12. Perfect

Liam

Rena has been avoiding me all day.

This morning, I was waiting by my car, checking to see when Rena would leave her house so I could speak to her, and hopefully make up for my behaviour yesterday.

When I saw her walk out her front door, I could see her drooped shoulders, her head kept down. She was sad, and no doubt it was because of me. She didn't even glance my way, clearly I wasn't a face she wanted to see.

Ever since I left her house yesterday, I felt like complete shit. I must've hurt her real bad and that's the last thing ever I wanted.

I needed to at least apologise, but before I could even take her name or approach her, I saw Danny's car waiting for her.

I waited till Rena got into his car and then drove off. Now wasn't the time to talk, but hopefully I could get a moment with her at school.

***

Throughout the day, I kept waiting for Rena to just look my way at least once, but she didn't.

Some of our lessons were together and I tried to be early, hoping that when Rena would walk in, she'd see me and I could get a word in before the lesson actually started.

But that didn't work, because she just kept her head down.

I understood that she was trying to avoid me and must still be pissed off.

She's not wrong to be, I know that.

After practically pushing her away, I only just apologised for how selfish I've been in the past, and the moment she's gracious enough, I basically asked for her help with another girl.

She doesn't even owe me shit. Rena could have easily punched me in the throat as soon as I spoke up, but she didn't, she listened.

Of course, she'd be mad and doubt what I said. But I just need her to know I was serious, if only I could get her to listen to me just one more time.

Every time I missed my chance to speak to Rena, my mood deteriorated even more. I've been completely off.

Holden, Andre and Chris have been trying to find out what's wrong with me.

They could sense how distant I was, not talking or laughing in with the jokes, but right now there was only one person on my mind, and whenever I pictured that saddened look on her face, I felt so bad.

The guys assumed that my mood had something to do with Julie, and then tried to encourage me to just approach her, but I can't.

Not before I talk to Rena at least, she's my priority right now.

***

It's the end of the day.

I've waited for the entire day for Rena to just look at me once and she won't. I whispered her name in one lesson and I couldn't even tell if she heard - she didn't gesture in any way for me know she was listening.

I hadn't realised how much my words would've hurt her, until now. I don't even think she's smiled today - or at least I haven't seen her to do it.

Clearly, I know what I have to do. I have to put the smile back onto Rena's face.

So, I formed a plan, it wasn't the best plan nor was it the smartest, but hopefully it would work.

My last class ha senses a little quickly, and instead of waiting with the guys, I told them I had something else to do, and a little like a creep, I waited for Rena in the hallway.

This was a little stalker-ish, but desperate times call for desperate measures really.

I finally saw Rena walking down the hallway.

She was alone, thankfully, so I wouldn't have her friends attempting to beat the shit out of me for what I was about to do.

Taking my chance, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into one of the empty classrooms.

She probably thinks I'm an asshole anyway, can't get much worse right?

I locked the door and stood in front of her, frowning and probably looking incredibly guilty. She looked scared - which wasn't surprising after what I had just done, but it was needed.

God, she must hate me so much right now.

"Liam? What the hell are you doing? Let me leave!" She yelled.

Well, that's not a surprise.

"No, Rena, please. I don't like how we left things and I want to resolve it," I told her.

Honesty is the best policy right?

As soon as I took a step forward, but she took one back - was she afraid of me? I hope she's not thinking anything dodgy about me pulling her into a classroom like this - even if it was really dodgy.

"There is nothing to resolve. We weren't friends before, we aren't now. It's all the same as it was before yesterday. Nothing has changed as far as I'm concerned," she said.

But I don't want that.

The best thing about yesterday was speaking to her again. Being in the same room and actually having a conversation. She was smiling and I was actually able to tell her how sorry I was for being such an idiot in the past.

I don't want that to just be nothing. To act like that didn't even happen.

"No, Rena. It's not the same. We both know it, because if it were you wouldn't be avoiding me," I pointed out.

From the look on her face, I could tell she didn't expect that from me.

I'm not that smart but it didn't take a genius to tell that she was avoiding me.

"Why do you need to involve me? Just tell Julie you like her, I can't help you. I don't even know how I can help you with this," Rena then said.

I could hear the exasperation in her voice, and again I felt really bad.

"Please, Rena. I'm really sorry. I hope you don't hate me. I'm begging you. I will get on my knees if you want..." I said and started to bend down.

For her forgiveness, I was willing to stay on my knees until she said so...although I kind of wished we had carpets flooring in school.

