoothies when you wake up and a cup of HOT ginger tea before bed. And mind you, keep carrying too much weight and your cramps will throw you into hell tomorrow. Oh, and go to bed early too."
Ruth nudged Liam with her foot. “So? Don’t tell me this is just a prank.”
Liam stared at the note, dumbfounded, her mind elsewhere. She mumbled, “No.”
“So I can keep these, right?” Ruth pressed, squinting at her sister.
Liam finally glanced at her, though it didn’t seem like her gaze was focused on Ruth. She looked lost in thought.
And then, without warning, Liam snatched the snacks, smoothies, and all the items piled on Ruth’s lap.
“Hey, that’s mean!” Ruth exclaimed. “Can you at least leave the snacks?”
But Liam was already storming out of the room, leaving Ruth protesting behind her.
***
The male cashier frowned at the items spread across the counter. “Um, what can I help you with?”
Liam pulled a crumpled bill from her back pocket. “I want to return these. They aren’t on my bill.”
“Oh,” the clerk said, taking the bill and examining it. “Who could be that careless? Thank you for your honesty. We can work—”
“Adam,” a voice interrupted. From a distance, Liam spotted the raven-haired girl approaching. She offered the clerk a small smile. “My client, thank you.”
Adam shrugged and handed the situation over to her.
Liam immediately rolled her eyes. Of course this girl thought anything involving Liam should somehow fall under her responsibility.
“You look better,” the girl said with a faint smile, as though she were tempted to reach out and brush the stray curl that had fallen over Liam’s shoulder. Instead, she hesitated, twisting her fingers nervously. “So... what brings you to me?”
“You might’ve made some mistakes counting my bill,” Liam said, holding it up in front of her. “I came to return what isn’t mine.”
The girl glanced at the bill and quickly responded, “Oh, you might not have read the—”
“Thank you,” Liam cut her off sharply, “and don’t do it again.”
With that, she turned and walked out, leaving the raven-haired girl standing there, dumbfounded.
***
“Do they have to look like this all the time?” Louis groaned, leaning back on her arms, one leg tossed over the other. “Such a disgrace!”
Liam glanced up from her book, already knowing where to direct her eyes. She lingered for a moment, just as the crowd started to thin out enough for the person being mobbed to glance around. As soon as their eyes met hers, Liam quickly ducked her head again.
“Teenager stuff, I guess,” she said, chewing on her pen.
“Guess we’re past perimenopause, then?”
Liam looked over and couldn’t help but feel the irony. She laughed, tossing a hand over her chest as she tipped her head back.
Louis wasn’t actually so far removed from those girls, except for the fact that she didn’t have a thing for someone of the same sex—or so she claimed.
“I know what you’re thinking, Liam,” Louis said in an offended tone. But Liam could tell her mood was far from truly upset.
Liam shook her head, wiping at her teary laughter. If she’d missed anything, it was the way a pair of hazel eyes stayed glued to her, darting over her with a mix of passion and complexity that made Liam’s chest tighten. She pushed her curls behind her ears and looked down, trying to ignore the way her teeth nervously dragged over her bottom lip.
Blaming all the curious eyes on her, she abruptly stood up from the bench and grabbed Louis’s arm, dragging her along.
The poor girl was, thankfully, clueless about the tension in the air. Liam finally let out a relieved breath once they shoved their way through the crowd and into the main hall.
***
She didn’t know what it was. When she told the girl to stop fussing over her, it wasn’t an invitation to act as if Liam were untouchable or beneath notice. All she’d wanted was to be treated like any other client, not as if she were a disgrace to even talk to. Yet somehow, the tension between them had shifted. It went from “let me shower you with love and affection” to “no, I don’t know her.”
Their eyes met from across the store, and Liam instantly knew the girl’s first reaction could go either way—a snort or complete indifference. The raven-haired girl leaned back, exchanging some unspoken thought with the male staff beside her, before they switched places.
“Thank you for shopping at Harvey’s. Please place your items on the counter,” the male staff said.
Liam set her items down carefully, arranging them neatly as the clerk began scanning them. While he worked, Liam’s eyes wandered over his shoulder. The raven-haired girl was busy transferring boxed food from a shelf into a carton, moving so slowly it seemed deliberate, as if she were trying to avoid leaving that spot.
“The total is $185. Will you be paying with cash or—”
“Can I take that too? Please!” Liam blurted out before she could stop herself. Damn it. That sounded rushed—and maybe even a little desperate.
The male staff gave her an amused look, raising an eyebrow to confirm her request. “You know those are nearly expired, right?”
Liam glanced back toward the shelf, unsure what gave her the sudden courage to answer so clearly. “Yes. Sure, please.”
The male staff smirked, still amused, before turning to the girl. “Fetch me one, Zayn.”
Liam had a faint suspicion the girl was pretending not to hear. She continued her slow, deliberate work without so much as glancing up.
“Zayn,” the clerk called again.
“Hum?” the girl finally hummed, still not looking their way.
The male staff sighed, shaking his head before raising his voice slightly. “I said fetch me one of the nearly-expired boxes.”
Zayn finally turned, her raven hair swaying slightly as she glanced between the male staff and Liam. Her expression was unreadable, but Liam could swear she caught a flicker of something—a mix of annoyance and curiosity—before Zayn moved toward the shelf.
She picked up one of the boxes with deliberate slowness, holding it like it might crumble in her hands. With the same unhurried pace, she walked back to the counter, setting it down in front of the male staff without a word.
“There you go,” the clerk said, scanning the box and adding it to Liam’s total. “That’ll be $195.”
Liam pulled out her wallet, fumbling slightly as she handed over the cash. Her eyes darted toward Zayn, who had returned to her spot by the shelves, resuming her work like nothing had happened.
“Here’s your receipt,” the male staff said, handing it to Liam along with her change. “And your... extra purchase.” He smirked slightly, sliding the box toward her.
Liam muttered a quiet “Thanks” before gathering her bags. She stole one last glance at Zayn, who didn’t even look her way, her focus entirely on the task at hand.
As Liam walked out of the store, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of frustration and confusion bubbling inside her. What was it about that girl? Why did it feel like every encounter with her carried more weight than it should?
The thought followed her all the way home, lingering like an unanswered question she wasn’t sure she wanted to ask.
***
Ruth talked nonstop about everything and everyone. Sometimes, Liam wondered if her sister was more obsessed with their little town than Liam herself—though, in fairness, Liam’s obsession came in the form of overthinking. She worried too much: about how everyone was doing, how they felt, what they thought, whether they thought about her, how she appeared in their eyes. Ruth, on the other hand, was different. She talked about people endlessly but didn’t seem to care much about them—nosy but detached, as if she viewed the world from behind a pane of glass. Liam envied that about her. She wished she could be like Ruth, even just once or twice, when she grew tired of constantly trying to please everyone.
“Is that the girl with raven hair working at Harvey’s?” Ruth asked, tossing a kernel of popcorn into her mouth.
Liam looked up from her plate of pasta. Ruth had brought up the new girl again—the one who dressed in outfits that turned heads, earning her more nicknames than Liam cared to keep track of. To her surprise, their mom raised her eyebrows in interest, clearly intrigued.
“If you mean funky, hot, and gallant, then yeah, that’s her,” Ruth added, her voice thick with mockery.
Liam focused on pushing her pasta around her plate, trying not to roll her eyes. It figured someone could waltz into town and effortlessly attract admirers.
“She seems nice,” their mom said, smiling warmly. “I haven’t talked to her yet, but she’s so polite. I saw her greet the neighbors the other day when she was passing gas.”
Ruth shrugged lazily, grabbing another handful of snacks. “She is. She gave me a lift yesterday after her shift. I had to carry a ton of stuff, and somebody refused to help.”
Liam’s fork froze mid-air. The image hit her like a blow: that girl— that girl —acting so nice, giving people rides, and pulling off this wholesome image when, just days ago, she couldn’t even bag Liam’s groceries properly.
