My Life Would Suck Without You

by Krystal George

CHAPTER THREE

  I received some interesting looks when we got to school. The group of jocks gathered by the lockers even stopped talking and stared at me. I’m not sure they knew who I was, since they didn’t know before. Liam didn’t acknowledge me, but since he was with his friends I really didn’t expect him to. He wouldn’t want them to think we were friends.

  The mean girls headed by, Allison glared at me every time they got a chance and later, when I entered the lunch room, Allison waved me over. The so-called ‘popular kids’ all sat near each other. The mean girls’ table was next to the jocks’, who occupied several tables along with the drama group, the dance team and other cheerleaders. Smart kids, Future Farmers of America, computer, chess and math geeks, and band kids were banned to the other side of the room.

  Allison made room beside her. “Come sit with us.”

  “Thanks, but my friends are waiting for me, see you.” At the jock table, Liam chuckled, but didn’t say anything. I set my tray down next to Haley and sat down between her and Fred, who plays tuba.

  “What did Allison want?” Haley asked.

  “I guess she was impressed by my make over. She asked me to join them for lunch.”

  “And you said no? To Allison?”

  “Yes, Haley, I said no…to Allison. She doesn’t decide what I can and can’t do. She may think she’s the Queen bee, but she’s not. Anyway, you’re all my friends, not them. I don’t have anything in common with those girls.”

  “Yes you do,” Fred said. “You’re beautiful.”

  “No I’m not.” I looked around the table and they were all nodding.

  “Yes you are, Lizzie. Both you and Haley are,” Jordan added.

  “Well, I don’t think so, but thanks for saying it. See, that’s what real friends do. They cheer you up.”

  At home I was at the table as usual doing home work when I decided I’d take a break and go for a run. I changed, tied my hair up, did a few slow stretches, put in my ear buds and started a slow jog. After thirty minutes I stopped at the little park on the corner by the river. It was a place I often stopped for its quiet atmosphere and I could watch the ducks while I stretched before turning back toward home. As I walked to the water I noticed someone.

  “Liam, what are you doing here?”

  “Same thing you are. Taking a break.” He walked over to a picnic table, sat down, glanced over and smiled. God he was adorable. I sat across from him, not knowing what to say.

  “You made quite an impression today. You really put Allison in her place, and I’d watch your back now if I were you.”

  “Pfff, I was already off of her list, not that I care. I didn’t cut my hair so I could get her or anyone else’s approval. I did it because I wanted to.”

  “Good for you.”

  “So, is this going to be the norm now? You talk to me, but only when none of your friends are around?”

  His smile faded. “It’s not like that.”

  “Oh really? What’s it like then?”

  “I want us to be friends. I’d like us to be more, but it’s not for them. It’s something that’s just for us.”

  “You lost me. We’ve rarely spoken until yesterday.”

  “I know.” Liam sat forward, resting his arms on the table. He looked down at his hands and smiled. “Remember when you said you saw me with my friends and how close our houses and our bedrooms are? I’ve seen you too. How you dance by yourself. I hear you practice your music, your singing. I sit out of sight so you won’t freak out.”

  I realized my mouth had dropped open, so I snapped it shut. “So you’re a peeping Tom? I’m glad I change in the bathroom or with the shade closed.”

  He looked up, a sheepish grin on his face. “Yeah, darn it.”

  I had to laugh. “Why now though? We could have been friends for a long time.”

  “I told you. I was a total jerk. My mom said something to me a few days ago, and it really sent me reeling.”

  “What was it?”

  “She said I was just like my father, and she was right. I had to change. I don’t want to end up like him.” He reached out and trailed a finger across the top of my hand. “If we keep this to ourselves no one will say stupid things, ask stupid questions, or treat us differently. Not because I’m ashamed to be with you, for them to know, but because I want it to be something special, just for us. Maybe it doesn’t make any sense.”

  I realized by the way he was looking at me, really seeing me, what he meant. “It makes perfect sense. I better start back. I’ve got a ton of homework, and Jordan usually wants to play basketball in the evening.”

  “I envy him. You two being so close, I mean.”

  “That’s sweet. His mom and mine grew up together, so we’ve always been around each other.” I looked around. “Do you really mean all this? I can’t help thinking I’m being punked or something. There’s not a camera man somewhere around here is there?”

  “No cameras and I do mean it, Lizzie. We need to work on our scene again. When do you want to do that?”

  “How about tomorrow night?”

  “I can’t tomorrow. How about Thursday? Should I bring pizza?”

  “Okay, sounds good. Will you be here tomorrow at the same time?”

  He nodded and we both smiled. I turned and jogged up the stone steps. What a crazy couple of days. When I turned onto my block I noticed my step-father’s car parked in front of our house. Just great.

  When I got into the house I heard him in the kitchen and while I tried to be quiet, the old stairs squeaked and gave me away.

  From the kitchen I heard, “That you Liz?”

  “Yeah, I’m just back from a run. I have homework.”

  “Good to see you, too. Geez, you could at least pretend you’re glad I’m home.”

  I stopped on the next step and sighed. “Glad you’re home, Frank. Mom should be here any minute.”

  I shut and locked my bedroom door and plopped down on the bed, and then I remembered what Liam had said. I drew back the blinds and looked across to his bedroom. It was dark, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t there, so just in case I smiled and waved. No response so I sank back down, pulled out my flute and started to practice. We had sectionals soon and I had a new solo to learn. I was also playing piano accompaniment for several people.

  After thirty minutes I stopped, cleaned my flute and was just putting it away when there was a knock on the door.

  “Lizzie, I brought home dinner. Your favorite, chicken and mac and cheese.”

  “Thanks Mom. I’ll be right down.” When I stood, I glanced across to Liam’s and found him framed by his window, smiling. He raised his hand and I waved back. I did understand.

  The next day, I found myself watching the clock. I couldn’t wait for school to end and to go for my run.

  Jordan trotted after me. “Lizzy, slow down. You may be in good shape, but I’m not. You’re usually not in such a hurry to get home, especially with your step-dad there.”

  “Thanks for reminding me. You need to come in with me, just in case he’s been drinking all day.”

  “Okay. What did you do last year while I was gone?”

  “Stayed at school until I knew my mom would be home. And I was gone all summer, working at a summer arts camp.”

  Jordan shook his head. “I don’t understand what your mom sees in him.”

  “A paid mortgage is what she sees in him. He treats her okay, he’s not home much. He just gives me the creeps, the way he looks at me, you know?”

  “Yeah, I do know. You can always come over to my house. Mom understands.”

  “Thanks. Let’s change the subject. When are you getting together with Allison?”

  Jordan grinned. “She’s coming over tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? Whose idea was that?”

  “Hers, why?”

  “Because Liam is coming over to my house tomorrow too.”

  Jordan stopped and frowned. “Are you saying she thinks she’ll have a chance to see
what you and Liam are up to and maybe run into him once we’ve finished? You really think she’s more interested in him, than working with me?” Then he grinned again.

  “Maybe you’re the one who should join drama, funny man.”

  “I might just do that. I quite enjoy making a fool of myself in front of tens of people. I could major in the arts…at Berkley.” He purposely bumped shoulders with me, knocking me sideways, and I had to laugh.

  “You could do anything you put your mind to, Jordan.” I stopped walking and looked at him, my expression serious and sad. “I guess I always thought we’d go to college together, at the same school. I just always thought you’d be around.”

  “I will be, Lizzie. Always just a phone call away. Always.”