Beautiful Lies

The moon shone brightly that night, slow breeze lifting everything in soft caresses.

Liam removed his zipped hoodie, then gently wrapped it around Ariel, his hand only slightly lingering around her shoulder. If she noticed, she ignored it and bent over the railing. She lifted herself a little, her feet swinging gently, her dress lightly carried by the breeze.

"Look at that," she said suddenly, drawing Oliver's attention too.

He had been carried away and now he turned to her, just as Liam did.

"I am like the moon right now."

Oliver's brows furrowed. "Why?"

"Because you are as beautiful as it?" Liam supported, his eyes sparkling with a deep adoration.

She shook her head. "No, but see. These trees see mm like fierce warriors protecting it. That is how I am with two of you. My very best friends in the world."

Liam went silent, his eyes reaching to Oliver's. Oliver said nothing, his teeth slightly clenched, his eyes averted.

"I am not protecting you," he said instead, turning away.

"You always say so. But I don't know how I would feel if I had differennt brothers. You are like my brothers and it just...feels so perfect. So so right."

Liam swallowed. "That's enough blabber. Let's go home."

Ariel sighed. "You know, I sometimes envy Oliver."

Liam turned again, giving in to her persistence. "Why?"

She shrugged. "Apart from us, he still has Emma. And she absolutely adores him. And he adores her too. His eyes go all heart shaped when he is talking about her."

"Hey!"Oliver said, feigning a frown, causing her to burst into an innocent laughter.

He rolled his eyes and balanced on the railing, with Liam one step away from both of them.

"I wish I had someone like that too."

Liam cleared his throat. He did not think he would be able to stand it. He would never forget that little promise he said to her every single time he spoke to her, every single time. They played in the sand, getting dirt all over them.

He would hate for it to not happen.

"So we are not enough?" He asked, his voice a little playful, but carrying a deep pang of hurt behind it.

She turned, her hair falling around her face. "Of course you are. But soon enough, you will have a girlfriend too. And then, it will be just me."

"Who says I will?" Liam said a little defensively, coming beside her.

Oliver watched silently, his eyes thin.

"Won't you? Do you not have a girl you like yet?"

He swallowed, then turned to her, his eyes boring into hers. She stopped talking too, only reaching for his eyes, her breath slightly faltering.

"I do." It was a small whisper, like he was speaking to her soul, on his knees for her heart, yet only blessed with her presence.

"Who is she? Where is she? Do I know her?"

He shook his head, a small, wistful smile playing on his lips.

"She is beautiful, the brightest girl ever."

Ariel smiled. "So what are you waiting for?"

He shrugged, then moved a little closer. "Thing is, this girl is...so close. Like this." He moved his hand across the railing to where her hand was, then met her eyes again, a small sigh escaping his lips. "But she is also just as far as the moon, and I...I can't reach out."

Ariel stopped talking, her eyes holding his, her lips slightly parted. She tried hard to ignore the small tingles his pinky against hers kept sending through her, just like how, over the years, she had tried to forget the echoes of all the lies he'd told her.