Give me love like this

Honestly when I woke up this morning, my first thought was not to the workout room. But I knew my family wouldn't be up at the time. I didn't want to pound on the doors to see either, my sister's were a nightmare if you woke them up, and us being on holiday? Last thing on my mind was to wake them up and deal with their crabby attitudes if I didn't have to. I tried to waste my time on my lap top, played a few games on my phone, but then realized, I was on holiday. A tropical island and I'm sitting in my room playing on my phone.

I grabbed my sneakers and walked out of my room, I wondered around the complex but it was rather early and people were not around. I noticed that girl again. She was taking pictures of the sunset. I hadn't even noticed how beautiful it was. Guess I get so wrapped up in everything else I forget about the things that need to be seen. I watch her walk to the gym and go in. Who works out on holiday? This girl crazy? You're suppose to relax, says the man who can't even enjoy a sunset. I smirk to myself.

I decide to join her though. She didn't notice me at first. I wonder if she knows who I am. Not that I try to come off as a jerk and constantly wonder if people know who I am, but I'm curious, she didn't seem to notice yesterday, and she seemed to be about my age.

She's running on the treadmill by the time I get there. She has great forum. I scan the room to see if there's anything I want to do. I really don't want to do anything, I'm on holiday. But I guess it won't kill me. I walk past her and give her a slight wave, she does the same with just a brief smile. She probably thinks I'm a creep. She looks down at her time, yep, she thinks I'm a creep.

I make my way over to the bench, guess I can do this to pass some time. I start to load on some weights, hoping this will catch her attention. I sit on the bench and stretch my arms out a little bit then stand up. A tv, there's a tv in the room. It's not on though, and since she was here first I feel like I should ask if it's okay if I turn it on. Only the polite thing to do. I walk towards her, I see her mess with her phone.

“Is it okay if I turn on the tv?” I ask a little cautious. I hate when people talk to me while I'm running so I don't want to annoy her.

“Oh, no problem, I'm not watching it anyway.” She replies with a slight smile, but looking down right away. Of course she's not watching it, shes running and listening to music. I'm an idiot.

She hops off the treadmill and sits on the floor. I'm flipping channels, obviously I don't know what everything is, but I'm not really paying attention, I'm noticing she's quite flexible.

“Anything good?” She asks out of the blue, I was trying not to notice her, but she was good at getting my attention, without trying.

“Uh, not a whole lot, I'm not used to these channels.” I try to chuckle to make her smile.

I finally come across MTV, hard to believe they actually play music in the morning. I hope to God none of our videos come on, it's weird to see yourself on TV.

“I'm really sorry about running into you yesterday, I was talking to my sister and she talks quite a bit so I have to pay attention.” She says, pulling her legs into a butterfly stretch, I can't help but notice.

“It's okay, we both weren’t paying attention. It's no big deal. I'm Liam by the way.” I hope this conversation goes somewhere, hopefully she doesn't think I'm weird.

“Codi.” That's an odd name for a girl, I think automatically I give her a confusing look and tilt my head to the left.

“Are you serious?” I say without thinking. Way to make friends, Liam.

“Um, yes. Its a name for girls too.” I can tell she's annoyed. I would be too if someone said that about my name. I'm an idiot.

“I didn't mean to be rude, it just caught me off guard, not a common female name.” I try to explain, hoping she doesn't think I'm rude for my slip up.

“It's fine, not the first time someone has second guessed me. What are you here for?” She asks almost like were in prison.

“Just here on holiday with my family, we all need a break. I slept a lot on my flights and couldn't sleep as well last night.”

“Same here! It's not an all day flight but it seemed to take forever. I'm sure it's nice to not have cameras everywhere as well.” She does recognize me. I wondered if it was ever going to come out or if she really just didn't know.

“Ah, so you do know who I am.” I state, I'm kind of excited she knows. Just to see if she's a big fan, if she is she's probably a Harry fan. They usually all are.

“Well I do teach high school, I'm only twenty, and I haven't been living under a rock these past few years.” High school? Shes old enough to be a teacher? What?

“You teach high school? And you're only twenty?” I can't even hide my shocked face.

“Well, I'm student teaching. My parents put me in school a little early so I'll be graduating from the U in just a few months.” She explains like its not big deal.

“Ah, so you're smart.” I tease.

“I wouldn't say smart. My dad was just the principal of the school I was going to be attending so I went to school early, graduated when I had just turned 17, and then went to the University and I already had a semester finished because I worked through the summer before school started on my general education courses. And every summer since I've been taking extra classes to finish early. I like school.”

“Where do you attend university?” She talks with a lot of passion, it's hard not to get drawl into conversation.

“University of Minnesota at Twin Cities. Its quite chilly there.” She laughs. “I'm thankful my parents wanted to get out of Minnesota for a while!”

“You want to grab some breakfast? It should be open now, I'm quite famished.” I realize I don't want to workout at all. I'd rather spend my morning getting to know Codi.

She giggles and agrees to go, I haven't been on a proper “date” for a while. Is this considered a date? Probably not. It's just breakfast, and we're in workout clothes. Why am I so nervous?