"Liam, stop!" She then shouted.

I quickly stood up straight again and looked at Rena, who just had a frown on her face, as if it were etched there and wouldn't budge.

"I really need your help," I said.

Her expression hadn't wavered. "Why should I help you?" she then questioned me.

She has nothing from my end to even think that I care about her, but I do. I really do. I always have and always will.

The way she looked at me know, she needed reasons to believe me, and despite the fact that I never wanted her to know certain things, I guess I'm going to have to tell her.

"I know I haven't been there for you when you actually needed it, but that doesn't mean that I don't care," I said, moving forward to lift her hand from her my side, holding it tightly.

Rena then let out a scoff. "Sure, okay," she said and rolled her eyes.

"No, Rena, please," I said.

I gripped her hand a little tighter when I felt her tried to pull away. I was done with either one of us trying to pull away.

She was well in her right to push me away, I know that. But I was so close to gaining her friendship back, I felt it, I couldn't let go now.

"I shut people up on the first day of high school, when they would make mean comments about your Dad being a police officer," I began to tell her.

"When someone called you a snitch or your Dad a pig, and made you cry, I punched him. When I saw Amy being nasty to you, I called her out on it and told her to stop. When you felt uncomfortable with the way that guy was staring at you on that class trip, I came to stand next to you and glared at him till he stopped. When you stay back in the library, I stay back, so I know you'll get home safe and..."

I felt myself running out of breath and stopped, letting her hand go and turning away from her.

She needed reasons, I gave her a few, which I hoped were enough.

I ran my hands through my hair, gripping the ends of it and taking a deep breath, trying to gain control of myself and then turned back towards her.

"I'm not saying these things just to throw it in your face, nor do I want you to think I was doing you some kind of favour and you have to pay me back. I just want you to know I care, I've always cared," I told Rena.

She looked a little stunned at my words, obviously not expecting any of it.

I hadn't been there for her, she must've thought I was completely detached, but that was far from the truth.

I could never be detached from Rena, not ever.

"You actually did those things?" She asked me, after a really long pause.

I couldn't help but smiled. She spoke at least!

"Yes. And I would do it all again. You're my friend, Rena. You always were. I was just a coward who was scared to show it in front of his friends," I told her.

She means something to me, I've always known that, I should own up to it now.

"Was?" Rena then asked me.

I nodded vigorously. "Yes, was, Rena. Not anymore," I said, a grin on my

"So, now what?" She asked.

I let out a breath at that question.

"Now, I am hoping that you see the sincerity in my eyes and the honesty in my voice. I hope you know now that I do truly value you. I also hope that you understand that what I feel towards you and Julie is genuine," I told her.

Those were the main points that I was trying to get across. Rena mattered and I really liked Julie - hopefully she knew both of those were true now.

Again, there was a long pause.

I could never tell what was going on in Rena's mind and I really wished I could.

"Say something?" I then asked her, since I couldn't bare the silence anymore.

Rena still didn't say anything, instead she just looked at me - as if she was trying to peer into my soul.

Was she searching for answers? Did she still doubt me?

I couldn't decipher anything from the way she looked at me and so I just looked back at her. Hoping that she'd find whatever it was that she was looking for, hopefully something that bring her back into my life.

"Okay," I think she then said.

I looked at her shocked. "Okay?" I had to double-check and see if that was actually what she said.

Rena nodded. "Yes, I will try to help you with Julie. Emphasis on the try. I'm not some kind of pro at playing cupid and my arrow may miss, so don't get your hopes up."

I knew instantly that there was a shit-eating grin on my face.

Even if she wasn't some cupid-pro, her arrow missed or was bent, it was fine. It would be okay. I had my Rena back, that alone made me feel ecstatic.

"Thank you Rena. Truly," I said.

"It's no-"

"Everyone needs a friend like you. How did I get so lucky? Who cares!? I promise, Rena, I won't ever let you down," I told her and kissed her cheek, before pulling her into a hug.

I feel her hug me back and that just made me happier.

"You're the best. I love you," I said, hugging her tightly.

I really do love her. She was the first friend I made when I moved here and she still has my back, how can I not love her? She's amazing.

Such a great friend.

How she is still willing to help me after everything, I don't know. Honestly, I'm not even sure at some of the words that have left my mouth even got her to agree, but they did, and I couldn't be happier.

I don't know what I feel for Julie. I like her, I think, maybe. I don't know. I just want to know her more, and now I have Rena with me for that.

Perfect.