Blindsided (4 page)

Was this how my life would always be? Every girl being compared to Taylor? My best friend telling me to get with other girls to take away the memories of what she did?

“This isn’t about Taylor,” I said.

“It’s about girls like her. Girls who only want to use you. I only just met Mischa so I don’t know for sure, but I think she’s one of those girls who happens to like guys. She doesn’t want anything from you. Well … apart from -”

“I know what she wants,” I said, with a small laugh. “But I don’t want it.”

Especially not when there is a gorgeous, smart, non-slutty girl sitting in the next room.

“So … you don’t mind if I try to sway her in my direction?” Hunter asked, after a while.

I shook my head. “Like I said, she’s all yours.”

Chapter
Four – Let’s Do It

Isabelle

I felt really weird after Jesse had been in my room. I let him look at my portfolio – not a euphemism – and I’d never let anyone look at it unless I’d known them for a long time. It wasn’t in my nature to share something so personal with strangers because my work was none of their business, and also, I simply didn’t like the idea of being laughed at. I didn’t think Jesse would laugh, though. He probably only asked to see my work out of politeness or something, but at least he didn’t make fun of me.

I liked it when he said that if people thought Georgia was beautiful, they thought the same about me. But usually, when someone saw Georgia, she was the
only
thing they saw.

Oh God, did I really show him my wonky teeth? What on earth is wrong with me?

I knew nothing about boys, but pointing out my flaws didn’t seem like a brilliant way to get his attention.

Jesse also said that Georgia and I had very different personalities. I assumed he meant that Georgia is outgoing, sexy and fun, while I’m a geeky bookworm.

“Izzy, can I come in?”

“When have you ever asked before?”

Georgia laughed as she stepped in to my room.

“Where’s Mischa?”

“Gone. She stayed and chatted to Hunter for a while, then made up an excuse to go home. She wasn’t very pleased that Jesse
turned her down
.”

She said the words quite pointedly, and I rolled my eyes.

“I’m glad he did,” I said. “But that doesn’t exactly give me hope. He turned down the most charming girl we know. The girl every guy wants, and never says no to. If he isn’t interested in her, I don’t think there’s any chance for me.”

Georgia sat down on the bed beside me. “The point is, he turned her down.”

“Maybe he’s gay.”

“He’s not gay!” Georgia laughed. “Hunter said he had some horrible ex-girlfriend before.”

Whether he liked me or not, I could tell he was a decent person, and the thought of him being in pain made my stomach clench. What did this ex-girlfriend do to him? Did he still love her? Perhaps that was why he didn’t want anything to do with Mischa. Maybe he didn’t want anything to do with any girl.

“Was Mischa upset?” I asked.

“Pissed off, I think. Hunter tried his luck but she needed to go home and lick her wounds before moving on to the next bloke.”

“I thought she was after Toby?”

“Well, you know what she’s like,” Georgia sighed. “A boy is a boy! Anyway, enough about Mischa. Yesterday, Hunter and Jesse were talking about going out for a beer, because, in England they can legally drink. They were going to go tomorrow night but I thought, maybe we could all go out together at the weekend? Me, you, Elliott, Jesse and Hunter. You could even bring Willow if you want. We could have dinner somewhere, then go to a bar. They need us to show them around Notting Hill and make sure they have a really good time.”

Elliott was Georgia’s boyfriend, and very much the epitome of an English gentleman, but with a cheeky smile and a wicked sense of humour.

“Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this,” I said, with a smile.

“Well … a little. I didn’t want to get too carried away, just in case you didn’t want to come.”

“You don’t
need
me to come, Georgie. You’ll still have fun without me.”

“No,” she whined, throwing her arms around me, and pressing her face against my shoulder, “we won’t! Besides, if I go out with three guys, people will think I’m a slapper!”

I hugged her back, laughing. “Nobody would think that!”

“But you wouldn’t make me risk it, would you?”

She fluttered her eyelashes, and she knew she had me. It was hard to resist Georgia when she wanted something. And I loved that she really only planned the night as a way to apologise for unleashing Mischa on Jesse.

“Plus,” she added, “I will help you find something amazing to wear, and make you look irresistible!”

“Okay, okay,” I said. “Let’s do it!”

The days leading up to our night out went far too quickly for my liking. I needed time to slow down, so I could prepare myself. There was no reason for me to be so nervous. After all, it was only a few hours in Notting Hill with people I knew.

Oh, and a really, really good-looking guy.

I’d tried hard to fend off my crush on Jesse, but every time I saw him, and especially when I spoke to him, I felt all wibbly inside. Often, I was wibbly on the outside too, but I hoped I hid it well enough that he wouldn’t think I was a weirdo.

