The Harrington estate was alive with laughter, music, and the hum of conversation. Fairy lights twinkled above the garden, casting a soft glow over the gathering, and the scent of blooming flowers mingled with the sweet aroma of birthday cake. Mia tried to remind herself to enjoy the moment, to soak in the celebration. After all, it was her birthday—her own carefully scheduled day to be the center of attention, even if just for a few hours.
And yet, despite the festive atmosphere, she found herself feeling oddly restless. Maybe it was the sheer number of people, or the way everyone seemed to hover between polite conversation and awkward familiarity. Or maybe it was because Ace had arrived not five minutes ago, already leaning casually against the edge of the fountain, smirking at the chaos around him as if he owned every corner of the party.
"You look like you're about to bolt," Lily whispered, sidling up beside her. "Relax. It's your day. Enjoy it."
Mia gave a small smile, though she couldn't quite reach her eyes. "I am enjoying it," she lied lightly. She adjusted her dress and forced herself to breathe. The truth was, she wasn't entirely sure how to enjoy herself when Ace's presence made every small interaction feel charged, like static in the air.
"Hey, look who's here," James said, walking over with his signature easy grin. He fell into step beside her and Lily, glancing over at Ace with an eyebrow raised. "And he didn't even spill anything yet. Impressive."
Ace's smirk deepened, his attention on Mia but his voice loud enough to carry. "I aim to impress."
Mia rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to shove him lightly. "You're insufferable," she muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
The four of them—Mia, Ace, Lily, and James—fell into an easy conversation, talking about school, friends, and the upcoming holiday break. The air was light, punctuated by laughter and teasing, yet beneath the surface, Mia could feel the subtle tension between herself and Ace, a thread of awareness neither of them fully acknowledged.
"You know," James said casually, leaning on the railing, "you really know how to throw a party, Mia. You've got everyone here and still managing to keep it under control."
Mia shrugged modestly. "I just like people to have fun. And I like the chaos of it all—it makes everything feel… alive."
Lily nudged her. "Speak for yourself. Some of us prefer chaos-free zones."
Ace laughed, that low, teasing sound that always managed to unsettle her. "Chaos looks good on her," he said, glancing at Mia with that infuriatingly confident grin.
Mia felt heat rise to her cheeks, though she tried to hide it. She opened her mouth to retort, but before the words could escape, a voice cut through the laughter of the garden like a sudden gust of wind.
"Mia?"
She froze mid-step. Her heart lurched violently, and for a moment, time slowed. She didn't need to see the person to know who it was—she recognized that voice instantly.
It was Liam.
The sound of his name on his lips, the warmth and certainty in his tone, hit her like a thunderclap. Memories she had carefully tucked away, neatly filed in the back of her mind, surged forward unbidden—late-night talks, whispered secrets, the laughter and tears they had shared.
Mia's breath caught in her throat. She felt Lily and James glance at her curiously, noticing the sudden shift in her posture, the way her hand gripped her cup tighter, the slight tremor in her fingers.
Ace, ever perceptive despite his usual teasing, tilted his head, watching her closely. There was something in her expression, something he didn't fully understand but knew mattered.
And then, before she could even process what she was feeling, Liam's voice called out again, louder this time, cutting through the music and chatter:
"Mia! Hey, it's me!"
Her heart raced, chest tightening in ways she hadn't anticipated. Everything around her—the lights, the music, the laughter of friends—blurred into the background. It was just him. That voice. That name. That feeling of familiarity and something unresolved.
Mia's legs felt rooted to the spot. She wanted to move, to flee, to run into the safety of the crowd or retreat to a quiet corner, but her body refused.
Lily reached for her arm, but Mia barely registered it. James looked between her and the direction Liam had come from, eyebrows knitting together in silent question. Ace leaned slightly closer, still quiet, still observing, that smirk replaced by a rare, almost concerned expression.
For a moment, nothing else existed.
And then, as the music swelled and laughter bubbled around her, Mia realized one thing with terrifying clarity: Liam was here.
And she had no idea how she was supposed to deal with it.