Everybody Knows [Niam]

"So-Called Relationship Problems...Misjudging People"

Everybody Knows

Chapter 16

“So-Called Relationship Problems…Misjudging People”

“I can’t take this anymore!” I suddenly groaned in annoyance as I pushed myself away from the desk and the impossibly thick world history textbook that was situated on it. I gripped both sides of my head in frustration as I frowned at the thought of how much I’ve read since I switched over from math about an hour ago. “I need a break.” I sighed.

I got up from my chair, went over to my bed and hopped onto it. I rested on my back as I stared blankly at the dull ceiling. I placed my arms behind my head and got comfortable.

What a way to spend your weekend. Stuck inside studying all day like a friendless loser. But I couldn’t complain, this was of my own doing. If I really wanted to I could’ve been out right now learning how to play tennis with the others.  I just decided not to because I couldn’t stand it.  I couldn’t stand being around Liam and Reira. Every time they were with one another they would be all lovey-dovey and I would feel like upchucking my lunch. Yeah, I know, couples are supposed to be affectionate with each other, and usually stuff like that didn’t faze me. As long as they didn’t have their hands in each other pants I could easily ignore them, but Liam and Reira were different. They didn’t do anything too extreme, but the little stuff they did do really got to me. Each time they would casually place a hand on each other I would cringe on the inside. Every time they would gaze into each other eyes I felt like screaming. Each kiss on the cheek felt like a dagger going through my heart. Being around those two felt like some form of torture and I felt pathetic for feeling that way.

I frowned as I turned on my side towards the wall and curled up into a ball.

Why couldn’t I get it together? Why did allow myself to feel like this? This wasn’t any better than what I went through -was still going through- with Noland. Plus, to make matters worse, the unresolved feelings from that situation would arise every now and then making me suffer even more. It was like I stewing in pot of negative emotions from failed relationships.

Relationships. Listen to me, I sound crazy. Like you can call any of the mess I’ve ever been in a relationship. The only time I’ve ever came close to such a thing was in fifth when Aliza and I were “together”. That only lasted for a week. I broke up with her when I founded out she only liked me because I always brought cupcakes with me for lunch and shared them with her. Ever since then nobody have shown any kind of romantic interest in me. While everyone paired up in middle school and had their “firsts experiences” I just sat there and wondered what exactly would go down. Well, I wouldn’t always have to wonder. Noland, was more than willing to tell me any further advancements in his sexual conquests, but sometime during the ninth grade it got unbearably awkward to listen to him and I had to put a stop to the stories. The only thing that stopped me from feeling like a complete unwanted loser was the fact Chris had never been in a relationship, but then again, in her defense -unlike me- she never really wanted to be in one. She never got the whole aspect of “a guy courting a girl”, it didn’t make any sense to her. I felt that was because the whole concept dating was just too normal for her.

I sighed dejectedly at my lack of experience. Then somehow my mind started to think about Liam. I wondered how far he’s ever gotten with a girl. I wondered how far he and Reira went so far. I mean, they have been together for two years. These days you hear about couples doing things after a week of being together. I cursed my imagination as images of the couple being intimate flashed through my head. My skin crawled at the thoughts.

What the hell? How lame can I be? I’m actually imagining seeing my friend have sex with his girlfriend! I need to get my mind off the subject!

Luckily for me my prayers for a distraction had been answered and there as a knock on the door. I sat up in the bed and yelled, “Wait a minute! Here I come!”