The Boyfriend Rivalry by Milana Spencer

 

Why I hate Liam Ford

LIAM FORD IS the worst person at Easton Grammar. I decided this before I started dating Kennedy, so I don't hate him because of any weird possessiveness or jealousy.

I hate the way he talks back to teachers, how he never wears his school tie properly, how he'd bring up obscure films during conversation to rub in your face that he was alternative and unique.

The first time I got annoyed at him was years ago when we both had the same homeroom. We had a birthday cake roster, and he was supposed to bring a cake for my birthday. He forgot and didn't even make up a proper excuse. He just said, "whoops, Curtis, sorry. I'll bring it tomorrow." He never brought it the next day. Or the day after that. Or ever.

I would never forget someone's birthday cake.

I didn't hate him because of that — I'm not a petty five-year-old — but I wondered whether he had something against me, or whether he was selfish and careless with everyone.

No, my hatred for him began when Kennedy became my girlfriend. Because guess who's Kennedy's practically connected-at-the-hip, best-friend-since-childhood.

Liam Ford.