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Manners

Chapter 5: Unexpected Visitor

This has been the worst day of my life. I found out the most gorgeous guy on the planet hates me. I'm not kidding. He definitely is very beautiful and he most definitely hates my guts. I don't know why, but this puts a big damper on my mood. I should be used to every attractive guy loathing me. But this is what happens when you can't stop thinking about someone: you care.

I think I'd rather be trampled or pushed over by Louis again than have him despise me. But I should've known from the start. I have absolutely no chance at ever being liked or accepted by him.

I saw the irritation in his eyes when he was biking, but nevertheless, I believed I was just seeing things and that he genuinely like me because he politely offered me a ride in his bike. I actually believed that he liked me for some pathetic reason. Until I heard the yelling.

It hurt more than anything, hearing those insults and I've been in some tough spots before. There was nothing more that I wanted to do than curl up into a ball and cry. It was even worse in English. He pretended like I wasn't even there, as if I was transparent and you could see right through me. People do that all the time to me, but when he did it, it really bothered me. It bothered me to the extent that I asked to go to the bathroom so I could let out some tears there.

I'm dreading tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. And then the weekend will be my escape, and then I'll have to go back to school again. I know Mr. Johnson would let me switch seats but, I'm still clinging to some pitiful hope that Louis will come to like and acknowledge me.

I practically sprinted home today, not caring that Liam (who had also introduced himself) offered me a ride back in Louis's bike in the hallway. I couldn't bare the humiliation of looking at him in the eye, never mind being inches away from him. I just wish Louis was as nice to me as Liam was. Or the boy with blonde hair. The two boys, one with curly hair, the other with black, straight hair were also nice, but mostly Liam. He really cared.

Currently, I am lounging on a beach chair on my balcony, soaking in the last bits of sunlight. I had just finished my last bits of homework and rushed outside to watch the sunset. It was truly magnificent and I had captured the beauty in the thousands of photographs I had taken before. I take a few every night and then chose one for each day. I've had this tradition since I got this house, when I was a freshman. So yeah, about a thousand.

And I love all of them. Every month I get each picture developed to the size of a normal piece of paper (which is about 8 1/2 x 11 inches), write the date on the back, and hang them on my walls. My room is full of beautiful photographs that comfort me when I'm at my loneliest. I'm not sure where I'm going to put them when I go off to college, my dorm won't be as nearly as big as what my voluminous bedroom is now.

"Wow, this one is really spectacular." I whispered to myself like I did every night, as I took several pictures of the colorful scene displayed before me. Before I knew it, the sun had completely sunk and the stars spread like a blanket across the dark blue sky. I'm not sure I would still be here if it wasn't for the exquisite features that were showed on the sandy beaches of Cape Cod. I probably would've already killed myself by now, because really, I don't have much to live for; no one loves me.

My stomach growled, snapping me out of my deep thoughts and stares at the ground which was fifty feet below. I really don't like thinking about suicide, even though sometimes were tough. Sighing, I took one last long look at the sky, knowing if I didn't leave now, I never would.

I swung my legs from the beach chair, stood up, and strode into my room. I flicked all my lights on because I'm afraid of the dark. I walked over to my kitchen (yeah, I have a kitchen in my room; did I mention my room's big?) and opened the stainless steel fridge.

Lila doesn't think that we're capable of getting our own groceries, so we send a list to a grocer every week and they get delivered into our house. Yes, she really is that rich. But I couldn't cook for my life so this is one of the few beneficial parts of being rich.

I'm into lots of foreign foods like Indian, Lebenon, Chinese, and Mexican so Lila gives me my personal grocer who always has a hard time meeting my specific requests. Tonight, despite the fuming temperatures I chose guilty pleasure food which consists of Hot and Sour soup, which is Chinese-American style, cream cheese wontons, dumplings, and some tofu.

