30. Charmed

It's been a couple of weeks since the night of the Summer Ball.

After what Liam had told me, that he was going to confess to Julie that he loved her, I had felt some pain. It wasn't that I felt distraught, but rather a punch in the gut of what I already knew. It was just a reminder.

My mind already knew that it was coming, I could literally see it in his eyes when he looked at Julie, that he was in love with her. I just wasn't expecting to hear it.

After Liam and Julie had left, everyone in our group sort of started leaving too. They all had their own plans, but I didn't feel too bad, since Holden apparently had an idea of his own.

He drove to a restaurant, so that we could get some real food and we just ate in his car, talking to each other and sharing some stories. My night ended up turning into a date and it made me happy.

When he kissed me in the backseat of his car, I felt the flutters again, just like our first kiss.

I definitely think Holden liked kissing me, since he couldn't stop. He'd steal my chips, but give me a kiss. A sip of my drink, but give me a kiss. Even when I stole his chips, he'd replace them with a kiss.

Every time he made me laugh or smile or just kiss me, I felt myself liking him more and more.

The first time that Liam told me that he liked Julie, I felt like I was broken and hurt. However, this time it felt more like a faint crack. Being with Holden, I felt happier and whilst in his presence, my mind didn't drift to anyone else.

I had a feeling that if I gave it time, I could actually fall for him completely. Since he was so sweet, it was probably inevitable for that to happen at some point.

After Holden had dropped me back home, it was sort of like things between us had changed.

For one, he didn't really ask before stealing a kiss from me and also, he never spared a chance to call me his girlfriend. It was so cheesy, but he almost seemed to take pride in the way he called me his or took my hand in his hand.

I looked forward to spending my time with him.

After the Ball, going to school was a bit of a chore. We had classes, but they weren't really serious ones, since it was nearing towards the end of the term.

I just couldn't wait for a relaxing break. I was also hoping we'd plan a family holiday and just go somewhere for a bit. Maybe Hawaii?

Either way, I just wanted a break from the everyday routine.

***

As I was online, browsing for some new clothes, I saw my phone screen light up with Liam's name across it.

"Hey," I answered the call, still a little distracted by this new jacket that I'm currently seeing - as if I don't have enough of those already.

"Hey, Rena," Liam replied. "Are you busy right now?"

I looked at the jacket on my screen and shook my head. This wasn't the one, so I guess I wasn't busy.

"Um no," I said. "What's up?"

"Could you come to Mama Macy's?" Liam asked.

I frowned. "Why can't you come to me?"

He lives next door, if he wants to talk, surely he should be the one coming over.

"I'm already here and have a table, along with red velvet cupcakes," he said and I could just tell he was looking at them and smiling.

I mean, I don't want to leave my room but then again, cupcakes.

"Fine," I sighed, deciding to make the sacrifice for the treats. "I'll be there in bit," I told him.

"Great! See you soon," he replied and ended the call.

Well, that's weird.

I'm curious on why he wants me to come there, but I guess even if it's for an annoying reason, I have cupcakes to eat. It's still a win for me.

After telling Mum that I was going out to Mama Macy's to see Liam, I headed out on my bike.

Thankfully it's not that long of a journey there and it's still nice weather. Had it been raining, I would not be out right now.

As soon as I parked my bike outside and headed into the shop, the little bell sound announcing my entrance, I saw Mama standing by the counter and walked to her first.

"Serena! My darling," she greeted my with the widest smile. "How are you?"

"I'm good, Mama," I grinned at her. "How are you?"

It was so normal to call her Mama from when we were little, I could never call her something else.

"Always good when I see your face," she told me.

"You're so cute," I chuckled, clutching her hand and place a kiss on the back of it. "Do you know where Liam is?" I then asked.

"He's sitting over there," she pointed, and I could see him sat at the table, on his phone. "You know whenever I see you two together, it brings a smile to my face," Mama then said.

I frowned. "We're not together, Mama," I reminded her. "I have a boyfriend and Liam has a girlfriend."

She smiled at me. "I've known you both since you were wee little things and you've always been together since then, not matter what you call it."

I stood there confused, because I have clue what she just said.

"I don't understand," I told her.

Mama gently patted my head. "You won't," she said and then walked away.

"Okay then," I mumbled.

I honestly thought that it was only my Mum that would speak in such a confusing way. She'd talk as if she knew everything and it left me understanding nothing.

Walking towards Liam, I slid into the seat opposite him.

"That was weird," I said.

He looked at me with a confused expression. "What was all that about?" He asked, nodded towards the counter.

"Mama's being cryptic," I told him.

He frowned. "That's odd."

I nodded but then I was instantly distracted by the bright yellow box in front of me, which I know contained my favourite dessert.

"Ooo, cupcakes," I reached for the box and instantly opened it, grabbing one of them.

Liam laughed. "Help yourself."

"What's up then? Why'd you call me here?" I asked, in the middle of devouring one of the cupcakes.

