PRELUDE

THE applause and screams of the people watching us with my band were loud. Even though I’m so tired of singing and sweating so hard, I still give it my all. I feel strangely happy now and I know my colleagues are the same. I cannot see the tiredness on our faces even though we have performed since the afternoon. When we like what we do, we really don’t notice all the tiredness.

“Thank you, Texas City!” I shouted into the microphone before bending slightly and waving at everyone. To the people below the stage, on its side, as well as the people upstairs in the mall. They all waved at us and called our names. Their shouts sounded like music to my ears. They were even holding posters with my siblings’ faces on them.

“This is great!” Avana whispered to me–one of my sisters.

I nodded and smiled at her. I tapped her arm and then went down backstage and went straight to our dressing room. They will still take advantage of the fans who support us. I picked up the bottle of mineral water and drank. I consumed all the water from the bottle. When I ran out of water, I was going to catch my breath. We also performed for less than two hours and I really didn’t realize that I was thirsty. I feel like my body is charging.

“Excuse me, Miss Ava? Someone is looking for you.”

The woman was talking. I frowned and waited to say who she was referring to, but she just backed away. I don’t know who can find me, even though I have an idea. Maybe it’s just our avid fans.

I stood up to close the door when suddenly someone came in and quickly closed it. “What the—”

“Shhh...”

My eyes widened as I stared at the face of the man who had just entered our dressing room. At first, I did not recognize him because he was wearing a jacket folded to the elbow and wearing a black hat on his head. He was wearing denim pants and a V-neck shirt. Moments later, he removed the cause cap to expose who was standing in front of me.

I couldn’t believe what and who I was seeing.

Although his hair is messy and the perfume used is fragrant, his facial skin is also noticeable to turn white and smooth. He also has a watch on the arm and based on the brand, it’s not just cheap.

“W-what are you doing here?” I asked, but he just kept staring at me. His hand went up and was about to come close to my face when I backed away. “Don’t touch me, Liam. Get out of here!” I whispered firmly, full of authority.

“I just want to talk to you, Ava. Please, talk to me. I’m back. I’m not leaving again,” he told me, but I whiffed my head.

“Go away. Get out! You’re trespassing, do you know that? I can sue you for—”

“Go for it, I don’t care. Let’s just talk, please. Talk to me.”

Something pierced my heart when I saw his eyes twinkle. Liam’s eyes and nose were also slightly red. I shook even more.

‘No. What I saw was not true.’

“I won’t talk to you, Liam. Go away.”

“No. Whether or not you like it, you will come with me so we can talk properly!”

“What?” I couldn’t believe it! But I was even more surprised when now I’m wearing the black cap he was wearing earlier. He held my hand, then rudely pulled me out of the dressing room.

I never realized how we escaped the eyes of the people, especially the press, because no one was there. At the back exit, we passed, and no one saw us. Until we got to the parking lot and stopped in front of a blue Mustang Much-E. Liam opened the door and forced me to get inside.

‘He already has a car. It’s a Ford!’

I can’t believe I’m droning in my mind. I just ignored that. When Liam left Houston, I don't know what his life was like. I don’t have time to find out and I don’t care.

“Where are you taking me? Why are you so mean?” I shouted as he seated into the driver’s seat while I’m seating at the shotgun. Now I feel bad for him. He started the engine and started the car. “Liam, I’m not happy with what you’re doing! Take me back to the mall!” My siblings and our manager will definitely look for me, especially my mom. Though I just don’t know if she was looking for me then. Sadness rose in my chest, but it also immediately disappeared when Liam spoke.

“No. You’ll talk to me first before I take you back there. If this is the only way we can talk, I will!” I could clearly see how his jaw clenched, signaling that he was angry.

I just didn’t say a word. I know Liam, when he is angry, it will never stop his anger. Wrong. There is something that calms him down.

‘And I won’t do that!’

I averted my eyes from him as my cheeks warmed at the thought. I just focused my attention off the road. It was dark and I could not memorize this place. I could only see trees and lights on poles. Even though I didn’t look back at Liam, I knew he was staring straight at my seat and I also heard his sigh.

I don’t know what’s on his mind. I’m disgusted. After what happened, why did he come back? Why is he still here now in front of me, wanting to talk to me? We don’t have to talk anymore because we’re long done. I cupped my palms as I felt again the pain he had caused me before.

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. The warming of the corners of my eyes, I suppressed as well. That pain is over for me. I’ve been through that and I’ve been able to… Right. I’m fine. I shouldn’t be affecting him.