“Oh, stick with your lovely, nice girl,” Liam muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “No one else is going to help you when it’s your turn.”
Ruth smirked, lifting her eyebrows in challenge. “Fair enough. Next time you beg for help, maybe stick to your word.”
Liam stuck her tongue out, ignoring their mom’s exasperated sigh.
Later, when Liam retreated to her room, the weight of her frustration followed her. She curled up under her blanket, hugging her pillow tightly. Homework forgotten, she buried her face into the soft fabric, trying to block out her boiling thoughts.
Is she split? Liam wondered bitterly. Are there two different people here? Because the girl everyone else met—the one who charmed the neighborhood and won her mom’s approval—wasn’t the same person Liam had encountered.
The raven-haired girl didn’t just pick on anyone; she seemed to reserve all her teasing and jabs for Liam. Small things—Liam’s thick glasses, the books she carried, or how she didn’t dress to impress anyone. And yes, some of it might be true, but it didn’t mean the girl had to be so cruel about it. What was so wrong with Liam choosing what to wear or being herself?
Hot tears prickled Liam’s eyes as she clenched her fists under the blanket. It wasn’t fair. Liam tried so hard to keep people happy, to make them feel good about themselves, and nobody else treated her badly. So why this girl? Why was it only Liam she seemed to single out?
But then, everyone else seemed to adore her. The whole town liked her, admired her even. Why not me? The thought burned, looping endlessly in her mind until her exhaustion took over.
When she finally fell asleep, dried tears stained her cheeks, and her heart felt heavy. Tomorrow would probably be just as messy, but at this moment, Liam didn’t have the energy to care.
***
The next day, even though it was Ruth’s turn to buy groceries, Liam volunteered instead, even promising to grab snacks for her sister despite Ruth’s protests. Ruth didn’t buy Liam’s sudden act of kindness and suspected a hidden agenda.
But Ruth was easy to please, and the idea of getting out of chores on a Saturday was too tempting to resist. That left Liam standing in the middle of the decision she’d made. She could’ve been in bed, sleeping off her headache, her stomach bug, and her lingering misery. But here she was, ignoring the very thought of why she’d dragged herself out of the house in the first place. Why was she even here? She shouldn’t have come, not with her eyes swollen and red from crying. She was just going to make a fool of herself.
And what exactly was I crying for? she thought bitterly. It wasn’t the end of the world that one person out of seven billion didn’t like her.
Liam wiped her red nose with her sleeve and adjusted her curls so they bounced over her shoulders. At least she looked presentable. If she was going to embarrass herself in front of that twat, she’d make sure to look cute doing it.
The store was quieter than usual for a weekend, but Zayn, the raven-haired girl, was still busy restocking shelves and organizing items. Liam was surprised the girl had time to pay attention to anything besides her tasks.
“It’s Saturday,” Zayn remarked suddenly, biting her lower lip as she glanced at Liam with what looked like concern.
Liam’s blank expression twitched, her brow furrowing as if to ask for clarification.
Zayn shrugged. “It isn’t your day.”
“You care too much. Shouldn’t a cashier be busy?” Liam snapped, leaning in slightly so their eyes locked. She didn’t care that it was early or that there were people around to witness.
Instead of snapping back, which Liam fully expected, Zayn looked momentarily surprised. She averted her gaze and muttered, “You have... something in your eye.”
Liam flinched, quickly wiping her left eye in frustration. She was sure Zayn would turn this into another joke at her expense. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
To her surprise, Zayn reached over and took Liam’s bag, starting to pack the items neatly and carefully. She avoided eye contact as she worked. “Breaking up with your boyfriend, huh? Must be hard for a girl like you.”
Liam bristled at the assumption and the way it was delivered as a casual statement. “Why does it have to be about that? And what exactly does ‘a girl like you’ mean? What’s your problem? Give me my chocolates back.”
Zayn stepped away, quickly hiding the chocolates behind her back. “They’re no good for you. You just keep munching them nonstop.”
“I eat whatever I want. Who the hell are you to decide?”
“Language, Bouncy.”
“Fuck off. You’re not my mother. Give them back!”
Liam leaned forward, reaching behind Zayn for the chocolates, but froze when Zayn caught her wrist. Her hazel eyes bore into Liam’s, intense and unyielding, and her jaw clenched ever so slightly. For a moment, Liam felt like her knees might give out. Her hand trembled as she yanked it free, moisture welling in her eyes.
“Do you really care? Or are you just doing this for show?” Liam hissed, her voice shaking. “The funky, hot, and gallant cool girl—Ruth’s words, not mine—being nice to me? Never in a million years.” She began shoving items into her bag without looking up.
“Why do you think I don’t care?” Zayn asked, her tone sharper now. “And no snacks, by the way.”
“Hey, that’s for Ruth!” Liam protested, chasing after the stolen snack.
“Do you think I’m stupid? No.” Zayn stuck out her tongue. “Answer the question.”
“It’s really for Ruth!” Liam hated how pathetic and helpless she sounded. Her frustration bubbled up, and she thought she might break down right there in front of the entire town—and in front of the one person she didn’t want to see her like this.
“Give it back,” she pleaded, her voice trembling.
“I know no Ruth,” Zayn said with a mocking laugh. “Answer, and I’ll give it back.”
That was the breaking point. A single tear slipped down Liam’s cheek, followed quickly by another, and then another. Before she knew it, she was crying, her voice cracking as she spat out, “Fuck you!”
***
It took some time for Zayn to realize she had taken it too far.
“What’s going on? Why is my place a mess? Zayn? Should I be worried?” Harvey asked as he walked in, carefully observing the scene, his gaze shifting between the confused and surprised faces of the staff and customers.
“Had a row with her girlfriend, no worries, boss. She’s going to fix it,” Adam chimed in, grinning with a flash of white teeth as he glanced at Zayn.
“Fuck off,” Zayn snapped, shooting him a glare before turning to Harvey. “I’ll work a full day tomorrow.”
With that, she yanked off her apron and stormed out of the store in a hurry.
Adam merely shrugged as Harvey turned to him for an explanation. “Told you, she’s going to fix it,” Adam said with a smirk.
***
Zayn found Liam under a tree, her knees drawn up to her chest.
“Stay away!” Liam shouted.
Zayn just chuckled. She slipped off her boots, her bare feet brushing the grass. Liam sat five steps away, her small frame blending into the bushy lawn. Zayn took her first step, feeling the grass tickle the soles of her feet.
“I said stay away. Did you not listen to me?” Liam yelled, hiding her face between her hands and kicking her leg up. Zayn just shook her head, laughing softly.
“Listen to you? You know that’s not something I usually do, right?” Zayn teased, earning a frustrated groan from Liam. She stayed where she was, laughing quietly at Liam’s attempts to sound intimidating. “Why are you mad?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement.
That was enough to push Liam over the edge. She reached out and shoved at Zayn’s knee, trying to make her leave.
“Why would you care?” Liam snapped.
“Why wouldn’t I care?” Zayn replied calmly.
“Dickhead.”
“What?”
“Because you’re a dickhead,” Liam retorted.
Zayn burst into laughter, a real, hearty laugh that echoed through the quiet. Liam looked up, her frustration giving way to confusion, her furrowed brows mirroring her bewilderment. “What?” she nearly shouted.
Zayn cooed, taking advantage of Liam’s distraction to sit down—not too close, but not too far either, just in case. “You’re making that face,” Zayn said, smirking.
“What face?” Liam asked, glancing sideways, clueless.
“That face.” Zayn pointed at her lips. “You’re really cute when you do that.”
The whipping wind and the brightening sun made Liam’s cheeks heat up, but she blamed it on the weather and brushed at her face with her sleeve. “You’re annoyingly ridiculous when you care too much about other people’s business.”
Zayn laughed again, her tone exaggeratedly playful. “That I am, but you’re no better.”
Liam felt herself relaxing slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips as she looked the other way. “I’m not nosy,” she muttered.
“I didn’t say you were. You just dig into people’s business in... other ways,” Zayn replied with a hum. “Much more subtle and tricky.”
