Liam and Theo

You send a text, hoping your boyfriend gets better soon. Your phone slips into your pocket, and you continue walking past the storefronts. The mall is noisy—people are rushing, talking, and some are laughing.

You turn a corner and suddenly crash into something hard. The air is knocked out of your lungs, and you lose your balance. Strong hands grab your shoulders, holding you in place.

You jerk your head up and freeze. It's him. His dark red hair is slightly tousled, his brown eyes look at you with their usual calm insolence. A worn black T-shirt hugs his broad shoulders, and a lazy, slightly crooked smile plays across his lips.

• What…
  The voice breaks. Anger boils in the chest.

• Are you kidding me?
  He blinks as if he doesn't understand.

— You said you were sick! You're sitting at home! And you're going out?!

His eyebrows rise slightly. He looks at you with mild interest, but not the expression you're used to. Too calm. Too alien.

• Ummmm...
  He gives a short laugh.

— I'm not Theo. I'm Liam.
You blink. Your heart skips a beat.

• What?..

• His brother. Twin.
  He explains as if this should explain everything.

You freeze, processing what you've heard. Liam. You look at him, and suddenly the details start to come together. His hair is a little shorter. His features are rougher. His smirk is cheeky, but not as warm.

Embarrassment burns your cheeks. You take a step back, looking away.

• It's clear…
  You exhale quietly.

His grin widens.

• It's funny...
  Liam throws
  —...I never thought that we could be confused so easily.