I groaned at the buzzing sound of my alarm, picking up the alarm clock on the nightstand; I looked at the time. It was six in the morning which means I have an hour to get dressed. I placed the clock back on the surface and slowly began to sit up in bed and stretch out my upper body. Crawling out of my bed I slide my feet into my slippers and make my way to the adjoining bathroom.
    "It's been a week since i last saw Liam." I sighed.

Mum entered my room yelling my name. It is that day of the week when she always shout at me to get ready for Sunday service. Well, it's better than being hit with a pillow. I remembered last week when she hit me hard with it which made me see fireworks.

"Good morning mum." I greeted with a smile.
"It's such a surprise to see you up." She laughed and left the bathroom.

       Later that day, I was seated in the church with my mum listening to the melodic voices of the choir. I was amazed at how they sing beautifully but that was cut short when I urgently needed to use the restroom. After relieving myself I strode back to the building.

"Laure," I paused at the sound of my name."Fancy meeting you here," He walked past me and faced me. "How are you?"

I stood and gazed at him awestruck that anyone could be so handsome; He looked smart in his buttoned up black shirt. I shouldn't be having such thoughts in church but I couldn't help it. He broke me out of my reverie with his question.

"What's wrong?" He said.
I mumbled, "Nothing."
"I doubt Laure, your cheeks are red." He gazed at me.
"No way," I laughed while touching my face.
"If you say so." He turned around and walked three steps before it hit him.
"You look beautiful today."

I was surprised at his compliment but I shouldn't be because I grew up hearing those words.
"Not just today, you always look good." He added and walked further into the building.

From the car park i could still hear the distance singing of the choir. I stared at myself in a car screen pondering why I'm affected by Liam.

"I should probably ask him out, my God Laure! " I hit my mouth and walked in.

After service, i searched for Liam but to no avail. So i went back to the parking lot where mum waited for me.

"You made new friends." She spoke as i entered the car.
"No mum." I put on my seat belt and smiled at her.
"Your dad and sis will be back home tonight." She started the engine.
"Wowzie, zowie, that's a great news mum, they intended to make it a surprise."
"And I ruined it,"she grinned." I thought Olivia mentioned it to you."
"No way, I asked her last night when she'll come with my little nephew to visit and she said nothing."
"It's been quite long your dad informed me about his return."

    
         Dad has been gone for six months, he left the country to open a foreign branch of his company and big sis Olivia, my role model, she's tenacious, affable and a mother of my four years old nephew; Micheal.
"I can't wait mum."
As we got home mum ordered the chefs to prepare a big feast. "My family is going to be complete tonight." She said.
I got so bored waiting for their arrival so I decided to pay Anne a visit.

        At the Masson apartment that afternoon, i was welcomed by the sight of Anne relaxing on the white U shaped sectional sofa in the living room with a bowl of popcorn and a can of soda.

"Laure!" Shocked."What are you doing here?"
"Wrong timing huh?" I chuckled.
She rushed towards me, grabbed my wrist and pulled me to her room, kicking the door wide open she pushed me in and closed it with a loud bang.

"Anne!!! What on earth is wrong with you?"
Her actions made me incandescent with fury. I glared at her waiting for an explanation.
"I'm so sorry mon amie I have a very good reason."
"I am listening." I sat on the bed.
"I'm avoiding Edouard." she paced "He said something crazy the other day and it got me all worked up."
"Oh Anne, I can't seem to notice my involvement in your dispute."
"That's because I am not telling you everything."
"What are you...."
"Hush! Little one," she cut in." Curiosity kills the cat."
"You make it sound like a life and death situation."
"By the way, what are you doing here? Thought you won't be coming anytime soon."
"I got bored at home waiting for Dad and big sis so i decided to whileaway time at your place. You were looking at your past crush." I stared at her school magazines on the bed.
"You guessed right." She giggled and sat down beside me.

    Anne and I have been friends since childhood, attending the same highschool was one of our biggest wish but not all wishes come true.
Five years ago when we got admission into different schools we cried our eyes out but it turned out fun as we told each other different stories and activities.

"I told you he looked familiar." She pointed at a picture of Liam in his jersey holding a basketball. "He's the dude from the boutique."
"Liam,"
"He was one of the most famous basketballer in school two years ago. Remember when I told you about a senior who rescued me from those bullies."
"Definitely, how can I forget about Gabriel your guardian angel."

