Our exams were over, and our vacation was starting tomorrow. Honestly, I wasn't that excited about it. There were no plans with my family since everyone seemed to be busy with their own work, especially my mom. So, I felt like my entire vacation would be just like any other normal day. Well, I don't know about Briana. The only thing I was looking forward to was a planned outing with my friends next weekend. After that, I'd probably just stay home or spend time with Liam.
 
Right now, we were at a restobar, celebrating. I had won the position of the new president of the student council for this semester, and Mady was elected as the secretary.
 
To be honest, I was feeling nervous because I knew this was a big responsibility, especially for me, since I didn't really want this. I was forced into it because I had no other choice. That's why I was unsure if I could meet the expectations of the teachers and students who were counting on me.
 
Speaking of which, I was surprised earlier when Jhea approached me to congratulate me. I couldn't tell from her actions if she was still mad at me or not. Even Sophie and the others were surprised when she came up to me. They asked if we were okay now, but I declined because I knew she was just greeting me out of courtesy since I was taking over her position.
"Mira, you don't seem too thrilled about being the new president of the student council?" Ken asked me, munching on fries.
 
"Don't tell me you're still thinking about Jhea's greeting earlier?" Sophie chimed in.
 
"No, I'm just thinking about the huge responsibility I've taken on. I don't know if Mady and I will still have time for you guys next school semester."
 
I was really forced into running for the position. If I hadn't agreed, our homeroom teacher would definitely have failed me in my subjects. So, I had no choice. I really thought I wouldn't win, but it seemed like fate really wanted to challenge me.
 
"Are you worried about time for us or for your admirers?" Ace teased.
 
"That's basically the same thing! Don't be a nuisance." Mady retorted, rolling her eyes.
 
"When are you guys planning to respond to these two? Especially you, Mira. Liam has been courting you for a while." Sophie joined in. This Sophie really knew how to team up with Ace. Maybe I should smack this couple?
 
I was about to react when Liam suddenly spoke up. "Don't pressure them. We're here to celebrate their success, not to talk about that."
 
"That's right, just because you two are in a relationship, you can tease us!" Ken added, throwing a crumpled tissue at the couple. He really loves throwing tissues!
 
Ace retaliated by throwing a tissue at Ken, but he dodged it. "But seriously guys, I think we need to leave. That waitress is giving us dirty looks."
 
We subtly glanced at the waitress Ace was referring to. And yes, he was right, she didn't look too pleased as she cleared the leftover dishes from a table.
 
She looked over at our spot, and I realized we were the reason for her bad mood. We had finished eating almost an hour ago but were still hanging out here. The place was packed, and other customers barely had any place to sit. Plus, there were tissues scattered on the floor from Ace and Ken's tissue-throwing.
———
"Yes, I won't stay out late, I promise. Besides, I'll be going home with Sophie."
 
"We just parted ways earlier, and you already miss me?"
 
"Alright, take care too." Mady hung up the phone after her call with Ken.
 
We were now in the backyard at home with Sophie. After our hangout with the guys, the three of us decided to chill at home. We just needed some alone time with each other.
 
"Ken doesn't seem to miss you that much, does he?" Sophie teased.
 
Mady just responded with a shy smile.
 
"You know, it doesn't seem like he's courting you anymore. You guys are already in a relationship, aren't you?!" I gave her a pointed look and pointed a finger at her.
 
"Yeah, confess already." Sophie joined in the teasing.
 
She took a step back, surprised at our antics. "Hey, stop with your assumptions. We're not together yet."
 
"When do you plan to say yes to him? It seems like there's no reason for you to prolong his courtship." They both looked at each other and then turned to me.
 
"Coming from you, Mira." Sophie said, chuckling.
 
"But seriously, when do you plan to say yes to Liam?" Mady asked. Wait a minute, why did the conversation turn to me? Why do I suddenly feel the pressure instead of her? It's like she just threw the question back at me.
 
"You, when do you plan to say yes to Ken?" I redirected the focus back to her.
 
Mady suddenly glared at me. "Hey, don't cheat. There's no taking back the question, I asked you first."
 
"That's right, Mira!" Sophie defended her. 
 
Look at these two annoying people! Now I'm the one who's cheating, even though I was the one who asked first.
 
I let out a deep sigh, accepting my defeat. "Actually, before I decide if we should take our relationship to the next level, there's something I need to do first."
Once again, they exchanged glances in response to my answer. From their looks, it was clear that they were confused by my response.
 
