The final days of high school were creeping up, and the air around Golden Crest Academy seemed to be getting thicker with the pressure of upcoming graduation.
The final year students were buzzing with anticipation as the countdown to the interschool competition began. It was only a month away, and the excitement was palpable. But for Liam, the whole thing felt like a distant echo. The competition, which was set to take place at Willows Hill High School—the school Liam had once called home—seemed like a far-off event. The truth was, he wasn't really interested in it anymore. The days were ticking down, but Liam could barely muster up the energy to care. His mind was preoccupied with something much heavier than sports, something that had been gnawing at him ever since he began pulling away from Oliver.
Liam was known as one of the best athletes in the city, even in the surrounding areas. When he was at Willows Hill, he had dominated the sports scene. He had won countless awards, brought glory to his school, and was celebrated by coaches, teammates, and even the rival schools. Willows Hill had felt the loss when Liam left. It was as if their shining star had disappeared overnight, leaving behind a legacy they could never replace. Now, back at Golden Crest, Liam's talents were still recognized, but his heart wasn't in it. Ever since the incident with Oliver—the kiss, the guilt—everything had become a blur of frustration and confusion.
Despite his lack of enthusiasm, Liam had no choice but to follow through. His parents had insisted that he participate in the competition, even after he told them he wasn't interested. They didn't take "no" for an answer. It wasn't just about the competition itself; it was about maintaining the family name, about keeping up appearances. Liam could already hear their voices in his head, pressuring him to win, to bring home the gold. He could already feel the weight of their expectations bearing down on him.
But none of that mattered to him right now. He didn't care about the medals or the accolades. He just wanted to escape the tension, to run away from everything, especially the mess that had formed between him and Oliver. He had been avoiding Oliver lately, unable to face the whirlwind of emotions that always seemed to arise when they were around each other. Every time he saw Oliver, the desire grew stronger, and the guilt heavier. It was easier to stay distant, even if it hurt more than he cared to admit.
The competition loomed closer, and with it, the unavoidable reality that Liam would have to step up. He had been chosen to participate in three events: volleyball, sprinting, and high jump. The volleyball team, despite his reluctance, was counting on him. The sprinting—well, that was easy enough for him, even if his heart wasn't fully in it. But the high jump was another story. It required focus, precision, and the ability to block everything out. But right now, Liam wasn't sure he could block out the storm that was brewing inside him.
As the days went by, Liam tried to focus on the upcoming events. He trained, practiced, and tried to drown out the noise in his head. But it was impossible. Everywhere he went, it felt like he was carrying a weight—a weight that grew heavier with each passing day. A weight that had Oliver's name written all over it.
He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up. He didn't know how much longer he could pretend that everything was fine. But for now, the competition had to come first. There was no escaping that.
The final year students were preparing for the event, and soon, they would face off against students from other schools, including Willows Hill. Liam tried to push aside the memories of his old school—the triumphs, the glory, the relationships he had left behind. But no matter how hard he tried, one name kept resurfacing: Oliver. And with it, the sinking feeling that everything he had once known was slipping through his fingers, like sand in the wind.
It was going to be a long month. Liam knew..
Oliver couldn't shake the emptiness that had settled in his chest. It was subtle at first—just a brief ache in his chest whenever Liam avoided his gaze or walked past him as though they were strangers.But the more it happened, the deeper the hurt grew.
Oliver had never planned for this to happen. He wanted to talk things through with Liam, but he don't know how to approach him.
Now, it seemed like Liam wanted nothing to do with him after what happened between them in the restroom. And the worst part? It wasn't just the cold avoidance. It was the way Liam would look at him, almost too often, when he thought Oliver wasn't paying attention. It wasn't a casual glance, Liam's eyes would linger for just a second longer than necessary, and then—just as quickly—he'd look away. The moment would pass, and the wall between them would be rebuilt with each silent, unspoken exchange.
Oliver tried to keep his focus on his work, on the lessons, but it was difficult. It felt like Liam's presence was everywhere, even when he wasn't near. Every time Oliver turned in class, even if it was for the briefest of moments, he'd catch Liam staring at him. But the second their eyes met, Liam would pull away as if they'd never shared anything at all.
Oliver hated the uncertainty. Hated that he didn't know where they stood anymore. All he wanted was for things to go back to how they were. For them to laugh again, to joke around the way they used to, to be friends again.
But every time Liam passed by without a word, without even acknowledging him, the weight of that loss pressed harder against his chest. He missed Liam. Not just as a friend—but as someone who had come to mean so much more to him than he ever thought possible...