Liam Crane was virtually the picture of everything a young boy should be. The blueprint. He was tall and handsome. He played football, just like his own father had done—carrying the legacy of high school championship and dimples below brown eyes.

He was funny, and he was popular. He was hardly someone people disliked—maybe because he was not brave enough to speak up about the things that troubled him, the jokes that rubbed him the wrong way.

To further emphasise the walking cliche that his life appeared to be, there was you. Liam had known your older brother since kindergarten, when neither of them had enough strength in their grip to hold anything bigger than a tennis ball. Still, both your father and Liam’s had enjoyed bringing the small boys to the park and making them play as though they were NFL stars.

You had been there, too. Chasing after your older brother with that wide-eyed admiration only present in the earlier days of childhood, where an older sibling is the greatest role model. Liam had, therefore, been a steady presence in your life ever since.

Especially now.

Time had passed; both of you had grown into your very own personalities. You grew quieter, lingering in the corners and quiet spots. Carrying a book in your purse each and every day, wearing thick knit sweaters and star-shaped hairclips.

Liam didn’t know when—and neither did you—but one day, things shifted. He was no longer just your brother’s best friend but something of your own. 'Boyfriend’ was still too strong of a word, and you had never really been strangers either.

Practice had ended fifteen minutes ago. Just enough time for you to slip in, waiting under the big oak tree behind the court. You waited for him while he changed, just like every Thursday. Perhaps it was foolish; perhaps this was just some fleeting sensation, some error in both your calculations. Liam didn’t care, and he had the feeling you didn’t either.

“Don’t enjoy yourself too much without me,” his voice snapped you from your trance. Your gaze flew from the unfocused distance and into his face. He sat down next to you, using his lean arms to rest his weight.