Chapter 9

“Oh honey don’t you want to wear something a little more… appropriate for this evening?” my mother asked when I walked into the kitchen. I was in jeans and a brown blouse. Nothing was too revealing. I shrugged and stole a piece of celery from her vegetable platter. “What about that nice dress I bought you last week? Go put that on.” I groaned and forced myself back upstairs to change.

I hated when my mom did this. Always trying to doll me up. I only like to dress up when I have somewhere to be. This was just Thanksgiving dinner with the same people who come over every year. The only difference was the Horan’s were going to be here. Of course my dad would have graduated with his dad. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I don’t know how to act. Am I supposed to act like I barely know Niall? Not only was I worried about Niall but I was worried about Louis and Liam too. I haven’t talked to Louis since the dance and frankly I don’t want to. What Nikki told me got to me. She definitely only said it to hurt me. There was no doubt in my mind about that. My mom was still looking for answers for what happened after the dance. She wanted to know why I was so upset. She did care sometimes. Of course Liam would think it was because of him. So would Louis. The real reason I was heartbroken was because of Niall but no one could know about that. It was hard not being able to talk to anyone about it.

Thanksgiving dinner was going to be a disaster. And I’m not talking disaster like when Rachel messed up the trifle in that one episode of friends. There were going to be arguments and awkward tensions. Locking myself in my room was the best plan to avoid it all.

I pulled the navy blue dress out of the closet. The top was white lace and the back was a little low cut. I didn’t think this was appropriate for Thanksgiving dinner but whatever she says. I looked good in the dress but it wasn’t my style. I rolled my eyes and went back downstairs. “Much better” my mom smiled.

“I look like Blair Waldorf threw up on me.”  

“I think you look nice. Now can you just tidy up the living room.” I let out a heavy sigh and dragged myself to the living room. It was spotless. Not one thing needed to be cleaned up. I plopped down on the couch and waited. I was too nervous for tonight. I nearly picked off all my nail polish. Shaun came in the living room and sat on the opposite couch. He turned on his X-box. He didn’t care that I was watching TV. I threw a pillow at him and he told me to fuck off.

“Move over then” I said grabbing the other remote. He put in a fighting game. I had no idea how to play but it was a good way to pass the time until my ultimate doom. To his and my surprise I was actually decent. I figured he would kill me character in seconds.

“Die, die, die!” I screamed as someone walked through the door.

“I didn’t think you hated me that much” Liam laughed as he came inside. I quickly got up and greet his parents, brushing right past him. I wanted him to know I was still mad from the dance. “I don’t even get a hug?” I glared at him then gave him a hug. I didn’t want anyone to ask questions. I could get through one night with him.

“Kellie take their coats to your room then meet me in the kitchen” my mother said as she came in to greet them. I took their coats and threw them on my bed.

When I came back downstairs the Tomlinson’s were already there too. And of course who was with Louis? Nikki. Shouldn’t she be with her own family or something? I guess I couldn’t blame them. I wouldn’t want her there either. I said hello to them and then went to the kitchen.

My mom had the entire Thanksgiving spread on the counter. I helped her put them on the table. Louis nearly bumped into me when I turned around to put the stuffing on the table. “Sorry” he said holding up his hands. “I need to talk to you.” I didn’t respond, instead I walked past him and slammed the dish the table.

“Mrs. Chambers you have such a lovely home” Nikki said in her ever so sweet voice. It made me want to vomit. “I made an apple pie for dessert.”

“Thank you Nikki. That’s sweet of you. I wish my daughter would do something so thoughtful.” I rolled my eyes and stormed out of the kitchen. I was never good enough for her. No matter what I did, I could always be a little bit better or try a little bit more. I sat back down on the couch again. Liam took over my place in the game.

After I was tired of watching them I went up to my room. I laid on my bed hoping I would fall asleep and when I woke up it would be Friday. My phone rang and my dream was crushed. It was still Thanksgiving. I couldn’t help but smile when Niall name popped up on the screen.

“Please tell me you’re close” I whined into the phone.“Baby I know you love it when I tell you I’m close.” I knew he had a huge smirk across his face. “My parents are on their way. I’m leaving my house in a few. I just wanted to know the deal for tonight.”“What deal? You’re my teacher. That’s it.”“And when Liam starts to hit on you again? What am I supposed to do? Sit there and just act like it doesn’t bother me?”

“I’ll take care of Liam. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me either babe.” I blushed and hung up.

At dinner Niall and I were on complete opposite sides of the table. Louis and Nikki sat across from me. Liam was next to me.