"Do what?" Sophie asked.
 
"Just something," I replied, keeping it vague.
 
They shrugged at my response. "How about you, Mady?" I asked.
 
She gazed at us. "I'm still enjoying what we have right now," she said with a warm smile. I could see in Mady's eyes how content and happy she was with what she and Ken had.
 
Sophie was about to say something when Briana suddenly entered the backyard, accompanied by Rhian and Sam. They seemed surprised to see us there. Well, we felt the same way, especially me. Who would've thought that even here at home, I would come across Rhian? This person who used to bully me is here in my own place with my cousin who once betrayed me.
 
"Oh, I didn't know you were here. We were just planning to hang out here." Briana said. Her voice carried a hint of rudeness, even though her words were simple.
 
"Why don't you join us?" I looked at Sophie in disbelief as she said those words. Is she insane?! I turned to Mady and confirmed that she was also surprised by Sophie's invitation to them. I mean, maybe Mady believes that Briana has changed, but interacting with them is such a big no because she knows how awkward it would be, especially with Rhian and Sam, who also have such bad behavior.
"We would love to, but based on the reactions of your friends, I don't think they want us to." Rhian replied. She dared to answer back even here in my own home. Their actions clearly reflected their hypocrisy.
 
Sophie looked at us. "Guys, come on! It would be fun, right? I know we have had misunderstandings with them before, but maybe we can just forget about it and start fresh." Was she looking for new recruits for our group? Because if so, she has terrible taste. I know she's on good terms with Briana now, but it seems like she wants to be friends with Rhian and Sam too. I don't know, they just got back together with Ace, and now she's acting all foolish.
 
I just wanted some time with my friends here at home, but even in this situation, Briana and her two cronies had to interfere.
 
I stood up and faced them. Briana may not show it, but I could see the anger in her eyes. "You can't join us. Find somewhere else to go." I said directly to them.
Rhian was about to say something, but I quickly stopped her. "How dare y—"
 
"You have no right to confront me in my own home, Rhian. We're not in school." She gasped in anger at my words.
 
"You have the audacity just because Liam is pursuing you."
 
I gave Sam a piercing look. Wasn't she listening? "And you too, don't interrupt when you're not the one I'm talking to, okay?"
 
"Mira, if you don't want us to join, you could have said it nicely. We would understand," Briana said, raising her voice so that Sophie and Mady, who were sitting behind us, could hear.
 
I rolled my eyes at her behavior. "Can you stop pretending to be nice?! I know you have ulterior motives, that's why you're acting this way now. Don't act all sweet and innocent when you're just full of wickedness."
 
She approached me, matching my gaze. "Be grateful your friends are here. Because if they weren't, I might have said something else to you." She whispered through gritted teeth.
 
I met her gaze head-on. "I dare you. But I know you can't because you would rather be a fake than be true to others." I glanced at her two companions and turned my gaze back to her. "I don't even know if you're genuine with your friends or if you're just using them as accomplices to plot something against me."
 
"Why are you so fond of acting superior? If that's what you think, then it's up to you. But be afraid starting now because you have no idea what I'm capable of, Mira. Remember this day."
I shrugged at her response. "Okay, if you say so," I said sarcastically.
 
She just rolled her eyes and looked away from me. "Let's go. Let's just go to the movie room," she said to her companions. They shot me one last glare before entering the house again.
 
I let out a sigh and returned to my friends.
 
"I didn't catch all your arguments, but just from the looks you exchanged with Briana, that was intense!" Mady greeted me as I sat back down.
 
"Why did you do that?" Sophie asked.
 
Mady and I exchanged glances at her question. "No, Sophie. Why did you do that?" I asked her in return.
 
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'm sorry. I suppose I didn't consider how you would feel about it. It was insensitive of me."
 
"But you know, I changed my mind about Briana. From what I saw earlier, she didn't change at all. But I'm still puzzled as to why she helped Ace and Sophie get back together?"
 
Mady looked at me, expecting an answer, but I didn't know how to respond either. I was confused by Briana's actions. She despises me so much that she wouldn't even think of helping my friend's relationship.
 
"Perhaps she felt guilty and decided to give up. I still hate her for what she has been doing to you, but I am grateful to her because she was the one who brought Ace and me back together." Sophie said.
 
"Hate her? But Ken told me that you asked her to be your friend. What's up with that?" Mady teased in response.
 