Liam scrunched her nose, unsure of what Zayn meant.
As silence settled between them, Zayn broke it again, picking up a fallen leaf from the ground. Her voice was bright and teasing, like she was speaking to a toddler. “Seriously, what’s your problem?”
Liam hesitated but finally sighed, resting her chin on her knees. “You hate me,” she admitted softly.
There was a choked sound from Zayn, who immediately burst into laughter.
“Don’t laugh. It’s not funny,” Liam protested, pouting as she hugged her legs tighter.
“Seriously?” Zayn managed between breaths, still laughing.
“I can’t afford for people to hate me,” Liam muttered, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
“Why do you think I hate you? Wait, do I even have it in me to hate people?” Zayn said, throwing her hands up in mock offense.
“You know people don’t go out of their way to annoy someone unless they really dislike them, right?”
There was a pause. Liam glanced over, surprised to see Zayn looking down, her bottom lip caught loosely between her teeth. Her fingers tugged at small plants on the ground.
“Why don’t you think it’s the other way around?” Zayn asked, looking up at Liam briefly before dropping her gaze again. “Like maybe... someone’s special to them, so they try to get their attention?”
Zayn looked up again, her expression a mix of seriousness and uncertainty. Liam frowned, her head starting to ache. “That makes no sense,” she said, scrunching her nose.
“Yeah, it makes no sense,” Zayn agreed, exhaling in a low tone. “It’s complicated, right?”
Liam just nodded. Soon after, Zayn stood up. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”
Liam looked at the hand Zayn extended to her. “But your work—”
Zayn laughed softly, the sound brushing off her lips. “I quit today, thanks to you.”
Liam knew Zayn was joking, but guilt still crept in. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, taking Zayn’s hand hesitantly.
“It wasn’t sarcasm, you dork,” Zayn said fondly, squeezing Liam’s hand.
Liam felt her knees wobble, but Zayn steadied her, helping her up.
“T-Thanks,” Liam stammered.
“Anytime,” Zayn replied, smiling.
It wasn’t the first time Liam had seen Zayn smile, but it was the first time Zayn had smiled at her. The feeling left her unsettled in a good way, though she wasn’t sure why.
They walked side by side, not holding hands, but Liam could feel Zayn’s warmth brushing against her knuckles now and then. Once or twice, she caught Zayn smiling to herself for no apparent reason.
Liam exhaled, giggling softly. Beside her, Zayn started to giggle too, neither of them bothering to ask why. They simply lived in the moment. It felt like winter, and Liam thought that if she leaned in just a little, Zayn wouldn’t mind. She wished it really was winter, though.
***
Liam turned around, her hands intertwined behind her back.
“So,” she drawled, shrugging her shoulders, “me home.”
She had expected a quick goodbye from Zayn, but to her surprise, Zayn lingered, taking in her house. “You know what? Only your house on this block doesn’t use our gas service.”
“I think I’ll talk to me mom about that,” Liam said with a grin. She was starting to get used to Zayn’s playful teasing and even enjoyed playing along. She noticed Zayn seemed to like it too, though she wasn’t sure why.
“Oh, you definitely should,” Zayn replied, lightly patting Liam’s cheek. “So you don’t have to go buy groceries just to see me.”
Liam swatted her hand away, laughing. “Oh, come on. It’s not like I go to see you. I go to buy groceries, yeah?”
“Ah, let’s just pretend you do.”
Zayn laughed, her voice warm and unrestrained. Liam joined in, though her laugh was more nervous. She wasn’t sure if she should invite Zayn inside for tea. Part of her wanted to, but she felt shy, as if it were a big deal. After all, Zayn had once been her so-called "twisted hater," though it was clear now that wasn’t the case. Still, Liam couldn’t quite define what she felt for Zayn. Whatever it was, it wasn’t bad.
“So?” Liam said, dragging out the word but trying not to overdo it. She didn’t want Zayn to catch on to how nervous she felt around her. “Um, would you like to come in? ...I have soda,” she added when she noticed Zayn fidgeting.
“I like soda.”
“I know.”
“I didn’t know you knew.”
“So?”
“I’d like to.”
“Awesome,” Liam said, smiling shyly as she pushed open her door.
“Uh hum!”
They both turned toward the sound. A neighbor stood nearby, sending them a knowing wink before whistling as she walked down to her driveway. “Karen’s coming home in about ten minutes, Zaynie.”
Liam’s cheeks heated up, though she wasn’t entirely sure why. She glanced over at Zayn, and for heaven’s sake, the girl looked even redder than she felt.
“I-I think next time might be better,” Zayn stammered, scratching the back of her neck. Before Liam could respond, Zayn had already turned and walked away without saying goodbye.
Liam sighed as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. What was she even expecting? A movie? Two cups of sweet tea and cuddles? She shook her head, frustrated with herself. It wasn’t like Zayn liked her or anything. They were just... what? Acquaintances? Maybe friends? Liam wasn’t sure. It felt intense, though. Was it normal for new friendships to feel this way?
Leaning against the door, Liam kicked off her shoes and placed them on the rack. Just as she turned to head further inside, there was a small knock.
“Yes?” she called, opening the door.
“Oh,” she breathed, startled.
Zayn stood there, fidgeting with a pack of gum in her hands. “This is in case Ruth cries for her snack. I’m sorry I took it from you.”
Liam looked down at the green pack in Zayn’s hand and giggled. “It’s okay. She won’t cry. She’s grown.”
Zayn raised a skeptical eyebrow, the crease in her forehead making Liam burst out laughing. “She’s my older sister.”
“Oh,” Zayn exhaled, sighing before smiling sheepishly and scratching her neck. “I thought... You seemed to make a big deal about her not getting her snack.”
Liam’s mind clicked, recalling the events of the previous day: begging her sister to help her out, crying over the smallest things, and getting frustrated with Zayn’s teasing. Somehow, Zayn had turned her bad day into a good one. It was unnerving how much control Zayn seemed to have over her emotions. No one had ever managed to affect her this much. It was both thrilling and terrifying.
“You gave a kid gum?” Liam asked, tilting her head. “You know they could hurt themselves with it, right?”
Zayn twisted her hands nervously. “No, I— I thought you’d make sure they wouldn’t. You know, like how you make sure everyone’s okay.”
Zayn looked into Liam’s eyes, searching for any hint of teasing, but Liam stayed silent, feeling a bit guilty for making her think she’d done something wrong.
“I’m not that nice,” Liam said softly.
“You’re really nice, though,” Zayn replied, her eyes bright and sincere.
Liam didn’t miss the slight blush creeping up Zayn’s neck. This time, she brushed it off, letting a small, discreet smile curl at the corner of her lips.
***
“Ruth, where did you put the eggs? I can’t find them in the fridge,” their mom called out from the kitchen.
“I don’t know, Mom. Liam bought groceries today,” Ruth replied, glancing across the table. She gave Liam a quick nudge with her toe under the table, catching her sister completely engrossed in her show. “Liam,” she said sharply.
Liam jumped, turning to Ruth with furrowed brows. “What?”
“Where did you put the eggs?” Ruth asked, jerking her chin toward the kitchen.
Liam scrunched her nose, looking utterly clueless. “What eggs?”
Ruth gave her a pointed look. “You bought groceries.”
Liam’s eyes widened as the realization hit her. Oh no. How could she have forgotten?
“Mom, I put them in—”
Her voice faltered as the truth dawned on her.
The store.
Liam’s mouth hung open in silent horror.
***
As Liam placed the new pack of gum into the jar on her bedside table, she noticed something unusual. The pack looked normal at first glance, but a wrinkle at the edge of the wrapper suggested it wasn’t entirely new. Curiosity piqued, Liam carefully tore the cover along a straight line.
Inside, she found handwriting—cute, hasty, yet with a touch of cursive flourish at the end of each word.
