Unexpected Challenge

Chapter two

    I knew there was something wrong when I was lying awake at 5:30 in the morning.

I was not a morning person at all, so the fact that my body wasn't desperately pleading to sleep until 7:00 was a sure sign that I was nervous for something.

I refused to accept that it might be the meeting with Liam that was causing my nerves. Instead, I blamed it on the English test I had today during second period.

Yes, that's the problem.

I turned over and unlocked my phone, which just happened to still be opened to the text message from Liam last night.

I knew I was going to go to the meeting. I was genuinely intrigued as to what he wanted from me, considering we hadn't held a conversation ever before yesterday.

He did make me uncomfortable, but not in the way that one would usually expect. The feelings that came to me when we talked were unlike any that I had ever experienced before.

I wasn't naive, but I hadn't had a boyfriend ever. I've liked guys, sure, but I never talked to them because I'd already decided in my head that they would never feel the same. My personality to people that don't know me well seems intimidating and standoffish, but I don't try to be.

Liam wasn't turning away from me like most people have. That scared me, and the prospect of having someone interested in me was beyond my comprehension.

Despite my confusing feelings regarding him, I slowly rolled over and stumbled out of bed to go shower. Afterwards I got dressed in my usual outfit of running shorts and a t-shirt, ate breakfast, and grabbed my bag. It was 7:30 by the time I was ready to leave.

I hurriedly slipped on some shoes and rushed out the door to my car, worried that I was going to be late.

I was tempted to turn around and drive back home multiple times on the way there, but I convinced myself to pull up my big girl pants and not reject the first guy in a long time who wants to talk to me.

I parked my car in the front row; a perk of being one of the first people to school. I relished in the feeling of being early because most days I parked in the spots farthest away and sprinted to the building in order to make it to first period on time.

I grabbed my bag and closed my door firmly. I turned around, took a deep breath, and squared my shoulders towards the school.

Alright, Kate. Let's do this.

After my short pep talk I walked confidently into the school. It was 7:42 which posed a problem for me. As petty as it may seem, I did not want to seem overeager by getting there early. Instead of going directly to Feldman's room, I walked to my locker and put away my lunch bag. Then I walked to Feldman's room.

As I approached the door I could see Liam leaning against the wall outside scrolling on his phone. He looked up when he heard my footsteps, and his prior concentrated face morphed into a satisfied grin that I was having trouble not slapping off his face.

"You came."

I raised an eyebrow in question. "Was I not supposed to?"

"I hoped you would. I just didn't think you'd have the balls to."

I scoffed in disbelief. "You're one to talk about having balls, Liam. I'm fairly positive you didn't even apologize after almost hitting my team with a football you threw yesterday.

He grimaced and gave me a guilty look. "I am sorry. But if I recall you ran out on me last night during our conversation before I had the chance to give an apology."