Page 30 of Becoming Cinderella

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I reach him.

Liam pushes off my hood but stays where he’s at. “Sorry, I was on set until late last night and then you never texted me back today.”

I forgot Liam even texted me back. He had messaged me back around 2 AM. I woke up and saw the message, telling myself I was going to message him back in the morning. Except in my half-awake state, I forgot it even happened by this morning. I was planning on trying to call him tonight to talk about the photo.

“I’m sorry, I saw your message last night and forgot to respond this morning.”

“I’m guessing we should talk about that photo?”

“Liam, everyone thinks we’re dating now.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I promise I have no idea who took that picture. I know you didn’t sign up for your face to be in the press when we made this deal, so I get if you no longer-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I hold up my hands to stop him from continuing on. “I thought it was going to be bad, but it actually hasn’t been.” I realize how that sounds, like I enjoy the attention I’m getting from being tied to Liam. “It’s Jared.” I quickly add. “I talked to him, to make sure he knew we weren’t dating and well, he was actually really protective. It was cute.”

To me it was more than cute though. It shows he cares about me enough to be protective, which I’m taking as a win through this whole ordeal.

“What do you mean? Protective like he doesn’t like the fact you’re in the tabloids?”

I shift my weight from one foot to the other. “Protective like he’s happy you and I aren’t actually dating.”

A hurt expression flashes across Liam’s face.

“This is good!” I quickly add. “It can mean he’s happy I’m still single, right?”

“Or that he’s just happy it’s not me you’re dating.” Liam’s tone is flat. Why isn’t he seeing that the plan is working?

“That’s not it.” At least I don’t think it is. “Maybe it’s not that he’s actually happy I’m still single, but come on, I have to find some kind of silver lining here. High school kids are mean.”

Liam gives a small sigh. “I’m sorry I’ve dragged you into this mess. I promise I’m going to try to find out who took that photo and sold it to the press.”

I’m not sure what happens if he finds out who took the photo, but I hope he does. Even though some good came from this, my life has still been turned upside down because of it.

A boy and his girlfriend get in the car next to mine and Liam and I don’t say anything, waiting for them to pull away before we dare continue.

“I understand if you don’t want to help me with the dance anymore.”

Is he kidding? I’m actually making some progress with Jared. I need him now more than ever.

“One photo isn’t going to deter me from our deal.” And I really do hope it’s just one photo.

Liam’s shoulders visibly relax at this, releasing some of the tension he’s been holding in.

“But uh, we need to really keep this a secret between us.”

Liam nods his head a couple times. “I get it.”

“Mainly from my family.” I chew on my bottom lip.

Understanding flickers in Liam’s eyes. It’s not that I don’t want more photos of me posted, even though that’s true, but because of my parents. “They’re mad about the photo?”

I don’t answer and instead look over his shoulder at a couple of girls climbing into an old car.

Liam drops his head for a couple seconds before rolling it to the side. “How mad are they?”

I look back at Liam, not quite sure how to tell him I’m technically not allowed to see him anymore. I feel like a child telling him my mom said I can’t come out and play.

“You’re not supposed to see me anymore, are you?”

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