You silly, probably still don’t know I write you day by day 😑 btw telling me I dress like a bitch but don’t even know what you look like showing all those thick fatty asscheeks when you bend over *drooling* *drooling*
Liam couldn’t help but smile nervously, the words pulling a laugh from her despite her embarrassment. She thought back to all the times Zayn had casually handed her a pack of gum instead of the 25 cents she was owed. Something about Zayn’s cocky eyebrow twitching at just the right moments, paired with Liam’s face inevitably heating up, made her want to bury her face into her turtleneck.
Driven by a mix of curiosity and flustered anticipation, Liam began tearing open the other gum wrappers one by one, uncovering more and more notes hidden within them. Each one carried Zayn’s unmistakable teasing tone, leaving Liam’s cheeks burning and her heart doing little flips.
One note read: “I saw you trip over that tiny rock yesterday, and honestly, it’s unfair that someone so clumsy can look that adorable. Stop making me want to catch you every time you stumble, you menace.”
Liam’s fingers trembled slightly as she unfolded the next wrapper, her curiosity and nervous excitement building with every piece. She flattened it carefully on the desk, revealing more of Zayn’s distinctive handwriting.
“Stop scrunching your nose when you’re thinking; it’s too cute. Makes me wanna bite it off, not kidding.”
Liam’s cheeks flushed crimson. She tore open another wrapper, her breath hitching as she read the next one.
“Your hair smelled like strawberries yesterday. Is that your shampoo, or am I just making excuses to lean closer? ;)”
She bit her lip, a nervous laugh slipping out. Zayn’s words were equal parts endearing and mischievous. Reaching for another wrapper, Liam unfolded it slowly.
“I swear, you’re the only person I know who looks sexy even when they’re annoyed. You drive me insane. Like, seriously—what kind of witchcraft is that?”
Liam couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips, her heart racing as she continued to uncover Zayn’s little confessions. But as she read the next note, her eyes widened, and the heat rushing to her face intensified.
“Do you even realize what you do to me? Watching you bend over to pick up those bags at the store was not safe for my sanity. Your ass should come with a warning label, babe. Just saying.”
“Zayn…” Liam murmured under her breath, shaking her head as a laugh bubbled up despite her embarrassment.
Another wrapper revealed a softer, more intimate side.
“Sometimes I think about holding your hand—not just for a second, but for as long as you’d let me. It’s dumb, right? Ugh, I’m dumb for you.”
And then, just as Liam felt her heart soften, the next note knocked her off balance again.
“If you keep wearing those tight jeans, I might combust. Or do something reckless. I’m just putting it out there.”
By now, Liam’s emotions were a whirlwind of embarrassment, amusement, and something deeper—something warm and fluttering in her chest. She opened the final wrapper in the pile, her hands barely steady, and found words that felt like a punch straight to her soul.
“You don’t know how much I think about you, do you? You’re in my head all the time, silly. Every smile, every glance, every little thing you do—I want it all. You have me wrapped around your finger, and I don’t even mind.”
Liam sat back, staring at the collection of wrappers now spread across her desk. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as she clutched the last note to her chest, torn between wanting to laugh, cry, or run straight to Zayn to demand an explanation—or maybe just kiss her.
***
Zayn blinked, her usual morning confidence faltering as she stared at Liam, standing there at the counter with a challenging expression on her face. Adam, for once, didn’t say anything, just smirked as he wandered toward the back, clearly sensing the moment wasn’t for him.
The packet of gum sat between them, and Zayn’s fingers hovered over it, skeptical but curious. She watched Liam carefully—her raised brow, her arms crossed loosely over her chest, the way she was clearly suppressing a smile.
“Is this…?” Zayn started, narrowing her eyes at the gum before finally picking it up.
“Just open it,” Liam mumbled, though there was no missing the way her cheeks were pinkening.
Zayn let out a nervous chuckle, the kind that escaped her when she wasn’t sure what was happening but loved it anyway. Her thumb smoothed over the wrinkled wrapper, her sharp eye catching the subtle crease along the edges.
“Oh, so you did this on purpose,” she teased, glancing up at Liam. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”
“Just open it, Zayn,” Liam repeated, a little firmer this time, though her voice betrayed her nerves.
Zayn couldn’t hold back her expectant grin as she tore the wrapper along the seam, slow and deliberate just to watch Liam fidget where she stood. As the gum wrapper opened, Zayn’s playful smirk softened into something warmer, something she couldn’t quite name.
There, in Liam’s handwriting, a little messy but unmistakably hers, were the words:
“You’re not the only one who knows how to write notes. Bet you’re blushing right now, aren’t you?”
Zayn snorted, biting her lip to hide her smile as she looked up at Liam, who was now trying to appear unimpressed but failed miserably. “Okay, I’ll admit—that’s good.”
Liam shrugged, pretending to inspect her nails. “Oh, there’s more. Keep going.”
Zayn’s brows shot up as she glanced back down and flipped open the rest of the wrapper. Her fingers slowed as she read the next part.
“By the way, you’re not as subtle as you think. You’ve been staring at me a lot . I noticed. :)”
The grin slipped off Zayn’s face for just a second as she gawked at the words, her cheeks heating against her will. “Oh, wow . So now you’re playing dirty?”
Liam finally let the smile creep across her face, her voice teasing and just a little proud. “Only fair. I had to catch up somehow.”
Zayn shook her head, her heart drumming in her chest, but she wasn’t about to let Liam win so easily. She folded the wrapper carefully and tucked it into her back pocket, her smile small but genuine, though her mind was already spinning.
“Cover me, will you, Adam?” she called out without breaking eye contact with Liam. “I think I’ve got some business left undone with the lovely lady over here.”
Adam let out a dramatic groan from somewhere in the back. “Yeah, yeah, go get her, Romeo.”
Liam just smirked, the kind of smug grin that Zayn both wanted to wipe off her face and keep there forever. With a deliberate flick of her ponytail, Liam turned on her heel to lead the way, and Zayn swore she nearly choked on air.
Because oh, no.
Liam knew exactly what she was doing. Zayn was sure of it. There was no other explanation for the way she walked out of the store wearing that— that outfit.
A baby pink tee that was so tight Zayn had to clench her jaw to stop herself from gawking. The square neckline dipped low, just enough to have Zayn imagining things that were going to send her straight to hell—like the way her face would fit right there — focus, Zayn, focus!
And the skirt? The skirt. A tennis skirt that fluttered with every sway of Liam’s hips, barely skimming her thighs. The kind of skirt that was made for… for— business, Zayn’s brain offered unhelpfully, and she cursed herself under her breath, stopping her perverted thoughts before they got completely out of hand.
“Keep it together,” Zayn mumbled through gritted teeth, biting the inside of her cheek hard enough to ground herself.
But her limbs weren’t listening. Her hands flexed at her sides like they had minds of their own, and as for her eyes? Absolutely hopeless. Her gaze glued itself shamelessly to Liam’s back—no, lower, much lower —where each bounce and sway of those perfect curves taunted her with every step.
It was a miracle she didn’t trip over her own feet.
Zayn swallowed hard, letting out a frustrated, barely audible groan. This girl is going to kill me.
As Liam slowed to glance back over her shoulder, eyes full of challenge and lips curled into the faintest grin, Zayn tried—tried so hard—not to combust on the spot.
Liam raised a brow. “You coming or what?”
Zayn exhaled sharply, plastering on a cocky grin to mask the absolute wreck she was inside. “Oh, I’m coming, alright.”
The words slipped out before she could think twice, and the moment Liam’s smirk deepened, Zayn knew she’d walked right into that one.
She stuffed her hands into her pockets, determined to focus on literally anything else.
It didn’t work.
***
Right when they turned the corner, just out of public view, Liam wasted no time throwing herself at Zayn, her arms winding tightly around Zayn’s neck, fingers tangling into the soft strands of Zayn’s hair. Caught completely off guard, Zayn let out a startled yelp as her back collided with the wall, but the shock melted away quickly. With a grin tugging at her lips, she eagerly made a feast of Liam’s mouth.