“Everything looks delicious Mrs. Chambers” Niall complimented my mom. She blushed and giggled like a schoolgirl. It was embarrassing but Niall didn’t seem to mind.

“Let’s go around and say what were thankful for” my dad said. “I’ll start. I’m thankful for my wonderful family.”

“I’m thankful so this beautiful home and this Thanksgiving meal” my mother said spreading her arms to present the food on the table. All the other adults said what they were thankful for.

“I’m thankful for cheese doodles” Kaci said and everyone laughed.

Nikki sat there and tapped on her lips for a second before saying what she was thankful for. “I’m thankful for my wonderful boyfriend. He’s the best thing in my life.” He turned to her and kissed her forehead then proceeded to say how he was thankful he met her. Those words hurt more than imagined. He wanted to be with her when he was still with me. He was with her when he was with me. How I didn’t notice still puzzled me. I felt like such an idiot.

I was so deep in thought I forgot it was my turn. “Kellie!” my mom shouted when I didn’t speak.

“I’m thankful to be graduating soon and getting the hell out of this town.” Shaun and Niall laughed while the rest of the table just stared at me. My mom wasn’t pleased but I didn’t care. At least I was being honest.

Niall was last to go. “This year I am thankful for my teaching job. And as Liam said that were going to the playoffs” he smiled.

“And I’m also thankful for the playoffs being out of town. And the girls will be with us” Liam smirked. All the parents turned to us. Liam always just rambled about stupid shit.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep a close eye on them” Niall assured them and winked at me. Luckily no one noticed.

My dad was about to start cutting the turkey but Niall apparently wasn’t finished. “And I’m thankful for this amazing girl I met this year.”

Mrs. Horan’s eyes shot to him. “What girl?” My heart started pounding out of my chest. Why was he speaking? Shut up!

“You don’t know her but she’s incredible” he said looking down at his lap. I tried not to blush. I bit my lip to hide my smile.

“Okay let’s eat” my dad announced. Everyone filled up their plates and I was happy for the silence. After dinner I helped my mom clear off the table. I started doing the dishes and Niall offered to help me dry them. All the guys were in the living room watching football. I told him he could go enjoy the game.

“I’d rather watch you” he whispered so no one else could hear. I grinned and went back to washing the plates. I was enjoying the quiet moment with Niall until my mom entered the kitchen.

“Louis and Nikki are the cutest couple. It’s such a shame he broke up with you” she said with sympathy. She knew how to get me whether she was aware of it or not. She could have simply said that it was a shame we broke up. No, she had to point out the fact that he dumped me and right in front of Niall. “Maybe if you were more like her” she added.

“I think you’re daughter is great” Niall said. “Nikki is rude and controlling. Kellie is sweet and an amazing soccer player.”

“Of course. She’s a Chambers. At least she has that going for her.” My mom couldn’t sound more disappointed. I didn’t bother me much anymore. I was used to her putting me down. I’ll never live up to her impossible standards. My dad’s  six years older than my mom. Right after her senior year of high school she got knocked up with me. They got married right before I was born. She had to give up her dreams to raise me. I think she’s always resented me for it.

I ignored her comments and started setting the table with the desserts. Liam came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, swaying us back and forth. “Still mad at me I see?” I felt him smile against my neck.

“Oh I’m not mad. I just don’t care” I lied. I didn’t care but I was still furious that he broke us up.

“How about we go upstairs and you can just yell at me and tell me how much you hate me?”

“As much as I’d love that. I have to act like little miss perfect.”

“Let me help you” he smirked. That look on his face told me he was up to no good. He ran his hand down my arm until our fingers were entangled. He lifted my hand and pressed his lips lightly to it.

I ripped my hand from his hold. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“You’re mom will do anything to get us together now that you and Louis aren’t with Louis anymore. Why not let her think we’re more than we are.”

“Is this just another one of your schemes?” I looked at him questioningly. “If this is just a plan so you can be with me then forget it. I’m not interested.”

“It’s not. I know you want your mom off your back. Let me be of assistance to you.”

“What’s in it for you?” He exhaled deeply and looked away. He muttered something I couldn’t hear. “Umm, what?”

“I want you to help me practice. I want to win this year and you can help me.” I thought about it for a second. This would actually help me. Honestly if my mom stayed out of my social life I would be much happier. It was a stupid idea but I agreed to it anyway.

