I leaned against my locker waiting for Kaylee to walk out of that classroom.
I don't know what keeping her because school ended five minutes ago.I left immediately the bell rang because I had to put some stuff in my locker and she told she me she would join me immediately. Suddenly, I ran out of patience and just when I was about to enter the class, Kaylee zoomed pass me almost pushing me. ''Kaylee ! " I yelled running after her. She ignores me and quicken her pace. I run after her and soon caught up with her."Thanks for making me burn calories," I rolled my eyes, when I caught up with her but she ignored me and kept going.'' I've been waiting ...." I trailed off when I saw the tears in her eyes. '' What is wrong with you?" I asked with a frown. ''Nothing....'' Kaylee sniffed, wiping her face. ''Are you telling me or you want me to go in there and find out?" I threatened and saw her shake her head."It's .... it's Beatrice," Kaylee sniffed and that was all I needed to hear. I grabbed her hand and dragged her back to the classroom ignoring her protest. Beatrice and her friends were sitting in the class, applying make-up and laughing to something I don't care about. "Beatrice!" I called out and she turned towards me. A frown appears on her face but I don't pay any attention to that."You owe my friend here an apology," I said pushing Kaylee forward. I didn't want to know whatever happened because I knew who I was dealing with here. She's Beatrice for goodness sake. Picking on the quiet innocent ones but not my bestie.''Forget it Zara, let's just leave, "Kaylee whispered. I rolled my eyes at how weak she was behaving. "You want me to apologize to her?'' Beatrice sneered.''If you know what's good for you then yes.'' I said. I watched her get up from her seat and throwing her hair over her shoulders, she walked towards me. She is wearing a pink knee length dress and with all that makeup on, she looks like a that unicorn poop Awol had to eat in the alien's home from the latest danger force episode.''It's not my fault your friend here is a loser, you know,'' she chuckled. ''I didn't come here for that . Just do what I asked you to do so that I can get out of here'' I rolled my eyes. I looked around and spotted one of her friends unwrapping a lollipop and I snatched it from her. I sat on the table and placed a foot on the chair. ''We're still waiting for you Miss Beatrice,'' I said casually. ''Seriously you don't.....'' ''Shut up Kaylee!,'' I yelled shutting her up immediately. These rich spoilt brats always think they can bully anyone they wanted. well, not my friend. They messed with the wrong person this time.''Apologize to her or I'll force you to do it,'' I said my gaze fixed on Beatrice. ''I don't think you know who you are dealing with,'' Beatrice laughed."Are you new here?" She asked with narrowed eyes. "Because I can just let this slide since....." '' I honestly don't care about all that so just apologize and ...'' I cut her off, not interested in whatever she had to say.''You know what ...'' Beatrice smirked walking up to me. ''Why don't you make me? She raised a brow. ''I would like to see you ...'' she pointed a finger at me which I grabbed and twisted immediately. She yelled in pains as she tried to free herself but I only tightened my grip and twisted it more."Will your apologize or not? "I asked bending the finger backwards."I'll kill you,'' she yelled through gritted teeth struggling to free herself. "I'd like to see you try, "I chuckled. She kept struggling until she finally gave up. "Fine, I'll apologize,'' she said and I chuckled, before releasing her. She composes herself and took in a deep breath. "I'm sorry" she rolled her eyes. "Like you mean it,'' I yelled and she flinched. It took an amount of unknown strength not to laugh at how she looked like. "I'm sorry Kaylee,'' she said more apologetically."Good, 'I smiled jumping of the table. I placed the lollipop I pulled out of my mouth in front of the girl I took it from before turning to Kaylee. I grabbed Kaylee's hand and then turned to walk away.''I'll make you regret this,'' Beatrice swore angrily. I paused at the doorway and turned to her. ''I'll be looking forward to that,'' I smirked and turned to leave. Before I could take another step, I crushed into something hard or rather someone hard. I raised my head to see Liam Hunter standing at the door way with a basketball in her armpit. ''Don't you have eyes?'' his loud male voice boomed. '' I do, they just aren't made to see trash,'' I smirked and walk away. The smirk I had on my face widened as I imagined the look Liam had on his face. Nobody has probably spoken to him this way and Kaylee confirmed it. "You shouldn't have done that Zara. Now am worried about you,'' Kaylee sighed.''Why?""Are you seriously asking me why?'' Kaylee paused, staring at me with her arms crossed on her chest.'' Obviously...'' I rolled my eyes. ''I told you not to go in there but you did. And not only did you get into a fight with Beatrice, you also did with Liam,'' Kaylee scolded me like I was a five-year-old baby.''And who are they?'' I raised a brow. Kaylee groaned and face-palmed, before shaking her head. ''Beatrice and Liam..." ''Are the most popular whatever in the school... BLAH BLAH BLAH..... I'm tired of hearing you say that.'' I rolled my eyes and resumed walking. I heard footsteps behind me and I assume Kaylee was following me until I get slammed against the wall. The impact makes my back hurt and I wince in pain. Seconds later Liam is standing in front of me staring coldly into my eyes. I let out a deep breath whiles throwing my head back. 