Chapter 2

2.        GUESTS

    I woke up, hazed and confused, because I have no idea when I did fall asleep. When I looked outside the window, the sun was already set. I dragged my heavenly heavy feet and myself out from the room and down the stairs. I could hear Aunt Julia’s pans and pots clattering in the kitchen so I guessed she’s making us dinner. I was just halfway down the stairs when Harrison passed by the corridor and saw me.

    “Whoa, Dawn! Go back upstairs and wash your face, sleepyhead! You look horrible!” He just giggled and went to the living room. I guessed I might not look presentable on the dining table with my bed hair and my dried-up-tears face. I ran back up to my room and took a towel to take a shower. It’s a good thing that my room has its own bathroom so that I won’t have to take turns on who’s using the bathroom first.

    Even while showering, I can still hear Aunt Julia working in the kitchen. I wonder what makes her so busy tonight. Is it because of me being here that makes the William’s family uncomfortable? After all, I am a city girl from New York who just moved in to Paris, known to the whole world as the City of Love.

    I just took a light shower to wash off my face and to make my hair a bit manageable. I wore my favorite pajamas and ran back downstairs to see if I could help setting up the table. Clara was busy doing her part setting up when I came in.

    “Why are you in PJ’s?” she asked with a puzzled look on her face. I was confused, but replied, “Aren’t we going to have dinner in a moment?”

    “Yeah, but we have guests arriving. They’ll be here in…” but she didn’t finish off he sentences because the doorbell rang. I gasped and shot her a look, the “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” look. She gave me another look, the “You were sleeping!” look. I hissed at Harrison who was just about to open the door and ran back upstairs to have a change of clothes.

    I rummaged my luggage and the dresser to find suitable clothes to wear but I couldn’t find any, but I did managed to find a skirt and a blouse that looks like a T-shirt. I couldn’t care less about my appearance so I just put on whatever is on my hand. I combed my hair so it’ll look neat and tidy.

    When I went downstairs, the guests were in the living room. They were talking and chatting in French. I can’t catch up to their conversations. Darn it, I really need to buy an English-French dictionary! I walked slowly into the living room and stand beside Clara. I was so surprised when someone tapped my shoulder and said in French, “Excusez-moi, c’est ma place.” I nearly jumped and had a good kick to his private part when Clara laughed and said, “It’s okay! It’s Okay!”

    Everyone in the living room is now staring at me. Clara stood beside me with a boy near her age, maybe a bit older. He has a broad shoulder, muscular arms and legs, a broad chin and blue eyes. Overall, he’s quite good-looking.

    Clara introduced me to the crowd. “Everyone, this is my cousin, Dawn. Dawn, this guy here is Douglas, my boyfriend. That girl over there,” she was pointing to a girl standing beside Harrison, “Her name is Muriel. She’s my classmate and Harris’s girlfriend. That’s Uncle Trevor and Aunt Kayla.” She was pointing to a middle-aged couple that was sitting on the couch beside Aunt Julia. “They are our neighbors.” She added.

    She looked around, as if she’s trying to scan the room for something, or someone. Suddenly, a deep and husky voice said, “You forgot to mention me, Clara,” and it was from my back. I jumped and looked behind me to see a tall guy, I think my age, with muscle-build body, fair skin, a face that looks like a prince has come out from the Disney’s fairytale and ocean blue eyes which I nearly drowned from.

    I didn’t notice anything until Clara was holding my hand which shook me a bit. When I look at her, she has a worried look on her face. I think I just had weak knees and nearly dropped to the floor. “You okay?” she asked with a worried tone. “Yeah,” I replied meekly. “I’ll bring you to your room, alright? You look pale and sick,” she said. “I’m okay. I’ll go by myself,” I replied her with a weak voice. She let go of my hand and I slowly walked to my room, embarrassed.

    I can’t believe I nearly fainted! It’s like I’ve never seen a guy that handsome before! Well, to tell the truth, I’ve actually never seen a guy like him. What’s more, I still don’t know his name! What a bummer! I literally dragged myself back to my room and started to think about what happened just now in the living room. I’ve embarrassed myself in front of the William’s family’s neighbor!

    I washed my face in the bathroom and lie down on the bed, thinking that I’ve messed up the William’s evening with their neighbor when I heard a soft knock on the door. Thinking it might be one of the William’s, I just let him or her in.

   “Who is it?” I asked when I hear the ‘click’ sound after the door closes. “It’s me,” said the person. I heard that voice before but I can’t recall it since I’ve nearly fainted in the living room. “Are you okay? Je suis désolé, for frightening you just now. I was from the washroom when Clara was introducing my family to you. Dawn, was it?” said the person.

     That’s when it all kicked in. Right now, standing just beside the door, is the guy with the ocean blue eyes. That’s the feature that I remembered the most since the eyes of his that started the entire fainting thing. I just nod, hoping he saw the gesture of my head. I was praying hard so that he won’t come near me, but he did. He’s standing beside my bed, but I didn’t look at him at all. I just hope I didn’t hurt his feelings for not looking at him. Blame his eyes for ‘drowning’ me.

    “May I sit beside you?” he asked with a low tone, afraid of making the situation worse. I nod, again, and he sat on my bed. “I think I haven’t properly introduced myself yet. My name is Russell Graham. Call me Russell, Russ or whatever you want.  I’m 17 this year. I’m the eldest among my other siblings. How about you?” So his name is Russell, and 17. Nice. I turn myself to face him while lying down. I smiled, then, “I’m Dawn Myers. You can call me Dawn. I’m also 17. I’m the only child in my family. I’m from New York.”

    “New York? Wow,” he said with a big smile on his face. “I’ve always wanted to go there, but I never had the chance.” It was a bit awkward since I don’t know what to reply. I just smiled. He got up and said, “Now you just wait here while I grab something for you to eat from the kitchen, okay? At least eat something to regain your energy. Just lie back and relax, alright?” He’s up and gone before I managed to reply.

    I just smiled and was a bit flustered, but at least I know his name now. Russell Graham. What an interesting guy, and handsome to the max too! I kind of felt relieved that I came to Paris. Looks like I have a pretty exciting year ahead of me and now I can’t wait attend to my new school. I just hope everything will go on smoothly so that I won’t face any problems.