“Come on, let’s see what’s going on in the living room.” I sighed and we walked into the living room hand in hand. My mom’s eyes lit up when she saw us. Niall shifted in his seat. His eyes were hard on mine. I felt bad. I had this pit in my stomach. If it wasn’t Liam she was bugging me about then it would be another one of her friend’s son.

Niall excused himself to the bathroom. I wanted to run after him and explain but I knew I couldn’t that right now. Then there was Louis. He was pissed. I am a person for revenge. Since Niall wasn’t in the room I pulled Liam in for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around my lower back pulling me closer to him. Louis didn’t even hesitate. Within seconds Liam was being thrown to the floor. Liam got a nice hit to the face. Honestly I didn’t think it would escalate to this because Louis doesn’t care about me, right?

“Enough!” Mr. Tomlinson said. “Do you realize who you’re hitting son?” he screamed as he pulled Louis off of Liam.

“I know exactly who I’m hitting. The guy who stole my girlfriend.”“What?” I shouted. “I am not your girlfriend Louis.” Nikki got up without saying a word and walked out of the house. Louis didn’t run after her. Instead he just stared at us.

“I can’t believe you would do this to me. Both of you.”

“I can’t believe you” I shot back. I didn’t lower my voice. I didn’t care that everyone heard this. Louis was scum to me. “Where were you on the 4th of July?” I asked and he took a step back. “Tell me what you did that night while I sat in Tori’s room crying over you. I was mad and upset that you ditched me for Liam. You forgot to leave out one detail though.” At this point all eyes were on me, even Niall’s.

“Don’t” Louis said quietly. My family thought so highly of him. He was Mr. Perfect that would never do anything wrong.

“How could you get with Nikki that night? You thought I would never find out. Unfortunately for you, your girlfriend is a spiteful bitch.”

“I’m so sorry about this” my mother interrupted. “She’s a little emotional.” She pushed me away from everyone. “Stop acting like this. We have company” she whispered.

“I don’t care.” I stood there with my arms folded over my chest. I wasn’t backing away from this argument.

“You’re making a mistake Kellie. We don’t act like this. I raised you to be a lady.”

“Well Mom, you should know a lot about making mistakes.” She took a deep breath before slapping me across the face. I kept my composure and quietly made my way to my room. I paced back and forth trying to calm down. My breathing was short and uneven. I tried to shake it off. I leaned against the wall and slowly slid down it. I pulled my knees to my chest and buried my face in them.

Someone entered the room and I didn’t look up. It could be anyone. My mom, my dad, Louis, Liam, Niall. Who knows? I looked up. Without saying anything Niall crouched down to my level. He cupped my face in his hand and gently kissed me. There was so much passion in the kiss.

“You’re not a mistake Kellie” he whispered. I pulled him closer and kissed him back. When I was with him it’s like every problem I ever had disappeared. He lifted me up off the ground and I wrapped my legs around him. He had me pinned against the wall. I could feel him growing underneath me. The thought of fucking him with everyone downstairs was turning me on. He started kissing my neck when someone knocked on the door.

“Shit” I mumbled. I did the only thing I could think of in the moment and I shoved him into my personal bathroom. I straightened out my dress and hair. I opened the door and Liam was on the other side.

“You okay? That was a little intense down there.” I nodded and ran my fingers over him newly developing bruise.

“I didn’t think that would happen” I said but let out a giggle.

“Anything for my girl” he grinned. “Just kidding. Anything for my friend. We can be friends right?”

“Yeah, we’re friends. If you don’t mind I just want to be alone.”  He smiled and kissed my cheek. I opened the door so Niall could leave the bathroom. I knew he had a lot of questions and I wasn’t ready to answer them. He didn’t seem angry when he looked at me. He was upset.

“What’s going on with you two? And don’t lie to me Kellie.”

“Don’t be mad. It’s a dumb plan but you don’t know my mom. She’s horrible and keeps trying to set me up with these horrible guys in school, Liam being one of them. She’s been doing it for a while and I find ways to avoid them. I’m just sick of it.”“Then why don’t you talk to her?”“You don’t think I’ve tried. She’s stubborn. She won’t stop. It will just be an act for my mom and in return I’ll help him with soccer. You want to win, right?”

“I’m going to go. I’ll see you in class on Monday.”

“Okay” I replied looking down at the ground and brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.  He started to walk out of my room and my heart sank. “You don’t have to.”He spun around. His eyes lost their brightness. His beautiful smile was gone. “I can’t Kellie. If I see his hands on you one more time I will beat him into a coma. I shouldn’t want to. You have this power over me that makes me do stupid things. I have to go.” And just like that he was gone.