~
Liam returned with Eric late at night after getting Sarah to cover up for Camilla at school, although she wouldn't be able to escape punishment for breaking curfew.
They entered the house and immediately noticed several beer cans scattered across the floor.
They hurried further inside, already guessing what the girls must have been up to.
Both of them were sprawled on the floor of the room, completely wasted.
"What the hell!" Eric exclaimed when he saw the sorry state they were in and quickly went to help Briana up.
Liam stepped into the room and rubbed his temples without saying a word.
He watched Eric take Briana out so he could send her home, then bent down toward Camilla, who was still lying on the floor.
He knew he shouldn't have left her alone with Briana.
"Liam, you're back. I missed you," Camilla said as she opened her eyes and cuddled up to him.
He lifted her and helped her sit on a chair, gently cleaning the dirt from her hair.
"How much did you drink?" he asked.
"Just a little," she replied drunkenly, then suddenly stood on her feet.
"I promise I don't have any feelings like that for you. I don't know how else to convince him," Camilla murmured.
Liam was taken aback by her words and sighed softly, hurt by such a strong affirmation.
"Is that why you got yourself drunk?" Liam caught her before she could fall and carried her back to the room.
She must really care about Tyler.
He placed her gently on the bed and went out to get some hangover medication so she wouldn't wake up with a terrible headache.
When he returned, he helped her sit up and calmly gave her the medication.
"You're not going to stop being friends with me, right? I don't want you to stop being my friend," Camilla grumbled as she opened her eyes to look at him.
Her delicate gaze met his, and she looked like she might cry at any moment.
"I will always be by your side," he promised, patting her hair lightly, even as he processed the weight of his own words.
No matter how much he thought about it, he didn't want to let her go even after hearing her confirm she didn't have those feelings for him.
The thought of her in another man's arms sent pain through his chest, and he felt a possessive ache he couldn't control.
"Camilla, let's never break our friendship," he said, overwhelmed by his emotions.
"Hmm," she agreed, and they sealed the promise by intertwining their fingers.
"What if you get married to another girl? Wouldn't you stop being friends with me then?" Camilla asked, still holding his hand.
"I won't," he assured her.
She smiled and closed her eyes again, drifting back to sleep.
Liam stared at her for so long that he lost track of time.
He cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her lips, but Camilla opened her eyes at that moment, causing him to freeze.
He stared into her confused eyes nervously, trying to explain himself, but she suddenly planted a kiss on his cheek, leaned closer to his ear, and whispered,
"You're so cute…"
His body went numb for a few moments before his heart began to race wildly.
He pulled away hastily as Camilla turned toward the pillow and continued sleeping.
"Goodnight," he managed to say before leaving the room.
---
Liam opened his eyes to see Camilla sitting in his room, dressed in a nightgown with her legs crossed.
Her long brown hair cascaded down her slender neck, and her pale face showed she had just woken up.
He rubbed his eyes, convinced he was dreaming, then slowly sat up.
"Why are you here so early?" he asked, but she smiled mischievously and walked toward him, slowly loosening her robe.
It revealed her long legs and a short gown thin enough for him to see her underwear beneath.
"Camilla, what are you doing?" Liam asked again, stunned, as he rushed forward and covered her with his duvet.
—
"Liam, are you awake? The party is starting in an hour."
His mother's voice called from outside his room, and he opened his eyes lazily, realizing it had all been a dream.
A strange sense of disappointment settled in his chest.
Maybe it was because Camilla had broken up with Tyler, or maybe it was because it was their birthday.
Liam couldn't tell why he had been feeling so light-hearted lately.
He decided to let his feelings for Camilla grow.
When she told him she had ended things with Tyler two weeks earlier, he thought it would be the perfect time to finally confess.
Nothing will go wrong.
Liam sighed nervously and smiled, imagining her accepting his confession.
Mrs. Anderson entered his room with Vivian, carrying a tray of birthday breakfast as they always did.
Liam stepped out of the bathroom in a robe and smiled as they wished him a happy birthday, handing him a drink first.
He took a bite of the meal and quickly moved the plate away from his mother before she could insist on feeding him.
After thanking them again, he asked them to leave so he could get dressed.
"I'll go feed my goddaughter then," Mrs. Anderson said cheerfully and hurried off.
Vivian followed her, but Liam grabbed her arm, confused.
"Which goddaughter is she talking about?" he asked.
"Camilla. Who else? Sometimes I feel like I'm not her real daughter," Vivian replied, taking a bite from his plate as she sat on his bed.
"When did she get here? I thought we agreed to meet by ten this morning," he asked, surprised.
"I thought you two were best friends. She's been in this house since last night," Vivian said, reaching for another bite, but Liam snatched the plate away and ate quickly.
"Tell her I'll be down in a minute," he said with his mouth full, finishing the meal in seconds.
Vivian rolled her eyes, annoyed at being ignored because of Camilla, and stood up.
"I'll go chat with my boyfriend then," she muttered before leaving.
Liam quickly pulled on a shirt and trousers and rushed to Camilla's room with the gift hidden behind him.
He planned to give it to her when they were alone.
When he arrived, he saw his mum helping Camilla check her dress.
Camilla noticed him, dropped the dress onto the bed, and ran over to hug him, wishing him a happy birthday excitedly.
Liam smiled and returned the greeting, just as thrilled to see her.
"Why didn't you tell me you were here?" he asked, trying not to show too much excitement.
"Sorry. I wanted to be the first person you saw today, but I chatted late into the night with Briana and woke up late," she explained, rubbing her hands together apologetically.
"I'm happy to see you now too," he said, gently patting her hair.
"That's enough. You both need to get ready before everyone arrives," Mrs. Anderson said, pulling Camilla back into the room.
"Bye," Camilla said to Liam before the door shut in his face.
He returned to his room, still holding her gift, planning to give it to her later.
Eric suddenly appeared behind him, smacking him playfully before pulling back.
"Happy birthday, old man. I can't believe you're turning twenty already," Eric joked.
"Why are you here so early?" Liam asked, not particularly excited to see him, as he opened the door to get ready.