'This guy is just looking for trouble but keep your cool and just walk away Zara 'I told myself and turned to leave but he trapped me between his arms.''What do you want?'' I asked in annoyance. ''I think you know why we are here,'' he said, leaning forward his fresh breath fanning my face. His gorgeous face was just inches away from mine. Gosh he's so....' Focused Zara,'' I slapped myself mentally. ''done staring,'' he said with a smirk." At your ugly face? Yeah,'' I smiled, enjoying the shock on his face.'Way to go Zara, that was quick thinking,' I high-fived"And also, I wouldn't be asking what you wanted if I knew the reason. I shouldn't be saying this but I know how dumb you are so....you're welcome," I say, pissing him off even more."Are you talking to me or....""Geez, it's so difficult dealing with people like you," I face-palmed. " Of course, I'm referring to you, who else?" I roll my eyes." You do realize the mess you're getting yourself into, right? You know I can make your life miserable in this school, right? I'm sure you'veheard about the name Liam Hunter. I know your little friend told you all about me when you stepped foot here. She probably told you not to mess with me else you'll regret it. ''I actually don't know why I was listening to him but I just wanted him to have the upper hand, to enjoy the dominance so that I could shatter it." It's only been a week since you came here so I'll assume you don't know the rules and let you go. We'll pretend all this never happened, if...and only if you apologize to Beatrice here and me." He finally ended his long speech. My ears were even bleeding.Before I could speak, Kaylee rushed to my side and apologized to Liam."Please forgive her. She didn't mean anything she said at did back there," Kaylee said fear evident in her voice. Geez Kaylee, I really have to work on you."I want to hear her say it," Liam said looking at me again. Those beautiful blue eyes again, those beautiful blue eyes were staring at me. But I quickly snap out of it and laugh lightly."You want to hear it from me?" I ask and smile plastered on my lips. I stand on my toes and lean forward, my lips close to his ear as I whisper:" In your wildest dream baby boy. Fuck you, fuck Beatrice, fuck everyone who wants an apology from me."I shove him off me and walk away having a proud feeling in my chest.When we got outside, Kaylee's driver was already waiting, which meant I was saved from lectured my Kaylee again. She waves at me before settling in the car. As I stare at the disappearing car, I groaned remembering I had forgotten my helmet. With no intention of going back in there, I throw my hoodie over my head and walk to my bike. I search my pockets and finally find my keys. Starting the bike, I drive out of the school, leaving a could of dust behind me.Liam’s POV – Years Later The world thought I had it all. Multi-million-dollar companies. A sprawling empire across three continents. A fleet of cars, an estate tucked away in the hills. And behind it all, a carefully constructed underworld — one that moved products with silent efficiency, feared me without knowing me, and left no room for softness. But none of it mattered. Because every night, when the world fell quiet, I still stared at the old phone I’d refused to replace. Cracked screen. Dusty memory card. Battery barely holding a charge. But it held her voice. Her smile. Our story. And I couldn’t let go. Tonight was no different. I sat in my office — the one hidden beneath the surface of my flagship building, where men like me did things we could never confess. The lights were dim, the city glowing like distant fire through the tall windows. And in my hand, that ancient phone rested, open to the last photo I had taken of her. Zara. In her motorbike jacket, smirking at me f
LIAM: The auditorium buzzed with excitement — tassels swinging, caps slipping, parents clapping at names called out with pride. This was supposed to be the moment we had all waited for. Freedom. Celebration. Closure. But for me, it was a reminder of everything I’d lost. Rows of students dressed in navy blue lined the stage, our names listed neatly on the back of the programs. My name was there too: Liam Hunter, bold and undeserving. It felt heavy on the page, like it shouldn’t be printed next to theirs. Especially not next to hers. Zara’s name was missing. But her presence wasn’t. An empty chair sat in the front row, decorated with a single white lily and a photo of her smiling in that way that made the sun jealous. The school said it was to honor her memory. That she’d left a mark too deep to be forgotten. They were right. She had. On all of us. But most of all, on me. I sat in the back row with the rest of the graduates, my fingers clenched around my cap as the ceremon
Liam’s POV The sound of the casket wheels against the gravel felt like thunder in my chest. Everything was too quiet. No birds. No breeze. Just the dull murmur of footsteps behind me and the sound of fabric brushing against itself as people followed slowly. Each person held something: a rose, a prayer, a heavy silence. I held nothing. I didn’t deserve to. The cemetery was tucked away behind the church, surrounded by trees that stood like mourners themselves, tall and still. The grave was already dug, six feet deep and waiting. Too final. Too cruel. I stood at the edge, a few feet behind Nick and Kaylee. Neither of them looked at me. I didn’t expect them to. Zara’s mother stood at the front, face pale and tear-stained. Her father held her trembling hand, but he looked like a shell—like he hadn’t slept in days. No parent should have to bury their child. And I… I should’ve been buried in her place. The casket was carried gently—like it could still feel pain. Like she coul
