"So that was Larissa, huh?" Liam grinned as I walked through the door.

"Yeah, that's her," I replied, trying to hide my smile.

"I can see why you're in love with her," he laughed.

"So... Dana, huh?" I said, swiftly changing the subject.

Liam's cheeks turned red and he started to walk away from me.

"You like her?" I asked, following him to the sofa.

"Yeah, she's nice," he replied quietly.

"Did you ask her out?"

"No, but she gave me her phone number. I'll text her in a few days," he said.

"Don't be stupid, little brother."

Liam raised an eyebrow at me, questioningly.

"Liam, I don't know what movie you've seen, or what idiotic friend of yours told you that you need to wait three days before you call a girl, but in my experience, it's a bad idea. Text her now," I said.

"And say what?" He frowned.

"Just tell her it was nice to meet her, and you hope you'll get to see her again soon," I advised.

"But won't I seem too eager?" He asked.

"No, you'll seem like someone who isn't scared to tell her you enjoyed her company," I laughed. "You're not asking her out, you're just saying you hope you see her again soon, which puts the idea of a second date in her head."

He smiled happily, and started to text. I went to get us something to drink from the kitchen.

"Thanks, Ivy," Liam said, when I returned. "So are you gonna text Larissa?"

"Oh no, it's way too soon for that," I laughed, handing him a can of cola.

"What? But you just said-"

"I know what I said, Liam. It's just different circumstances for me."

"Because you're scared?" He mocked.

"Yes, I'm terrified," I replied. "Dude, I've already slept with this girl, told her that her boyfriend was cheating on her, and confessed my love for her. I don't wanna scare her off again... I'm not even sure that we're gonna be more than friends again."

"Well it's clear you're still into her, so unless she's stupid, she will already know where your new friendship will eventually lead. I wouldn't rule it out yet," he smiled. "Anyway, I'm going to sleep. Goodnight."

"Night," I replied and sat on the sofa, staring at the blank TV.

I realised that Liam was probably right, and that Larissa probably did know I still liked her. In which case, maybe I did still have a shot, but it was best not to rush into things again, after how badly it went last time.

My thoughts were interrupted by my phone buzzing in my pocket. I took it out, and saw a text from Larissa and my heart stopped.

'It was really good to see you today, Ivy. I have really missed you. Maybe we could do something next weekend if you're free?'

I grinned at my phone, like a crazy person, for a few minutes before I text her back.

'It was great to see you, too. And yes, I'm free whenever really, just let me know what you wanna do. I look forward to it :)'

I sent the message, then lay down on the sofa, smiling up at the ceiling.

~~~~

"Jesus christ!"

Liam's voice woke me up the next morning. I sat up on the sofa and turned to see him laughing, and holding his chest.

"You scared me," he laughed.

I had fallen asleep on the sofa last night, and he obviously didn't expect me to be there.

"Sorry," I yawned. "You hungry?"

He nodded, and walked in to the kitchen. I followed him, and saw him making a bowl of cereal. I did the same, and made both of us a cup of tea.

"What are we doing today?" He asked.

"Whatever you want to do," I smiled.

"Skydiving."

"No," I laughed.

"Scuba diving?" He joked.

"If you want, we can go to the swimming pool and you can just do normal diving," I replied.

"What about go-karting?"

"Alright," I agreed. "Eat, drink, and get ready."

"Awesome!" He said, filling his face with cereals.

We both ate our breakfast and drank our tea, and Liam kept checking his phone. I assumed he was waiting for a text from Dana.

"Why don't you invite Rob and Alice?" Liam asked.

"Yeah, good idea. Why don't you ask Dana, too?" I grinned, knowing why he wanted me to invite them.

"Can I?" He asked, blushing slightly.

I nodded, and text Rob to ask him if they would come. I got a reply within seconds, saying that they would come with us, and that they would pick us up.

I quickly showered and got dressed, then went back into the living room to find Liam waiting on the sofa, already wearing his coat and shoes.

"Dana's coming too," he said happily. "You don't mind, do you? I know I've got to go home later, so if you wanna do something just the two of us, I can-"

"Liam, it's fine," I interrupted. "You'll be back here again before you know it."

"Good, I can't wait," he smiled.

"Because of me? Or because of your new girlfriend?" I joked.

"You... mostly," he laughed.

A loud car horn let us know that they were here, so I quickly put my shoes on, and grabbed a jacket from next to the door. We ran down to the car, and Liam slid across to the middle seat next to Dana.

I said a quick hello to everybody while I put my seatbelt on, then Alice drove away. It was so funny watching Liam try to interact with Dana, they were both so awkward.

The drive was over pretty quickly and before long, we were changing into overalls and putting on big helmets.

I had only ever been go-karting once before, and I wasn't a big fan, but it was the most realistic option of what Liam wanted to do today so I would deal with it.

We all got into a go-kart, and I watched how Liam and Dana looked at each other, and how Rob gave Alice's hand a gentle squeeze before getting into his kart. I wished Larissa was here.

The instructor stood next to us all, quickly going over the rules which we had read before we came onto the track, before showing the flag which meant we could start.

I put my foot down hard on the accelerator, and my kart sped off in front of the others. It wasn't a race, but I felt some satisfaction in getting a head start. As I turned a corner, i looked around to see everyone laughing and smiling as they sped around the track.

Surprisingly, Dana was the first person to catch up with me. She flashed me a big smile, before getting ahead of me. Seconds later, Liam sped past me, trying to catch up with Dana.

I turned around to look for Rob and Alice and saw that Rob's kart had stopped, and the instructor was getting him into another one. I laughed as I turned back to look in front.

Unfortunately, I didn't turn back quick enough, and slammed straight into the barrier on the bend of the track.

My entire body was thrown forward, and my head bounced off the steering wheel. Luckily the helmet softened the blow, but I already felt the worst headache of my life coming on.

An instructor was by my side in seconds. Followed by Liam and Dana.

"Are you okay?" I could just about hear, over the buzzing in my ears.

I tried to work out who had asked me but my eyes wouldn't focus, I had to fight to keep them open.

Liam had a look of panic on his face, but I smiled at the fact that Dana was holding his hand to calm him.

The instructor, who's name badge kept moving away from my eyes, knelt down in front of me and held my helmet with both hands, forcing my head upright.

"Look at me," his muffled voice said. "I need you to stay awake, okay?"

"I'm not even tired," I giggled, as my eyes started to close.

"Ivy?" Liam's worried voice said.

"I'm fine, Liam. Get back in your kart, I'll wait here," I said.

I heard a nervous laugh, and felt strong arms lift me up out of my kart, as I let the sleep take over me.