Is There Something Wrong?

'Great. What a great day!' Brielle mentally smacked herself right in the face.

Just as she thought that she would be able to avoid Liam during the weekend, she was completely wrong.

Liam is in the house spending time with them. With all the best she can do and practically all the things she watched in cheesy Korean dramas, she did her best to act as normal as possible just like she did not declare him as her boyfriend the night before.

Cali is laughing so hard while Liam teaches her how to ride a bicycle without training wheels. Audrey gives Brielle the task to look over Cali while she prepares for their snack.

No matter how many times Brielle insists and reasoned out to Audrey and their mother that she just spat the boyfriend thing out of irritation, they would not buy it.

Earlier this morning, Liam stood outside their door because he said he had an appointment with Cali who asked him endlessly to teach her how to ride a bike without training wheels. The young girl could not contain her excitement as soon as she saw Liam by the door and immediately dragged him inside leaving Brielle's jaw dropping to the floor.

It was a fine sunny day in their backyard, the white fluffy clouds steadily moving against each other in the vast blue sky made Brielle calm. She is reading a book while laying down on the beach bench while directly exposed to the sun. She is getting all the tan she needs after isolating herself inside her dark and gloomy bedroom for the past two weeks.

Her skin is already turning into a golden hue which she loves the most. Occasionally, she peeks at Cali and Liam who seem to be having a great time. The six-year-old Cali is squealing and laughing while Liam slowly pushes her sparkly pink bicycle. She is sporting a pink helmet as well as pink elbow and knee protection.

Moments later, Audrey goes outside holding a plate on each hand with the sandwiches she made for snacks. She also mounted a foldable table under the shade of their mango tree to seek refuge from the intense heat of the sun.

After seeing Audrey bring snacks, Cali got off her bike and came running in her direction. Her cheeks are flushed wet while covered with sweat. Audrey is quick enough to pat her sister dry and place a handkerchief on her back.

"Oh, Brielle! Can you please get the orange juice inside?" Audrey asked Brielle who was too occupied with reading across them. She is wearing a short tube top and short shorts to get most of the sun's rays on her skin which she actually did get because she started flushing and achieved the tan she liked.

Liam ran his fingers through his hair and volunteered, "Let me help you, Brielle." He went inside the house along with her. Ever since Liam came today, Brielle has not spoken a word which was a surefire way to make Liam feel bad.

Even though he was immersed in teaching little Cali how to ride the bicycle, he could not help taking quick glances at Brielle who was busy reading a book. To him, she looked pissed with his existence.

Picking up the pitcher, Brielle never said a word which really troubled Liam. Taking advantage of the silence inside the house, he spoke, "Brielle, are you mad at me?" He caught her sight, his eyes are filled with worry and guilt for something he does not know.

Brielle tried to avoid his warm and thoughtful gaze but failed. Liam had this honest and thoughtful gaze that draws her into an endless void. She bit her lower lip and wiped her sweating palms on her denim shorts. Here he goes again, making her heart beat incredibly fast for unknown reasons.

Trying to make logical explanations to her sudden fast heartbeat these past few days, she thought to herself. "I know I just have an irregular heartbeat, that is it." She did not entertain any ideas and brushed it off.

"I am not mad at you, Liam. I am not, really." Brielle answered him with much conviction and pain in her voice. She is guilty of putting him in such an awkward situation of being her boyfriend.

What troubles her the most is that he could have a girlfriend and she may cause a rift between them for just a stupid declaration to annoy her cheating ex-boyfriend.

She let out shallow breaths and attempted to leave the scene because she feels really really bad around him and thinks it would be best for her to stay away from him.

Liam spoke coldly and with his stern voice, "Why do I feel like you are avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? Come on, tell me, Brielle," He spoke, almost pleading. Brielle did not dare to turn back. She firmly shut her eyes, contemplating, feeling bad that she is making him feel bad.

"I'm sorry, okay? It is just that I am feeling seriously bad for saying stupid things last night like you're my boyfriend. A social media post of us is circulating online with me saying it and I hate to think how bad it must've affected you and your girlfriend. I don't know how I will ever have to face you, Liam. I am beyond embarrassed of myself. I am so sorry," Brielle explained everything that was going on in her mind. Unbeknownst to her, the corners of Liam's mouth rose when she mentioned his 'girlfriend'.

Cali and Audrey are enjoying themselves while eating tuna sandwiches. They were waiting for Brielle and Liam to come out of the house bringing the orange juice but they took longer than expected.

"I am so parched, where are those two?" Audrey was about to stand up and go after them but Cali prevented her from doing so.

While munching her sandwich, Cali said, "Don't go inside, they could be talking. I noticed they have not spoken a word to each other since earlier so I think something is wrong, right? That is what my classmates say when boyfriends and girlfriends fight," Cali innocently spoke and then wiped her face with the table napkin. Her big and pure eyes looked straight at Audrey's amused face.

Audrey tried not to laugh and sat back, "Your classmates at the kindergarten told you that?" Any moment from now, she could burst from laughter.

Cali nodded her head and looked very serious. Audrey assessed what Cali just said and realized she actually made sense. She actually noticed the two being more silent than usual to each other.

Cali wiped her hands clean and said, "I like Liam to be Brielle's boyfriend more than Gerald. He was so annoying, always looking at himself in the mirror and he is not funny," She said in a serious tone and face.