We make our way to the lobby where they have an open eating area with large tables for breakfast. We snag a table, its pretty easy considering its only about seven am, not a lot of people are awake yet. We put our phone's down and walk towards the buffet, grabbing plates. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I saw all the food. I grabbed eggs, grilled ham, bacon, beans, tomatoes, toast, and some hot water for tea. My plate was overflowing. She's probably going to think I'm a pig.

I put my plate on the table and have a seat. I look over and see Codi chatting with one of the workers, she seems extremely friendly. In a good way. I realize I'd like some juice and make my way over to her. I breath a sigh of relief when I see she too has a full plate of food with eggs, bacon, toast, and pancakes.

“Well, see you around David! Thanks for letting me know!” She exclaims and looks towards me.

“David huh?” I ask with a smile, trying not to seem jealous.

“Oh yeah, my sister and I met him yesterday while we were on the beach, he's in charge of off site excursions, they're taking a boat and going snorkeling today. You want to go? My family and I will be there, might as well enjoy the island while you can!” You can tell she's extremely excited.

“I think we could manage that, I suppose I should get signed up.”

“Oh, no need, just be here at the lobby at noon. David said not a lot of people are signed up today so it will be a small group even if people show up unexpected.” She seems to know this David guy very well. I grab some juice and we make our way back towards our table. I can't help but notice that she has an amazing body. She has spandex shorts on, hard not to notice.

She sits across from me and we start eating breakfast, not really saying much. I like girls that actually eat. We make simple conversation talking about our lives. I finally go out on a limb.

“So are you a fan of One Direction?” I'm almost a bit nervous.

“I'm not a crazy fan to be honest, I mean, you guys are great, but I have friends who are nuts, constantly tweet you, watch your interviews and talk about you guys all the time. No offense, but it gets kind of annoying at times.” She looks shy not that she just said that, probably afraid of what I'm going to say, I like her honesty.

“Well I kind of figured you were not a crazy fan when you didn't freak out when we ran into each other in the lobby. It's refreshing actually.” I explain eating one of my toast halves. “Do you have a favorite?” I ask, hoping it's me.

“Well, I can't really have a favorite, can I? I can read all I want about you guys but I don't really know you, just because I read articles, doesn't mean I know you're mannerisms, or your favorite toy, or spend time with you making memories. I can't pick a favorite unless I know you, you're not an ice cream flavor Liam.” She giggles. It's really nice to hear what she's saying. So many people pick one of us as our favorite but she's right, they really don't know us. I think I'm starting to like her more than a friend.

“Liam! There you are!” My mum yells and rushes over. Yay, my mum. Love her, but this might be awkward while Codi is here.

“Hey mum, sorry, I was up early and decided to go to the gym, I didn't want to wake you up.” I explain, hoping she doesn't make a big deal out of this. The closer she gets, the more she's looking at Codi, who looks extremely nervous.

“It's okay, I just knocked on your door and tried to call you and didn't hear from you.” She says as she gets to our table. “And who is this lovely lady may I ask?”

Before I can introduce her, Codi, she responds, “I'm Codi! Liam and I ran into each other yesterday for a minute and then he came into the gym after me this morning.” She sticks her hand out to shake my mums.

“Well, I'm Karen, it's nice to meet you.” Mum seems a little shocked but she looks at me in a pleasing manner. I'm assuming she approves.

Codi quickly turns, “Sorry, I forgot to get something to drink, excuse me please.” She seriously has great timing.

“So, you and Codi, huh? She's beautiful.” Mum says as she sits down in the empty chair and elbows me to get my attention. She's always pulling for her children to find love, after things ended with Danielle, she's been waiting for someone else to come along. But lets face it, I live in London, Codi lives in Minneapolis. It's quite the difference.

“I'm attracted to her, if that's what you mean mum. But I just talked to her for a second yesterday and then for a little bit today. But to be honest, what I know of her, I like. She's really nice. And she invited our family to go snorkeling with her family today. Think you guys want to come?” I'm hopeful she'll say yes. I'm always honest with my mum, I was the baby of the family but I had to grow up fast when I left for X-Factor, I always tried to stay close with her, even if we don't talk everyday.

“Of course we'll come! Out on the open, warm sea, how could you say no? I'm going to go grab some breakfast.” She says as she gets up and walks towards the buffet. I see Codi stop her and they chat for a minute, both laughing and Codi continues on. Does she has this effect on everyone? She has like a super power, everyone just seems to have an instant connection with her, she makes everyone feel at ease.

“What did you say to my mum?” I ask, concerned but genuinely interested.

“Oh, I just wanted to make sure she was sitting with us after she got her food, and I asked her about snorkeling, she said you already asked her.” She smiles as she scoops some yogurt on to her spoon.

We finish up our breakfast, her family came down as well as the rest of my family. Everyone seemed to hit it off. I couldn't help but smile at Codi, she just had this beautiful smile, she was so good at making everyone laugh and feel comfortable. And her parents were hilarious. They were not uncomfortable telling everyone all about Maggie and Codi growing up and how terrible they could be. I was going to have to remember these stories. Her sister, Maggie, seemed to act the same as Codi, she seemed really off thought, even though I didn't know her, she just seemed really tired to be honest.

We all made plans to meet back in the lobby around 11:30 for lunch and then leave together to go snorkeling. I can tell this will be a vacation for the books.

Notes

Hope everyone is liking it so far!