Liam's POV
Man, those two really pissed me off. I asked them to come with me to the grocery store because Mom needed me to buy something, but when they found out that Ace's girlfriend was at the mall with her friends, they ditched me. Those jerks. They told me to just catch up with them later, like it's no big deal. Honestly, I didn't even plan on following them, but I didn't want them to think I was mad, so I decided to go after them. And of course, that annoying girl would be there because she's Sophie's friend. After buying what I needed, I messaged those two idiots to ask where they were. But damn, they didn't reply. I even tried calling them, but still nothing. I was about to give up searching for them when I happened to pass by the coffee shop and there they were. Those bastards! Turns out they weren't responding because they were too busy laughing and chatting with Sophie, and Jhea, and wait, who is that?
I couldn't recognize her from a distance. She looked familiar, but I couldn't figure out who she was. I slowly approached Ace's spot while still staring at the girl having fun with her friends.
"Oh, look who's here." Ken said.
The girl turned her head, and our eyes met, and it hit me. The girl I was making eye contact with was Mira. Suddenly, I felt something strange inside me, once again. Yeah, again. I don't know, but every time I see her or make eye contact, I can't deny that there's a strange sensation that I feel. I don't know what it is, but this time, it's even stronger. I quickly looked away from Mira when Ace started speaking.
"Bro, what took you so long?" He had the nerve to ask why I was late. Should I slap him?
"Why don't you ask yourselves?" I grumpily replied, sitting next to Ken and now facing Mira.
"There's this thing called messaging or calling, bro." Ken chimed in.
I was about to speak again, but Ace beat me to it. "Don't tell me you ran out of load? Psh, you're so poor." And that's when I smacked the guy.
"Ouch! Why'd you hit me? Can't I speak the truth?" He complained while rubbing his head.
"Why don't you guys check your useless smartphones?!" I ordered them.
They were surprised when they saw their phones. Now they looked like idiots. "See, I told you he had a load," Ace said, scratching his head.
Ken scratched his head too. "Bro, you had so many texts and calls." He laughed. I just shook my head at the two of them. They looked ridiculous with their expressions now.
"Wait, I thought she wasn't supposed to come with you guys?" Jhea asked, sounding like she didn't want me here, which she really didn't. If she only knew, I didn't want to be here either. I felt so uncomfortable, not because of Jhea's presence, but because of this annoying girl in front of me.
"I knew she was going to come anyway. I just didn't say anything because, you know, we were teasing Mira earlier and then they both showed up." Sophie replied.
"Teasing? Why were you teasing her?" Ken asked, his eyes widening and Mira looking visibly uneasy.
"Nothing." Jhea answered curtly, trying to brush it off.
"Come on, spill the beans. What happened?" Ken pried, always the gossipmonger.
"Don't push it, Ken. It's none of your business, and you're such a nosy guy!" Mira snapped back, giving him a fierce glare.
I found myself staring at Mira. Damn, she's really beautif— oh fudge! No, what I mean is she's really annoying. Yeah, that's what I mean.
Ken shrugged. "Fine."
"You're clueless, bro. I understood right away what it was, and you still don't get it." Ace chimed in.
Honestly, I didn't care about what they were talking about, and I didn't understand a thing. I just watched them with my arms crossed, avoiding looking at the person in front of me because I didn't like what my mind was saying whenever I looked at her.
Ken frowned, his eyebrows furrowing, and then suddenly it disappeared as if he realized something. "Oh, now, I get it!" She gave Mira a teasing look. 
Mira didn't respond. She just glared at him, but I could see her cheeks turning red. Damn, it seemed like everyone except me could relate to what they were talking about. Ugh, why should I even care?
Mira's POV
These guys are really getting on my nerves, especially Ken. Thank goodness Liam isn't asking anything and just keeps quiet. It's obvious he doesn't care about our conversation and seems like he was forced to come with Ace and the others. If only he knew that he's the reason they're teasing me. And another thing, I can't keep still in my seat. I mean, I'm facing Liam. It's making me self-conscious.
"Mira, I remember, my brother mentioned that he saw you last night outside your compound village?" Sophie brought up a new topic. Of all the time we've been together earlier, she chose to ask that question now when Liam is right in front of me.
"Uh, yeah." I answered briefly.
"Really? You saw each other? So, is there closure now? Because ever since you guys broke up, you haven't spoken, right?" Jhea chimed in. This girl is another piece of work too! Why do they have to bring this up now?
"We didn't talk. He just helped me find Yuan because he got out." I explained.
"You had a boyfriend?!" Ace and Ken asked simultaneously. Even though Liam didn't join in, it was clear that he was as surprised as the two of them.
"Yes, Sophie's brother was my ex-boyfriend and yes, I know it's hard to believe I had a boyfriend back then because I'm ugly. You guys are really asking for a punch!" I snapped back at Ace and Ken, giving them a mean look.
"Correction, was ugly back then." Ken added, even making air quotes with his hands.
"So, you're still admitting that I'm ugly." I retorted.
"Whatever!"
"I thought it was Liam who helped you find your dog?" Ace asked.
"Yeah, wasn't it Liam who found him?" Ken just repeated what Ace said.
