If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right.

The night had already began and the moon had settled into the darkened sky long ago. The air was mild, merely a breeze fluttered past the Connor garden.

Liam had found the day had held nothing but disappointment. He sat up in the tree house his Dad had built them when he and Paul were only kids. Those memories felt so alien, distant. As though they happened to someone else. His head felt consumed, thoughts of her had taken over completely.

He glanced over at the small stack of presents next to him. He felt ungrateful and yet extremely let down. It hurt him to think the people that were closest to him seemed to know him least. The pile consisted of endless action films and play station games. He didn't even own a play station. What cut him deepest though, was that the day wasn't graced with her presence. She had not even shown her face or sent a text.

He felt as though not a soul alive understood him. He wanted to believe that she did, that she got him like he got her and yet she wasn't his to have.

Liam had watched with a heavy heart as Paul scuttled off, not even bothering to act interested in his brother's 18th birthday celebrations. It didn't bother him really, except for the fact he knew he'd be with her. Holding her, touching her, loving her. It made his blood boil when he thought of them. He knew Paul couldn't, wouldn't and more importantly didn't treat her right. Paul couldn't love this girl like he could.

"Oi Leebugs, you gonna let down this ladder or what?"

The sound of her voice brought him back to reality, it echoed around him and sent shivers through his veins. He threw down the rope ladder and watched as she effortlessly climbed up until she stood beside him.

"Hey" She smiled, suddenly uncomfortable in his presence. He had that affect her, gave her tiny butterflies and a nervous stutter. They both knew it was wrong, the looks the shared, the way they understood each other. She was 16 years old and yet she had already suffered more pain than most in her life time. Liam made all her heartache disappear. That's why she dated Paul. He was her safety net, ensuring she was always connected to Liam. It reassured her that while Liam may not feel the same, she could admire from afar.

"Alright Car?"

"Never better" She moved to stand next to him, both of them looking out over the fields and darkened night sky as they leant against the wooden tree rails, their shoulders rubbing against each other as the gap between them become almost non existent.

They stood in silence for a while, Carla's glances over at Liam didn't go unnoticed as he allowed his eyes to linger over her small form, forming a picture in his mind that he knew he would always treasure.

After a while Carla nudged him playfully, a cheeky glint in her eye. "Happy birthday goon" She grinned and he nudged her back in response both now feeling completely at ease. She reached into her bag and pulled out something wrapped up in a cheap plastic bag.

"Sorry it's not wrapped, but 'ere. Hope it's the right one"

Liam looked from Carla to the bag in his hands, he instantly knew what it was and his heart swelled.

"You remembered"

"Course I remembered, it's ya 18th you muppet"

They both knew that wasn't what he meant. The pair of them had been in town together weeks before, with Michelle and Paul when they wondered past a shop window. The hoodie hung in the shop window, a grey zip up and Liam had instantly wanted it. The price tag had been way out of his range so he wondered how Carla had ever managed to afford it.

The mere fact she had remembered meant more than even Liam understood.

"Thank you twiglet"

"Are you ever going to stop calling me that?" she feigned annoyance and yet she couldn't hide the way her eyes lit up whenever he used that name.

"Nope. That memory is going down in Connor history"

Carla smiled up at him as they again stood side by side, feeling brave as the moonlit sky blanketed over them, disguising their faces she let her head fall against his shoulder. "I'm not a Connor" she whispered.

"Not yet maybe" Was all he replied as he lifted his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders.