Tybee Island

'Why is he doing this to me?!

Following the confrontation with dad I sat outside on the porch awaiting for liams arrival, as he was the only person who could make the situation any less painful then it already was. Ahead I focused on the beach and how beautifully it had been set up with the displays of canvases, portraits and sketches on stands under the giant gazebo.

My eyes glistened as I remembered my extra stash of cigarettes that remained under the plant pot. Smugly, I opened the box with the lighter inside, lighting up my cigarette and putting it to my lips in the most graceful manner, almost Audrey Hepburn like. Me and my dad were finally being honest with each other until he sweeped another lie under the carpet.

Drawing the smoke in and out, it created a sense of nostalgia as I remembered the good old days back at home where I would take long car rides alone on the highway finishing an entire pack of cigarettes.It was good in the sense that I could forget about everything wrong that was going on in my life however the downside of it all was that I was truly unhappy and depressed.. My thoughts were interrupted by a masculine voice.

'I thought you promised me you wouldn't touch another one of those things?'

Peering up, Liam stood in front of me in a shirt and trousers frowning with deep concern. As he stepped closer, I blew a puff of smoke in his face, his eyes watering as he fanned the smoke in a different direction.

'I thought you said you would be here by noon..' I spat throwing my cigarette on the floor and stamping it out. His face scrunched up as he lowered his head, watching his feet brush against the patio floor.

'I had to sort out everything with my parents... about university plans....moving out. Sleeping in my car for the rest of summer wasn't an option.'

He had been sleeping in his car for the past couple of days? Wow. I guess things really were rough. I stood up level to him, tugging at his shirt. 'Why didn't you tell me any of this?'

'Because I wanted to tell you face to face, good news is never effective over text?!' he replied grinning, pulling me even closer to him, with his hand rested on my hip. Baffled I asked

'What good news?'

'I cant say quite yet... you gotta kiss me first.' he responded cheekily. As he leaned in, i stepped to the side jokingly, as he kissed the air. 'Nope... not going to happen babe... we have guests. Come and see?'.

The house was filled with laughter and the buzz of chatter, with glasses clinking. 'Who is exactly here?' he asked curiously, moving his hands about nervously.

'Middle aged folks and family..' I sighed as it was apparent we would be the youngest guests as Billy trudged down the stairs,

'Hey guys! You will not believe this... dad has everybody in their showing Lana's
baby photos.. it is CLASSIC. Even the ones with her on her giraffe potty.'

'WHAT....?!' I shrieked,wanting to crawl into a ball and die. They were personal memories and didn't need to be shared when today was supposed to be about him...NOT ABOUT THE STAGES OF MY POTTY TRAINING.

'Why is he doing this to me?!' I muttered out of frustration. 'Because he loves you.' liam added, rubbing my back.

'He definitely isn't showing it right now.' I screeched in annoyance. With a devious smile, I grabbed him by the hand, leading him into the living room.

It was time for dad to now feel the embarrassment I had felt,seconds ago.