I'm very fortunate to be able to eat as much as I want, whenever I want, without having to worry about my weight because Lila can always give me a personal trainer. Although, I've always been pretty healthy, I swim everyday. But I've always been very guilty about my eating habits, the grocer always gives me enough food that could feed an army and I always end up throwing away about 80%. Sipping my organic milk, I heard a noise. Which never happens here. It's always quiet. Following the noise, I went downstairs and stopped hesitantly at the front door.

No one ever came to the lighthouse, everyone thought it was abandoned; I've never let anyone inside and never told anyone where I lived. Not even the grocer has been inside my house, it just gets delivered. Well I told the curly-haired boy. But it was directed to Louis because for some disturbing reason, I wanted him to know where I live. I knew where he lives, well sleeps. He's rarely ever at the motel; I've only seen him twice on the beach.

Once, when he fell on top of me and this morning, when he was juggling the ball. That's why I eagerly opened the door, highly anticipating his brown hair and his sea-blue eyes looking up at me from my doorstep. I did open the door to brown hair, but unfortunately, brown eyes.

Liam. My heart sank.

"Hey, um I just wanted to apologize to you for everything Lou and I said. I'm really sorry for hurting your feelings and I'm sorry that Lou said those rude things." I blinked. Well, this was a first, no one ever apologized for the cruel things they did to me. I should be happy. But truthfully, I was disappointed; sometimes I'm so selfish.

"Thank you." I said, smiling weakly.

"Why are you thanking me?" Liam asked confused.

"Instinct." I mumbled and started closing the door, assuming the conversation was over. Before the door could even move an inch, Liam held the door open.

"I want to ask for forgiveness and ask to be your friend." I was lost for words, rendered speechless.

"I-I don't know what to say." Every time I became someone's "friend" they always ended up ditching me. Liam really wan't any different, except for the fact that he was best mates with Louis.

"Say yes, I hate it when I upset people, especially girls." I pursed my lips. What should I do? I thought helplessly.

"What about Louis?" I asked uncontrollably, eyes squeezed shut. Man was I dumb sometimes. Liam frowned, as if he didn't like talking about him.

"Louis, doesn't really think you're that irritating and he doesn't hate you. You can't blame him for the stupid things he says and does, he's just...in a tough spot at the moment and has a lot on his mind."

"Does it have something to do with Eleanor?" I asked softly. Loan's expression stiffened and he looked at me dead in the eyes.

"How did you know about Eleanor?" Liam asked sternly.

"Louis thought I was her when he helped me up." I mumbled. I knew I should've avoided the subject, but when Louis said her name, it was full of so much sorrow and mixed emotions that I HAD to know who she was.

"Turn around." Liam whispered. I did as I was told and turned around, now self-conscious of my flimsy pajamas-loose shorts that hung four inches below my waist, and a tight tank top which both exposed my blemished curves. Liam sucked in a breath.

"Well I'll be damned..." muttered Liam as I turned back around, flinching.

"What?" I asked, awkwardly crossing my arms, not sure what to do with my hands.

"Why did you flinch?" Liam asked.

"I don't like swearing." I mumbled. Liam's eyes widened.

"Seriously? You would think that by the time you're in high school one would be used to-"

"Can you just tell me why I turned around?" I snapped, wanting to change the subject.

"I would've totally mistaken you for her too, you could be twins from the back, except there's like a six inch size difference."

"Don't remind me." I muttered. I've always wanted to be tall and have always despised being short. I was so short, that I'm pretty sure Liam had a good five inches on me, even though he's a step down. And they're steep steps!

"So will you forgive me and be my friend?" Pleaded Liam, who I'm pretty sure has a desperation to be loved by everyone.

Play you're cards right Giselle, I thought, and maybe you'll learn more about Louis.

"I'll forgive you, but I won't be you're friend unless you tell me why Louis doesn't like me." Liam's fists clenched and he shook his head, narrowing his eyes.

"Sorry, I just want to know." I apologized, then slammed the door shut before Liam could stop me or say anything.