Her hands instinctively found Liam’s hips, gripping them firmly as her restraint unraveled, her limbs now free of whatever curse had held them back. Her leg slid up, her cloth-covered thigh grazing against Liam’s inner thighs. Liam let out a moan into the kiss, a sound that sent a bolt of heat coursing through Zayn’s body. Her hands moved with purpose then, sliding up and down the curve of Liam’s ass as if to test just how well the tennis skirt was made for business.
The skirt’s hem teased her fingertips, and Zayn couldn’t resist. Her hands sneaked under the fabric, palms warm against Liam’s soft, sensitive skin. She traced slow, deliberate circles there, nails gently scratching as she went, drawing the faintest shivers out of Liam. Emboldened, Zayn’s hands crawled higher, testing the boundary, slipping beneath Liam’s cotton panties.
But just as Zayn’s fingers reached their destination, Liam swatted them away, mumbling something incoherent into the kiss. Zayn broke into a breathy laugh, her lips still brushing against Liam’s. It made keeping up with Liam’s lips harder, but there wasn’t a chance in hell she’d pull away—not when Liam tasted like this, like warmth and need, and everything Zayn hadn’t known she’d been craving.
Still grinning, Zayn let her hands slide back down, only to pause when she noticed Liam’s skirt had ridden up, bunched into her panties from all the wandering. With an innocent hum (that was far from innocent), she smoothed the skirt back down—but not before giving Liam’s ass a slow, deliberate knead that earned her a yelp.
“Zayn!” Liam gasped, breaking the kiss, her hands darting to catch Zayn’s wrists, effectively halting her mischief.
Zayn’s lips curved into a wicked grin as she leaned forward, chasing Liam’s mouth like a magnet. They were mere inches apart when Liam leaned backward, pressing her weight into her arms to keep the distance.
“Uh-uh,” Liam muttered, her breath still ragged.
Zayn pouted dramatically, though her eyes glimmered with mischief. “Come on, you can’t just throw yourself at me like that and not expect consequences.”
Liam’s glare softened just slightly, her flushed cheeks betraying her. Zayn tilted her head, the teasing edge in her voice softening as her gaze lingered on Liam’s. “So… what does this mean, hmm?”
Liam’s fingers, still curled around Zayn’s wrists, tensed as she swallowed hard. Her eyes darted away for a second—down to Zayn’s lips, then to the floor—as though searching for an answer that wouldn’t set her cheeks on fire.
“What does what mean?” she muttered, her tone defensive but faltering.
Zayn’s smile grew, equal parts gentle and cocky. “You, pinning me to a wall. Kissing me like you’ve been dying to. Is there something I should know?”
Liam huffed, releasing Zayn’s wrists as if they burned her. “Don’t get a big head about it.”
Too late. Zayn leaned in, her voice dropping to a low murmur, close enough that Liam could feel the words against her skin. “It’s already huge, babe.”
Liam smacked her arm with a gasp, but the flustered smile tugging at her lips gave her away. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you still kissed me,” Zayn quipped, her grin wicked. “So, who’s really winning here?”
Liam opened her mouth to retort, but Zayn cut her off, brushing a thumb softly over Liam’s cheek. The tenderness of the gesture caught Liam off guard, freezing her in place as Zayn’s gaze softened. “I’m serious, though. I wanna know what you’re thinking… what you’re feeling.”
Liam’s bravado faltered. She blinked up at Zayn, the teasing air finally dissipating between them. “I don’t know yet,” she admitted quietly, her voice small but honest.
Zayn searched Liam’s face, her smile shrinking into something gentler. “That’s okay,” she murmured. “We’ve got time to figure it out.”
Liam held Zayn’s gaze for a moment longer, her pulse pounding in her ears. The corner of Zayn’s lips curled upward, her fingers brushing briefly against Liam’s hand before she pulled back just enough to let the moment settle. And for once, she didn’t push—she just stayed close, smiling softly, as if perfectly content with the uncertainty.
***
“So, tell me, sister.” Ruth casually leaned forward, a wicked grin plastered on her face as she propped her elbows on the table. “When did this happen?”
Liam froze mid-chew, eyes snapping to Ruth with a mixture of suspicion and dread. “…What happened?” she muttered, trying to play it cool, though the heat crawling up her neck gave her away.
“Oh, you know what happened,” Ruth sing-songed, her grin only widening as she jerked her chin toward Liam. “This Zayn thing. You two together. Making out. An item. ”
The words landed like bricks, and Liam’s fork clattered against her plate. “What—”
Ruth didn’t let her get a word in. “People have been talking about it all morning. Don’t think for a second you could keep something like this from me.” She tilted her head smugly. “I mean, let’s be real, you don’t have the ability to hide it.”
Liam’s face turned scarlet, her eyes darting around the table as if searching for an escape route. “Ruth,” she hissed sharply, trying to shut her sister up before things spiraled any further.
But Ruth only laughed, clearly enjoying every second of Liam’s growing mortification. “I’m just saying,” she teased, leaning back in her chair, “a little heads-up would’ve been nice. You know, so I don’t have to hear it from the butcher’s wife.”
Liam opened her mouth, ready to protest, but Karen jumped in before she could. “Wait, wait—Zayn? Your Zayn?” Karen’s eyes sparkled with interest, her voice nothing but soft and encouraging. “Oh, Liam, that’s wonderful! She seems like such a sweet girl.”
Liam slumped in her chair, pressing a hand to her face to hide the blush now spreading across her cheeks. “We’re not— It’s not—”
Ruth cut her off with a smug snort. “Don’t even try to deny it. Everyone knows, and I doubt they’re wrong.”
“You’re such a loudmouth,” Liam hissed through gritted teeth, her cheeks already turning scarlet.
But Ruth wasn’t finished yet, though. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms smugly. “Well, now that she’s family , I demand a get-together with my sister-in-law .” She punctuated the words with a teasing grin that made Liam’s entire face bright red.
Burning with embarrassment, Liam grabbed a broccoli spear off her plate and hurled it straight at Ruth. “Shut up, Ruth!”
Ruth squealed, the broccoli bouncing off her arm harmlessly. “Hey! What was that for?”
“Girls!” Karen scolded, setting down her glass and fixing the two of them with a disapproving look. “This is the dinner table, not a food fight ring. Act your age.”
Ruth, undeterred, rubbed her arm like the broccoli had left a permanent wound. “You’re just mad because I’m right.”
Before Liam could retort, Karen chimed in again, this time with a soft, hopeful smile. “You know, Liam, you should bring Zayn over for dinner sometime. I’d love to meet her properly.”
Liam groaned, dropping her face into her hands. “Oh my God,” she muttered, her voice muffled. “Can we not do this right now?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll clear my schedule,” Ruth quipped, unbothered as she picked at her food.
“Uh… I don’t know. Maybe. I mean—let me talk to her about it first,” Liam stammered, her voice higher-pitched than usual.
She tried to ignore Ruth snickering across the table and Karen’s encouraging nod. In her mind, though, the scene was already playing out—Zayn sitting across the table, flashing that smug smile as Ruth fired off endless questions, Karen being sweet and supportive, but all at the same time inspecting Zayn like she was under a microscope.
Liam felt her cheeks burn even more at the thought. She shoved another bite of food into her mouth, muttering under her breath, “I’ll think about it.”
***
When Liam opened the door, her jaw practically hit the floor. Because who had kidnapped her Zayn—cocky, laid-back, perpetually smug Zayn—and replaced her with a woman who screamed business ?
Zayn stood there, grinning like an idiot in that ridiculous—no, unbelievable —outfit. A crisp blazer over a button-up shirt, perfectly tailored pants, and polished shoes. She looked like she had just walked out of a corporate photoshoot. Liam’s eyes did a full once-over before settling on her face, which was lit up with an expression that could only be described as way too proud of herself.
“Surprise?” Zayn said, holding out a bouquet of flowers with one hand. In the other, Liam already caught sight of what looked suspiciously like presents for Ruth and Karen, wrapped neatly and tied with ribbons.