Until the vehicle stopped on the side of the road. It was pitch dark all around. I did not move in my seat. I felt Liam come down, but I stayed in my seat.

‘Why is he doing this? As far as I remember, he asked me for it, and then is he the naughty one now?’

After all, I had so much to say and ask him. I also want to criticize him for everything, but for what else? Can anything else change? There is nothing left, so I would rather just keep quiet. I just hope he is the same as me. Don’t let him bother me anymore.

I stopped in my thinking when Liam knocked on the window. I just stared and ignored him again.

‘I hate this man. So annoying!’

A few minutes later, I was still inside while he was outside. Constantly pat on the arm and scratch. It looks like he is being bitten by mosquitoes because it is dark outside.

‘Here’s my conscience again, damn!’

I sighed in annoyance before the car sped off and then confronted him. I wasn’t ready for the freezing breeze, so I hugged my body. Silent place. I could hear only the chirping of crickets and insects. I don’t know where we are part of Texas City, but I don’t care.

“What’s the matter with you? Why did you bring me here? What do you really need!?” I asked calmly and I could clearly see how his expression had changed.

“I want to talk to you, Ava,” he said without hesitation. If Liam is telling the truth, I don’t know and I don’t care. Swallowed and avoided looking at him. I don’t want to meet his eyes. He shouldn’t read my mind or anything.

I wanted to shout at him, but I tried to keep my voice and tone low. It’s hard and maybe someone will see us. I don’t want an issue that could damage the image of my siblings and me. “What do you want to say?” I tried to calm myself down because, as before, my heart and my entire system were still pounding because of him. This is the feeling that I only feel for him, and I really don’t want to feel anything.

“I-I want you… b-back,” he whispered along with the reddening of her nose and eyes.

I was stunned for a few seconds. ‘Is that real?’

My brain and system struggled to process what he said. Moments later, I laughed. Next, I nodded before I glimpsed him. “You want me back? Seriously?” I laughed out loud. I could not understand myself. After a while, I shook my head. “Are you kidding me, Liam? What happened, and the world seems to turn upside down?” I asked, almost in a whisper, but enough for him to hear.

The sadness faded from his face. His eyes are now talking to me. I can clearly see… sadness, fear, and remorse? I don’t know if that’s what I’m reading. I averted my eyes from him and focused on the emptiness. I shouldn’t affect what he shows now.

‘You’re confusing me, Liam!’

“I still love y-you, Ava. No matter what I do, you’re still really—” his voice broke, so I cut off whatever she was going to say.

“Cut that bull shit, Liam! Stop me with your lies because I will never believe you again!” I couldn’t help but get annoyed with the man who had hurt me before. My voice rose slightly as well.

“Believe me, Ava. I still love you dearly!” He pleads. He came closer to me, but I immediately took a step back. The more the pain registers on his face,

“No! You don’t love me because if you love me… you won’t push me away and you won’t trade me. That’s enough, Liam. I don’t want to see your face anymore. I hate you. Please, stop pestering me, I really hate you. I’m happy with my life now.”

“Is it because of Theo that you don’t want to talk to me? Is he the reason?”

My forehead furrowed. I don’t know how he knew about Theo, who was my best friend, and who was also in our group, together with my siblings. “Theo has nothing to do with the two of us, so don’t involve him in this.”

“Why? Who is he in your life? Is it true that you have a relationship with him? Is he the one you traded for me?” Liam asked me one question after another. There was a hint of dislike for that idea.

I cupped my palms before looking up at the vast sky. I took a deep breath because my chest felt like it was constricting with the extreme anger I was feeling right now. Moments later, I met his gaze with my emotionless eyes. “You don’t care what Theo and I have. You’re gone, aren’t you? Stand by the decisions you made then. As I remember, I begged you several times not to leave me, but you still did. Now, I hope you don’t bother. Whatever you have and what I have, that’s up to us. Let’s not interfere in each other’s lives anymore because you’re just wasting time, Liam.” I turned to him and was about to take a step, but I heard him speak.

“But I still love you, Ava.”

I cupped my palms and took a deep breath. I did not look back at him. It’s wrong for me to feel like I’m relying on something I don’t know. I was swallowed. I mustered up the courage to speak.

“But I don’t love you anymore, Liam. I only feel one thing for you right now. Angry. So please, it’s okay, and stop me bothering me.” That was all, and I hurried. I heard Liam calling me, but I quickly got a taxi and got in there.

The tears I had previously held back were now streaming down my cheeks as I got away from that place.

‘I’ll never believe you again, Liam. Never. I hate you!’