A few months ago, Coach Finstock assigned a project and paired his class into pairs. Y/N never expected to be paired up with the freshmen jock from the lacrosse team. She was sure Liam was cocky and overconfident, but she didn't expect to be proven wrong. Instead, she learned that Liam was shy, kind, and friendly. Within the weeks of meeting for the project, they slowly developed feelings towards each other, with every playful joke, every touch, and learning about the other.
Eventually, they learned almost everything about the other, everything but one major detail about their lives. They each had a secret of their own, one that the other didn't know about, and it was only a matter of time until they shared it. Except he wasn't ready to tell her that he's a monster of the night, and she wasn't ready to tell him about her family. They trusted each other, but they simply weren't ready, because they hadn't admitted their feelings yet. Y/N was sure about her feelings towards him, she just wasn't sure if he felt the same way. Liam knew by her racing heart how she felt about him; he was just waiting for the right moment to ask her out. Until about a week ago when Lydia handed out invitations to her New Year's party, and all Liam could think about was finally making his move.
"Happy New Year's Eve!" Liam shouted over the phone.
Y/N returned his excitement with a smile on her face, "Happy New Year's Eve, Liam! Guess what?!"
"What?" He asked curiously.
"My brothers called and said they're coming home before dinner tonight. I'm finally going to see them," she jumped up, and down knowing Liam wouldn't see her excitement.
"That's amazing," Liam tried to hide his disappointment. He was looking forward to going to Lydia's New Year's Eve party with her.
"I'm sorry but I don't think I can go with you to Lydia's party. I have to go to the store, make something for dinner, and I'm planning on catching up with them. I hope you don't mind." She apologized.
"I understand. Do you need help with anything?" Liam asked with hope in his voice.
"No, thank you though. I hope to see you tomorrow, Liam."
"Of course. Call me if you need anything." Liam hung up after she said that she would if she needed to. He was bummed about it, but he knew how happy she was to finally see her brothers after months apart. He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy, even if it means he didn't get to kiss her at midnight.
A few hours later, Liam was about to walk out the door and head over to Scott's house to catch a ride with him and Kira over to Lydia's lake house, when he phone rang. A picture of Y/N lit up on his screen. He couldn't help but smile when he answered, "Hey! So how's it going? Are you and your brothers having a good time?"
"Liam..." she sniffled quietly.
Liam froze in place as panic washed over, "What's wrong? What happened? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I was wondering if you could come over..." She trailed.
"I'll be there in a few minutes," Liam hung up the phone and ran to her house a few streets down. He had never ran so fast in his life, and he couldn't help but pound on the door the second he got to her house.
She opened the door and Liam immediately noticed how puffy her eyes were, slightly pink, and swollen. She had been crying. Liam couldn't help but let his instincts come out naturally as he pulled her in for a tight hug. She returned the gesture as she held him tight with her arms around his lower back and rested her head on his chest. Liam rubbed his hand up and down the small of her back to comfort her as she began to let out soft sobs, damping his shirt with her tears.
