Isla POV

9 Years Ago

Weeks passed, and Liam and I kept our secret shed hidden from everyone. I found myself walking faster after the final bell, my heart already light at the thought of seeing him. Soon, the sight of him made my chest tighten in a way I didn't quite understand.

I felt so comfortable with him in that small space. I could joke around, tease him, and actually be myself. He opened up to me too. He told me about his parents' expectations, his loneliness despite being surrounded by people, his love for things he would never admit to anyone else.

One afternoon, we were huddled together...