Serena

Last night might have been the best moment of my life.

Liam and I had finally kissed! It happened!

My mind had completely turned to mush in that moment, and all I could think of was Liam's lips on mine, his hands on my body, and his heartbeat syncing with mine.

Everything about that moment was perfect.

Unfortunately, we broke apart when I got a call from Chris, asking where I was, since Danny wanted to cut a cake for Sara.

As much as I was enjoying the moment, I couldn't let it go any further than a heated kiss.

Not because I didn't want to, but rather because I could smell the faint trace of alcohol on Liam's breath, and also, because this was so sudden.

Liam kissed me, but I was so lost on why?

Despite the few moments of closeness, there was nothing else said between us, for me to understand where this gesture came from. Liam had never explicitly said anything about him even looking at me that way.

His kiss was making me think he liked me, but I'd rather hear him say it.

Liam and I both returned to the party, but with smiles on our faces.

I couldn't help but think we both probably looked a mess, despite trying to make ourselves look inconspicuous.

I didn't really see Liam after we returned to the marquee. It's not like it was that big of a venue, but I had everyone calling me from all sides, and then was supposed to be going back home with Sara and Danny.

Before I left, I was hoping to have a conversation with Liam, but just before I went to look for him, Chris sent me a message than Miguel and him were going to be dropping him home, since Liam had a bit more to drink.

I had made up my mind then that I would talk to Liam in the morning, and possibly and finally, confess my feelings.

It was a daunting, but the way he kissed me and looked at me that night, I felt maybe, just maybe this time my love might not go unreciprocated.

"Well don't you look cheerful," Sara's smiling face greeted me in the morning, as I walked out of my room and into the living room.

She was laying on the sofa, her feet on Danny's lap, as he was massaging them.

"A little too cheerful," Danny then commented, raising his brows slightly and looking over my form.

I did put on pretty day dress, in my happy mood. I just wanted to look cute.

If I was going to confess my feelings, I was definitely going dress up a little for it.

"What? I'm just happy," I shrugged, but the delirious smile on my face was definitely a dead giveaway to my happiness.

I sat down on the armchair, whilst Danny was still eyeing me skeptically, and Sara shifting to sit up, next to Danny.

"Why?" Danny then asked.

Sara smacked his arm. "Danny, don't be an asshole. She's smiling, let her be," she said to him.

She then looked towards me and mouthed, 'tell me later', causing me to shake my head at her slightly.

"You guys are way too suspicious, I'm just in a good mood," I told them.

I didn't want to jinx anything right now, otherwise I would've told the two of them everything about night.

Until I spoke to Liam, I assumed it was just better to keep this to myself.

"Where did you disappear to last night? We lost you for a moment," Sara then asked me, tilting her head slightly, and I knew what moment she was referring to.

I blinked a couple of times, figuring out how to answer her question, without actually lying to her.

"Oh I-" I began to answer, but then Danny cut me off.

"Where did you go?" He asked me with narrowed eyes, but something about his tone made me think he already knew the answer.

Sara placed her hand on his thigh. "Ease up, Danny," she said.

I then smiled at the two of them. "Just needed a little air," I said.

"We were outside," Danny said, keeping his usual stone-face expression, that I've actually seen intimidate quite a few people.

I smiled at Danny. "We were actually in a marquee, I needed to get out of it, get some space," I told him.

"Alone?" Danny then questioned, and this quickly felt like it was becoming an interrogation.

Sara then turned to Danny, smacking his arm slightly.

"Seriously Danny, what's with the interrogation? Let her be. She's happy, and as her surrogate parents, that should be enough," she told him, and then turned back to me with a smile.

She always liked to make that joke that Danny and her were basically my surrogate parents. Which in its way a little true, since I lived with them and they kept me fed.

"Thank you, Sara," I grinned, like a child that just got its' way, and then looked towards her other half. "Danny, it's okay, I'm okay." I tried to reassure him.

Before Danny could grill me any further, I looked towards Sara for help, and she then turned to Danny.

