Love Beyond Scars

Chapter 1: The New Girl in Town

Chapter 1: The New Girl in Town

-Liam- 

"Liam, come onnn, please?" Taliyah whined, batting her long eyelashes at me, almost making me lose my resolve. I had to stand firm this time, I couldn't give in to her puppy dog eyes again. "You know I don't do blind dates. Don't you remember what happened the last time you tried to hook me up with someone?" I reminded her, trying to avoid the inevitable. Taliyah snorted and slammed her locker shut, rolling her eyes, "That was three years ago, Liam. Get over it. Besides, you haven't been on a proper date in two years. Do you even remember what a relationship is like?" She walked backwards through the crowded hallways of our college, scolding fiercely. As she did, the other students in her way parted like the Red Sea.

I couldn't help but smile, even though I was trying to hide it. Taliyah always knew how to get under my skin, but I was not about to admit that to her. "Well, I'm more than happy with my life the way it is. I don't need a girlfriend to get what I want," I replied, smugly gesturing to my toned and muscular body.

"You know, I really do believe that some men are born with massive egos to make up for the lack of certain...necessary equipment. Such as a brain," Taliyah scoffed, before turning away and walking off. I had to laugh, she was always good for a witty comeback.

As I caught up with Taliyah, her gait slowed down and her breath caught in her throat. I couldn't help but smirk as I put my arm around her shoulder, pulling her in closer to me. She might try to resist, but we both knew that she loved it when I showed her affection.

"Come on Tay-Tay," I teased. "Don't be so huffy. We both know you love me."

But instead of returning my playful banter, Taliyah muttered something under her breath that sounded a lot like "son of a peanut". She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted like a little girl. Despite her attempt at being mad, I could see a faint smile playing on her lips.

Taliyah and I had been friends since we were babies. Our mothers were inseparable in high school and it seemed like fate that they both got pregnant at the same time. Our homes were just a block away from each other, and we grew up like siblings.

I couldn't help but admire Taliyah's beauty. With her long, blonde hair that cascaded down her back and big emerald eyes that sparkled like the sea on a sunny day, she was the epitome of perfection. Back in high school, I had a tiny crush on her, but I quickly got over it. I didn't want to jeopardize the special bond we shared.

I knew people often assumed that guys and girls couldn't be "just friends", but Taliyah and I proved them wrong. Our bond was unbreakable. We spent our summers together, riding our bikes around the neighborhood, swimming in the lake, and having picnics in the park. We shared secrets, dreams, and fears. There was nothing we couldn't tell each other.

As we left the main building and headed toward the student parking lot, we heard a familiar voice behind us. "Somebody better call God because he is missing an angel," Darin exclaimed, checking out Taliyah's backside. I turned around to catch him in the act, and Taliyah shot him a sarcastic smile. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the most notorious heartbreaker of Pacific Union," she said, pretending to be offended. "How many girls have you said this line to today?" Darin winked at her, "N'aw, now that really hurt my feelings. You know you're the only one for me, baby."

"Yeah, the only one you'll never get," Taliyah smirked, causing me to burst out laughing. Jaiden then chimed in, "She got you there, my man." He put his hand on Darin's shoulder, faking compassion. "Hello, gorgeous," he then said, giving Taliyah a soft kiss on the cheek. She giggled lightly, "Okay, if everyone is done flirting with my best friend now, I would love to get out of here and eat something, I'm starving," I declared, trying to steer the conversation away from Taliyah's dating life.