"I know. Maybe during those times, I was just carried away. But I don't regret doing that. Maybe someday, there will come a time when Mira and her will be okay," Sophie replied.
 
I stayed quiet and simply listened to their conversation. It's confusing because, based on what I know about Briana, she's the type of person who would push herself to the limit and find ways to achieve what she wants. She's not someone who easily gives up. I can't say for certain, but I have this feeling that she's up to something.
 
After the two left, I immediately went upstairs. As I passed by Briana's room, I could hear waves of laughter and a lot of talking. It seems like Rhian and Sam are going to spend the night here.
–——
The next morning, I woke up to the noise coming from the room next door. Damn, don't they ever sleep?!
 
I let out a sigh of frustration and forced myself to get up. I was taken aback when I glanced towards my study table. Something seemed off, like the books on the shelves next to it and the items on the table weren't arranged properly.
 
I shrugged off my thoughts. Maybe it was just my blurry vision from just waking up.
 
As I was about to open the window in my room, I saw Liam outside, right in front of the house, holding his phone. My own phone suddenly rang, startling me. It was him calling.
 
Instead of answering, I quickly ran out of the house and embraced him as soon as I stood face to face with him. "Liam!" I don't know why I did that. It just felt right.
 
I could tell he was surprised by my sudden gesture. "I miss you too, even though we only saw each other yesterday." He said with a laugh, hugging me even tighter.
 
He let go of the hug and looked at me from head to toe, smiling. "What are you smiling at?" I asked him.
 
"You're just so cute when you've just woken up, you know?" There he goes again with his lines.
"I just came straight out of bed. I haven't even fixed myself up." I said, realizing that I looked like a mess. I didn't even think about fixing my appearance because I was so excited to go out and see Liam, even though we just saw each other yesterday.
 
I don't know why, but as time went on, I became more conscious of myself ever since he started courting me.
 
He smiled even more at my words. "Even back then, you were already cute. That's why I liked you. So, you don't need to worry."
 
"Huh?"
 
He leaned down, bringing his face closer to mine, catching me off guard. "I've liked you for a long time, Mira. I just didn't want to admit it to myself."
 
He liked me even before? So all this time, what Ace told me about Liam liking me for a long time was true. I thought he was just saying it to comfort me.
 
It's funny how I used to think that by reading his diary, I could get closer to him faster. But it turns out, I was wrong. Most of what was written there was about his ex. Fate itself found a way for us to get closer to each other without the help of his diary. But the diary only complicated things and made me suffer because of what I found out. In the first place, I knew it was wrong. I shouldn't have done that. I should have given it back to him.
 
I was so desperate to be close to him during those times, but when we became close and started liking each other, it was like I was the one creating distance between us. I was filled with conscience, guilt, pride, and so on. I was more focused on my own and Hailey's feelings rather than his.
 
Maybe without keeping his diary, perhaps what we have now would still be exactly like what I used to dream about. Because from the very beginning, our feelings for each other have always been mutual.
 
I quickly averted my gaze from him. "By the way, what are you doing here?" I changed the topic of our conversation.
 
"My mom is preparing breakfast, and she wanted you to join us. Shall we?"
 
I panicked at his words. "Oh no, that's embarrassing."
 
"It's okay, she called your mom and informed her already." He replied.
 
Wow, that's sweet of his mom! She even called my mom just to let her know that I'd be having breakfast at their place. Well, considering that we're neighbors, there's definitely no issue with that.
Liam's POV
"Fine, but let me change my clothes first." Mira said. I don't know, if it were up to me, she could come home without changing and it would be okay. She looks great to me, or maybe I'm just really attracted to her. From any angle, she's just so cute in my eyes.
 
I smiled at her. How could I resist her adorable face? "Okay, I'll wait for you inside your house." Actually, I just wanted to take another look at her childhood pictures displayed in their living room.
 
She quickly went up to her room as soon as we entered their house. Meanwhile, I headed straight to the framed pictures hanging on the walls. There were new pictures added, aside from the ones I saw before. One frame caught my attention—it was a picture of the three of them. Mira's mom, Mira herself, and Briana. In that picture, it seemed like Briana was more like a daughter than Mira herself.
 
I shifted my gaze and focused on Mira's childhood pictures. I couldn't help but smile to myself; she was really beautiful back then.
 
I was so engrossed in admiring her pictures when suddenly, a familiar irritating voice spoke behind me. "Liam, it's a surprise to see you here." I looked over, and I wasn't mistaken—it was Rhian.
 
