Ariana's POV
As I lounged on the couch, scrolling through my phone, I could hear the faint sound of laughter from the kitchen. My parents were probably discussing their usual topics, completely oblivious to the tension brewing in the house. My brother, Liam, had just come home, and the energy was palpable. There was something different about him today, a spark that made me sit up and take notice.
"Liam! You home?" I called out, peeking into the hallway. He emerged, a wide grin on his face, and I could see the excitement in his eyes. "Did you see Valerie?"
"Yeah, I just dropped her off," he said, his voice laced with something I couldn't quite put my finger on. "She's working on that project for class."
"Just a project?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "You guys seemed awfully close when you were outside."
Liam shrugged, but I could see the flush creeping up his neck. "It's just a project, Ariana."
"Right," I replied, smirking. "Just a project that ended with a kiss. You're not fooling anyone."
He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "It was a mistake."
"Or maybe it wasn't," I teased. But deep down, I was genuinely curious. Liam had never been shy about his feelings, but with Valerie, it felt like there was a whole different level of intensity.
"Whatever you say," I said, playfully nudging him. "So, are you guys like, a thing now?"
Before he could answer, the front door creaked open, and in walked Valerie, looking a bit flustered. I could sense the tension in the air immediately. Her cheeks were flushed, and she seemed a bit disoriented.
"Hey, Val!" I called out, trying to keep the mood light. "You're just in time to spill the tea! What's up with you and Liam?"
Valerie shot a quick glance at Liam, and for a brief moment, I could see a mix of emotions flash across her face—embarrassment, confusion, and maybe a hint of something deeper. "Oh, you know, just working on our project," she said, but there was an underlying hesitation in her voice that I couldn't ignore.
Liam shifted nervously beside me, and I could tell he was itching to say something but held back. I watched as Valerie and Liam exchanged glances, and it felt like the air crackled with unspoken words.
"Did Julien come by today?" I asked, hoping to steer the conversation. Valerie's expression hardened for just a second, and I immediately recognized the impact his name had on her.
"Yeah, he did," she replied, her voice almost a whisper. "We talked."
"What did he say?" I pried, knowing that this could lead to some interesting revelations.
"Just about school and stuff," she said, but I could tell she was holding back.
The tension thickened again, and I felt like a spectator in a drama unfolding right in front of me. I wanted to know what was going on between them. Was there something brewing beneath the surface? Was Liam's kiss just a fleeting moment, or did it mean more?
Suddenly, I noticed Liam's expression shift. He looked determined, like he was about to say something that could change everything. I leaned in, holding my breath. "What's on your mind, Liam?"
But before he could respond, the doorbell rang, cutting through the thick atmosphere. I glanced at Valerie and saw her expression morph into something unreadable.
"Is that Julien?" I asked, my heart racing.
"Yeah," she replied, and I could see her apprehension.
"Just play it cool," I whispered to Liam, hoping to ease the tension, but I could tell he was on edge.
As Julien stepped into the house, I braced myself for the dynamic shift. I could feel the energy shift again, and I knew whatever was about to unfold would leave a mark on all of us.
With everything that was happening, I felt like I was standing on the sidelines of a complicated game. I cared about both Liam and Valerie, and I hoped they'd find a way to navigate through the confusion without losing each other in the process.
As the door closed behind Julien, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever drama was about to ensue.
