No Time For Love

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"Hey, Mira," Liam says as I walk in the next morning at math. "How are you?" 

"I'm fine, thanks," I say, embarrassed to hear my voice come out rather high pitched. I clear my throat, and Liam says, “Did you do the homework?”

“You can’t use my own tricks on me, Liam,” I say, laughing.

“We actually had homework, Mira,” he says, pointing to the board. Sure enough, there is a notice to take out the homework. I blush, and rummage through my bag, searching for the worksheet. I pull it out eventually, and am relieved to see I did about half of it. I finish the part I haven’t done yet just before Mr. Gomez comes around to collect it.

“You horrible student!” Liam says, putting a hand to his chest in mock mortification just as Mr. Gomez passes out of earshot. “Doing your homework in class, I would have never expected it of you.”

I shrug, playing along. “What can I say? I’m not who you think I am, Liam.” I keep a straight face until I make the mistake of looking at Liam. He has the funniest expression on his face, and I burst out laughing. After a couple seconds, Liam joins me.

“Ms. Lewis, Mr. Payne, I’d appreciate it if you two would remain quiet.” Mr. Gomez says in his weird, tinny voice. Liam and I both fall silent, and I realize that almost no one else is talking. That’s a bit awkward, but I don’t really mind.

**********

"How was it?" Kaylie squeals when I see her at lunch that day.  

"Fine," I reply plainly. Kaylie raises her eyebrows at me.  

"What do you mean, fine?" she asks, annoyed. "How'd it go? What happened?" 

"We had coffee and talked, Kaylie, it's not that big of a deal," I take a bite of my sandwich. We are sitting outside, and it's a cloudy, overcast day.  

"So, are you going to date him? You'd be so cute together," Kaylie asks.  

"Probably not. I mean he's really sweet and all, but I doubt he'd be interested," I reply airily. Not to mention, I add in my head, I don’t want to care for him more than I know I already do. 

"You seem to be more open to the idea of you and him today," Kaylie says in an amused tone. “I mean, you could date him, for fun.”

"I don't think I'm capable of that, Kaylie," I reply, shrugging. "If I date someone, I'd have to be completely sure of it." 

"Suit yourself," Behind Kaylie, I see Liam eating lunch alone under a tree. Where are his friends? "What?"  

"Nothing," I say. Kaylie turns and sees Liam.  

"You can go and see what's wrong, I don't mind," Kaylie says airily. "I should find Sam." 

"Are you two together yet?" They'd been flirting all of band yesterday. 

"Not quite yet, but definitely by the end of lunch," Kaylie says, smirking. "Go save that damsel in distress, he looks so alone.” I roll my eyes, and wave to Kaylie as I walk over to where Liam is sitting. He seems to be engrossed in looking at a packet of paper, mumbling under his breath.

“Hey,” I say softly. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” Liam looks up after a few seconds.

“No, I needed a break anyway,” he says, running a hand through his hair.

“What were you reading?” I ask, indicating towards the paper he holds.

“Well, uh, it’s the lyrics to the song I’m going to be singing for the judges’ audition,” Liam says as quickly as he possibly can. My eyes widen.