Hiding Behind The Mask

8. Unexpected

Laila POV

Three days ago was Chris's funeral. God it was awful , not as awful as the day we lost him but still awful. I of course once again could not cry, it was like I used up all my tears that day in the hospital. It will take a lot of time getting used to the fact that I will never see him in my life ever again. everyone at school was walking on eggshells around me. They were acting as if any moment now I will shatter and lose it. The English teacher also told me that if I wasn't feeling it I could back out of the Romeo and Juliet play, but I said that I would continue doing it.

Today is Monday which also means that today is when I have to meet up with Liam for the play we had to practice more of our lines since they play was in a month. I am definitely nervous and i'm not even sure I will remember all my lines but, I'll try.

My dad showed up at the funeral as well except he looked like all he wanted to do was get it over with. He's such an asshole, cares about no one but himself and his stupid money.

"Hey mom, do you want some eggs?" My mother was an emotional mess too, she barely ate or got up and she took some time off from work so she can have sometime to herself. I feel like I have to stay strong for the both of us right now because she obviously can't.

"No thanks Honey, I'll get something later. I'm sorry I'm just tired right now okay." Giving me a weak smile before going back to bed.

"You're always tired." I mumble quietly under my breath, she doesn't hear she's already gone. I leave for school and meet up with Jenny.

"Hey Laila." Jenny has a huge smile planted on her face. "Hey Jen what happened, you look like you're on cloud nine." I asked her because she looks so happy.

"Okay so I met this new kid last week, and I thought he was cute but I mean I didn't think I would have a chance. Then today in first period he talked to me and actually knew who I was. Then he asked if I wanted to be his partner for this project and I said yes obviously. After school I'm going to his house to work on it. Isn't that great!"

"What's his name?"

"Oh his names Julian." She replies back to me jumping up and down. "Oh Laila I'm so excited, I actually have a chance."

I laughed at how enthusiastic she was, but I'm glad she's happy. "That's great Jen, have fun and tell me everything that happens okay." She nodded and walked to her next period.

I had science next and I also have a test that I did not study for so I'm gonna fail. Liam also in that class so we probably have to talk about our schedule for practicing. We already finished the paper on Shakespeare's life so all that was left was the play.

As I walked into the room everyone was surrounding my desk. I walked over to see what all the fuss was about and saw that my desk had something painted on it.

Laila Rivers lonely girl with a dead Brother. Pathetic mother and hoe.

Wow whoever wrote this was a complete stone cold bitch. I mean we just had his funeral a few days ago. Plus whoever wrote this had no idea who I am and what I'm going to do to them when I find them.  

"Who the hell did this!" I yelled in frustration but everyone just looked around and shrugged. Liam just stared at me the whole time giving me an apologetic smile.

I grabbed some paper towels and put some of this chemical stuff on it then walked back to my desk. I scrubbed it till it was clean without a trace of what they wrote. Then sat down to get ready for my test.

After class I went to catch up to Liam since he walks faster than me. "Liam! Wait!" He turned around so that he was now facing me. "Yeah." His hands were tucked in his pockets and his eyes were as blue as ever. "So um we're gonna practice at your place after school right." I wanted to confirm with him. "Yeah sounds about right." I nodded and walked to my next class. Liam doesn't actually treat my like complete shit anymore. I mean he can still be an asshole at times but progress I guess. Maybe he's just being nice out of sympathy, maybe he feels sorry for me since I just lost my brother and all I don't know. 

 After school I saw Jenny chatting it up with this guy who had dark brown hair and pitch black eyes. I'm guessing that was Julian. I was about to leave but Jenny had called me over to where she and Julian were talking. "What's  up Jenny."

"Laila I'd like you to meet Julian, Julian meet Laila." She said to us both. I got a closer look at him, Jenny wasn't lying when she said he was cute.

He stuck out his hand to shake mine."Nice to meet you Laila." I took his hand and shook it.

"Yeah you too." 

I have to leave soon, Liam's probably waiting for me. "Uh I have to go now but see you around." I told them. "Oh and Jenny call me later kay." I winked at Jenny and Julian probably caught on and laughed. 

I found Liam sitting on a bench reading a book, No surprise there. "Hey I'm here." He looked up at me from his book and glared. "you took long enough." his annoyance shown on his face.

I Just rolled my eyes at him."Yeah, Yeah whatever from the look of it you were enjoying your book so stop complaining." I told him off. 

Once we got to his house I had thought of something. I've never seen his parents around and or anybody else in this house except for us. "Hey grumpy, can I ask you something?" 

"You just did." 

"No smart ass that wasn't my question." He just smirked in return.

"Yeah fine what's the question." He went to set his bag down on the couch then sat down. He waved for me to go over there so I did. "Well nobody except you are here, where's your family." He suddenly tensed up. "They're non-existent in my life." I was confused by his answer. "What do you mean?" I was really curios about this whole situation, probably more than I should be. 

"I mean they're just not in my life, now drop it!" I flinched at his sudden change in mood. I wanted to ask if he lived with anyone at all but I thought it might be pushing it, so I just let it go. "okay so we should practice the ending scene where Romeo dies and stuff." I say to him trying not to sound so nervous. Why am I being like this around him, I don't get nervous it isn't like me. Why does he have this strange affect on me, he doesn't even like me around he treats me pretty crappy yet I still have butterflies in my stomach.

"You mean the kiss." He says in a bored tone. I just nod and get up from where I was sitting. He has done the same so now we're both standing and staring at each others face. "Umm you have to lay down." I point to the couch while saying this. He does what the script says and I say couple of lines and then.

"I will kiss thy lips; Haply some poison yet doth hang on them, To make die with a restorative." I say then I kneel down so I'm closer to him. My eyes are now closed and his lips are inches away from mine. I can feel his breath and my lips finally meet his. They're so warm and soft, I crave more but I know I shouldn't so I start to pull away and open my eyes.

His gaze is intense and before I could get any farther he pulls me down on top of him and smashes his lips onto mine. We move in sync and it feels so right, I ran my hands through his hair. It's so soft. Our legs are tangled with each other and my body feels like it's on fire."Liam." I moan his name, never wanting us to stop but he pushes me away and sits up.

"Sorry that wasn't suppose to happen, I think we're done for today." He's flushed I mean we just had a heated makeup session right now so makes sense. He wants me to leave though so I don't say anything else. I get up and grab my stuff then head for the door. "Bye Liam." 

"Yeah bye."