"Baby, I'm hungry. Could you make something please?" She asked him, with the sweetest smile she could muster.

"Okay," he smiled at her, and looked back towards me. "This isn't over," he warned, then walked into the kitchen.

It was so clear he saw past Sara's whole act, but then again this was Sara, so even when she was joking about food, she wasn't actually joking.

"Why is he so protective over you? I swear, sometimes he's more overbearing with you, than with me, and I'm the one carrying his child," Sara huffed.

I laughed at her words.

"It's Danny-" I shrugged, "-he's always been like that with me," I said.

Ever since high school, Danny and I somehow formed this close friendship. It was weird because I didn't really get so close to people, and even with Danny, it kind of developed over time, but when it did, he remained a constant in my life.

How we developed this weird sibling sort of relationship, I have no clue, but it kind of worked for us. Plus, being an only child, I found it sweet.

Although when he got overprotective like this, I did want to smack him.

"Yeah, what a weirdo," Sara comments, and then crossed her legs on the sofa, pulling a cushion in front of her. "Anyways, tell me, why are you this happy?

I tilted my head a little, giving her a slightly exasperated look.

"I thought you said to let me be?" I asked her.

She waved her arm about. "That was for Danny, this is me-" she pointed to herself, "so spill."

Her whole expression looked so eager to know why I was so chipper in the morning.

"Not yet," I smiled at her.

Sara's expression then dropped into a pouting one. "Why?" She whined slightly.

"Just, give me a little time," I said, and just as she opened her mouth to say something, I held up my hand. "I promise I'll tell you everything, but only till I'm sure."

Keeping the fact that I was in love with Liam from Sara, was really something that I didn't want to do, but if I was truly getting my moment, then I will tell Sara.

I'll tell her everything, from start to finish, and hope that she won't hate me by the end of it.

"Ugh, I hate it when you're all cryptic," Sara told me, and then sighed. "Fine, I'll let it be, for now. But I swear, if you don't tell me," she warned, pointing her finger at me.

"You'll kill me, I know." I smiled at her, and then reached over to hug her. "Now, I have to go."

Sara frowned at me. "Where?".

"Just an errand to run," I told her, being very vague on purpose of course. "I'll be back later," I added.

Sara then grabbed my arms. "Bring some dumplings on your way back," she asked, well more rather told me, her eyes lighting up slightly.

My face scrunched up slightly. "Isn't Danny cooking right now?" I asked her, clearly remembering that Danny is currently in the kitchen cooking for her.

"Yeah," Sara said, adding nothing else, and I could help but laugh and shake my head a little.

"Okay, I'll pick you up some dumplings on my way back," I said her, and Sara pulled me down, kissing my cheek.

"Love you," she grinned at me.

I blew her a kiss as well. "Love you too."

Just when I grabbed my coat, and was going to leave, I felt myself get pulled back, and stumbled a little, onto to have someone steady me.

I looked and saw Danny staring down at me with a concerned look on his face.

"It's him, isn't it?" He asked me, and it was undoubtedly clear who the him in question was.

Again, I didn't want to lie to him, but I didn't want to say the truth just yet either.

"Danny, I-" I began to say, but he shook his head at me.

"I saw you dancing with him last night, Serena. Besides, there's only one person who would make you smile like this," Danny told me, and I frowned.

Honestly, he had the eyes of a hawk when it came to me. Nothing would miss him, especially where Liam was concerned.

I sighed. "Yes, it's him." I confessed.

I dropped my head slightly, expecting some long lecture from him.

In my mind, I had named this lecture, 'the downside of loving Liam', since every lecture was generally just a version of that.

To my surprise, instead of saying anything like usual, Danny just placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Be careful," he said, and I looked up at his face.

He looked concerned, as if he knew something I didn't, or just knew something bad.

But then again, this was Danny, and just one of his normal expressions.

I gave him a hug. "It's fine, Danny. Nothing bad will happen," I tried to reassure him.

Danny then wrapped his arms around me, hugging me back.

