Saving Liam

Distance

I haven't spoke to Liam since the whole incident at his house. I'm back with my duties at church. Colin has been coming to the youth group meetings more and more now. It feels like I finally have a happy and whole heart again. It's been a week since the incident. I haven't even contacted Mrs. Gates, I've seen her at church with Mr. Gates and Liam, but I sit far from them now. Maybe this was God telling me that my relationship with Liam was becoming too toxic. Besides, I missed Mary and Claire. Mary  welcomed me with open arms. Claire was a little upset I've been absent from the meetings and church as a whole but I made it up to her by coming to the meetings for a week straight.

"Alright, today we are having a kids event at the beach today. There will be face painting, body boarding and surfing lessons, also a kite flying contest." Claire said, grabbing all of our attention.

"Colin and Melody, you're in charge of face painting." She pointed to us with her pen.

"Mary, you have kites." She went on and on with giving us or jobs.

"I will be supervising the whole thing, making sure there's a smile on everyone's faces. If you have any problems, please see me." Claire said and went off to her office.

"Alright, let's get down there and set up." I stood up from the wooden floor, dusting off my clothes.

"C'mon Colin." Mary put out a hand for him to take which he did.

He threw his arms around both Mary and I. "Let's make this a great day ladies." He smiled.

We drove down to the beach in Colin's truck to transport all the paint, chairs, tables, kites and surf boards. We unloaded everything using our teamwork skills and found the perfect spot on the beach against the big wall of plants.

I set up the foldable table and put the paint out. Colin helped Mary with the kites and surfboards as I ran into the gift shop in the plaza of businesses  on the pier.

"Hi, could I please get some paper towels?" I asked the young girl behind the desk.

"Sure thing, just hang on a sec." She went into the little room behind her and came back with a wad of paper towels.

"What's going on today?" She asked as she handed me the wad.

"It's a kid beach event that my church is running. I'm leader of the youth group at the church off Mill St, St. Elizabeth's." I explained.

"Oh, I think I heard of it. I know someone who goes there." She said.

"Oh really? Who? I may know them." I said, genuinely interested.

"Liam Gates. He just moved in with his grandparents. He's having a real hard time adjusting. His girlfriend is a real jerk, I heard." She said and I felt my now whole heart shatter at hearing his name and the words that came out of her mouth.

"Thanks for the towels." I waved them in the air and left.

"Wait!" She called after me.

"Yeah?" I asked, clearly pissed off.

"Do you know him? Liam Gates?" She asked, so innocently.

"Never heard of him." I shook my head and returned back to the beach. I felt myself crumble at the lie and the horrible words 'girlfriend is a real jerk'. I never should of got caught up in this whole love thing. I should of listened to my mom.

I pulled myself back together and set the paper towels down onto the table. I unfolded the chair and plopped down, getting my paints and water ready. I would be painting the girls and Colin would be painting the boys.

"Hey, you okay? The event begins in less than five minutes." Mary came over with a kite in hand.

"Yeah." I sat up straight more and put on a fake smile.

How did my life become this? How can I not even truly smile without it being believable? Why did I let a boy take over my life. Why did I let TWO boys enter my life? I shook my head at the thought. I need to be positive. Today is a day about the kids. That got me to smile, for real this time.

"ALMOST TIME!" Claire shouted, as she walked across the shore of the beach.

"You ready?" Colin asked, taking no notice in my sadness.

"Yep. You?" I asked.

"Yeah, but I mean my painting skills are not the best so I'll try." He laughed.

I nodded my head and waited for the kids to come running over. It was then that I noticed a familiar figure standing alongside the shore, letting the water hit his ankles. He was staring forward, not really noticing that the water was increasing in height, his shorts becoming wet.

"Mel." Colin said, pulling me out of my trance.

"Yeah?" I asked, looking at him in confusion.

"You have a kid." He pointed and I jumped a little. I didn't even notice her.

"Sorry kiddo, what would you like?" I asked, pointing to the paper sheet with little pictures and designs on it. I looked back over to the familiar figure who was now joined by a girl. The girl looked familiar as well. I squinted and moved forward in my chair a little to see who it was. I wanted to run over there then, and pull the two apart but I couldn't. Liam and that girl from the shop.

"Mel." Colin came over and bent down beside me.

"What's got you in this funk today?" He asked, looking curiously into my eyes.

"Nothing." I grumbled and returned my attention to the waiting girl sitting in front of me.

"This one!" She pointed to the ladybug.

"Good pick!" I put the paint brush into the pallet and sat further on the edge of my seat to reach the little girl.

"It tickles." She giggled.

"Sorry honey." I tried to stifle a laugh as she squirmed in her chair, she's so stinking cute!

As my brush was stroking her cheek, my eyes and mind were elsewhere. I couldn't help but think that shop girl is going after my man. I hadn't realized that my hand wasn't even on the girl's cheek at one point.

"How about I finish that for you." Colin was now in front of me, motioning for me to stand up. I did and he stopped me and whispered in my ear.

"Get your act together and figure out what you want." And then he gave me a gentle shove, which I wasn't expecting because I stumbled over my own feet. I probably looked drunk.

I gave myself a break, without telling Claire. I tucked my hands into my short pockets and walked alongside the water. I breathed in and out and needed to clear my head but at the same time also figure out what I want, Liam or no Liam? When I was with Liam, it felt like we were in a movie, without him I feel lost but do I really want to live my life like it's a movie? With movies, come drama and there was already enough of that. But he's lost without me too, right? Why else would he do the things he does? His grandpa does mean a lot to him though, so I know I'm not the only reason he acts out.

"Hey, you okay?" Mary jogged her way over.

"Yeah. I'm good now." I smiled.

"Good, then c'mon on back. Fly a kite with me." She laughed.

"Sure." I agreed and followed her to her section of the beach. I looked back at Liam and the girl before I returned to the festivities today. A break it will be.