He looked at me a little nervous, rubbing the nape of his neck. "I sort of have something for you," he said.

"Sort of?" I asked, raising a brow. "What is it?"

It didn't look like he had anything else with him, so I was curious.

"Well, it's a really early birthday present but also just a little something to say thank you," Liam told me.

"For what?" I asked, my face scrunching up a little bit.

Liam smiled at me. "Just for everything, really. I've been distant from you and you still forgave me. I've been stupid, you've been patient. I asked for your help, quite selfishly, with Julie, and you still helped me. She even told me that you were the one who assured her about me. I really do appreciate you, Rena. I can't thank you enough."

After he breathlessly finished rambling, I wasn't entirely sure how to react.

"Oh, well...I don't know what to say," I muttered a little awkwardly, moving the crumbs of my cupcake into a little pile.

"You don't have to say anything," Liam said.

Just as I looked at him, he reached down beside him and grabbed something. He then placed a small box wrapped in a bow, between us.

"I didn't help for something in return," I said.

He shook his head. "No, I know. But I really wanted to get you something," Liam said and pushed the box towards me.

I pushed it back towards him. "I can't take this," I told him.

"Please. It's just a gift," Liam said, again pushing the box towards me. It just felt like some game at this point, to see who would cave first.

"I can't take it. It's not right," I said.

To take something from him as repayment for my help, it just didn't sit right with me.

"Please?" Liam asked and I frowned.

When I picked up the box, I saw him smile. "If it's expensive, I'm not keeping it," I told him.

I hadn't agreed on accepting the gift, but I was curious as to what was in the box, especially since it was so neatly tied up.

Untying the bow, I opened the box and was really surprised. It was a beautiful charm bracelet, with little charms already attached.

I touched the bracelet gently, scared that even the most delicate touch would cause some kind of damage.

Immediately, I shut the box. "Liam. I can't take this," I told him.

"You have to," he said, with a frown on his face. "Please, Rena. It's a gift and it took me ages to save up for it."

"You saved up for this?" I asked him.

He rubbed the nape of his neck, giving me a sheepish smile. "For months actually," he said.

I really couldn't believe him right now. Why would he do something like that? He's an idiot.

"This is crazy expensive," I told him, putting the bracelet down on the table and pushing it towards him. "Not only is it the bracelet but charms too. It's not even just the one charm."

"One charm looked a little sad on it and I saw so many that I though you'd like, so I just got them all," Liam said, as if that were the most normal thing ever.

He really had got them all.

There was a red and silver cupcake charm, a hot chocolate charm, one which represented the deathly hallows sign from Harry Potter, an elephant holding a small balloon in its' trunk and a rose charm. It was all things that I loved.

"You shouldn't have done this," I told him, still trying to process how much this would've cost him.

Liam smiled at me. "There are so many things I shouldn't have done but this was one thing that I undoubtedly should have done," he said.

"Do you at least like it?" He then asked, which made me realise I hadn't really replied when he asked me before.

"I do," I smiled, but then shook my head. "But really, I can't-"

"Please, keep it," Liam said and pushed the box towards me one again.

Finally, I nodded. He'd clearly gone out of his way to buy me this and saved up for ages to pay for it. The least I could do is accept it.

"Thank you, Liam," I smiled and pulled the box towards me.

He grinned, as if it was the best thing he'd ever heard me say.

"I wanted to get you something that wasn't just going to sit there and waste away. I wanted to get you something so that you knew, that despite me being a twat, I care about you. I couldn't think of something really good that you were like and then thought jewellery. But then I've never seen you wear any," he told me.

His rambled made me realise just how much thought he had put into this.

"I have a lot, I just forget to wear it," I told him. "I'll try to remember this," I gestured towards the bracelet.

The jewellery that I had were mostly things I'd bought on a whim and then I didn't really care much about it. The few nice pieces I had, I kept for special occasions.

Liam laughed at my words. "Even if just a few times, I'd like that."

"This is probably the most expensive friendship bracelet I've received," I chuckled, looking at my beautiful new gift.

"It's not a friendship bracelet," Liam told me. "It's a 'I'm truly grateful for you and everything you do,' bracelet."

I let out a snort. "That's an awful lot to say."

"I know," Liam laughed.

"You do know you just made this bracelet all about you right?" I joked.

"Can I have a cupcake now?" He asked and I realised he hadn't even had one, even whilst waiting for me to get here.

I looked at him and smiled sweetly. "No," I said.

He faked a look of shock and dramatically gasped, before reaching to grab one of the cupcakes and I smacked away his hands, laughing at his actions.

For the rest of the afternoon, we stayed at Mama's and just chilled. It was a little like how we'd spent many afternoons when we were younger, random conversations and cupcakes.

Despite the light weight of the bracelet, it laid heavy on my heart. It was hard to accept it, but harder to let go of. But I just tried not to hold any meaning with the piece of jewellery, but just looked at it for what it was, just a bracelet.

But it's never easy to not give something meaning...