I met Liam’s gaze, my own eyes flat and unreadable. “I’m allergic to alcohol.“”
Lucy awkwardly tugged at my arm, explaining to Liam, “Sarah really is allergic. One sip and she’s out.”
After I sat back down, Liam remained stone–faced, not uttering another word throughout the rest of the meal.
I didn’t care what his problem was. After dinner, when they started talking about heading to karaoke, I announced my departure.
Chloe offered a hesitant apology. “I’m so sorry, Sarah. I don’t know what got into Liam tonight. Maybe he’s just in a bad mood.”
I waved it off, saying it was fine. As I walked out, I saw Jake and Liam standing together.
“What’s your deal, man?” Jake was saying. “Did you drink too much? Why were you giving that girl such a hard time?”
Another friend chimed in, “Yeah, even if she isn’t super pretty, you could’ve just ignored her. You made the whole atmosphere super awkward.”
I happened to be walking by at that moment. The group froze, wide–eyed. Jake was the first to recover. “Sarah, you coming to karaoke with us?”
I offered him a small smile. “No thanks, you guys have fun. I’m heading back.”
Jake started walking toward me. “I can walk you back.”
Before I could reply, Liam’s cold voice cut through the air. “Let her walk herself.”
I looked at Liam, a spark of anger igniting within me. “Jake, you can walk me.”
Jake blinked, surprised, then followed me. “I’ll see Sarah off. You guys go ahead.”
Once we were outside, Jake’s curiosity got the better of him. “Did you two know each other before?”
“No,” I replied, shaking my head.
I flagged down a taxi, then turned to Jake. “What I said back there was just to be spiteful. You should go back. I don’t need you to walk me.”
I got into the cab, but Jake was insistent. “It’s late for a girl to be riding alone. I don’t feel good about it.”
I let out a soft laugh. “You’re quite the gentleman.”
Jdidn’t talk much to Jake during the ride. When we reached campus, he asked for my number.
I didn’t give it to him. Instead, I put on my best ‘too cool for school‘ act. “I’m not really looking to date, so.. apologies.”
Jake’s face flushed. “I wasn’t…”
“See ya.” I cut him off, making a swift exit.
I knew Jake couldn’t possibly be interested in me. He was just as handsome as Liam, how could he possibly be attracted to someone as ordinary as me? I was just trying to find an excuse to keep all of them at a distance.
But from that day on, Jake seemed to have developed an interest in me. He started contacting me frequently.
He got my number from Chloe, then started waiting for me after class. Today was no different. He held a coffee cup, asking me out for a meal just outside the class-
room.
“Got some free time later? Wanna grab a bite?”
Chloe, walking out with me, saw Jake approaching me and looked genuinely surprised. “You’re asking Sarah out?”
Jake nodded.
I, too, was genuinely curious as to why Jake had taken an interest in me.
I agreed to have dinner with him. On the way, I asked him, “Do you think I’m pretty? Am I your dream girl?”
My blunt questions left Jake speechless.
Once I confirmed he wasn’t under any strange spell, I pressed on. “Probably not, right? I’m pretty plain. So why are you asking me out?”
Jake considered it. “I think your personality is… interesting.”
I offered a faint smile. “Is that so? I’m not entirely convinced.”
We continued our conversation, our closeness seemingly growing. Just then, I saw Liam.
He stood in the distance, his eyes cold, locked on us.
I met his stare, then casually reached out and took Jake’s hand.
Jake froze. At the same instant, Liam stormed over, his anger barely contained. He grabbed my arm, yanking me toward him. “Jake, she’s not who you think she is!
Wake up!”
Liam’s words sent a shiver down my spine.
Jake looked utterly bewildered. “What are you talking about? What’s wrong with Sarah? Let her go, you’re hurting her!”
Jake tried to pull me back, but Liam already had a firm grip on me and started dragging me away.
My mind was a tangled mess. I tried to pull free, but his grip was unyielding.
He didn’t release me until we reached a secluded spot. Liam’s eyes, dark and stormy, glared at me. “What, Sarah? Couldn’t reel me in, so you switched targets? Are you always this fickle, always so manipulative?”
