No Filter

Chapter XXIII (23)

I drag my luggage downstairs. Thanksgiving break has arrived, and if I want to get there faster, Dinah better hurry up. I can't afford to waste a second.

Liam, Cheryl, Louis, and Troy were all ready in the living room. Dinah was on her way to my house. I set my luggage next to Troy's by the door and walk next to him. I wrap my arm around his waist while he wraps his arm around my neck.

"So, who's missing?" Cheryl asks.

"Dinah," Liam and I said in unison, exchanging a smile with one another.

"Of course," Louis comments. "That girl can't even be punctual if her life depends on it."

"Just give her some more time," Troy said. "I'm sure she doesn't want to be late as well."

I rub Troy's stomach softly. I look at him and smile. "You're so open minded. But, Dinah is Dinah." I sigh.

He leans down to my ear and whispers, "I just want everyone to have fun because I want a fun Thanksgiving break."

"So do I, baby," I whisper back. He nibbles on my ear, and I giggle lightly, feeling my nerves tickled. I twitch my shoulder and turn away from him. "Troy," I mumble.

I shift my eyes over and see Liam and Cheryl standing and looking at us. Liam gave us testy eyes as if he was disapproving. He closed his lips tightly and lifted his chin. He seemed kind of upset, but I brush it off.

Louis clears his throat, which breaks Troy and my interaction. We stood still. Louis folds his arms and comments, "Boy, you two need to get your own room."

"No," Liam blurts out. We stare at him, I furrow my brows, wondering about the interruption. Liam chuckles and slaps his forehead. He wags his finger at Louis. "You were joking, weren't you?" Louis looked at him as if he was crazy and nods his head. "Okay," Liam widens his eyes and shifted them somewhere else. I stare at him, curious to know why he was acting weird. He massages his neck and gives me a shy smile. I return the smile and assure him that it's okay.

My phone rings. I pull it out of my purse and read the text message from Dinah: I'm here.

I lift my head and inform everyone the news. We all grab our suitcases and head out the door. Liam, Louis, and Troy load Liam's car and Louis's car. We had a small debate on who should go with who. Dinah didn't wanted to ride the same car with Louis. Liam wanted me to ride with him. Louis wanted to ride with Dinah. In the end, I rode with Liam and Cheryl in Liam's car while Dinah rode with Louis, sadly, and Troy. I sat in the back seat, touching my phone and texting Troy.

I move my thumb over the letters as I text: Sorry we couldn't ride in the same car.

He replies in a few seconds, It's alright. We have the entire break. We'll get something done.

I smile and put a blushing emoji.

Suddenly, a song on the radio came on, and Liam and I 'oh' at the song. We exchange a look before we begin to sing along to it.

And we dance all night to the best song ever,
We knew every line, now I can't remember,
How it goes but I know that I won't forget her
'Cause we dance all night to the best song ever

Cheryl cheered us on, and when the song was over, we shared a big laugh. Cheryl cools down and comments, "You guys are so cute. I wish my friends and I would do that."

"Well, ten years of friendship has come a long way," Liam says. "We were in grade two. Ally and I were at this birthday party for Lauren, and she was the only one who volunteered to help pass out the cake out of the kids. I didn't complain though. I saw her walking pass, and she accidentally tripped, but I caught her fall and my face caught the cake. It was a big laugh."

"I feel so sorry for you that day," I said. "I gave you my ice cream to make up for it."

"That's so cute," Cheryl comments.

"You know," I begin, "I think I still have a picture of him with his face covered in cake."

"What?!" Liam glances at me, wide-eyed. "You do?"

"Yeah, it's probably in my box of memory," I explain. In my closet, there is a box filled with my childhood. There are photos, my barbie dolls, and other toys I kept. I haven't put anything in it for a while. I haven't look in it for a while.

"Oh, yeah," Liam said, recalling. He smiles and looks back at me. I smile back. My heart begin to race again. It was a familiar feeling. The feeling only he has made me feel.

Cheryl screeches. "Liam!"

Liam and I dart our eyes forward, and my heart stops, seeing a car coming forward. Liam swiftly turns the wheel and gets back in the lane. I pant out, holding my chest.

Liam nervously chuckles, "That was close."

Cheryl nudges him and states, "See Liam, quit turning around and talking to Ally. You were not paying attention."

Liam nods his head and scratches his jawline. "Yes. Yes. I'm sorry. Right now. I'll look forward."

Cheryl nods her head. I lean back against my seat and begin to touch my phone once more. I see two new text messages from Troy. I unlock my screen and read:

Just wait for it. This break is going to be fun.

What do you want to do when we get there?

I reply, I don't know. Depends when we get there, but I hope it's not too long. I miss you already.

He shortly replied, I miss you too.

My smile widens, and I turn off my phone. I look ahead and fix position. In the corner of my eyes, I see Liam's eyes in the rear view mirror. He furrows his brows, curious - it seems.