I never imagined the last time I’d see Zara would be in a coffin. The rain hadn’t started, but the clouds were heavy. Like the sky itself was mourning. The church was full, but it still felt hollow. People came dressed in black, some with umbrellas, others with red-rimmed eyes. I sat at the far back, where the shadows reached and no one would dare acknowledge me. It felt like everyone could hear my guilt. See it crawling under my skin. I didn’t deserve to be here—but I couldn’t stay away either. The room echoed with the quiet sound of sniffling. The kind of broken silence only funerals knew how to create. Every second in that room felt like a scream inside my head. Every soft hymn, every whispered condolence—none of it touched me. All I could hear was her laugh. All I could see was the way her face fell when I told her she’d never be my type. I’d memorized that moment frame by frame, and now I’d never get the chance to apologize for it. I was the reason she was gone. When
Nick’s POV I’ve always hated suits. But today, I wore one for Zara. The black jacket felt too tight. The collar choked me. My fists remained clenched in my lap as the priest droned on about peace and heaven and how “God takes the good ones early.” I wanted to stand up and scream at him that none of this made sense. Zara wasn’t supposed to be in a casket. She was supposed to be riding her motorbike down some open road, wind in her face, music in her ears. Not… here. Not gone. I looked straight ahead, but I couldn’t focus. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t feel anything except the deep, hot ache in my chest that hadn’t dulled since the morning I found out she’d died. The moment they showed me her bike on the news, I knew. I knew before the confirmation call. I knew before the police visited our house. My knees gave out. My heart collapsed in on itself. Kaylee had been the only thing stopping me from breaking something that day. I sat next to her now, her hand over mine, stead
Kaylee’s POV The sky was a dull gray, as if it, too, mourned the girl who once chased sunsets on her motorbike and laughed like the world hadn’t betrayed her. Zara’s funeral was held in the small chapel near the cemetery—intimate, quiet, and heavy with unshed tears. Rows of students from school filled the pews. Some came out of guilt, some out of shock, and a few, like me, came because their hearts would never be the same again. I sat beside Nick, our hands tangled tightly, grounding each other in the kind of pain words couldn’t reach. Nick hadn’t said much since the accident. Just stayed quiet. Angry. Protective. Devastated. Zara’s picture sat at the front of the chapel—one of her rare smiling photos. Hair down. Eyes gleaming. She looked happy in it. Carefree. Like she had no idea how cruel the world could be. I hated that picture. Because it felt like a lie now. The priest spoke, but I barely heard the words. Something about finding peace, about eternal rest, about how
The night air was bitter, but not as cold as the hollow space in my chest. The roads blurred beneath my tires, my grip on the wheel white-knuckled, jaw clenched so tight I thought it would crack. I didn’t remember getting in the car. I didn’t remember turning onto her street. All I knew was rage—and grief. They burned in my veins like poison. When I reached Beatrice’s house, I slammed the car door and marched to her porch, not even bothering to knock. I pounded my fist against the wood hard enough to rattle it. It didn’t take long before the door opened. Beatrice stood there, barefoot, wearing a silky robe and a smug little smirk that dropped the second she saw me. “Liam?” Her brows knit. “What the hell—” “Are you happy now?” I growled, stepping into her space. She stumbled back instinctively. “What?” “Are you happy now?” I repeated, my voice cracking this time. “Is this what you wanted? Because you won, Beatrice. She’s dead.” Her mouth parted. “What are you ta
LIAM: I didn’t wait. Didn’t care that Nick had just knocked the air out of my lungs. Didn’t care that my lip was busted or that I could barely see straight. All I knew was there was a chance she was alive. That somehow, after everything, Zara might still be breathing. I followed them. I kept a few cars behind on the freeway, watching Nick’s taillights like a lifeline. My hands trembled around the wheel, blood still smeared across my knuckles and jaw. I kept hearing her voice, the last time she looked at me—those wide, broken eyes. The way she yanked her hand away when I tried to speak. I deserved her hate. I deserved worse. But I still had to see her. When we pulled into the hospital parking lot, Nick and Kaylee stepped out first. Kaylee looked around warily. I kept my distance, waiting until they entered through the emergency entrance before climbing out of my car. The cold air hit my face like a slap, waking every nerve. My legs felt heavy, but I moved forward a
LIAM The morning sun broke through the curtains, but it brought no warmth. I must’ve passed out sometime around dawn after dragging myself back home, my jacket still covered in the smell of grass and midnight regret. The dream I woke from was foggy — I saw her, barefoot in the field, laughing as the stars fell behind her. For a moment, I smiled. Then I heard my phone vibrate. Once. Twice. Then it wouldn’t stop. Groaning, I reached for it, squinting at the screen. Ten missed calls. A dozen messages. Notifications flooded in, from group chats and even people I barely talked to at school. “Please tell me this isn’t true…” “Omg… was it her bike??” “Are you okay, Liam??” And then one from Nick. Just one. You better pray it wasn’t her.My heart dropped. I sat up, adrenaline flooding my veins. “No,” I whispered. “No, no, no…” I searched for the local news link someone had sent in one of the messages. My fingers trembled so badly I could barely click the article