Chapter 1
Chapter 1 The girl who changed everything
The first day of senior year was supposed to be ordinary similar setting if sudents moving around noises from every corner.
At least, that's what Liam Hayes choose to believe.
He sat in the back seat of his father's car, staring through the window as the familiar streets passed by. Students in uniforms filled the sidewalks, laughing with their friends, rushing toward the school gates as though they had been waiting all summer for this moment.
Liam wasn't excited, he just felt numb like someone who has done this so many times and grew tried of it.
He had never understood why people treated school like it was the beginning of some great adventure. To him, it was simply another year of classes, assignments, examinations, and unnecessary drama.
Especially the drama involving relationships.
You're unusually quiet, his father said from the driver's seat.
Im always quiet.
His father smiled. That's not true.
Liam didn't answer.
His eyes returned to the window.
A group of students walked past, and one boy was carrying a bouquet of flowers while his friends teased him. Liam watched for a moment before shaking his head.
Pathetic, he muttered.
His father glanced at him. What is?
Nothing.
But Liam knew exactly what he meant.
Love.
He didn't believe in it.
He had watched too many people call something love only to end up hurting each other. He had seen friendships destroyed because of relationships and people change completely because they were afraid of losing someone.
Liam had decided a long time ago that he wanted no part of it.
He would graduate.
Go to university.
Build a successful life.
And stay away from love.
Simple.
The car stopped in front of Westbridge High School.
Have a good day, his father said.
I will.
Liam stepped out and adjusted his backpack.
The moment he entered the school gates, the familiar noise surrounded him.
Students everywhere.
Teachers giving instructions.
Friends reuniting after the holiday.
Liam ignored all of it.
He walked straight toward the main building.
Then someone bumped into him.
Hard.
His books fell from his hands.
Sorry!
Liam looked down at the scattered books before looking at the person standing in front of him.
A girl.
She had long dark hair and was holding several books against her chest. A strand of hair had fallen across her face, and she quickly pushed it behind her ear.
I'm really sorry, she repeated.
Liam crouched down and picked up his books.
You should watch where you're going.
The girl frowned slightly.
I said sorry.
That doesn't mean you were watching where you were going."
She stared at him.
For some reason, Liam expected her to apologize again.
Instead, she smiled.
You're right.
Liam paused.
Wait. What?
She picked up the last book and handed it to him.
You were right. I wasn't watching where I was going.
Then she walked away.
Liam stood there, confused.
Most people would have been annoyed by his attitude.
She wasn't.
He watched her disappear into the crowd.
Something about her felt strangely familiar.
But he had never seen her before.
At least, he didn't think he had.
Who was that?
Liam turned.
His best friend, Noah Carter, stood behind him with a grin.
No idea.
You're lying.
I'm not.
Noah looked toward the direction the girl had gone.
That's Jessica Williams.
Liam frowned.
New student?
No. She's been here since last year.
"Never noticed her."
Obviously.
Liam rolled his eyes.
Come on.
They headed toward their classroom.
But for the first time that morning, Liam found himself wondering about someone.
Jessica Williams.
He didn't know why.
And he didn't like it.
Jessica sat near the window in their English classroom, quietly looking through her notebook.
She had been at Westbridge for almost a year, but she still sometimes felt like she didn't completely belong.
There were people she talked to.
People she smiled at.
But there was something about the school that made her feel as though she was always keeping part of herself hidden.
Especially her past.
She closed her notebook quickly when someone approached.
Hey.
Jessica looked up.
It was her best friend, Miya.
You're early.
So are you.
Miya sat beside her.
How was your holiday?
Good.
That's it?
Jessica smiled.
That's it.
Before Maya could continue, the classroom door opened.
Liam walked in.
Jessica recognized him immediately.
The rude boy from the hallway.
She watched as he walked toward the back of the classroom.
Their eyes met for a brief second.
Jessica looked away.
Liam did the same.
Neither of them knew it yet, but that tiny moment would become the beginning of something neither of them had planned.
Something that would challenge Liam's greatest belief.
Something that would force Jessica to face the secrets she'd been running from.
And something neither of them would be able to forget.
Because sometimes, love doesn't ask permission before entering your life.
Sometimes...
It simply walks through the door.
And Liam Hayes was about to meet the one person who could make him question everything he believed.
Jessica Williams.