Anne held three cans of soda as she rushed towards Ambre ( a blonde hair beauty) discussing with her two minions.
Her days in school turned blurry as she got on the bad side of their school cheerleading captain when she spilled an orange drink on her white in the school cafeteria.
"Why did you shake it Anne?" She glared at her as she came closer. Ambre dragged a can from her hand causing the rest to land on the floor. "It's warm!" She shouted as she sipped it.
"Y...you said you caught a cold and I should get a warm drink." She stammered.
"So i'm at fault?"
"That's not what I meant."
"You'll go back and get me a chilled drink."
"Maybe I will," she exclaimed."Maybe I will."
With fury Ambre gushed the drink into her.
"Ambre!!!" Her friends shouted.
Anne opened her eyes to a tall figure smiling down at her. His back was drenched in soda.
"Ga...Ga... Gabriel," Ambre stuttered." Why did you?" Perplexed.
"Do not ever hurt my girl!" He yelled.

"Do not ever hurt my girl!" Anne mimics him and rolled on the bed. " I could see the disappointment in Ambre's face that day." She laughed.
"I've listened to this story for the past two years and your reactions are still the same Anne."
"I was a damsel in distress and he helped me."
"You made me listen to this tale and i heard nothing about Liam.
"Oh, about that, he was with Gabriel that day."
"You still have a crush on Gabriel, right?"
"Beats me!" She picked up the magazines.
"I met him," I played with my fingers.
"Who are you talking about?"she dropped the magazines on the table.
"Liam, you idiot."
"OMG!" Anne jumped on the bed. "France is not a big place after all."
"I wanted to ask him out."
"Are you an idiot?" She exclaimed.
"He said i owe him a date remember."
"Do not tell me you are head over heels..."
"That's not it." I cut in.
" If you want to love it shouldn't be him."
"Coming from someone who doesn't listen to me."
"Don't come crying when he hurt you."
"We aren't even a thing Anne."
"I am just saying," she chuckled. "Jade texted me."
"You are still friends with Antoine ex?"
"Just because they broke up doesn't mean I won't retain our friendship. Remember we were all friends before Jade got transferred."
"I really don't get you Anne."
"I trust Antoine and that's what matters."
"Fine," I looked at the wall clock." I should get going."
"Mon Dieu! I forgot about my date with Antoine and I don't know what to wear."
"Keep your hair on it's just a date."
"Who's going on a date?" Edouard stepped in.
"Big bro!!! Why are you eavesdropping on someone's conversation ?"
"That's heavy, I was walking down the hallway when I heard Laure's voice. "
"Whatever," she shrugged." I'm heading to Laure's __Uncle Leo will be back home tonight."
"Wow! I'll take you there."
"Do not bother Edouard."
"I insist." He smiled and excused himself.
"I am screwed Laure."
"Tell him the truth."
"Hell no!"

I stood up from the bed and stretched my body."Then I'll welcome you with open arms."

      I sang out loud the lyrics of "Pour que tu m'aimes encore by Celine Dion" alongside Edouard as we drove to my apartment.

"Dear God, grant me peace." Anne yells and put on her earpod.
"This song is one of my favorite little sis, join us and you wouldn't be bored." She shrugged and got back on her phone.
"Talk to him." I texted.
"Erm!" She clears her throat." Please drop me at La confident."
"You want us to eat out?" He glanced at her. "They are still open."
"I have a date with Antoine." She bit her finger nails.
"W... what!!!" He inhaled deeply. " The four of us will have a pleasant dinner."
"Edouard!!!"

     We pulled over at La confident and was welcomed grandly. I ordered a cup of coffee same as Anne while Edouard got a glass of wine as we waited for Antoine.
My phone kept buzzing and I excused myself to pick the call. I left the restaurant and took a few steps ahead then I dialed my mum's number.

"Where have you been Laure?" Worried.
"I'm sorry mum I stepped out with Anne and Edouard but I'll be back in the next twenty minutes."

My vision got blurred after a heartbeat I realized it was someone's palm covering my eyes. Several scenarios ran through my mind as my heart raced faster.

"Relax," he laughed." I can hear your heartbeat."
"Liam," my eyes widened at the sight of him. "You startled me."
"Je suis desole." He apologized.
"What are you doing here?" I looked around."Are you stalking me?"
"You think highly of yourself young lady." He smirked." Don't you think this is fate? We keep running into each other."
"It's just a coincidence."
"Whatever you say, I'm just here to grab dinner."
"Alone?" I raised a brow while looking around for the beauty he was with in the boutique the other day.

"What are you insinuating? Are you by chance worried I'll be alone looking pathetic in the restaurant."
"Hell no!" I raised my voice.
"Your eyes says otherwise," he was sure he saw something in them."Be my girl for the night." He whispered in my ears.