"I'm just worried for you," he mumbled, and I laughed a little, breaking the hug and then looking into his eye.

Cupping his cheek, I smiled up at him. "Worry less, please? I'm good, I'll be back later," I told him.

"Take care, Serena," was all he said, and with that, I walked about the door, excitement and anticipation just bubbling up inside me.

I couldn't even get rid of the smile on my face even if I tried.

As I walked up to Liam's door, I felt my heart pounding once again, but this time, it was just pure excitement I was feeling.

I took a deep breath, and then knocked on his door.

The anticipation was killing me, because at the end of the day, there was a chance my story was going to be complete.

I heard the door unlock, and braced myself with a smile on my face.

When the door open, my smile turned into a grin.

"Hey-" and then it quickly morphed in a face filled with concern when I got a proper look at Liam. "-Whoa, you look like death."

Liam was still dressed in his pyjamas, with a robe over it, and honestly looked like a zombie at this point.

"Please don't remind me," he grumbled, and opened the door wider to let me in.

I walked into the living room, and placed my bag down, as Liam just closed the door and proceeded to collapse onto the sofa.

He threw his head back, and then placed his hands over his face. "I'm so glad my parents are keeping Bea for a little longer-" he said, and then looked at me, "-wait that came out wrong."

"It's fine, I understand," I laughed, and took a seat next to him. "Bea running about with her usual energiser bunny excitement, isn't so good with a hangover."

Liam shook his head. "Honestly, I haven't drank so much in years, not sure what came over me."

"I think that was Chris and Miguel," I then commented, and Liam looked at me, waiting for me to continue. "They don't exactly know the meaning of 'I've had enough'."

I did catch a glimpse of Liam with those two, and as someone who had been to parties with them before, I know that they can go overboard with the drinks.

They clearly know how to have a good time.

"Clearly, but I was an idiot too," Liam said, and then let out a groan. "God, my head hurts," he added, clutching his head.

I patted his shoulder. "Here, let me make you some coffee and some food, that should help," I offered.

Liam kept his eyes closed, but clutched my hand that was on his shoulder.

"My God, I think I love you," he breathed out, and I couldn't help but smile at his words.

I knew that it wasn't something he said with feeling, but instead because I was providing him with an incentive with food. However, I knew Liam may not love me, but after that kiss, there was more than just him being my friend.

Friends don't really kiss, or at least the friends I have don't.

I shouldn't be able to still feel the lingering sensation of Liam's lips on mine, or how every part of my being came alive and when he touched me.

None of this was a friend-thing.

After letting Liam sit there, looking like someone who was close to walking into the light, I went into his kitchen, and got started on some food.

Not long after, I was done cooking for Liam, and placed the food and some fresh coffee on the table.

I seriously can't believe I was doing this. I barely cook for myself.

As soon as Liam sat down, he dug into his food.

"Oh, Serena, this was so needed," he moaned as he took another bite.

I shook my head at him, and took a sip from my own mug of coffee. "You act like a child when hungover," I commented.

Liam looked at me curiously. "When have you seen me hungover?" He asked.

"After Craig's party in high school," I pointed out, and Liam's face scrunched up slightly. "Not sure what exactly you were drink to prove by getting so drunk," I told him.

Craig was one of the boys on the football team back in high school. He kind of fitted the stereotypical version of arrogant, jerk player, and the kind of person that just filled you with rage really.

Yet, I still went to his party.

It was at the point that Liam and his boys were becoming closer with my friends, and so it became this collective invite.

I didn't like Craig, but he threw a great party.

"It was a bet," Liam shrugged, and took another bite.

He said that so casually, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his words. "You're an idiot."

"Yeah, I've proven that so many times, pretty sure I can't deny it now," Liam laughed, and I smiled at him. "That was a good party," he then added.

I nodded in agreement. "It really was," I said, and then tilted my head slightly, reminiscing slightly. "Although I've never been to a party with an actual ice sculpture."

Liam nodded. "Yeah, Craig had no clue that was going to be delivered right before the party, it's a shame it broke like that," he said.

