Chapter 105 Even For One Night
Mia’s POV
I didn't expect to see Liam standing outside our apartment building.
For a second, I thought I was imagining him. But no. He was really there, leaning against the gate like he had been waiting for a while. The moment our eyes met, my stupid heart betrayed me. It started racing so fast I had to stop walking.
Why does he still have that effect on me?
Things between us had become so complicated lately. Every time we talked, it ended with confusion, pain, or silence that hurt more than words. I told myself I didn't want to talk to him anymore. I told myself it was safer that way. Because every conversation with Liam felt like reopening a wound that never fully healed.
But then he spoke. And just like that, hope crept back into my chest. I hated how easily he could do that to me.
"I also came to remind you that I would be your date at prom whether you like it or not," Liam said, his voice firm but soft at the same time. "We promised each other that no matter what happens between us, we would still go to prom together."
Prom. The word alone made my chest tighten. That promise felt so innocent back then. Back when loving him didn't feel impossible.
I swallowed and forced myself to sound calm. "Don't you think that's a ridiculous idea, Liam? We both know we can't be together, no matter how much we want to. We'll just end up hurting each other again."
Even as I said it, my heart ached. Because the truth was, I wanted that night with him. I wanted at least one perfect memory before everything completely fell apart.
"I know, Mia," he said quietly. "That's why I tried to stay away from you. I thought that was the right thing to do."
His jaw tightened, like it was hard for him to admit what he was about to say.
"But I need you to know something," he continued. "I've always loved you. You're the only one I want."
My cheeks burned. I hated how my body reacted to him. Hated how my heart softened every time he looked at me like that.
"I'm not asking you to be with me," he added quickly. "Because hurting you is the last thing I want in this world. I want you to be happy, Mia. I want you to have a good life. And it feels like I'm the one making you miserable."
His words made my chest ache. Because he wasn't the only one suffering.
"But I also want to be with you," he confessed, running a hand through his hair like he was frustrated with himself. "I know it's selfish. I know I shouldn't say that. But what can I do? I'm just a boy who's so in love with you."
My heart completely lost control. I felt relief. I felt happiness. I felt fear.
I wanted to tell him I was glad he was being selfish. I wanted to tell him I loved him too. That I was tired of pretending I didn't. But the words got stuck in my throat.
Because loving him always came with consequences.
"I don't know, Liam," I whispered. And that was the only honest answer I could give.
He looked at me for a long moment before forcing a small smile.
"Well, I'm not taking no for an answer," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "I don't care if you take Daniel as your date. There's no rule that says you can't bring two dates. So I guess you're just lucky to have two boys escorting you to prom."
I let out a small laugh despite myself.
Why does he always do that? Break my heart and then make me smile in the same breath.
He stepped back, creating distance between us again.
"It's getting late. You should go inside," he said gently.
For a moment, I wanted to ask him to stay. Just for a few more seconds.
"Good night, Mia."
He turned around before I could respond. And I just stood there, frozen, watching him walk away.
I couldn't believe he really came and he still wanted to take me to prom. And I couldn't believe that after everything my heart still chose him.
Even when I knew choosing him might break me all over again.
"Mmm... can you tell me what happened last night?" Josh asked casually, but the teasing tone in his voice gave him away.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "What do you mean?"
He smirked. "I saw Liam last night."
My heart immediately reacted before my brain could stop it. I looked away and pretended to be busy fixing the receipts on the counter.
"He reminded me that he'll be your date to prom," I finally admitted quietly.
Josh's face lit up like he just heard the best news of his life. I already knew that expression. He was about to start something.
"Don't give me that look, Josh," I warned him. "I am not going to prom just to humiliate myself. I'm not going there to become the laughingstock of Suncrest Academy."
The image of everyone staring at me, whispering about Liam and Stacy, about how pathetic I must look, made my chest tighten.
Josh crossed his arms dramatically. "Mia, don't disappoint me. I'm already excited to dress you up."
"I'm not going," I said firmly, hoping my voice didn't shake.
He stared at me like I just told him I was quitting school. "Mia. Even if I'm not really a girl, I know you are excited about prom."
I swallowed.
"It's every girl's dream to attend prom," he continued more gently. "You are going. And that's final."
I opened my mouth to argue again, but he didn't give me a chance.
"If you want to go alone, nobody will care. And if you go with someone, I'll make sure every girl in Suncrest Academy will be jealous of you. Trust me."
Despite myself, I almost smiled. Josh always said things like that with so much confidence, as if he could really control the entire school.
He stepped closer, his teasing expression slowly fading into something softer.
"Mia, please. I want your prom night to be special. We both know that deep in your heart, you want to go. And we both know you still want to be with Liam, even if it's just for one night."
Hearing his name made my chest ache.
"I know you're scared," Josh continued quietly. "You're scared of getting hurt again. You're scared of what people will say. But we don't control the future. We don't know what will happen tomorrow. What we do know is that we deserve at least one beautiful memory."
I looked down at my hands. The truth was, he was right.
All I ever wanted was to stand beside Liam without fear. To dance with him under soft lights. To feel, even just for one night, like we weren't fighting the world. But I was tired of hoping.
"I don't want to look desperate," I whispered. "I don't want people to think I'm chasing him."
Josh sighed and gently held my shoulders. "Mia, loving someone doesn't make you desperate. It makes you brave."
My throat tightened because deep inside, no matter how many times I told myself to move on, and no matter how hard I tried to stay strong, there was nothing I wanted more than to be with Liam, even if it was only for one night.