Catch Liam in the Hallway

“Liam! Liam wait up!”

Stopping, he turned to face me. A smile sprang to his lips as I dumped my tray and stacked it atop the others. Together, we walked out the double doors into the crowd of people shuffling to their next class.

“Thanks man, you saved my ass there,” I said.

“So it’s true?” I nearly stumbled, wanting to try my best at stuffing my shoe down my throat. He chuckled. “Relax man. I don’t give a shit about that. Don’t forget, life is outrunning me too.”

I hadn’t forgotten about that. Unlike most boys, his immune system never really kicked in. He’d been sick a lot longer than other boys, which ultimately led to him starting school late. While most of our class was turning eighteen, Liam was already nineteen. He’d be twenty when we graduated. Still, I was glad he had been held back. We’d probably never had met if he had started on time.

Hearing him say that caused relief to flood through me, making me lightheaded. “Um… about what you told them. About me and your sister…”

He waved his hand. “Don’t worry about it. I shot her a text before I opened my mouth. She’ll play along.”

I blinked, not expecting her to help so readily. “Really?”

“Why not? I told her it would help you out and she agreed.”

“Just like that.”

“Just like that.” He arched an eyebrow. “Why? Actually interested?”

“No.”

“So quick. She’ll be heartbroken to hear that.”

“I didn’t—”

“Scott. Chill man. I’m just messing with you.” He paused, glancing around. Voice low, he leaned towards me. “Is it true though?”

“What?”

“You know…” He tipped his head back towards the cafeteria behind us.

My stomach churned as I considered my options. Liam was more than a friend. He was a brother. Through thick and thin, we’d have each other's backs. It meant I could trust him. I did trust him. Completely. Today wasn’t the first time he’d helped me in a bind. It wouldn’t be the last either. I knew if he ever got in trouble, I’d be right there to help him too.

Yet I hesitated. I carried around secrets heavier than teen drama. Secrets that could land someone in prison. Multiple people in prison. Keeping those secrets protected him, even if it meant lying from time to time. Of course, he wasn’t asking for anything too deep now, but eventually…