I held Liam's diary tightly in my hands, contemplating whether I should return it to him or take it home and read it myself.
I knew it was wrong to think that way, but I was so intrigued by the contents of this diary. I couldn't believe someone like him would write in a diary. I wanted to know him better through these pages. Maybe if I read it, I could get closer to him and maybe he would notice me more.
I facepalmed and muttered to myself, "What am I thinking?" He might get angry if he found out I had his diary.
Right, I shouldn't keep it. I should return it to him. That's the right thing to do. I put the diary in my bag for safekeeping, took a deep breath, and walked out of the building to find him.
I headed straight to the field where he usually hangs out, and I was not mistaken. But it seemed like the timing was off. He was in the middle of a conversation with someone.
"Why are you doing this to me? I thought you loved me, Liam?" Alex, a member of the cheer squad, exclaimed.
Liam laughed out loud. "Did you really take it seriously? This relationship is all a joke, Alex. You were just a pastime, like the others, and you should know that."
"How could you! I cheated on my ex just for you, and now I find out it was all a joke?! You're such a jerk!" she retorted.
I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. What a drama.
But I didn't blame her. What girl wouldn't agree to be in a relationship with Liam? If it had happened to me, it would be a privilege to be hurt by someone like him. I was too blinded by my infatuation to think about what was right or wrong when it came to him. I was crazy about him.
"Can you just leave? Your face is so annoying!" He said, sounding irritated.
"How dare you!" She slapped him and walked away.
Liam was left standing there, seemingly unaffected. Wow, it wasn't even the end of the morning, and he had already hurt and made two people cry. How many does he do this to in a day?
Later, I realized he was looking at me. "Did you enjoy the show?"
"I was just..." I wanted to explain why I was there, but he cut me off.
"Forget it. I don't want to hear whatever it is you want to say." He said, sitting on a nearby bench.
I looked at him. I wanted to speak, but no words came out of my mouth. I was about to take the diary out of my bag, but my hands refused to move. Maybe it was nerves because I was talking to him now. I didn't know, but I felt like a statue, unable to move.
He glanced at me. "You still here? Do you need something?" He asked, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Yeah, uhm, nothing." I replied. Ugh, it's so frustrating! I can't even speak properly.
You're such an idiot, Mira. You're so annoying! Take it back. Tell him you have his diary. Say you found it earlier and that's why you're here!
"T-then leave me here alone," he said, turning his back to me. He suddenly opened his bag, as if searching for something, but it seemed like he couldn't find it. I knew exactly what he was looking for.
I sat down on the bench where he had been earlier. I suddenly felt weak. How am I going to return it to him now? He looked so furious. And if I give it back to him now, who knows what he might do to me. He might get even angrier. It's so frustrating!
I couldn't do anything else but take the diary with me. I decided to hide it and keep it. Whatever happens, I'll just let fate decide.   I swear, because of this diary, my life will never be the same again.
———   When I arrived home, I found our two housemaids tidying up the guest room. I couldn't help but ask, "What's going on?"   "Oh, Mira, it's you. Your mom called earlier. She said we should prepare this guest room because one of your cousins will be staying here temporarily."   "Who's this cousin and why?" I asked curiously.   "I don't know, dear. Your mom didn't say anything else," she replied before going back to the room next to mine.   A few hours later, my mom arrived, but she was alone. I immediately greeted her and asked who this cousin they were talking about was.   "You'll see, Mira. I'm sure you'll be surprised and happy when you find out who it is. She's in the car right now, and the maids are helping her with her stuff." She said.   And yes, my mom was right. I was surprised. But happy? No way! Briana got out of the car, and we locked eyes. She smirked at me.   Of all the cousins, why did it have to be her? The one who betrayed me. The one who caused my breakup with my ex-boyfriend.   We used to be so close, almost like real siblings. But that all changed when she betrayed me.   She immediately hugged me when she approached with my mom. I hugged her back, even though I didn't want to. "I miss you so much, Mira." She said, her fake tone evident in her voice. How dare she hug me. It's disgusting. If my mom wasn't here, I would have already said some nasty words to Briana.   "Look how you miss each other. Your closeness hasn't changed since you were kids!" my mom commented. If only you knew, Mom. If only you knew.   "Yes, Auntie. We missed each other so much. I can't wait to hang out with her again. Right, Mira?" Briana looked at me and smiled, teasingly.   "Oh, yes. I can't wait." I replied. I can't wait to punch her annoying face covered in makeup.   "And I'm sure you'll be together all the time now, especially since she's transferring to your school."   "What?!" I exclaimed. Did I hear that right? She's transferring to my school? No freaking way!   "Oh, why? Don't you want me to be your classmate?" She pouted, her voice laced with teasing.   "Of course not. Actually, I'm so thrilled! I'll finally get to be with you at school. It's going to be so much fun. I'm really excited!" I said, pretending to be happy.   This life is so frustrating. I already have so many problems, and now Briana is adding to them. It's so hard to pretend in front of my mom. Briana, on the other hand, is an expert at it.