I shrugged. "At least it kept my drink cool," I said.

That whole night I didn't complain once about my drink being warm, it was great.

After eating, Liam and I moved back into the living room, and I was still trying to work up the courage to ask him about the kiss.

We were sat next to eat other, and I took a deep breath, ready to stop being a coward, but then Liam turned towards me.

"Can I ask you something?" Liam asked.

This was it.

"Yeah," I smiled at him, feelings all kinds of anxiety in my bones, but it was worth it, if my dream was about to come true.

Liam paused for a moment, and then sighed.

"About last night-" he started, and my smile was growing wider, as my heart raced faster that I ever thought was possible.

"-did I do anything stupid?" He then asked, and I blinked a few times, my mind taking a second to process.

I moved back slightly. "What?"

Liam frowned at me, turning his body completely to face me. "I don't remember anything after asking you to dance, honestly, not even sure how I got home," he told me.

"You don't remember anything?" I asked him, my breathing quickening it's pace, as my heart was begging him to say he remembered.

Liam's eyes widened after my question. "Oh God, I did something stupid, didn't I?" He groaned, "Was Sara angry? Wait, was Danny angry? I'll apologise in person, just when I don't feel like death."

My lips trembled, and I looked at Liam and realised, he truly didn't remember anything about the moment that meant everything to me.

"Last night-" I whispered mostly to myself, having to sink my teeth into my bottom lip to keep myself composed.

Liam took my hand in his. "Wait, did I say something to you?" He asked.

The sincerity and concern in his eyes was just making me feel like I'm breaking more.

I then did my best to take breath, despite that suffocating feeling I had in my chest.

"No," I told him.

Liam sighed, looking relieved. "Oh good," he said, and squeezed my hand gently, as it remained motionless in his hold. "Honestly Serena, I'm never getting that wasted again. If I do, you have my full permission to slap me across the face," he laughed.

His smile quickly died down when he looked back at me. "Are you okay?" He asked in concern.

I can only imagine what my face looked like, because inside, I just felt numb.

Realising I couldn't be here right now, with him, I snapped out of my frozen state, and stood up abruptly, taking my hand out of Liam's.

"I just-...I have to go," I quickly said.

I knew I was about let my emotions get the best of me, but I couldn't have that now. Not here. Not in front of him.

"But you just got here? Is everything alright?" Liam asked, also standing him.

I nodded my head, avoiding his eye contact. "Everything's fine, I just need to leave," I told him.

I looked down and saw Liam's feet moved towards me, and I quickly stepped back.

Grabbing my bag and coat, I hastily made my way towards the door, only to have Liam grab my arm, which sent my flying into his chest.

He helped to steady me, holding me by the arms, and I looked away from him.

"Wait no, did something happen last night?" He asked once again. "If I said something, or made a mistake, I'm sorry."

And just like that, hope was lost and my heart shattered, once again.

I broke out of his hold, stumbling back a little and shocked Liam, as his hands stayed hanging in the air.

"No you- you're fine, I just..., I've remembered I have to be somewhere. Bye Liam," I stuttered through my words, but I didn't care, the air around him was constricting me and I could no longer breathe.

"Serena, wait!" I heard Liam shout after me, after I basically ran out of his place.

Somehow I managed get outside, but only then did the tears start to fall.

I had forgotten, fireworks don't have a lasting flame.

As soon as I got back to Sara and Danny's, I quickly shut the door behind me.

"Serena? Did you bring the dumplings? Serena, what's wrong?" I heard Sara call out.

Before she could see me, I ran straight for my room, and just slid down against the door.

"Hey! Serena, you're scaring me. It's not good to scare a pregnant lady, please open the door," I heard Sara knocking from the other side.

Instead of knocking, I hugged my knees, bowing my head down. The tears were now on autopilot, free falling, and I made no move to stop them.

I felt pathetic as I probably looked, and I rather not have anyone see me like that.

"Cupcake?" I then heard Danny's voice, and I didn't want to hear anything about him being right either, or see that look in his eyes.

I kept my silence.