Confessing to Liam

chapter: 1,2,3,4,5... (combined chapter).

Chapter 1: The Boy Everyone Loves

Ethan had always been an average guy—average grades, average looks, and an average social life. But there was one thing about him that was far from average: his massive, unshakable crush on Liam Carter, the boy who was loved by every girl in school.

Liam was effortlessly charming, with a bright smile that made teachers forget about unfinished homework and a laugh that echoed through the hallways like a melody. He was the kind of guy who could sit at any lunch table and instantly belong. Girls from different classes would always find excuses to talk to him, giggling as they passed him notes or asked him for help with homework.

Ethan, on the other hand, had spent most of high school being invisible. That was, until he fell for Liam.

Chapter 2: Stupid Feelings

It had started as admiration. Ethan told himself that he just liked how confident Liam was, how he could joke around with the teachers and still get away with it. But soon, Ethan found himself memorizing the way Liam scrunched his nose when he was deep in thought, or how his fingers tapped against his desk whenever he was bored.

By the time Ethan realized it was a full-blown crush, it was too late.

"Why him?" Ethan groaned, slamming his head against his locker.

His best friend, Noah, chuckled. "Because he's pretty, obviously. And he’s, like, the human version of a golden retriever."

Ethan scowled. "That doesn’t help."

"Are you ever gonna confess?"

"And get rejected? No thanks."

Chapter 3: The Confession Plan

Ethan had spent weeks overanalyzing every interaction with Liam. Did the accidental brush of their hands in chemistry class mean something? Was Liam’s friendly shoulder bump in the hallway just friendly?

Noah finally had enough. "Dude, just confess. What's the worst that could happen?"

"He laughs in my face, tells the entire school, and I have to transfer to another country," Ethan said dramatically.

Noah sighed. "Or he likes you back."

Ethan snorted. "Yeah, right."

But deep down, a tiny part of him hoped.

Chapter 4: The Almost Confession

One afternoon, Ethan found himself walking home with Liam. It was just the two of them, and the setting sun painted the sky in soft oranges and purples.

It was perfect.

"Ethan?" Liam turned to him, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Hm?"

"You've been acting weird lately. Is something wrong?"

This was it. This was his chance.

Ethan took a deep breath. "Liam, I—"

Before he could finish, a group of girls from another class ran up to Liam, giggling as they handed him a homemade cake.

"We made this for you!" one of them said shyly.

Liam smiled, thanking them effortlessly, while Ethan stood frozen, heart sinking.

Of course. Liam belonged to everyone.

Chapter 5: The Real Confession

For days, Ethan avoided Liam. Every time he saw him surrounded by girls, it reminded him that Liam was out of reach.