Two days has passed since my visits to Liam's and he was back to being the cold, emotionless boy at the back of the class. We have worked on our project in those days and we have finished it. It was hard to imagine us swimming together only two days ago. Well, we didn't exactly swim together, because he just stood there.
I would talk to him, but he would withdraw and placed those hard to break walls around him. Some of the times he looked really sad, but I never question him about it, figuring he needed his personal space.
People would give me weird looks wondering why I was talking to Liam and I would hear people whispering in the hallways, but I didn't care because I really liked Liam and I think he could use a friend.
Right now I was in math class with Beth working out problems on the sheet of paper that our teacher gave us. Beth calls my name and I look over to my left at her.
"Are you going to the school dance next week Friday?" She whispers.
"I totally forgot about that. But yeah, I'm going." I whisper back. She smile and her face lit up with excitement.
"Then we are going shopping after school."
I sigh. This was not necessary. I'm sure we can find something suitable in our closet to wear. I open my mouth to argue, but was interrupted by the bell.
We pack up our stuffs and exit the classroom. I turn to Beth. "We will talk at lunch, okay?" She nods and head to her class.
I turn in the opposite direction and head to English class. I went into the classroom and I saw Liam at the back as usual. I went and sat beside him. He looks up at me and I notice a frown creasing his brow, but he didn't say anything.
The teacher was not here yet, so we sat in silence before I spoke. "Do you want to sit with my friend and I at lunch?"
"No."
"What's up with you, Liam?" I ask.
"Look, did I gave you any indication that we were friends?" He asks irritated.
I look at him, shock at his response, then shake my head. "No."
"Then don't talk to me. Why don't you just leave me alone?" He snaps. I was baffled by his behaviour. I was about to say something, but the teacher walks in. I look at him confused for another second before turning my attention to the front of the class.
The rest of the class went by quickly and I didn't say anything more to Liam. As soon as the class was over, he took up his things and left the classroom without another word. I gather my books as well and went to art class.
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"I don't know what's up with him. He was okay when I went to his house and now he is pretending like he doesn't know me." I relate to Beth at lunch.
"Why don't you leave it alone, Julie? It's obvious he is troubled." Beth said concerned.
"I know, but I can't." I sigh. "There is just something about him."
"Maybe he's an undercover spy with super powers and he can't talk to anyone else his cover is blown." Beth speculates. I look at her with a raise eyebrow.
"Are you even hearing yourself right now? I tell you, you have a weird imagination." I said shaking my head.
"What? It's a possibility." Beth took a bite of her PB&J sandwich.
"Of course, Bethany. Of course."
The lunch bell rings ten minutes later and Beth and I parted for class. The rest of the day ended quickly after that and Beth and I were at her locker.
"I'm sorry to cancel our shopping trip, but Brian and I are going out. It was the spur of the moment thing." Beth apologises for the tenth time.
"It's okay. Really." I reassure her. "We can go a next time."
"Are you sure?" I nod my head. "You're not mad at me?"
"Don't be silly, Beth. I'm not mad." Beth close her locker and a big smile spread across her face. She flings her arms around me in a tight hug.
"You're the best. Thank you." She said as she pulls away. I give her a smile in return.
"I know." I said cockily and Beth burst into laughter. "Now go ahead and have fun with Brian." She give me another hug, then wave goodbye.
I was walking through the hallway towards the main door, when someone called my name. I turn around to see it was Simone Riley, one of my friends who was in senior year. I give her a smile.
"What's up, Simone?" I ask as she approaches me.
"Hey. I'm so glad I catch you."
"What is it?"
"Some of the guys on the decorating committee for the school dance are not at school today and we are a little short on hands. I've been looking for people to help and I know you're very good at art." She said.
"Today?" I question.
"Please. The dance is a week away. It would be much appreciated." She pleads.
"Okay. Of course." She smiles her gratitude and lead me to the art room. I didn't mind helping out really, because I love art and I love helping people out. There were about eight people in the room and they were all busy doing something. They were either making streamers, banners or decorating table cloths. I took up a scissors and went over to a girl name Rachel to help with the banner.
An hour later, I was done. I put down the materials and stationery that I was using and took up my bag on a nearby table.
"Bye guys!" I shout to the remaining three persons in the room who were committed to what they were doing.
"Bye Julia. Thanks again for your help." Simone calls back. The other two people in the room bid me goodbye and I left the room. I reach the school's main door and step outside. The wind blew in my face and swept my hair around. I took out an elastic band from my bag and caught my hair in a messy ponytail. I took a deep breath and relish in the cool air.
I was about to walk off and head home, when my eyes caught something in the distance. I shade my eyes from the sun and look closely. It took awhile to make out the person, but I saw who it was. Sitting under a tree on the court yard with his back to me, was Liam. What was he doing here still?
I don't know why, but I took a step and head in his direction.
