You Don't Know Me

Playing Happy Families

CHAPTER 43

 A week later, I wake up and carry out the routine I have been doing recently. 

After my shower, I just put on an oversized hoodie, with some leggings. My hair is pulled in a high ponytail, still damp from the water and I head downstairs.

I go to the kitchen and see that they're all present, sat around the dining table. I roll my eyes before proceeding to make my food. 'Kiera, today we're having a small get together with friends and neighbours.'

'What?' I turn around to face my dad and he continues, 'we'll be celebrating Andrea and her daughters moving in.'

'And what is so special about today that it couldn't possibly wait for another day?' I sarcastically ask.

 'We want to get it over and done with, so behave yourself.' Don't I always? I just turn back around without replying to his comment and get back to making my toast.

After I finish, I try sneaking off but Andre says 'sit at the table like the rest of us.' I sigh loudly before sitting in the chair that's distant to everyone and munch on my toast.

When everyone is finished, Andrea says 'let's start cleaning!' Instantly, Liz groans and Andrea says 'it's not that messy and there are five of us! We can get the job done much quicker. We should all start on our bedrooms.' Andrea looks my dad and says 'Dave you can do our bedroom and I'll clean up the kitchen.' He nods and we all go to our rooms and clean. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Ten minutes later, I finish cleaning my room and I don't know what to do. I don't know how long I have to do what I want, so I go to my dad, asking 'when does this party of yours start?'

'It won't be a party, just a little barbeque and friends round.'

'Whatever, when will it start?' 

'At three.' I check the watch around my wrist, which reads 12:05.

'Okay, I have a headache so I'm going to have a nap, just wake me up when it's time to get ready.'

'Fine.' He responds as he tidies his room.

I decide to pick an outfit before I go to sleep. I pick a pink mini skirt, with a pink t-shirt and a white cardigan over it. I get my pink vans out, along with a clean pair of socks. My outfit will look plain, so I pick out a white glittery belt to go with it. I'm satisfied with my outfit, so I get comfortable into my bed and let sleep drive me away.

~~~~~~~~~~

'Kiera, wake up!' I feel small arms pushing me back and forth.

 'What?' I say as I get up and face Lola.

 'It's half past two.'

'What? Why didn't you wake me up earlier?'

'I'm waking you up now,' she states, shrugging her shoulders and walks out of my room. I look at my watch for confirmation and it really is half past two. I get up from my bed and quickly get dressed in the outfit I picked out. My hair is dry but it’s all over the place so I comb it out gently. I can't be bothered to use heat tools on my hair, so I just plait it and tug it to one side so it hangs over my right shoulder. I put some light make up on my face quickly but neatly. As I'm putting my things away, Liz knocks on my door and says 'hurry up and come downstairs.'

'I'll come downstairs whenever I please.' She rolls her eyes and walks back out of my room again.

I head downstairs, shortly after and I notice that Lily and Lucy are in the living room with Liz and Andrea. I go in there to get my earphones that I left there a few days ago. As I walk back out again without saying a word Andrea says 'you know Lily and Lucy don't you?' I close my eyes in frustration before turning around and saying 'yes.'

'Well, are you not going to greet them then?'

'I'm sorry, what is it to you, who I greet and who I don't greet?' She opens her mouth and closes it several times, so I say 'exactly, it's none of your business, so stop acting like it is.' I walk out of the living room the same time my dad walks in. I go to the kitchen and Lucy follows me. 'I guess you're still not comfortable with my dad.'

'Shut up.' She snaps instantly.

'You're not even denying it.'

'Shut up Kiera.' She says as she turns away from me. I notice that her body begins shaking and I know she's crying because she turned around. I walk towards her and rub my hands down her back, trying to calm her down. 'Go away!' She shouts through her tears but I know she's just saying that because she likes crying alone.

 'Shut up Lucy.' I say before engulfing her in a hug and she doesn't bother fighting, she just cries. I'm guessing these are the emotions she bottled up that night.

I'm not sure how long we stay there but I hear Andrea greeting more people and goes outside. 'Come on, I'll fix your makeup.' I state, leading her upstairs. We go to my room and she sits by my dressing table and I do her makeup.

'Thanks but you could've just got Lily or Liz,' she mutters when I finish.

 'I know but they're your friends, they'd obviously be worried and I know you like to cry alone.'

'And what about you?' She asks as she raises her eyebrows at me.

'I'm just someone you used to know,' I say shrugging my shoulders.

 'How can you say that?'

'Well we're not exactly friends are we?'

'I thought we were,' she mumbles.

 'Oh really, because I know you think I'm a ditzy blonde who doesn't mean anything to you whatsoever.' Her eyes widen, 'and don't think about denying it, because I heard you, that day.'

'I'm sorry.'

'For what? For saying that; for ditching me and Lily or for replacing me?'

'Everything.' she says as she avoids my gaze.

'Well "sorry" doesn't really make up for how I've been feeling though does it?' She stays still and doesn't make a sound, so I break the silence, 'I think we should go back downstairs.' She still doesn't say anything but she follows me downstairs. We go outside and Liz drags Lucy, asking 'what's the matter with you?'

'Nothing.' Lucy replies and Liz resumes dragging her.

 'Hey!' Katie's voice catches my attention.

 'Hey.' I reply as I smile at her.

'Are you enjoying this?' She asks, folding her arms.

'Not really,' she smiles at my response and says 'we'll have to change that then won't we?' 

'Kiera!' Andrea calls while talking to an older woman, with Liz beside her. I walk over to them and stand beside Andrea. 'This is Kiera,' I just smile to be polite and say 'hi.'

'Hello, I'm Sally.' I nod my head and say 'nice to meet you.'

'You too,' she says before I walk off. I look for Katie and see that she's standing with Lily and Lucy. I walk over to them and say 'hey!' Lucy ignores me but Lily says 'Hi, I see you're not ignoring us now.' I roll my eyes but say 'Hm.'

'We need to talk.' There is nothing I hate more than those four words. I look at Lily before asking 'About what?'

'Kiera!' Andrea interrupts again but this time with a different woman. 'You'll find out, just meet us in your room after,' Katie replies and I nod. I walk off to where Andrea is standing and James is walking past me. As he comes closer he laughs, 'No screaming today Kiera.'

'Shut up James!' I say before walking past him. I prepare myself as I know I will have to greet more of Andrea's friends. Andrea introduces me to one of her friends and I find out that the woman is called Elaine. Elaine excuses herself to get a glass of water, to which I'm grateful for but I know that not every introduction will end in the same way. 

I take a deep breath and get ready to meet new people, most likely people I will not want to see again.