Rice, Rice, baby

Chapter 13

"This is so weird, Liv..." Micky says.

"What is?"

"You. Like... I've seen you dancing around and singing before, but you had never looked this happy. You had never smiled like that. And it is... weird."

"Oh, so you prefer it when I look sad and ready to murder someone?"

"You know I love your smile, Liv."

"Yeah, I know" I reply, my cheeks getting warm as I remember how he had told me the same thing before we made out during the team's Christmas party a couple of years ago. He was the new guy and he was so tall, and blonde, and nice, and charming, and basically so different from everyone else that... Yeah.

Nothing else happened after that, but we've stayed as really good friends. And now that I think of it, he may have been the reason why Alex went from being indifferent towards football players to disliking them so much. He had caught us kissing, and what had I done when I saw him? Just shrug and kiss Micky again. That must have hurt him a lot.

"Are you going to tell me what is making you smile like this, tho?" Micky asks.

"Nope."

"I will" Madders says, joining us.

"You won't dare" I say, threatening him with a spoon.

"I was just going to tell him that you look happier because you've added rice to your diet. Quite frequently according to what I've been told."

"James!"

"Eating rice is making you happier?" Micky asks with a confused look.

"Not just rice. The rice" Madders smirks.

"I'm fucking murdering you, James Maddison."

"The... Oh my God" Micky says, his eyes wide. "Liv! What did I tell you?"

"A load of bullshit as per usual" I shrug.

"A load of... whatever. Does anyone else know?"

"Unless Mr. Maddison here tells someone else, just you two, Kennedy and Olga."

"Wait, she knows? Since when?" Madders says.

"I had to tell her because of all the flowers I've been receiving, she would not let it go. Oh, and Alex also knows."

"Alex? You told him?"

"He found out when he saw one of the notes that came with the flowers."

"So that's why he's been looking more miserable than usual, uh? You broke his heart, Liv."

"I didn't mean to. I had no idea he was in love with me until he confessed all his feelings on my birthday."

"You didn't know?" Micky laughs. "C'mon, Liv. Everyone here knows Alex is in love with you."

"Everyone but her" Madders chuckles.

"If it was so obvious, why didn't you tell me? Aren't you my friends?"

"I didn't tell you anything because I didn't expect you to be so blind" Micky shrugs. "Anyway, are you and Declan dating, then?"

"No. We are just friends."

"Do friends sleep together now?"

"It's... complicated" I say, nervously playing with the spoon in my hand.

"Dear God, Liv... You've fallen in love with him!"

"I haven't."

"Liv..." Micky sighs. "We haven't known each other for that long, but I can read you like an open book. You've fallen in love with Declan."