Saving Liam

New One in Town

"Melody? Mr. and Mrs. Gates' grandson is arriving today. You should see if he would like to join the church." Mom suggested. Here she goes again with the church stuff. Why can't she ever just talk about boys with me? I'm lucky she even let my be friends with Colin in middle school.

 "Oh sure. If I see him around I'll offer it but I mean I'm sure he'll go to mass with his grandparents."

"I was talking about youth group. You guys could probably use an extra hand for Haiti." She smiled.

"Oh yeah, sure." I tried to sound enthusiastic.

She smiled and went back to folding the laundry. Dad was mowing the lawn so that left me with nothing to do.

"Honey, why don't you go for a bike ride? It's a beautiful day. Maybe stop by church, see if they need any help with anything." Mom piped up again. Gosh, I wish she could not talk about church for at least one day!

"Mom! Enough about church!" My anger boiled over, my loud voice alarming her.

"Don't talk to me the rest of the day." She slammed the remaining laundry onto the table and stormed off to the mud room.

I rolled my eyes which I never thought in a million years that I would disrespect my mother like that and took off on my bike.

I rode past the church and down by the pier. I parked my bike in a bike rack and took a slow and much needed walk on the pier. I passed by kids begging their parents for money for the games and laughed a little, how times were so easy. I wish I was young and wild again. Minus the wild part, mom and dad never let me be a wild child. I was allowed to have occasional fun with my cousins in the backyard on the jungle gym. I never got to embrace the life of being a normal child. It's always been my studies and church. Now I'm a senior in high school and I look back on all those boring memories while everyone else gets to look back at all the good times. I mean, of course I love God but that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun. I go to mass every Sunday and pray before each meal and bed. I deserve a little freedom outside of the church.

"Hey, you again!" Colin ran into me, literally.

"Hey Colin." I laughed. "But watch where you're going."

"Sorry." He blushed a deep red. How cute.

"So, you looked a little stressed when I saw you yesterday. Are you feeling okay? Are your parents alright?" He asked. Oh how I love Colin. Such a good kid with a kind soul.

"Yeah everything is okay." I smiled.

"Just okay?" He could always tell when I'm lying or not completely telling the truth. I like that about him.

"Yeah, just okay. I'm going through something with my mom." I rocked back and forth on my heels, a little nervous to hear his response.

"If you need anything like a place to stay or to just talk, you know how to reach me." He offered.

"It wouldn't be weird, would it? We haven't spoke since eighth grade and we're seniors now." I laughed.

"Nah, it's good." He ran a hand through his hair, his blush reappearing again.

"Okay. Thanks." Man, this was awkward. I ended our friendship back in eighth grade because he was hitting on me all the time in front of my parents and my parents obviously disapproved. I had no other choice but to end our friendship. He was hurt for a while but was okay once high school started up.

"I'll see you around. Are you going to be on the Haiti trip?" He asked, before he went on his way.

"Yeah, I'm the leader of the whole thing. Will you be there?" I asked, hoping to end this conversation soon.

"Yeah. My parents want me to get involved with our community, you know?" He asked.

"That's awesome. It's going to be a blast! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me." I responded a little to happily, almost like I was in a commercial or something.

"Thanks. Save me a seat on the plane?" He asked. Gosh, I hope he is kidding.

"Uh... yeah sure." I felt blush rise to my cheeks now. Oops. He laughed a little.

"See ya around! I have to get going!" I lied. Oops, I never lie but that awkward run in had to end.

And then it came to me. I was probably flirting with him, he blushed, I blushed. Oh gosh, what have I got myself into?

~~~~~

I finished my ride around the block and rode home the backwards way, coming up past the park. I hide to halt on my brakes though because there was a moving truck in the middle of a driveway. I looked to my left to see that it was the Gates' house. The grandson must of made his big move in today. I wonder why he moved here. It's not like this place was anything special besides the whole beach vibe which I guess is pretty cool.

"Hey." A boy about my age said, as he walked out to the moving truck. It took me a second to realize he was talking to me.

"Oh, Hi! You must be Liam." I smiled, trying not to look awkward.

"Yes that's me. Word must travel quick around here." He laughed.

"Yeah it does Small town." I said, sitting back down on the bike.

"You live nearby?" He asked.

"Yeah, the yellow house is mine." I pointed, three houses down.

"Oh wow, you're really close. Will I see you around?" He asked.

"Most definitely, yes." I would make sure of it.

"Great. See you around.... sorry. I didn't catch your name?" He laughed.

"Melody. Melody Eva Grace."

"That's a beautiful name, like wind chimes." He used hand motions like my name was light and airy.

"Thank you." I put my feet on the pedals and went around the truck. He waved as I went by and I waved back. I then thought back to what Mary Lynn told me about him. I didn't let her get very far but all I know is that he's full of drama and I now want to be apart of it.