The trambus came by, and we got in. Luckily for me, there was enough space, so I sat in another row. Liam was seated two rows behind me.
I sighed, feeling a little relieved. At least, even if Harry decided to use his drone to monitor us, he wouldn't see us together. And maybe... I just had to tell Liam's parents that I wouldn't be able to continue being their son's watchdog because... I already had a lot of things piling up in my daily schedule.
Yeah.
I had to find every possible way to avoid him so Harry wouldn't kill me.
And as for the basketball lessons... I guess I was calling them off. Maybe Xander could teach me instead.
But I really wanted to learn from... Liam.
"Chloe!"
Lily called, sitting beside me in the same row.
"What's up, Lily?"
"Gee, you caught the first trambus today!" Lily said.
I rolled my eyes. "This isn't the first time, girl."
"But I'm surprised. Have you been setting an alarm?"
I smirked. "Whatever."
She leaned closer and whispered, "Liam is behind us. What do you think?"
My heart skipped.
"What?" I glanced at her, suddenly at a loss for words.
"I mean... your soulmate is sitting behind us. You know... Liam."
"He's not my soulmate!" I snapped. "Is he watching?"
"Not now... Err, kind of... Yes. I think he just looked away."
"That's because you kept staring at him!"
"Huh..." Lily sighed.
"Harry came home yesterday. He found out that I'm kind of Liam's friend. He doesn't want it that way."
Lily frowned. "Why?"
"He's still hurt because Liam bullied me back then... And maybe he's afraid Liam will bully me again someday."
"But Liam has grown up now. He can't hurt you."
I glanced at Lily. "He's unpredictable. I don't even trust him."
"You don't trust your friend?"
"He's not my friend. He hasn't accepted me as one."
"So... what are you going to do now? Avoid him?"
"I guess so. Harry might even have a drone because he's ready to do anything to make sure we're not together. He said he'll keep an eye on me through some friends he knows in our school."
Lily shook her head, smacking her lips. "You're cooked, for real. So... you and Liam are no longer compatible. I'm so sorry about that."
"I used to think things would go smoothly between me and him... and maybe, one fateful day, he'd finally accept me as his friend," I stuttered, feeling heartbroken.
I'd really miss his company. Even though he always pulled a long face, he was actually kind of nice.
Lily gave me a light hug. "It'll be fine. Don't overthink it. If he's your destined soulmate, nothing can stop your compatibility."
"How are you so sure?" I asked, pulling away from the hug.
She smirked. "Have you forgotten? I'm a master of Zodiac signs and fate."
"Huh?"
I continued, "So you mean... there's a possibility that Liam and I could spend time together again?"
"Yes. But only if you're both destined."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean—"
HOOT!
HOOT!
HOOT!
The trambus stopped.
Lily glanced at me. "Guess we're going to talk about it later."
We alighted from the trambus and headed to school.
"How was yesterday's game? Tough, huh?"
I glanced at Lily. "More than tough. If I hadn't been a pro, I'm not sure I would've made it."
"But what does that game even help you achieve in the future?" Lily shrugged. "You just keep renewing subscriptions for something that won't reward you later."
"But I'm always satisfied after playing." I shrugged.
Lily tapped my forehead with her knuckle. "You're addicted!" she said before walking away.
I tried to scamper after her, but a hand stopped me, gently holding my slender wrist.
It was Liam.
No!
I didn't want to see him, yet I couldn't move an inch the moment our eyes met. I froze, my eyes wide open.
"Are you coming over for basketball practice today?" he asked.
"No!" I snapped before I could even think.
He frowned. "Have you been busy lately?"
"Yes. With reading."
Why was I replying faster than my own shadow?
My eyes darted from side to side, checking if there were any spies around.
A familiar student walked past us, glancing in our direction. I didn't know whether they were one of Harry's spies or just another passerby.
Either way, I had to leave.
"Err..." I glanced at him briefly, avoiding his eyes. "I need to go. I have something to sort out with my friends."
Then I hurried off, my heart pounding.
I reached the classroom and found Lily and Milo sitting on my desk as though they had been waiting for me.
"What's with that horrible look?" I hit Milo lightly on the head.
"What happened between you and... your soulmate?"
I looked away. "He's not my soulmate. Please."
"But it's obvious to everyone. You two look like you're meant to be."
"Myths." I slumped into my seat, facing them. Speechless. Still trying to catch my breath after what had happened a few minutes earlier.
Lily tapped my shoulder. "You bumped into him?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Nah. I'm just asking because he was walking behind us. That's why I left... so you two could talk things out."
I hit Lily lightly on the arm. "You brat! Why do you always want us together? Why are you forcing everything?"
"Lily isn't forcing anything. Everything that's happening is because of fate," Milo chimed in.
I widened my eyes. "Huh?"
I was completely confused.
I didn't understand any of what they were talking about.
**********
It was recess period...
I bumped into Xander again, this time at the canteen.
"Chloe!" he called, waving at me with a smile.
I waved back.
He approached me and handed me a pack of sour belts.
I glanced at him. "How did you know I like sour belts?"
"They're my favorite too," he replied.
"Thanks."
He nodded.
Then he asked, "What's up? How's your protective brother? Are you still watching over him?"
"No."
Protective brother? Tsk.
He grinned. "Oh, I see."
I chewed on the sour belts as the breeze drifted around us.
"What's your favorite hobby?" he asked.
"Playing games."
"You like games?" he asked, arching his eyebrows.
I nodded. "Online games."
"Wow... Gamer girl."
I chuckled. "You can say that again."
"Can you join me at the field today?" he asked.
That familiar lemonade scent drifted into my nose again.
"She can't."
That hoarse voice...
I turned around instantly and saw Liam standing behind me. His eyes burned with anger. They looked so intense that I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze.
"Let's go to the library."
Liam grabbed my hand with a firmness I couldn't understand.
Xander waved at him with a smile, but Liam simply turned his back on him and pulled me away. I was practically dragging my feet, struggling to keep up with his long strides.
He led me to a quiet corner of the library and pinned me against the wall, resting both hands on the wall above my head.
I stared at him, frozen. His eyes looked darker than usual.
"What's happening between us?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you promise to accompany me at school and wherever I go? Didn't you promise to come over to my place for the basketball tutorials?"
"I was busy," I replied.
His eyes looked moist. What was happening to him?
"Were you so busy that you couldn't wait for me in the morning before coming to school? Were you so busy that you couldn't even communicate with me—as my watchdog?" He swallowed hard before continuing. "You say you're busy, yet you keep spending time with someone else. Are you really my watchdog?"