Liam narrowed her eyes, lips twitching into a glare as she snatched the bouquet from Zayn. “ Seriously ?” she hissed under her breath, stepping aside to let her in.
Zayn sauntered inside like she hadn’t just violated all of Liam’s ground rules. “What?” she said innocently, though her cocky grin never faltered.
Liam shut the door behind her with a sigh of utter defeat, already regretting every decision that had led to this moment. The worst part was, this was her fault. She was only halfway through asking Zayn if she wanted to have dinner with her family when Zayn had nodded so enthusiastically, Liam swore her head might snap off at the mention of the word family.
And yet here Zayn was—breaking every rule Liam had set. No grand entrance. No cheesy gestures. And definitely no over-the-top nonsense.
But, of course, Zayn couldn’t help herself. Flowers. Presents. A formal outfit for crying out loud.
Liam shot her another glare, holding the bouquet awkwardly as Zayn set the gifts on the hallway table like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“What did I say about being normal?” Liam grumbled under her breath, pressing her forehead briefly against the cool edge of the doorframe.
Zayn turned to her, still grinning like the human embodiment of mischief. “I am being normal,” she teased, winking. “You said ‘dinner with the family.’ I’m here to impress the in-laws.”
Liam groaned, her cheeks flushing as she avoided Zayn’s gaze. “Oh my God.”
Zayn slipped her hands into her pockets as she gave Liam a once-over of her own. “And don’t worry, babe—I’ve got this.”
Liam let out another sigh, this one heavier, before finally turning toward the living room, bouquet still in hand. “You better,” she muttered under her breath.
Zayn, grinning ear to ear, followed her like a shadow, completely undeterred.
***
The moment Zayn stepped into the dining room, Liam knew she had made a grave mistake inviting her over. Her mom, Karen, was already beaming like she’d just met the Queen of England, Ruth had that little devilish grin plastered all over her face, and Zayn—well, Zayn was radiating confidence, strutting in like she owned the place, balancing a tray of desserts she’d insisted on bringing.
“Evening, Mrs. Payne,” Zayn greeted smoothly, placing the tray down with an exaggerated bow. Liam shot her a warning glare, but her mother, of course, ate it up.
“Oh, you’re so polite!” Karen exclaimed, clasping her hands together. “And it’s Karen, dear. No need to be formal here.”
“Yes, ma’am—uh, I mean, Karen,” Zayn corrected herself, flashing her most innocent grin. Liam groaned internally. This woman is an actress.
Ruth snorted as she plopped into her usual chair, mumbling under her breath, “Oh, she’s good. Real good.”
Zayn winked at Ruth, clearly hearing her, and pulled out Liam’s chair before sitting herself down with the same over-the-top grin she’d been wearing all evening. Liam swatted her lightly on the arm as she sat down. “Stop trying so hard,” she hissed quietly.
“I’m not trying,” Zayn whispered back, smirking. “They already love me.”
Liam pinched the bridge of her nose.
***
To Liam’s surprise (and growing horror), the meal went suspiciously well.
Zayn charmed Karen with stories about her “upstanding work ethic,” blatantly omitting the part where she’d spent half her shifts sneaking notes into packs of gum. Karen hung on her every word, nodding approvingly as Zayn described her “commitment to customers and community.”
“Wow, it’s so nice to see someone so dedicated,” Karen said, serving more mashed potatoes onto Zayn’s plate. “You know, Liam could learn a thing or two about that.”
Liam gawked, her fork pausing mid-air. “Mom!”
“What? It’s true.” Karen waved her off and turned back to Zayn with an approving smile. “And you brought dessert, too? You’re so thoughtful.”
Ruth, meanwhile, was having a field day. She kept throwing Liam loaded looks every time Zayn said something remotely impressive, raising her eyebrows like she couldn’t believe this was the Zayn Liam had spent so long pretending to dislike.
“So, Zayn,” Ruth said, mouth half-full of food, “tell me, is it true you and Liam made out behind the corner store?”
Liam choked on her water, eyes wide as saucers. “Ruth!”
“What?” Ruth grinned wickedly. “The people want to know.”
Karen gasped, though she looked more amused than shocked. “Ruth! That is not dinner table conversation.”
Zayn, on the other hand, leaned back in her chair, completely unbothered, smirk firmly in place. “Well, technically speaking, it wasn’t behind the store. More like just around the corner—”
“Zayn!” Liam hissed, her face burning red.
Ruth cackled, pointing her fork at Liam. “ Oh my God, you’re blushing!”
“I hate all of you,” Liam muttered, burying her face in her hands.
By the time dessert rolled around, Liam had mostly recovered—until Karen, ever the supportive mother, leaned across the table and said sweetly, “You know, Zayn, it’s so lovely to see Liam so happy. You must really care about her.”
Zayn’s teasing demeanor softened as she glanced at Liam, who refused to meet her gaze, cheeks still flushed pink. “Yeah,” Zayn said quietly, a sincere smile tugging at her lips. “I really do.”
Liam’s heart stumbled in her chest, and Ruth made a loud gagging noise. “Ugh, someone get me a bucket. This is so gross.”
“Be nice, Ruth,” Karen scolded.
“I’m just saying, I didn’t sign up for a romance movie.”
Zayn laughed, reaching across the table to snatch a piece of Ruth’s bread roll. “Get used to it, sister. I’m here to stay.”
Liam shot her a sideways glare, trying (and failing) to hide the tiny smile tugging at her lips.
Here to stay. It was cheesy. It was over the top. And yet, as she sat there, surrounded by her family and a grinning Zayn, Liam found she didn’t mind it all that much.
“Yeah, we’ll see about that,” she muttered under her breath, earning another wink from Zayn.
The evening ended with Zayn hugging Karen goodbye and high-fiving Ruth—who still hadn’t stopped teasing Liam—as they walked her to the door. When Zayn turned back to Liam with that stupid, smug grin, Liam rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
“See?” Zayn said smugly, leaning close. “I told you I’d win them over.”
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Liam retorted, trying to sound unimpressed, though her cheeks were still tinged pink.
Zayn chuckled, leaning in to whisper softly in her ear, “Oh, I’m plenty comfortable, babe.”
Liam shoved her lightly toward the door, cheeks burning once again. “Go home, Zayn.”
Zayn’s laughter echoed all the way down the driveway, leaving Liam standing at the door, smiling despite herself.
And Ruth’s voice, of course, carried loudly from the living room: “ You’re in love, loser! ”
Liam groaned. Dinner with the in-laws had been exactly as chaotic as she’d expected.
***
Liam sighed into her palm, leaning against the counter with her head down, trying to fight off her boredom. She barely registered the sound of a customer approaching until a voice broke through the lull of the morning.
“Hey, is your name Wi-Fi? Because I’m feeling a connection.”
Liam froze, her face still buried in her hand as she exhaled sharply. Who even drops that line anymore? Ready to deliver a scathing retort, she looked up with a glare that promised a verbal lashing—until she recognized the culprit.
“Josh?” she blurted, eyes widening.
Josh, the boy she shared a class with. The boy who had exchanged numbers with her a while back. The boy she completely forgot existed after getting so wrapped up in Zayn. Liam blinked, guilt creeping into her gut as she remembered the texts she’d ignored and left unread.
“Surprised to see me?” Josh grinned, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans as he leaned casually against the counter. “I was starting to think you fell off the face of the earth or something.”
Liam ceased her eyebrows as she stammered a polite answer. But there was none.
The thing was, Liam had decided to help Zayn out on a dull Saturday morning, her version of “helping” mostly consisting of standing behind the counter and occasionally pretending to work. In reality, Liam spent the better part of her time gawking at her girlfriend as Zayn moved through the small store with an ease that was both mesmerizing and completely unfair.
Zayn was stocking shelves—hauling boxes, reaching up high, bending down low—her strong biceps flexing as she carried load after load without so much as a complaint. The hem of her loose tank top would occasionally ride up, exposing her tanned, toned abs and the smooth line of her back. And while Liam was supposed to be keeping an eye on the counter, all she could do was stare. Every now and then, Zayn would catch her looking and flash a smug grin that had Liam ducking her face behind the register.