But what in the world was she doing here? Based on her appearance, it seemed like she just woke up too. Did she sleep here?
 
She looked so unattractive without makeup. I regretted even entertaining her before. She's no match for Mira's beauty.
 
I raised an eyebrow at her. "Obviously, because I am dating Mira, and this is her house. You know, I should be the one asking you that, Rhian. What are you doing here in Mira's house?"
Before I could get her response, I saw Briana and Sam enter the dining area. Oh right, they're friends. It's a good thing that Mira will have breakfast with us, otherwise she would have been forced to eat with these ugly people.
 
She grinned in irritation. "You're too proud, courting Mira. You have no idea that she's keeping something from you. You don't deserve that bitch, Liam."
 
I don't know why, but I was annoyed by her tone. Especially when she called Mira a bitch. "I don't know what you're talking about, but watch your words, Rhian. I won't allow you to talk to her that way, and it seems like you forgot that you're in their house and even eating here? Have some shame."
 
Before she could reply, Mira came down. I looked at Rhian one last time, then approached Mira to pull her out of their house.
"Why didn't you tell me that Rhian was in there?" I asked her as we walked outside.
 
"I suddenly forgot, sorry. Did something happen?" She replied.
 
I shook my head. "Nothing. I was just surprised to see her inside."
 
She stopped walking and looked at me, as if observing. "Really? But why did it seem like you were talking when I came down?"
 
I grinned at her. "Why? Are you jealous?"
 
She rolled her eyes. "How would I know if she's flirting with you?"
 
"She is not, don't worry. She just asked me what I was doing there." I reasoned. I didn't want to tell her that Rhian called her a bitch. It might ruin her day, and I don't want to add to her problems in life.
"You did not answer me, Mira. Come on, you can't hide it from me. Are you jealous?" I couldn't help but tease her a little more.
 
She chuckled in response. "Oh please, as if I would ever be jealous. I trust you completely." She playfully winked and walked ahead, leaving me trailing behind.
 
I laughed at her. No matter what she does, she's still cute. And the way she winks, it makes me feel a little fluttery.
 
Before we could enter the house, I noticed something different on her face. "Wait, are you wearing makeup?"
 
She quickly turned her face away, trying to avoid my gaze. "No way!" She replied defensively.
 
I gently cupped her cheeks with one hand and turned her face towards me. "Yes, you are. Why are you wearing lipstick? Mira, we're just going to have breakfast. It will easily come off later." I gave her a little lecture.
 
She sighed. "I just want to look good! It would be embarrassing to face your mom and Quinn looking like I just woke up." She pouted.
I couldn't help but close my eyes at what she did. Damn, why did she have to pout now? Does she want her lipstick to be completely erased from her lips? Because I can't resist the urge to kiss her right now.
 
Thankfully, Quinn walked out and interrupted us. "Mira, you're here!" She exclaimed, still in her pajamas with messy hair that clearly showed she had just woken up.
 
I approached Mira a little closer and whispered. "See? You don't need to worry. Quinn looks even worse than you when she just woke up."
 
Quinn glared at me. "I heard my name, big brother. What did you just say?!"
 
"He said you look worse when you just woke up." Mira quickly responded, giving me a mischievous grin.
 
Look at them, they teamed up against me. Before I could react, Quinn ran towards me and started hitting me. "You're so annoying! You're the ugly one between us!"
 
I quickly ran inside the house. "Mom, Quinn's bullying me." I complained.
 
"Hey, what do you mean bullying?! You started it!" She shouted at me while we chased each other around Mom.
 
But it seemed like Mom didn't care about our actions, which was unusual. Usually, she would scold us and tell us to stop. "Oh, Mira. You're here. Come, sit here." She said affectionately to Mira.
 
Quinn and I froze, ignoring each other as we watched Mom. "What happened to Mom? Aren't we her children?" Quinn whispered to me.
 
"She's acting strange today." I whispered back.
 
We just watched Mom as she chatted with Mira, taking care of her and getting food for her.
 
When she looked at us, we immediately froze and became startled. "What are you two still doing there?! Come on, let's eat! Aren't you ashamed of yourselves with what you've been doing? You're not children anymore!"
 
Quinn and I fell silent and took our seats at the dining table. I glanced at Mira and noticed that she was trying to hold back her laughter. I couldn't resist and ended up laughing as well.
 
It seemed like Mira had suddenly become Mom's favorite.