You’re about to head to the lunch table you share with your
pack when you notice that new freshman everyone’s been talking about.
You’ve heard his name is Liam and you saw him on the
lacrosse field at tryouts yesterday. He’s pretty amazing. Also, really cute.
So, you can’t help but wonder why this guy that’s got everything going for him
looks so dejected as he sits at an empty lunch table. He’s hunched in on
himself and his eyes remain locked on the table even as you find yourself
pulling out a chair across from him.
“Hi,” you say and he finally lifts his gaze to glance at
you.
“You’re one of Scott McCall’s friends, right?” He asks quietly, letting
his eyes fall back to the flecks of color on the tabletop.
“Yeah, I know Scott,” you agree. Apparently, that’s not the
answer he’d been hoping for as Liam hunches in the smallest bit more.
“Do you hate me,
too?”
“What? Why would I hate you?” You ask.
“Same reason Scott and the rest of the lacrosse team do?”
Liam guesses, shrugging his shoulders. “I thought joining the team would help
me make friends, not turn everyone against me. I’m sorry if your friends feel
threatened by me but… I was just playing the way my dad taught me to. Trying to
give him a reason to be proud of me for once.”
You find it hard to believe Scoot could hate anyone, least
of all someone that seems as sincere and lonely as Liam.
“I’m sure he will be,” you say, only addressing the last
statement because you have no idea what to say about the rest.
Liam glances up at you again and graces you with a grateful
half-smile. “Thanks.”
You sit in silence for a minute before you decide that you
and Liam deserve a much nicer introduction than this.
“You know, I think we should start over,” you suggest and
move to hold out your hand to him over the table. “Hi, I’m (y/n). I saw you at
lacrosse tryouts yesterday. You’re kind of amazing. Who taught you?”
Liam huffs out a cute little laugh and takes your hand,
shaking it lightly. “I’m Liam. Thanks for the compliment. My dad taught me.”
“Oh, really? I bet he’s really proud of you.”
There’s a spark in Liam’s eyes as he turns the full power of
his smile on you. “I hope so.”
It’s not perfect, this tentative new friendship. It’s not
unbreakable. But it’s a pretty damn good start.
Toad's Cave 