Unexpected turn

                                    

                                          
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Chapter 12: Unexpected Turns
The following week was a blur of classes, laughter, and whispered rumors echoing through the hallways. Mia found herself stealing glances at Liam between classes, their secret smiles making her heart flutter. She had never expected this connection to feel so natural, but there was something about him that just clicked.
As they sat in their usual spot at lunch, Mia noticed a group of girls from her math class huddled together, their eyes darting between her and Liam. She felt a familiar pang of anxiety. “You see them?” she asked, nodding toward the table.
Liam glanced over, then back at her. “Yeah, but they’re just jealous. You know how it is.”
“Jealous?” Mia snorted, rolling her eyes. “More like they’re waiting for the drama to unfold. Like it’s a soap opera or something.”
Liam laughed, but Mia could see a flicker of concern in his eyes. “Forget them. We’re just living our lives, right?”
“Right,” Mia agreed, but the unease lingered in her gut. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to shake it off. “So, what’s the plan for the weekend? You down for another park day?”
Liam nodded, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Absolutely. But this time, I’m bringing my A-game to that basketball court.”
“Okay, but don’t be surprised if I school you,” Mia teased, smirking.
“Bring it on, queen. I’m ready,” he replied confidently.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Mia gathered her things, feeling the usual buzz of excitement at the thought of spending more time with Liam. But as they walked out of the cafeteria, a girl from the group she had noticed earlier approached them, her posture tense.
“Hey, Mia. Can we talk?” the girl said, her tone clipped.
Mia exchanged a quick glance with Liam, who looked uncertain. “Um, sure,” she replied, stepping a little away from him.
Liam hesitated but then squeezed her hand briefly before letting go, giving her an encouraging nod. “I’ll be right over there,” he said, pointing to a nearby table.
Mia felt a rush of gratitude but also anxiety. What could this girl want? She turned back to face her classmate, who crossed her arms, looking defensive.
“I just wanted to let you know that people are talking,” the girl began, her tone almost accusatory. “About you and Liam.”
“Yeah, I figured,” Mia replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “What’s the problem?”
“It’s just... it feels weird, you know? You’re... you’re not like him. It just doesn’t make sense,” the girl said, her words spilling out before she could hold them back.
Mia clenched her jaw, the words hitting her harder than she expected. “What does that even mean?”
“Look, I’m just saying, people are saying stuff. Like, why is a white boy with a Black girl? It’s just not what we usually see,” the girl said, her eyes darting around, clearly uncomfortable.
Mia felt a heat rising in her chest. “So, because we don’t fit your idea of normal, that makes it wrong? You don’t know anything about us.”
The girl faltered, her bravado slipping. “I didn’t mean it like that! I just...”
“Honestly, I don’t have time for this,” Mia said, cutting her off. “You don’t know anything about me or Liam. If you want to gossip, do it somewhere else.”
Mia turned on her heel, striding back toward Liam, who was watching with concern etched across his face. As she reached him, she felt a rush of emotions—anger, frustration, and a sense of determination.
“What did she want?” Liam asked, his brow furrowed.
“Just some nonsense about how we don’t fit the mold,” Mia replied, shaking her head. “You know, the usual BS.”
Liam’s expression hardened. “That’s ridiculous. We’re just us. Why should it matter to anyone else?”
“Exactly,” Mia said, feeling the tension in her chest ease slightly. “But people love to talk. It’s like they have nothing better to do.”
Liam reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. “Forget them, Mia. You and me? We’re good. We know what we’ve got, and that’s all that matters.”
Mia looked at him, gratitude flooding her heart. “You’re right. I just hate that people feel like they can have an opinion on our lives.”
“Yeah, well, they need to mind their business,” he said firmly. “I’m not letting anyone mess with what we have. We’ll just keep doing our thing.”
As they walked back out into the sunlight, Mia felt a renewed sense of strength. “I like that plan,” she said, squeezing his hand tighter.
The rest of the day passed without incident, but Mia couldn’t shake the encounter from her mind. She found herself thinking about how people could be so quick to judge. When the final bell rang, she felt a mix of relief and excitement for the weekend ahead.
On Saturday, they met at the park again, the weather perfect for a day of basketball and fun. As they set up their game, Mia could feel the energy between them—playful, competitive, and charged.
“Ready to lose?” Mia challenged, bouncing the basketball confidently.
Liam laughed, shaking his head. “Not a chance! You’re going down.”
They played for a while, their laughter echoing around the court. Mia loved this part of their dynamic—how they pushed each other but also lifted each other up. Every shot she made felt like a small victory, and every missed basket was a chance for them to tease and laugh.
After a particularly competitive round, they both flopped down on the grass, breathing heavily, cheeks flushed with excitement. “I think I’m gonna need a snack,” Mia said, still giggling.
“Yeah, me too,” Liam agreed, panting a little. “What do you feel like?”
“Those nachos from last week!” Mia exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “We need to refuel.”
As they walked toward the food truck, Mia felt lighter, as if the weight of the world was slipping off her shoulders. For the first time, she realized that while others might have their opinions, she didn’t have to let them affect her.
“Hey, Mia?” Liam’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“Whatever happens, I’m glad we’re doing this. I’m glad we’re us,” he said, his sincerity washing over her like a warm blanket.
Mia smiled, feeling the corners of her heart soften. “Me too, Liam. I really am.”
As they got their snacks and settled down at a picnic table, Mia looked around at the park bustling with life, her heart swelling with hope. She knew they’d face challenges, but as long as they had each other, she felt ready to take on anything.
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