Perfectly Unseen

8: little dawn

L i t t l e
dawn
~+~+~+~

FINALLY, it was lunch. My body was aching from the exercise and my stomach was growling from the hunger. But at least, for once today my head wasn't screaming ugly words at me. It seemed I was finally replenished mentally.

"I'll be right back," Emma called as she left to go get her money for lunch in her locker, leaving me to walk the halls all by my lonesome.

Chewing the inside of my cheek, I took out my cell. My fingers dialled the numbers off by heart, pressing talk.

"Hey, I can't really talk right now, Lee." Aurora's voice sounded out in a whisper, "Is something wrong?"

I smiled, hearing my sisters voice was refreshing. "Hey, Rora." I greeted her, leaning back into the lockers with my eyes shut. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I haven't seen you in awhile. Did I leave you enough money for your meds?" I worried with a frown.

She chuckled, the cute sound like bubbles popping. "Stop worrying, Ailie. Alana said she'd pitch in if I don't have enough. I'm sure it will be fine though." She sighed, "but I really have to go, your lunch isn't at the same time as mine; remember?"

"Oh, right." I mentally slapped myself, "you're doing okay though, right? No more nose bleeds? Your sleeping at night and eating healthy?" I sounded like a mother, but someone had to look after my younger sister. Heavens knows she'd brush everything off like it were just a little cold.

"Yes, yes. Alana and Dani are both making sure of that." I could practically hear her as she rolled her eyes. "I'll come home Tuesday, okay? When dad's at his doctors appointment." She promised in a rush, "I've got to go. Love you, Lee."

"Love you, Rora." I repeated, hanging up just as Emma came into view. "Ready to eat?" I asked with a smile, feeling a hundred times better now that I've talked to my sister.

"Talk to little Dawn?" Emma asked, noticing my changed attitude as she looped her arm around mine.

My smile faltered as I noticed the whispering as soon as we walked into the cafeteria. Slowly but surely, people were starting to recognize me because of Ashton. And it wasn't in a good way.

~+~+~

"Hey," Liam gave me a big smile as I sat down at the desk beside him.

I faced him, feeling myself become at ease as I took in his genuinely happy expression. "Mind if I sit here today?" I asked, trying to be polite.

He ran his hand through his hair, "You can sit there whenever you want." His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he noticed the mark on my cheek. "What happened?"

I flushed, looking down as I turned to face forward -I should have used Aurora's foundation this morning, "I fell. It's almost healed though."

I could see his confused expression as he continued to look at me, "I hope it doesn't hurt." He bit his lip as his cheeks once again turned pink.

I smiled, feeling my stomach swirl in a way that didn't feel bad. "It doesn't anymore." My head turned to face him just as Ms Franklin walked into the room five minutes late -as per usual.

"Sorry!" She huffed out of breath as she took out her blue coloured sheet that had today's activities on them. I always imagined her as a grade-school teacher. I think she would have been fantastic. She smiled brightly at us, her hazel eyes sparkling warmly like a puppy dog, "Okay, our results from Friday's class are up here. So you two groups have ten minutes to check them out as the rest of the class begins to research their topics." She clapped her hands excitedly before giving the other students their debate topics.

I internally groaned, remembering the fiasco I had left my group in. I cringed turning to Liam, "I'm sorry. I probably made us get a bad grade."

He chuckled, standing up with a stretch, "I thought you had valid points." He teased, holding his hand out for me. With a blush I took it, letting him help me up from the seat and lead me to the posted results.

Emma giggled as she turned to Liam and I, "It says we were very passionate about our topic and it really showed in our arguments. We got an 85. Ms Franklin loved it! The judges also clearly enjoyed Ailie's little outburst. Rated out of ten we earned two sevens and a ten." She pulled me into a hug, still laughing.

No doubt the ten was from Douglas, despite the fact I kinda bashed all attractive and popular people.

"Not bad, princess. Maybe you should lose your cool more often." Ashton chuckled, making my face contort into confusion.

Was he...complimenting me? Surely not. I stayed silent, not sure how to respond to him. He just rolled his eyes and walked away, pulling Kaitlyn under his arm before whispering into her ear again.

"Maybe he's realizing what a jerk he's been." Liam answered my thoughts with a shrug

"Hm," I narrowed my eyes as I studied him. I didn't believe it for a second.

~+~+~

"See ya," I hugged Emma as she ran off to join a group of her friends after once again telling her I couldn't leave. It didn't matter if Aurora said she'd only be back the next day, I still couldn't chance leaving her all alone to deal with our father.

My hand trailed across the lockers as I sighed in boredom. I wasn't in the mood to read and doing homework sounded like too much work for right now.

"Still here?" Liam's voice interrupted my thoughts as he closed his locker. "Well, fancy meeting you here, Ms Dawn." He said sounding all chivalry.

"Why yes, Mr Turner, t'is where I like to spend my afternoon." I smiled playfully as he laughed sweetly at me. "So what are you doing here? Isn't football practice on Tuesday's?" I tilted my head to side as his skin grew warm with the slight redness covering his cheeks.

He grinned sheepishly, "Can't pull anything past you, can I?" He sighed, tugging his book bag onto his broad shoulder. "I'm having a little trouble with my Calculus class. I decided I should get some help before I was too lost."

I smiled encouragingly, Liam was so trusting and honest. "Well I think that's pretty awesome. I even suck at admitting to myself when I need help. I'm sure you'll figure it out in no time." I squeezed his arm softly.

The corner of his lips tipped up amusedly, "Well my scholarship for university is depending on this grade. I can't exactly afford to slack off." His hand covered mine. "I'll see you tomorrow -really this time." He laughed as his brown eyes shined happily, "Take care, okay?" He lifted his hand, letting his thumb suddenly brush softly across my bruised cheek, "Don't fall."

My stomach erupted into nerves and butterflies as he passed me and walked away. His cheeks noticeably a little pinker once more. He was so perfect and sweet. I could have talked to Liam all day and never have gotten bored. If only I was pretty and on his level, maybe... But no. I wasn't. He was so much better than me. But at least he seemed to enjoy talking to me. Maybe someday I could call him a friend and maybe that would be enough.