"So starting on Monday, I'll be driving both of you to school," Mom said, but it made me feel even weaker.   "Isn't that great?" Briana said to me, with a wide smile on her face. She's an expert at being fake. I just want to punch her in the face. I'm so annoyed with her.   I ignored her and excused myself, not feeling well. It's not that I'm really feeling bad, I just can't stand pretending with that girl.   As I entered my room, my phone rang. It was Jhea calling.   "Hey Mira, are you free tomorrow?"   "Yes, why?" I answered as I sat in the corner of my bed.   "I need you and Sophie tomorrow. Sorry I forgot to mention it earlier, but can you guys help me decorate my room tomorrow?"   "Of course, I'll be there. Besides, I'd rather be there than stay here all day." I complained.   "Why? Did something happen?" I was about to answer her when Briana suddenly entered my room. Damn, this girl, can't she knock?   "I'll just let you know tomorrow. I gotta go, bye."   I hung up and faced Briana. "What do you want?" I asked irritably.   "I just want to hang out with my dear cousin." She replied, teasingly.   I calmed myself down, not wanting to lose control. "Can you just stop pretending as if we're okay? We both know the truth, Briana, that we're not really fine!"   She laughed annoyingly. "You haven't changed, huh? You're still a stupid loser."   I looked her straight in the eye. "So what? At least I'm not a traitor like you." I retorted. I may let Rhian bully me, but when it comes to Briana, I will never allow it.   "Wow, you're still holding onto that? Don't tell me you're still bitter about your ex?"   "Actually, no. I just can't stand your existence." I said coldly, staring directly at her.   She smirked. "Oh well, I guess you'll have to get used to it because you'll be seeing me almost every day, Mira."   I sighed deeply. "Then so be it. Do you have anything else to say? If not, you can leave." I turned my back on her, there's no point in talking to her. I just want to punch her until her face is ruined.   "Just wait and see." She threatened.   Before she left, I faced her again. "Oh, by the way, could you please stop using endearments like calling me your dear cousin? We're not that close anymore. And also, knock if you're entering someone else's room. Have some decency."   She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Why? Does it make you more irritated? Sorry about that, dear cousin." She emphasized the last words, clearly teasing.   I pulled my hair in frustration after she left my room. Damn, I really hate you, Briana!   The next day, I met up with Sophie and Jhea. "So when did your evil cousin arrive?" Sophie asked while admiring herself in Jhea's mirror.   "Yesterday. And guess what? She'll be studying at our school starting on Monday," I complained.   "That's horrible. But why is she staying with you? Don't they have a house? She's so poor!" Jhea commented.   "Her mom is sick, so they had to go to America for treatment. She couldn't stay alone with the maids, so her dad decided that she should stay with us until they come back." I explained.   "Wow, her mom is sick and she still acts that way? She's really a demon," Jhea said.   "I don't know why my stupid brother ended up with her. Why did he cheat on you with that girl?" Sophie added.   "Oh please. I don't care about them anymore. So can we just stop talking about those people?" I knew this conversation would lead to that. It's all about my appearance and how I dress. Why should I care about that? I am comfortable this way.   "Sophie is right. I mean, we're not saying this because we're ashamed of you or anything, but we just want what's best for you. And you don't have to keep relying on Liam, right?"   "And once you change, many guys will start liking you. And we won't allow it if Liam ever shows interest in you. We know he'll just make you cry in the end." Sophie continued.   "Whatever you say, I'm still not going to do that. If someone is going to love me, I want them to love me for who I am." I replied, trying to brush off their suggestion, even though I knew my line was worn out with them.   And I will never give up on the hope that someday, Liam will like me.
Especially now that I have his Diary.