Perfectly Unseen

30: ernest hemingway quotes

E r n e s t
Hemingway quotes
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"I missed you at dinner," I said to the tiny blonde girl as we walked up the large staircase, getting ready for bed.

"I know, I wanted to be there -I heard about the epic water fight you won." Claire sighed, giving me an apologetic look as I chuckled, "Louise just really wanted me to try out for volleyball with her."

"Hey, no worries, little cuz'!" I ruffled her hair, turning towards my room for the weekend. "How about you go get Rora and we'll have a night for ourselves, complete with movies and snacks?" I offered with my hand on the doorknob. "I'm just going to have a quick shower first, okay?"

Claire's face lit up as she nodded and scattered off to go find my sister --who was no doubt, flirting with Brett and Tyler. I loved my family. I had forgotten how much they always brightened my day. I guess dad tainted my expectations of family: I was sure they would judge me and want nothing to do with a loser like me. But they accepted me.

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Wrapping the towel tightly around my body, I pulled the towel in my wet hair out; ruffling my thin hair slightly to dry it. Wiping the fog off of the mirror and placing my glasses back on, I studied my body. With every second I pointed out flaws that made me cringe and stomach churn.

I wished I was beautiful like my sister, or even Claire. It seemed as though I could never be beautiful with any help of any sort. When you felt ugly on the inside, no amount of work on the outside would ever cover it up.

Shaking my head, I left the bathroom, grabbing my phone off the table in the large room.

One unread message; the pop up on the screen read. Like a light switch, a smile instantly grew on my face as I remembered Liam's words to me. Did he figure out my number?

Excitedly, I opened the notification, reading the words like a starved animal.

"You are so brave and quiet, I forget you are suffering." My voice read the quote aloud, my eyebrows pinching together as I tried to remember who had said that.

Who said that? I typed in, sending the message to the unknown number I had assumed was Liam.

Ernest Hemingway. I received the text immediately as I sat down on my bed, enjoying this undiscovered side of Liam.

It's a beautiful quote.

For a beautiful girl. He sent back, making me nibble my bottom lip and blush.

Are you sure you have the right number? ;)

I'm sure, Ailie.

As soon as I read the text, the phone vibrated with an awaiting call. "Liam?" I answered breathlessly, still buzzing from his words.

"So how long have you been waiting?" Liam teased me.

"I didn't know you liked Ernest Hemingway." I changed the subject, dropping the towel off my body as I threw on a pair of pink flowery underwear and a long t-shirt.

"Well I do," he said slowly, "'I drink to make other people more interesting' is one of my favourite quotes." Liam laughed, his deep voice like soft bells going off.

Falling into the bed, I closed my eyes, "How was your day?" I said softly into the phone, not wanting to disturb the comfortable quiet that had settled around me.

"I had to go to work right after football, so it's been pretty nonstop." He groaned tiredly, as if stretching. I could picture it.

"Where do you work?"

"If I tell you I'll have to kill you." He joked with a chuckle.

"I guess you'll just have to show me instead." My lips twitched up as I heard his agreeing laugh.

"Will do, I suppose. So how was your day, Ms Dawn?"

"It was good," I smiled, remember the water fight Danny and I had after I had changed into something more appropriate. I beat his butt. "Won a water fight and made the best banana split the world had ever witnessed." My voice was smug as I giggled through the words.

Liam snickered happily at me, "I'm glad you've been having a good time-"

"Hey loser, you coming down anytime soon?" I heard a familiar irritated voice in the background. "Missy wants to get some ice cream before we go to Dex's."

"I'll be right there. I'm just talking to... somebody." He called back hesitantly, making my smile drop. Of course he'd be embarrassed to admit it was me on the other end.

"Um, Liam..." My voice was small as I tried to get his attention.

"Sorry about that. The football team always throws parties on Fridays and drags me to them." He explained with a sigh as I nodded in understanding.

"It's okay. I have to go anyways." I lied, "Have a good night, Liam." I hung up before he could reply, feeling let down as I swiped my phone.

Sweet dreams, Ailie.

My eyebrows furrowed as I read the time the message was received; just after I took the call from Liam. Why would he say goodnight if he was calling me?

Odd boy.

"Lee!" My door busted open as Aurora stood there with her arms full of candies, "Brett bought me so much candy!" She squealed before flopping onto my bed with Claire strolling in behind her with blankets and pillows.

"Let's make a fort." Claire smiled brightly, closing the door behind her.

Oh dear. I was a thirteen year old girl again.