They exchanged kisses whenever Zayn passed by, quick and playful—Zayn’s hand brushing over Liam’s lower back or tugging teasingly at her waistband as she muttered something about Liam being “distracting.” Liam, meanwhile, was perfectly content to lean her elbows on the counter and watch Zayn work like it was her personal Saturday morning show.
They were wrapped up in their peaceful moment until now that Josh showed up. Liam didn’t even get the chance to stammer out a reply because, at that very moment, Zayn sensed something. Call it intuition, call it jealousy, but in mere seconds, Zayn appeared out of nowhere—like a storm rolling in.
She abandoned the shelf she’d been stocking in the back, her strides purposeful, movements quick and deliberate. She appeared at Liam’s side, almost territorial, as her sharp eyes immediately sized up Josh from head to toe. If looks could kill, Josh would’ve already been six feet under.
“Who’s this?” Zayn asked flatly, though her tone was anything but neutral.
Josh blinked, surprised by Zayn’s sudden entrance. “Uh, I’m Josh. And you are...?”
Liam opened her mouth to intervene, but Zayn was already leaning against the counter, positioning herself just behind Liam. Zayn’s chest practically pressed against Liam’s back as she looped an arm lazily around Liam’s waist, a picture of effortless possession.
“I’m her girlfriend,” Zayn said, her voice dripping with challenge as she tilted her head at Josh, dark eyes narrowed. “You?”
Josh hesitated, his posture stiffening as his gaze flicked between Zayn and Liam, clearly caught off guard. “Oh... uh, I’m a friend. I was just wondering why Liam hasn’t been answering my texts lately.”
Zayn’s expression didn’t falter—if anything, her smirk only grew. Before Liam could react, Zayn’s free hand dipped into Liam’s back pocket, pulling her phone out in one swift motion. Liam let out a startled sound, twisting slightly to glare at Zayn, but Zayn ignored her completely.
“Oh,” Zayn mused, holding the phone up in front of Josh’s face like it was a trophy. “You mean by the phone that I’ve been keeping by my side?”
Josh stared at the phone, his face turning an awkward shade of red as Zayn’s smirk turned downright triumphant. Liam couldn’t decide if she wanted to crawl into the floor or kiss Zayn for pulling such a bold move.
“Zayn,” Liam hissed under her breath, nudging her with an elbow. “Give me that.”
But Zayn wasn’t finished yet. She dropped the phone back into Liam’s pocket with an exaggerated, almost smug flourish, then leaned in close to Liam’s ear as if Josh wasn’t still standing there.
“Babe, do you want me to help answer your old friend’s texts for you?” Zayn teased, her voice loud enough for Josh to hear.
Josh coughed awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable. “Uh, you know what? Never mind. I think I’ve got my answer here.” He took a step back, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll... see you in class, Liam.”
“Yeah, sure,” Liam muttered, cheeks burning as she gave him a halfhearted wave. She watched him hurry out the door like he couldn’t get away fast enough, the bell chiming his escape.
The second the door swung shut, Liam whirled around to face Zayn, her glare sharp enough to pierce glass. “What the hell was that—”
She didn’t get to finish.
Zayn swooped in, tilting Liam’s chin up with two fingers and silencing her with a kiss, catching her completely off guard. Liam gasped softly into it, her hands instinctively gripping the edge of the counter for balance as Zayn leaned down, her mouth moving with a slow but deliberate intensity that made Liam’s head spin. The kiss was more than a kiss—it was a statement, a warning , as if Zayn were leaving her mark right there for the world to see.
When Zayn finally pulled back, Liam turned around to blink up at her, dazed and breathless. Whatever she’d been about to say had vanished into thin air, replaced with the sound of her heart pounding in her ears.
Zayn didn’t miss a beat. Straightening up, her hands still resting on either side of Liam’s waist, she started in on a lecture that had Liam’s head spinning for entirely different reasons. “You don’t look at anyone like that but me. You don’t smile at anyone but me. You don’t talk to anyone like that but me. Got it?”
Liam’s jaw dropped as her brain caught up to Zayn’s words. “Are you kidding me right now? I wasn’t even—”
But Zayn was already shaking her head, narrowing her eyes like she was issuing some kind of decree. “I’m serious, Liam. I don’t care who they are. I don’t like it.”
Liam tried to muster up some kind of defense, but the way Zayn was looking at her—so intense, so undeniably hers —made her protests falter. “You are so ridiculous,” Liam muttered, crossing her arms but failing to hide the flustered blush crawling up her neck.
“Maybe,” Zayn replied, smug and completely unbothered, “but I know you love it.”
Liam groaned in frustration, but Zayn was already grinning, leaning in to steal another quick kiss before Liam could say anything else.
And just like that, Liam could only sigh in surrender, muttering under her breath, “I really do have the most insufferable girlfriend on the planet.”
Zayn’s laughter echoed through the store, smug and victorious. “That’s my girl.”
***
It was the first day of the holiday, the weather had started to turn colder, and Liam’s sweaters were probably worn thin after enduring last winter. Just so, she decided to head down the street to the local shop to pick up some new ones. Now, standing awkwardly in the dim changing room, Liam regretted not dragging Ruth along. The room was darker than she expected, making it hard for her to see, and to make things worse, she’d gotten stuck halfway out of a dress.
She’d managed to tug the zipper partway down from her shoulder blades, but now it wouldn’t budge, no matter how she twisted her arms. Frustrated, she paused when she heard the sound of the door twisting outside, followed by approaching footsteps. Likely a staff member coming back from a coffee run.
Liam sighed with relief, shuffling closer to the door. “Excuse me, could you help me with this dress? I got stuck trying to take it off from behind.”
There was no verbal response, only a weighted silence that made Liam frown. Still, the soft footsteps grew louder, coming closer, until she could feel the heat of someone standing right behind her. The door creaked open, and Liam sighed again, feeling oddly comforted. “Thank you,” she muttered gratefully.
She stilled as the person’s fingers brushed above her neck, trailing gently down to where her zipper was caught. Liam let out an involuntary whimper when they lingered a little longer than necessary.
“Sorry,” came a voice, low and familiar, “there’s some hair caught here.”
“It’s okay,” Liam replied, wrinkling her nose, though something about the voice made her pause. “And thank you.”
A quiet chuckle followed, deep and amused, and Liam swore she could hear the smirk forming in the sound. “You’re a very polite girl, you know that?” The words came with a teasing coo before dropping into something more disapproving. “But also too naïve. Letting someone help you like this—what if it wasn’t me? What if it was a stranger trying to take advantage of you?”
Liam froze. Her body went rigid, and she spun around quickly, holding the dress up against her chest as it threatened to slip off her shoulders. Her gaze locked onto familiar sharp eyes staring at her with mock sternness. “Zayn.”
Zayn didn’t flinch, her expression steady, brows raised in quiet challenge. “What would you do if it wasn’t me?” she pressed, her voice laced with faux concern. “What if it was some pervert trying to—”
“ You are a pervert,” Liam interrupted, glaring as she tried to step away, only to find her back pressed firmly against the changing room wall.
Zayn smirked, completely unfazed. “That I am. But I’m a harmless pervert.”
“Where’s the difference?” Liam shot back, narrowing her eyes. “Perverts are perverts. Isn’t ‘staring at my boobs’ one of those ‘things’ you’ve said they do?” She jerked her chin toward the door, silently telling Zayn to get out of her personal space.
Zayn raised both hands in mock surrender, though the smug grin didn’t leave her face. “Okay, okay,” she said, but instead of walking out, she stepped inside the dressing room.
Liam felt a wave of panic wash over her as she noticed the darkening look on Zayn's face. Her earlier bravado faltered, replaced by a growing sense of apprehension.
"Now, let me finish the business we've left," Zayn said, her voice low and menacing.
