As Emma shouldered her backpack after the final bell, a familiar voice called out behind her.

"Hey wait up!" It was the guy from that morning, jogging to catch up with her. "Hi! You might not remember me– I'm the guy who nearly gave you a concussion this morning. I didn't catch your name."

Emma's heart fluttered. "I remember you! I didn't catch yours either– you ran off before I could ask."

He flashed a winning smile. "Where are my manners? I'm Liam. I just transferred here from upstate."

"I know-- I mean," Emma caught herself, blushing slightly, "my friend, Hayley Smith, told me. You and she went to the same middle school?"

"Ah, I remember Hayley!" Liam's eyes lit with recognition. "I didn't know she went here! She tell you anything else about me?"

"Not really. She says she didn't know you that well."

His smile turned playful. "She didn't even mention my good looks? I'm hurt!"

"Well, I can see those for myself." The words slipped out before Emma could stop them.

"That's quite a compliment. Especially from someone as gorgeous as you."

Emma felt her cheeks warming. "You're making me blush!!"

"That only makes you prettier." Liam's gaze was intent. "Can I ask you something? What do you do for fun around here? I don't know the area too well."

"Well, there's this great Mexican place my friends and I eat all the time – La Cantina. The churros there are to die for." Emma hesitated for a moment, then added, "I'm actually heading there now, if you'd like to join me?"

Liam's face brightened. "I'd like that very much. Shall we?"

***
The warm aroma of spices and fresh tortillas enveloped them as they stepped into La Cantina. The after-school crowd had already filled most of the tables, their chatter mixing with the upbeat Latin music playing softly in the background. Emma spotted Hayley and Layla at their usual corner booth, where strings of colorful papel picado fluttered overhead and a small potted cactus sat cheerfully in the window.

Emma led Liam through the maze of tables, noticing how several heads turned to watch their progress. "Layla, this is Liam, the new transfer student. Liam, Layla. Hales you've already met."

"Hayley Smith! Long time, no see! How are you doing?" Liam's warm greeting seemed to have the opposite effect on Hayley, who began hastily gathering her things, her hands fumbling with her bag.

"Hi Liam. I, uh, was just about to leave when you guys came in, actually! Sorry I can't stick around. Maybe we can catch up later?" Hayley's glasses had slipped down her nose, but she didn't stop to adjust them as she usually would.

"Sure thing. See you Hayley." Liam's eyes followed Hayley's retreating form with a mixture of curiosity and something else Emma couldn't quite read.

Layla smoothly filled the awkward silence. "Nice to meet you, Liam. Welcome to Daleside High!" She gestured for them to sit, sliding over to make room in the booth.

The red vinyl seats squeaked as they settled in, Emma acutely aware of how close Liam was sitting. The afternoon sun streaming through the window caught the highlights in his hair as he replied, "Thanks! It's a pleasure to meet you too, Layla. It's very kind of you and Emma to let me crash your meet up like this."

"Hey don't mention it. We should probably be thanking you: it'll do wonders for our social status to even be seen with you." Layla's eyes sparkled mischievously as she sipped her horchata.

Liam leaned back, his arm casually draped over the back of the booth. "Oh, come on! I'm sure you two could win a popularity contest without any help from me."

"Flatterer!" Layla shot Emma a knowing look that made her want to sink into the booth cushions. "I can see why you like him, Em!"

Emma fidgeted with her napkin, suddenly finding the geometric patterns on the tables fascinating. "Don't listen to her, Liam. She's a stirrer."

"So, I take it you don't like me, then?" The playful lilt in his voice made Emma's stomach do a small flip.

She looked up to find him watching her with those intense eyes. "I've only just met you! It's too early to tell."

"That sounds like we need to spend more time together. Just to give you a chance to make up your mind, you understand." His smile was infectious, and Emma found herself returning it despite her best efforts to play it cool.

"I think that sounds nice." The words came out softer than she'd intended.

"I'll tell you what, how about you give me your number, and we'll take it from there?"

"How about you give me yours?" Emma surprised herself with her boldness.

"How about we swap them? That's an acceptable compromise?" He pulled out his phone, its screen reflecting the colored lights strung above their booth.

"Meh, it'll do." Emma tried to keep her hands steady as they exchanged phones.

After they'd swapped numbers, Liam stood up, his height momentarily blocking the sunlight from the window. "Well, I'll leave you two ladies to your churros. Layla, it was great to meet you. Em, I'll be in touch."

They watched him weave his way through the crowded restaurant, several other students following his progress with obvious interest. As soon as the door chimed behind him, Layla practically bounced in her seat, her dark eyes dancing with excitement.

"Look at you! A date with the mystery transfer student!!" She pushed the plate of churros closer to Emma, the cinnamon sugar glistening in the afternoon light.

Emma picked up a churro but didn't bite into it, instead using it to draw invisible patterns in the caramel sauce. "What do you think of him?"

"I approve! He's very charming." Layla watched her friend carefully, noting how Emma's eyes kept drifting to the door where Liam had disappeared.

"And hot?"

"If you like that sort of thing." Layla paused to wipe some sugar from her fingers. "More importantly, he clearly thinks that you are, which he absolutely should. The question is, what do YOU think of him?"

The churro was getting soggy in Emma's hands as she hesitated. "I don't know, Laylay– he's charming, but maybe, you know, a little too charming? I feel this is all happening too fast."

A group of freshmen at the next table burst into laughter, but neither girl paid them any attention. Layla leaned forward, her voice gentle but firm. "You're overthinking it, Em. Liam seems like a nice guy. You like him, he definitely likes you."

Emma finally set down the mangled churro, wiping her hands on her napkin. "I'm just not sure that I'm ready for another relationship yet..."

"It's been 3 years since you and Mason split up." Layla reached across the table to squeeze her friend's hand. "I know it was tough, but you can't let it stop you from ever dating anyone again."

The ice in their drinks had mostly melted, making rings of condensation on the colorful tile table top. Emma traced one with her finger. "I guess... Hales really seems to have something against him, though."

"If you like Liam, you should go out with him, regardless of whatever Hales thinks!" Layla's voice rose slightly, causing a few heads to turn. She lowered it again. "Besides, Liam maybe a different person now to the one Hayley remembers. People can change a lot between middle school and high school."

Emma's finger stopped its circular motion. "That's funny. When Mason transferred here, I seem to remember you telling me that there's no way that he'd changed."

The sounds of the restaurant seemed to fade as Layla met her friend's questioning gaze across the table. "That's different. Whether or not he's changed, what happened between you and Mason is in the past. But you have a chance for something new with Liam."

The afternoon sun had shifted, casting long shadows across their booth as both girls sat in thoughtful silence, the remaining churros forgotten between them.