Liam's Little Sister

Chapter 2: The Get- Together

The whole day I had been a nervous wreck, awaiting the hangout with the soccer team. I mean, I had no real reason to be nervous, as they were my new friends, but still. It just felt weird. The day was warm and sunny as I walked out onto the turf. I spotted Dot, the very friendly goalie, and waved cheerfully to her. Just as I was going to put my bags down, I tripped over a cleated foot and fell flat on my face. Great. Mouth to turf. 

"Oops." giggled a familiar voice. I looked up, and there was Trish. She smirked at me. "I hope you weren't planning to go get ice cream with us." She said sweetly. "It's for team members only and, as captain, I have the pleasure of telling Coach to kick you off." My face heated up with rage.

"What did I ever do to you, Trish?" I yelled. "Or are you just jealous that I have a hot brother?!" The color drained from her already pale face.

"Don't you say that." She hissed. "I am not jealous." Her facials told a different story, however. She had a frantic look in her eye.

"Well, well, well, looky here." It was my turn to smirk. "Someone's got a little crush on my big brother. Well, Trish, think about this. If you kick me off the team, you'll only get farther away from Liam." I grinned and turned away before turning back. "Oh, and Trish? I will, in fact, be getting ice cream."

As I walked confidently away, I couldn't contain my excitement. 'That was awesome, Layla!" I congratulated myself. Suddenly, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. "I swear- if this is Trish trying to sweetly apologize!' I swung around angrily, only to meet the innocent face of Tanya Woodrow.  

"Oh!" She cried, seeing my annoyed face. "I'm sorry if I bothered you- I can leave!" 

"No! It's fine, I'm just a little upset."

"With Trish? Yeah, she can be right pain. When I was dating- well yeah, she targeted me too." she beamed bright red, obviously thinking of Liam.

"Yeah, about that." I said. "How are you holding up? To be honest, Liam's a mess. I can tell he wants you back." Just then, poor Tanya burst into tears.

"Oh I was so horrible to him! You'll never know how I feel- I feel so guilty! And- and I want him! I want to feel his strong arms around my waist, to dance to slow music..." She hiccuped and wiped her nose before saying quietly, "I just want him back. That's all I want."

"You have a chance, Tanya. Just apologize and get him back. Trust me, he still loves you. Hey- are you by any chance going to get ice cream?"

"Oh- well, yeah, I suppose. I'm part of the team. I gotta participate." I grinned.

"Thank God I won't be the only one there! I need a friend!" Then, I swung my arm over her shoulders and marched her back to the rest of the team.

"C'mon- it's time for practice."

---

As soon as I got home from practice, I had the urge to go tell Liam everything Tanya had told me. But no- she would do things at her own pace, and I respected that. I said hi to Mom, snuggled up and hugged my cat, and bounded up the stairs. Once in my room, I immediately called up Julie. I told her everything Tanya had told me, everything down to the very last detail.  

"Who said they loved me?" A voice sounded from my doorway.

"Crap- Jules- it's Liam. Hold up." 

"Uh-oh," she responded. I turned to Liam, my hand over the receiver. 

"Nothing. It's just some girls at school -you know them. Obsessed." I was shocked at how easily the lie had come.

"Oh." Liam replied, his face falling. "I thought it was- nevermind." He stalked out of the room, his back hunched over sadly.