Pushing the auditorium doors open, I stepped in and saw a lot of students.
Most were in groups, talking to each other, while a few students were scattered around.
I looked around for a few seconds before my eyes landed on Erica.
She was standing in the corner all alone.
Her clothing was a simple baggy t-shirt with jeans.
Face a little pale, her hair slightly messy.
Erica's eyes darted around as she felt the sharp eyes of everyone around her.
She could feel their gaze on her.
It was so sharp.
Her entire being wanted to run away from here.
But she stayed.
She had a few reasons why.
And just then, one of the reasons walked in.
Her heart skipped a beat as she watched Liam walk in.
His eyes glancing around as they finally landed on her.
She gulped.
Is he going to come to me? She wondered.
No... I can't keep my hopes high, she thought.
She refused to let her hopes be raised.
She did not want to feel that disappointment and embarrassment if she stepped forward and Liam did not reciprocate.
She would be turned into the laughing stock of everyone here.
She simply wouldn't be able to stay here even another second.
Maybe what I feel is all one sided.
He probably doesn't even remember my name.
Her eyes glanced at the floor as these thoughts rolled over her self-confidence.
Liam had begun walking over towards her.
"Hey Erica!" Liam said with a wave of his hands.
"Wha..?" Erica glanced up and saw him walking over to her casually waving his hands, smiling brightly.
Her worries and overthinking were wiped out immediately at this moment.
A smile blossomed on her face as she smiled.
"Hello Liam," She said, her voice soft.
"Thank goodness I met you here," Liam said as he stood by her, leaning on the wall.
"I do not know anybody here, it would have been really awkward," Liam said.
"Yea..." She murmured softly, her heart felt complicated.
But mostly she felt... kinda safe at this moment.
The burning eyes hurt a little less.
The loud whispers, silenced to nothing but a passing whisper.
Taking a ragged breath she straightened her posture.
"Oh look, the principal is here, it should be starting," Liam said as he pushed himself off the wall and stood straight.
"Good Afternoon Students" The principal said.
"First of all, I would like to thank you for your participation in setting this Community night up, you will find all of the materials you will need in the old warehouse.
You will also have a few teachers who will guide, so feel free to ask for help," The Principal said with a smile.
"You will be setting this up in the school's, front yard, There will be lights, there will be booths, there will be food stands and there will also be a few mini games, and once again, I thank you all for your participation" The Principal concluded his speech and began walking off the stage as a few teachers walked in to the hall.
Liam glanced at them and noticed that one of the teachers who would be helping them was Mrs. Jennifer.
Students began to leave the auditorium as they headed towards the old Warehouse to grab the materials.
A few of the students who were looking like leaders of their own made-up groups were asking the teacher for directions.
Mrs. Jennifer appeared in front of Liam and Erica.
"Do you two have any questions?" She asked with a smile.
Liam did not say anything as he kept staring at her.
Erica glanced at Liam, who was not speaking, and then at Mrs. Jennifer, who was standing there maintaining her smile.
Biting the corner of her lips, she gripped the corner of Liam's shirt as she stepped forward a little.
"Yes, Mrs, can you tell us what we can do?"
Mrs. Jennifer smiled. "Of course, you should get started on setting up the lights. Their will be a ladder and several lights, and make sure you don't forget the duct tape," she said.
"The lines of light are in four layers, you can be responsible for half the front side of the building," Mrs. Jennifer said.
Liam and Erica nodded.
"Very well then," She said as she walked away to another group of students who were standing around a little lost and assigned them the more laborious task of setting up stalls because of their larger numbers.
Erica let out a sigh she didn't know she was holding, her grip over the corner of Liam's shirt loosening.
"Well, let's get to it," Liam said with a soft clap of his hands and began to walk forward.
"Uhh wait!" Erica said, causing Liam to turn around and look at her, confused.
"You should know something first," she said, her teeth gritted, eyes glancing everywhere except Liam.
"I sometimes get these seizures" she said looking at Liam for any reactions "bu.. but I have been taking my medications so nothing should happen" She hurriedly said with a panicked wave of her hands.
"It's fine, don't worry, if anything happens, the ambulance's number is on speed dial on my phone," Liam said with a chuckle.
"You already know..?" She asked confused and suspicious by the fact that Liam did not seem too bothered by this news.
"Na" Liam lied.
He could not say that he knew the future, and he could not say that he heard it from other people, as that would make Erica even more self-conscious.
So he lied.
"Oh.. haha" Erica chuckled as she stepped forward with a small smile.
And they began making their way towards the warehouse to collect the ladder, LED lights, and duct tape.
"Have you thought about what club you are going to join?" Liam asked as he was hauling a long ladder on his shoulders.
"No, I don't think I will join any club," Erica said with a soft smile, her hands holding the large bundle of LED lights and two full rolls of duct tape.