Wait, how did they find out? Did Liam tell them? The four of them glanced at Liam and me. The way they looked at us, it seemed like a big deal that he helped me. Well, to me, it really is a big deal. I can't blame them, and knowing Liam, you really wouldn't believe that he could do such a thing.
"Is it true?" Jhea asked, sounding incredulous.
"Is it?" Sophie just make it short what Jhea said.
I was about to answer, but Liam beat me to it. "I didn't exactly help her. I just happened to see her dog while I was relaxing in the village park. I realized it was her dog, so I brought it back to her house. That's all." He said coldly.
"But what were you doing there so late at night? I mean, don't you live in a different village?" Sophie asked. Yeah, as far as I know, our village is far from theirs. How did he get there? I would understand if it was Chris since he has a car, but Liam? I didn't notice him bringing anything.
"They moved houses and coincidentally, they moved to the same village where Mira lives." Ken chimed in.
What? Liam and I are living in the same compound village now?! Is it possible that they are the new residents in a house not far from ours?
"I'm not talking to you." Sophie snapped at Ken. He always butts in when he's not even part of the conversation.
"Ace, your girlfriend's picking on me." Ken whined like a tattletale.
"Because you're too nosy! Don't respond if you're not the one they're talking to." Ace retorted.
After a while, Sophie suddenly suggested going to the arcade. Everyone agreed, although it was clear that Liam was just going along for the ride. We made our way to the arcade section, not too far from where we were earlier. Ace invited Sophie to try the claw machine, while Ken challenged Jhea to a game I didn't recognize.
"Hey, don't leave me behind. What about me?" I protested before they could leave.
"There's Liam." Ken pointed out, gesturing towards Liam who had his back to us. When I looked back at them, they were already walking away. Just like that, they left me behind!
Especially Sophie and Jhea. They were the ones who said they didn't want me for this guy, but here they are leaving me alone with him.
I was about to follow them when suddenly someone grabbed my hand. I looked and saw Liam looking at me while holding my hand. I felt a jolt run through my body. Damn, why am I getting butterflies from just a simple glance and touch from him?
"Where are you going?" He asked me.
"I-I was going to follow them." Why am I stuttering?!
"Aren't we together?" Why am I blushing at his last question? I think I'm going crazy.
"Y-Yes," I stuttered again. Why am I stuttering? It's frustrating. I glanced at our hands, still intertwined. Is he not planning to let go? The electricity that has been coursing through me is too much to handle.
"So where do you think you're going without me?"
"I-I mean, um.. that.. um.." What am I supposed to say? I can't seem to form a coherent sentence. I subtly hit my forehead in frustration.
He smirked. "Let's go." He suddenly pulled me by the hand he's been holding. Next thing I knew, we were standing in front of a basketball machine.
"Do you play this?" He asked me immediately.
I do. When my dad was alive, we often played basketball when we went to the arcade. I don't know why, but I enjoyed playing it with him. "Yup." I said softly. He has no idea how this game holds so many happy memories for me.
"Then let's play this." He inserted a token and we started playing. We played side by side.
The game ended and the scores were displayed. Guess what? I won. Liam looked at me, seemingly in disbelief. "Wow, you're good at this. Rematch?" He seemed unwilling to accept his defeat.
And once again, I won. We played multiple times, but I always came out on top. What a surprise, this game didn't even pose a challenge. Can you believe it? I defeated the popular guy in our school in basketball, but only in the arcade
He let out a sigh that I could hear clearly. "You're quite amazing, Mira." His words, for some reason, made me blush. There was nothing flirtatious about them, but I don't know, I felt a flutter inside. It's like everything he does sends a thrill through me.
"So, one more round?" I tried to change the subject. He simply nodded and put in another token. I was sure of my victory until he started to catch up.
"I won this time." He declared, a smile of triumph on his face. A real, genuine smile. More genuine than the one I saw last night. Without realizing it, I found myself captivated by his smile.
Next thing I knew, Jhea was standing in front of us. "Liam, can we talk?" She asked. What could they possibly need to discuss?
"Sure." Was his curt reply. They excused themselves and moved away to have their conversation.
Sophie approached me, followed by the other two. "Where are they going?" She asked, watching them walk away.
"I don't know. Jhea just said they needed to talk." Sophie's face mirrored my confusion. "What could they possibly need to talk about?" I just shrugged.
"Do you guys know anything?" Sophie asked the two guys.
They exchanged glances. "Ken, let's go play over there."
"Sure," Ken agreed, and they quickly left. They may not admit it, but it was clear that Ace and Ken knew something.
After that, we decided to call it a night as it was getting late. The four of them headed home together. Ace drove Sophie's car, while Liam and I took his. They all lived along the same route. As for Liam and I, we not only shared the same route, but we also lived in the same gated community.
The drive home was quiet. He seemed lost in thought. I wanted to ask him what he and Jhea talked about, why they needed to talk alone, but I couldn't find the courage to ask. Maybe I'll ask Jhea tomorrow.
He stopped the car in front of our gate. "T-thanks." I managed to stutter out. I'm still stuttering, even now. He gave me a weak smile. "Thank you too." I paused in the middle of getting out of the car, surprised by his words.
"For what?"
"For making me happy today."
Did I hear him right? It feels like he got it backwards. He's the one who made my day, but I made him happy too? How did I manage to do that?
He's really a mystery.