With a swift, predatory movement, Zayn turned Liam around. Liam’s hands shot out to brace the wall of the dressing room for support. Her breath hitched in her throat, her heart pounding against her ribs.
Zayn's hands came up to roam Liam's body, which was exposed due to the undone zipper of her dress. "What a naughty girl," Zayn purred, her voice laced with a dangerous undercurrent. "Didn't even wear a bra when she's roaming around town."
Liam's mind raced by the sheer force of Zayn's presence. The predatory glint in Zayn’s eyes paralyzed her.
"Zayn," Liam managed to whisper, her voice trembling as Zayn’s hands, rough with stocking work, played with her tits, the rough pads of her fingers ghosting over her nipples, "you're crazy. We're in public." She hissed, though she made no move to pull away from Zayn’s touch, which only got bolder by the matter of seconds.
“Door’s locked. What’s there to be worried about?” Zayn assured, her tone far too smug for Liam’s liking. One of Zayn’s hands grazed her bare waist before gliding down her side. Before Liam knew it, she had slipped a hand under the dress. “Let’s see if my naughty girl went as far as abandoning her panties, too.”
Liam’s breath hitched as Zayn roamed to seek an answer to her question, “Ooh, lace. I like that. At least you didn’t go beyonce limit, to the point that I have to punish you, bunny.” Zayn hummed. Her groin ground shamelessly against Liam’s ass.
Liam moaned out another shaky warning, “Zayn…” which the other girl clearly didn’t take into account as she pulled the bottom of her lace panties to the side, slipping her fingers in and smearing the involuntary mess Liam’d made down there. A choked breath came out of Liam’s mouth as Zayn’s rough pads made contact with her sensitive core.
As Liam looked down from where she was still bracing against the wall, surprisingly, she found her hips rocked down eagerly on Zayn’s fingers. It was like Liam was dying from itching and Zayn was scratching right where she needed it most. As time went by, Liam only craved more and more of Zayn’s cure. She wished it could be as innocent as it sounded, though.
From behind her, Liam heard Zayn snort occasionally among the grunts and groans she let out. Liam probably looked like a girl made for the streets right now but she couldn’t care less. She could be that, for Zayn.
Zayn set their rhythm, slow and dirty until she grabbed a handful of Liam’s ass with her free hand, hitching her up higher to redirect her groin better between Liam’s ass cheeks.
“Such an eager bitch for me.” Zayn cooed, slapping the side of her thigh. Liam jolted and moaned loudly, couldn't contain herself at the dirty word. Zayn whispered into her ear, her tone low and dangerous. “I bet you’ve been thinking what wonder my fingers could do beside writing you cute notes.”
With that as a warning, Zayn slipped two fingers inside, her palm wet with Liam’s juice. The sudden action punched the little air left out of Liam’s lungs. Her hips detached due to her tight hole’s resistance. However, with a hand shooting out to ground Liam, Zayn worked her way in without too much difficulty. Her hand guided Liam’s hips up and down, meeting every thrust of her fingers. The stimulation was too much and Liam found her body stuttering. Zayn laughed breathlessly, encouraging her to do her end of the work.
After some seconds to collect herself, Liam started to roll her hips, making sure her ass rubbed Zayn’s front and Zayn’s fingers still stayed inside her. Somehow, they made it work despite the awkward position.
Zayn’s breath hitched suddenly, and her pace quickened. She was close, so was Liam. The sudden realization that she could do so much as making Zayn cum without her hands properly on her sent Liam over the edge. Before she knew it, her vision blurred before she let out a sigh of defeat. She’d cum. The wet sound of Zayn’s movement did the speaking part of how much it had oozed out from inside her. Zayn followed with a curse, “Fucking hell, Li.”
They collapsed onto the wall as Liam was shaking so hard after her orgasm that her arms gave out. Zayn was rocking her into the wall as she humped Liam through her orgasm.
Liam slumped against the wall, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps as she tried to regain some composure. Zayn leaned into her, still close, her forehead resting lightly against Liam’s shoulder as she pressed soft kisses along the edge of her jaw. The dressing room felt hotter now, the air heavy with the weight of what had just happened.
“Are you okay?” Zayn murmured softly, her voice warm and teasing but gentler than before.
Liam let out a breathy laugh, though it sounded more like a shaky exhale. “I was —until you decided to turn a shopping trip into... this.” Her voice lacked real bite, her flushed cheeks betraying her.
Zayn grinned against her skin, her arms snaking lazily around Liam’s waist as if she had no intention of moving. “You didn’t exactly stop me, now did you?”
“Shut up,” Liam muttered, her voice still a little breathless as she swatted weakly at Zayn’s shoulder. “Like you would if I did try to.”
Zayn hummed in agreement, not looking the least bit guilty as she pulled back to meet Liam’s gaze. Her smile softened when she noticed the slight tremble in Liam’s legs. “Need to sit down?”
“No,” Liam shot back stubbornly, trying to stand up straighter despite the way her body still felt like jelly.
Zayn’s expression turned smug again, and she leaned in, pressing a kiss to the corner of Liam’s lips. “So stubborn.”
Liam narrowed her eyes, though the way her mouth twitched betrayed her smirk. “You’re so lucky I love you.”
“Mm, I know,” Zayn replied smoothly, grinning as she took a small step back, finally giving Liam a bit of space. “Now, let’s get you back to normal before someone starts asking questions about why you’re taking so long.”
Her eyes drifted downward, lingering on the dress now hanging loosely around Liam’s hips. A devilish smirk tugged at Zayn’s lips as she reached out, brushing the fabric with her fingertips. “And we’re taking this.”
Liam blinked, startled. “What? No, we’re not—”
“Oh, we are.” Zayn cut her off, a glint of mischief sparking in her eyes. “Consider it a souvenir.”
Liam sputtered, tugging the dress back up as heat rushed to her cheeks. “I’m not buying a dress just because you—”
“Made it unforgettable?” Zayn teased, her voice a low purr.
Liam groaned, shoving Zayn playfully in the shoulder. Zayn laughed, her hands darting out to help Liam wear the dress properly, her touch lingering far too long to be innocent.
When Liam finally walked out of the dressing room, she was still wearing the crimson Noël dress, but now Zayn’s jacket draped loosely over her shoulders. The smell of Zayn’s cologne clung to the fabric, making Liam’s flustered thoughts even worse.
At the counter, Zayn insisted on paying, and before Liam could even argue, she was already handing the clerk her credit card. Liam’s eyes narrowed, burning holes into Zayn’s back. She couldn’t stop the thoughts running wild in her mind— What have I gotten myself into, dating this girl?
Sensing Liam’s eyes on her, Zayn turned as they stepped out of the store, her fingers lacing through Liam’s. She grinned, smug and teasing. “What?”
Liam arched a brow, her voice dry. “Just wondering what you are.”
“Me?” Zayn tossed her head back as if pondering. “I am just another “cool” girl.”
Then, with a triumphant grin, she held up something small in her free hand—a diary. Liam’s diary.
Liam’s heart dropped, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. “What—How did you—?!”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Zayn cut her off, flipping through the pages casually. “I only had a peek. For research purposes.”
“Zayn, I swear to—”
Zayn ignored her sputtering, her grin widening as she closed the book with a triumphant snap. “You know, babe, you have quite the imagination.” Her eyes glimmered with mischief as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. “We’ve checked one off the list, but don’t worry. I’ll make sure every fantasy of yours is taken care of.”
Liam let out an unintelligible noise, her face burning red. “Give. That. Back.”
Zayn only laughed, pulling her along by the hand as Liam tried to snatch the diary back. “Relax, angel. I’m just helping you bring your dreams to life.”
“Oh my God, I’m never going outside with you again.”
“You keep saying that, but here we are,” Zayn teased, swinging their joined hands as she winked.
Liam groaned, hiding her face with her free hand as she muttered under her breath, “I need better life choices.”
Zayn just chuckled. “Nah, babe. You’ve made the best choice. Me.”
End.