Misfit

“Jay, come downstairs!” My mother called me from the main floor. I placed my lava lamp on my dresser and hung up my final One Direction poster, making my new bedroom complete. It looked almost identical to my old one, except there were more ‘1D’ pictures lining the walls, and it was bigger.

“Coming!” I straightened my skirt and threw my hair back, away from my face. Tonight had to be perfect for Dad, but I felt a sense of wrongness in the pit of my stomach. Grace should have been here. She could have helped with the decorating, which wouldn’t have taken us thirteen hours. We hadn’t even finished, besides for the main places. I walked down the stairs, and there stood Mr. Winters and his son, who was extremely easy on the eyes.

“Hi…” I managed to get out, extending my hand. “I’m Jayden, but y’all can call me Jay.” I smiled, firmly shaking Mr. Winters’ hand. His son stayed stationery, never moving, smiling, or responding.

“Hello, Jay. I’m George Winters and this is my son, Liam.” He smiled, holding eye contact before looking around the foyer.

“Oh, I know who you are. My dad’s told me lots about you two.” I gave another smile. “Follow me.” I lead them toward the dining room, which we’d just furnished at four a.m., and my mother had set out her “good china.” Just as they’d taken their seats, my father emerged from his study—which he was in the process of decorating—dressed in a suit.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, sir. Couldn’t find my suit in the boxes.” My dad said, fixing his tie.

“It’s fine, Robert. You remember my son, Liam?”

“Of course. Hi, Liam. Nice to see you, again.” Mr. Winters glowered at his son until finally, he grunted.

“You too, sir.” He forced a smile; he teeth never showed. I took that moment to take a good look at him. He looked a lot like someone I recognized… someone… But who? I’d never been to this part of Florida. He lifted his arm to scratch at his short hair, and I noticed a quote, tattooed on his arm. Liam Payne! He wasn’t Liam Winters; he was Liam Payne! My heart immediately sped up and my breathing became labored. I couldn’t see straight. I was in full fangirl mode.

“Jay, are you alright?” My mother asked. I could feel her eyes scanning me.

“You’re—you’re…” I stuttered, pointing at Liam, probably like a madwoman.

“I’m…?” He asked, turning to face me. I felt my heart drop. It wasn’t him. Liam had brown eyes… his were blue. His face was cleanly shaven, and he was lacking the birthmark on his neck. He also spoke with an American accent. “I’m… what?” He asked again, still staring at me as if I’d grown three heads.

“Sorry. I thought you were someone else for a moment.” I grimaced, my face burning bright red.

“Well, I’m gonna go get the food…” My mother said, breaking the awkward silence. Liam grunted and turned away.

“Daughters are so weird.” My dad mumbled, clearly trying to not let anyone hear him.

“Agreed.” Liam murmured, not trying to lower his voice for my benefit.

“Does anyone have any allergies? Meats, peanuts, anything of that nature?” Mom asked, carrying trays from the kitchen. Mr. Winters and his son did not, in fact, have any allergies—but the way Liam acted, he seemed allergic to me. We ate, not in silence, but with the men going on and on about politics and company pitches and new designs and all that. I picked at my food. I wasn’t very hungry after I’d made a fool of myself, but it would be a story to tell Grace… one that she’d never let me live down.

“It was nice to have you over, sir.” My dad smiled, shaking hands with his boss at the door.

“Sir—psh! Call me George! You work damn hard enough.” Mr. Winters smiled.

“Okay, then… George.” I could tell me father was satisfied with the ways things went tonight. Even with my crazy outburst.

“You have my number. Call me sometime! I’d love to have you play poker with me and my corporate buddies! And Maryse, you and Jenny should meet up! I think you’d be great friends.” He smiled. My mom was happy enough, being asked to meet his wife.

“Sure! Anytime would be great.” Basically, life started off good here.

“How are you getting to school, tomorrow, Jay? The bus doesn’t stop here.” He asked me. I transferred my weight between my feet, uncomfortable with the attention.

“I’ll walk, I guess. Or get a ride from one of my parents.”

“No! Liam has a car; he can drive you!” The smirk on Liam’s face was replaced by a look of horror.

“Uhm… No, I can’t. I have boxing before school. She can walk! Dad, she said she’d walk.” He definitely thought I was a nutjob… and he didn’t want anything to do with me. Whoops… bad first impression. Oh well.

“Nonsense! You can do it. You’ll be fine.” Mr. Winters insisted.

“Fine… I’ll be here at eight sharp.”

Notes