"Hey, what are you still doing at school?" I asked as I sat on the grass beside Liam. He turned to look at me, then back in front of him.He sighed, "Do you ever give up?""No, can't say I have." I shrugged."Well you should. There is a first time for everything." He said."Why do you push people away, Liam?" I asked. He looked out into space and continues to ignore me. We sat there in silence for two minutes before he spoke."Look, is it Julia?" I nod and he continues. "Why do you keep talking to me? Normally, when I tell someone to get lost, they don't bother me again.""I don't know. I just think that you could use a friend." I replied. Plus, I was way yo nice for my own good."Well don't bother." He said quietly.I decided to change the subject. "I didn't see you in art class today.""I hate art. I'm no good at it." He said simply. I was surprised he actually answered my question."Art is optional." I stated confused. "If you hate it, why do it?" He turned to look at me then and o
It was now Monday after first period and I was heading to my locker. Over the weekend, I had really enjoyed myself with my parents.My dad had took us to the city fair and in the evening, he took us to a nice restaurant to have dinner. I had a great time. Even though he works a lot, he would always find time for his family. On Sunday, we all stayed home and had a family night.As soon as I reached my locker, I put in my books and took out my books for art class. I closed my locker and went upstairs to class. I went into the classroom and noticed that easels were set up with canvases all over the classroom. I became excited. I guess we were painting today. I went to the back of the classroom and sat on a stool in front of a canvas.Two minutes later, I saw Liam walk in. I noticed that all the other canvases were taken, except the one beside mine. He came to the back and sat down. I didn't say anything to him. I didn't want to seem pushy and I also wanted to give him his space. I was ac
"Oh my God. Just look at that." Bethany said, sounding disgusted. I looked over in the direction of the cafeteria that she indicated.I saw that that she was referring to Nate. He was behaving rowdily and was being a nuisance in the cafeteria. He was shouting loudly and knocking on the table. He had four girls hanging off his arms.I shook my head and turned back around. "I can't believe I went out with that guy. He is so full of himself.""There was no way you could have known that. After all, he never showed his true colours until now." Beth said."Well, I'm glad I got to see him for the douche he really is." I replied."Amen to that." Beth said and continues eating her lunch. "Hey, by the way, for the dance tomorrow. Are we getting ready at my house or yours?" She asked."Yours." I said. "I will come at 1 o' clock.""Okay."----------The following day was Friday and Bethany and I were getting ready for the dance. We had already done our makeup and now we were putting on our dresse
On Monday in art class, I was surprised that Liam came and sat beside me. He also started a conversation with me first. I don't know why, but I was glad that he was starting to feel comfortable around me. Even if it was just a little bit.As soon as art class was finished, I packed up my bag quickly and run to catch Liam before he disappeared again."Hey, do you want to eat lunch with me today?" I asked Liam as soon as I was near him."I normally eat outside by myself." He answered."I know that, but eat with us today. It's just my best friend and I. She is great. You will like her."He looks at me, deliberating for quite some time, before he responds. "Okay." I smile widely at his response."Great. Come on then." I said and we walk to the cafeteria. We ordered our lunch and I walk over to my seat where Bethany was already sitting. Liam followed behind me."Beth, Liam is joining us for lunch today." I said to Beth as soon as I reach the table. She looks up at Liam and gives him a warm
When I went home that day, I went upstairs to put my bag down and I went down into our basement to retrieve the things that I would need to paint.At school, I had decided that I was going to paint a picture of a cat and give it to Liam. I remember that he said that he wanted to paint a picture of a cat because he loved cats. After getting the equipment and tools, I brought them to the spare room that was rarely used and set them up. I brought out the paints that I will need and began painting.I was painting for half an hour, when I heard the door opening. My mom stepped through the door."Hey sweetie. What are you doing?" She asks as she steps closer to me."I'm painting a picture." I respond and continue with my work."Okay. Is it for class?" "No. I'm painting it for a friend." I reply."Oh, that's nice." She steps beside me to look at the painting. "Is that a cat?""Yeah. He likes cats." I supply. "He? So it's a boy?" She lifts her eyebrows at me. I nod. "Who is this boy? Do I k
The next day at school, I was walking down the hall, when I saw Liam at his locker. I walk up to him, "Hey." I said in greeting. He looks around at me and looks back around. He then slams his locker and walks away.I was stunned. I was frozen to my spot. What was that about? I hurry and catch up with him."Liam, what's the matter?" I ask. He ignores me. "What's wrong? Please talk to me." He continues to walk down the hallway, like I wasn't even there."Liam-?" Before I could say anything else, he turns into his classroom. I stopped at the door, more confused than ever. Okay. What just happened?Turning away, I left him alone and went to my first period class.----------"He totally ignored me, when I asked what was wrong." I relayed to Beth at lunch."Maybe he's tired of you and wants some space." She speculated.I shook my head, "I don't think so. I think he hates me for something. When he looked at me, I could see the hatred and disappointment in his eyes.""Do you remember doing
Today was Friday and Beth and I had gone to the movies after school. Liam was still not talking to me. He had passed me in the hallway and I did the same. He had said I shouldn't talk to him and I was respecting his wishes.I had told Beth at school today, what Nate had done and I had to calm her down and stop her from 'twisting his neck'. That's what she said she would do anyways. She almost did it at lunch too. Nate had passed our table and made a snide comment about what he did and Beth had shot up instantly to go after him, but Brian had held her waist to prevent her from getting into trouble. She was really angry.Now, the movie was finished and we were walking from the theatre."Hey, want to come over to my house?" She asks as we stood outside the building."I can't. My dad is coming home and I want to be there." I said."Okay. See you then. I'll call you later." "Bye." I said as I got a taxi to go home.When I got home, I saw that my dad was already there by the suitcase I sa
"I had a brother." He finally began. "He was eight years older than me and we were very close. Mason and I would do everything together. I looked up to him." He stops for a while and closes his eyes as if remembering. I placed my hand on his. He opens his eyes and looks at me. He smiles softly in appreciation, then continues. "When I was eight and he was sixteen, I wanted a new video game that had just came out, so I begged him to take me to the video store. Being the kind of person he was, he agreed to drive me.""We were in the car and on our way to the store, when all of a sudden a car came out of nowhere. Everything happened in slow motion and I don't remember much, but I remember the car hitting the driver's side of my brother's car, flipping it over." He continues. I gasp in shock."I don't know anything after that, because I was knocked out and became unconscious instantly. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. I asked the doctor how my brother was and he told me that he didn