Finding My Dad

14) pictures and keys

The meeting went by agonizing slow. the office was nice though, big windows surrounded the office, showing a good view of the city around us.

When we got to the big office everyone was there, Liam greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the top of my head, and

I met Louis and Niall after me and Liam had our little moment. Niall is the biggest sweet heart ever, there is never a dull moment when he's around. I can already tell I'm going to love him. I see Zayn as my dad, obviously, Liam as the over protective older brother, Harry as the crazy uncle and Niall as a brother that is also my friend, if that makes sense.

Louis, I wish I could say something nice about him, but I just get a weird vibe from him. I don't like all his screaming and rational behavior. he blurts out whatever he's thinking and is loud while doing so. And he makes me feel uncomfortable around him, I have no idea why, he just does. I'm just going to try to keep my distance.

We're on our way to dinner and I couldn't be any more anxious. I don't want Liam or Harry to watch me like a hawk while I eat, I don't want Niall to be suspicious, I don't want Louis involved in any way, and I definitely don't want my dad causing a scene.

The car ride was faster than I like, and now were here. great.

As I'm standing on the sidewalk, looking at the restaurant, I feel a hand connect with mine. I look up and see Liam's face smiling down at me. I smile back and he bends down. " want to take pictures before we eat?" he says. I look at him and nod my head eagerly. "let's go over here, by the fountain" he smiles.

I love taking pictures. love it. I love capturing the moment, the good ones, so I can be reminded that there is good in life when I look back at them. sometimes the memory is better than the actual doing.

He leads me over to a big, stone fountain. it is a brownish/tan marble with lights at the bottom shining up, illuminating the water that falls from the top. the water trickles down, like it's flowing along a river bottom. around the massive fountain are bushes with light pink flowers on them. the sun set makes the scenery more perfect.

"Hey, let's take some pictures before we go inside, yeah?" Liam called out. everyone nodded and came over. "I want the first picture with my baby girl" Zayn said. I smiled and lead him to the beautiful fountain. he took his jacket off, revealing a black button up shirt. I was wearing a white lace dress that came to right above my knees. it has a brown braided belt and I was wearing a light pink cover up with it, the same shade as the flowers.

I stood on the left of my dad and he gave me a side hug while Harry snapped pictures with his phone, liam with a camera. then he picked me up and put me on his hip, I put my arms around his neck and smiled.

We did some silly ones then Harry took his place.

Harry scooped me up bridal style and kissed my cheek. I got on his back and popped my head out making a goofy face. The next set of pictures I was on the ground. in one we were facing eachother, I was looking up at him and he was looking down at me, both of us smiling.

My turn! I heard Louis call. Wonderful.

He bounces up the stairs and looks at me. "your in my spot" he jokes. "I have to take pictures with boo bear" he yells. I laugh awkwardly and join everyone else who aren't bothering to take pictures of the two of them.

After their 'photoshoot' we all headed inside. the restaurant was amazing. big pillars and chandeliers everywhere, plants and paintings positioned in the perfect spots. I've never seen anything so extravagant before. Liam must have noticed the look of awe plastered all over my face. "fancy, right?" I nodded. we were escorted to a table secluded from everyone else, the public figured out we were here, we were lucky because paparazzi didn't get here until right after we were done taking pictures. We all took our seats and opened menus. I opened mine so I wouldn't draw attention to my self, I looked around the table to catch Liam's stare. I looked him dead in the eye and he looked at me. "I'm going to go to the restroom" he said looking up "does anyone else need to? Gianna?" I took that as my que to follow him, so I got up and walked behind Liam. when we turned the corner he stopped and said "what do you want to do about eating?" he asked. "I don't know Liam, I don't want to. I'm not hungry. but daddy is going to get mad at me if I don't eat."

"No, he won't be mad, but I think he would be happy if you tried to eat something." he convinced. I huffed in annoyance and walked back to the table, Liam hot on my heals. I pull my seat back and sit down. "what do you want to eat?" my dad asks. he has a look of hope on his face, he's wanting me to try to eat. I can't let him down, I can't let Harry and Liam down. but I can't eat either. I have to think quick on my feet. "uhm, I don't feel that well, so I don't really want anything to eat right now" I squeaked. Liam Harry and Zayn all gave me the same look- concern, disappointment and frustration. I avoid their stares and look down at my lap.

"If you aren't feeling well, we can go home G" my dad said. he had a hint of anger in his voice. that wasn't a concerned 'let's go home' it was a 'I'm pissed so lets go so we can deal with this in private'

"Uhm, we don't have to leave if you don't want to dad." I tried. he shook his head. "taking care of my daughter is more important than dinner with my friemds, we can do dinner again another time" he said without breaking his gaze that was fixed on me. I knew there was no chance of staying so I mentally waved my white flag and said "ok" I'm scared of what's to come at home. I've never been in trouble with my dad before. I don't know what to do. And honestly I'm growing more and more afraid of him every second. He stood up from his chair and apologized to everyone at the table. I followed his suit and before I left, Liam locked eyes with me and gave a sorrowful smile.

We exited the restaurant and were swarmed with paparazzi. security guided us towards a car. we got in and the driver sped off. I have no idea how this car just so happened to be waiting for us, but I wouldn't be surprised if my dad knew i wasn't going to eat from the beginning and called while I was in the bathroom. This car ride couldn't go any slower. I do not want to go home, I'm scared. my stomach is twisting and turning. my palms are sweaty. my body jittery. I don't have the balls to look at Zayn right now. the car turned on the familiar street and I got even more nervous, if that was possible. the car came to a stop and we jumped out, running to the apartment building trying to dodge the paps.

He threw the keys on the counter and said "I don't understand it. I really don't" I've learned from experience that it is best to keep my mouth shut. "Gianna, you're not fat. we both know you're not fat. you're perfect, I don't understand why it's hard for you to eat. we both know you're hungry, and we both know it won't make you skinny if you don't eat." I'm sitting on the couch, looking at my dad pace back and fourth in the kitchen. "come here" he said. I obeyed and walked to the kitchen, too scared not to. "what do you want for dinner? I'll make or buy anything you want" he said. I didn't give an answer. I just can't. part of me is ready, ready to take a step and be normal, the other part of me is constantly reminding me that I'm a cow, I don't need to eat any more than the bare minimum. "well?" he said. I couldn't say anything, I'm afraid. I am the same vulnerable little girl I was two months ago. "are you going to eat or not?" he said frustrated. I gently shook my head, looking at the ground. "fine. I give up. Gianna I give up. don't eat if you don't want to, I can't do this" he mumbled. I didn't know what that meant or how to take it, but before I could do anything he grabbed his keys and stormed out of his house, leaving me standing here, alone. frightened. sad. worried.