𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑 : 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍

TWENTY ONE

“𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?”

Liam looks at Greg who's hanging the lights against the wall. The boy was struggling since he wasn't as tall as Liam. They're planning a night for just him and Hope. It was Amara's idea, and they staged it pretty well in the library. He knew Hope heard him and Penelope talking. And the fact that Hope heard about the party made the surprise even more unexpected. He just hopes she doesn't reject him or anything like that. That will surely bruise his ego and break his heart.

“Yes, this will work. Hope definitely does not suspect a thing,” Penelope says placing the candles around the blanket. “She thinks she's coming to a party.”

Liam's stomach was churning, and he didn't know what to feel. This is actually the first time, he has gone out of his way to plan a date even though she doesn't know it's a date. He really hopes she likes it, he really does. “Man, I can smell the anxiety from here, Liam,” Daniel comments. He was busy sweeping the dust which didn't action help but it did clean the place up a bit.

“Liam, it will be okay,” Penelope tells him before adding, “The worst that could happen is she rejects and humiliate you and then you'll have to live with the embarrassment that she never liked you and she only used you.”
Liam glares at the girl. He wanted to throw a come back at her, but he didn't really have his brain working with his mouth now.

“Don't listen to her Liam. If Hope rejects you, then she rejects you. All you can do is move on,” the blonde girl says. “None of you are helping me at all here.”

“Hey, we're decorating while you're standing there chewing your nails, and giving orders when we could be chilling in Amara's room,” Greg comments over his shoulder. Greg climbs down the ladder and Liam flicks his hand and the ladder falls with Greg. The redhead glares at Liam, while he just smirks.

“God, you're such a prick,” Greg grunts under his breath. “And you're such a dick,” Liam mumbles under his breath. The two glares over at each other before they both start to laugh.
Amara rolls her eyes at the two boys. They always acted like this, she never understands the two of them.
Liam grabs the two candles, and he places it at the entrance. He smiles looking at the candles that made a pathway to the picnic spot. He went all out tonight. He wanted to use the jetty but it was going to be a bit cold out, so the Old Mill is his second choice.

“Okay. We're finally done.” Daniel puts the plug in and the lights switch on. It was very faint but the candles will certainly light up the room. The five starts to light up the candles and when they're finished they stare at their masterpiece.

“I have to admit this looks awesome,” Greg says looking at the candlelight on the floor and the dim lights on the wall. “We really out did ourselves.”

Liam looks at the two girls and he smiles. “Thanks again, Amara.”

The blonde tips her imaginary hat. “No problem, Liam. I'm happy to help but make sure you don't screw this up, okay?” she says poking his chest with her index finger.
“Okay fine. Jeez.”

Liam takes his phone out to look at the time. It's almost seven, and he didn't even look presentable. If this is a date, then he needed to go back to his room and get himself a new shirt. “Uh, guys. I'll be right back. I need to get myself a clean shirt.”

“Already one step ahead of you, Liam.” Penelope walks over to her bag, and she takes out a black dress shirt and throws it at him. Liam frowns at the dress shirt. He wasn't a fan of shirts with buttons but it will have to do.
Liam takes his shirt off causing Amara to comment, “Ew. Don't do that here. You're you to scare me for life.”