When Saturday finally rolled around, my mum proudly announced that, since it was the first weekend in December, we would engage in our traditional decorating of the Christmas tree. Of course, first we had to get the tree. Dad took Hunter and Jesse out to work on that manly task, while Georgia and I went to the shops to buy clothes for the evening’s festivities.

I was never a big fan of shopping - that was more Georgia’s thing than mine. However, she was so excited about choosing me something to wear that would make me ‘irresistible,’ I couldn’t rob her of the pleasure. My sister had a very good eye for fashion, and after visiting some of her favourite high street stores, she talked me into buying a gorgeous deep purple dress that I wouldn’t have dreamed of trying on without her encouragement. By the time we were finished, everyone else was back at the house, and the scent of Christmas tree filled the air. Dad put the tree in its usual spot in the far corner of the living room, and pine needles were scattered all over the floor.

“Girls, you’re home!” Mum said, beaming as she came into the living room carrying a tray of hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.

Nothing makes her happier than being at home, perfecting her domestic goddess routine, and Christmas has always been her favourite time of year. As she placed the tray on the coffee table, she said, “I’ll go and make two extra mugs, wait there.”

Georgia and I exchanged a smile, and sat down on the sofa. Jesse and Hunter were sitting on the floor, and my dad was in his chair by the window.

“Did you get everything you were looking for?” Dad asked.

“Yes,” Georgia replied, with a grin. “Isabelle bought a new dress.”

“For tonight?” Hunter asked. “Are we dressing up?”

“Of course! You don’t go out in Notting Hill at night wearing dirty jeans and t-shirts with holes in,” she said, nodding towards the tear in his shirt.

“Aw, crap,” he said, adjusting it so the rip wouldn’t show as much. “Maybe I need to go shopping too.”

Georgia was about to squeal in astonishment at the idea he hadn’t brought any “going out” clothes, but then he smiled, making me laugh. Georgia’s face relaxed. “Thank God,” she said. “I’d hate to be related to a slob!”

She threw a cushion at him to show she was kidding, and he caught it, resting it in his lap.

The sound of Christmas music suddenly began to filter through from the CD player in the hallway, and Mum came back with our drinks.

As we took them, Georgia and I exchanged another smile, this time of excitement. It wasn’t Christmas until Mum made her amazing hot chocolate, and started playing festive tunes.

“Are we ready to get started?” she asked, just as excited, if not more so, than Georgia and I.

“I am,” I said, standing up. “Where are the decorations?”

“Oh damn,” Dad said, “I knew there was something I forgot!”

He set his drink down on the table, and headed for the storage cupboard under the stairs where the decorations lived for the other eleven months of the year.

Everyone else got to their feet, and migrated towards the Christmas tree.

“That really is a beauty,” Mum said, staring at the lush greenness, “It’s such a shame they make so much mess.”

“Mum, you vacuum seven times a day,” Georgia laughed, “The needles barely have time to settle!”

Mum grinned. “Even so, my hoovering is no match for pine needles.”

“They smell good, though,” Jesse said. “I love the smell of Christmas trees.”

He appeared to be revelling in the mixed scent of pine and hot chocolate, as his eyes glazed over for a moment. I knew exactly how he felt. All we needed was some gingerbread baking in the oven, and the setting would be perfect.

Dad returned with the box of decorations, and placed it on the floor in the middle of us all.

“So here’s how it works,” he said. “The girls decorate the tree, and the boys hang all the awkward stuff on the ceiling. Usually, it’s just me, so I’ll be glad of the help.”

While Dad, Jesse and Hunter started pulling out garlands, Mum plucked out the box of tree decorations, and we gathered around for our annual reminiscing of the ornaments we’d collected over the years.

As we all set about our tasks, I felt warm and cosy, in spite of the cold outside. Dad set up a step ladder, while Jesse and Hunter continued to rummage through the box. I watched as Jesse laughed at something Hunter said, and found myself momentarily knocked out by his smile. Of course I’d seen him smile before, but there was something about the magic of the moment that made my stomach flip. He was in my house, with my family, helping us with a task we’d been doing together since Georgia and I were kids.

Dear Christmas fairy, please can I have Jesse as my gift this year?

“Okay,” Georgia said, taking the delicate glass fairy out of my hands, “I’ll hold on to that!”

Did I make that wish out loud?

I flicked my gaze to Georgia, who was laughing, then to my mum, who looked like she’d had an epiphany.

“What?” I asked.

“Isabelle Ann Mills,” Mum whispered. “You can’t spend so long staring at a boy and expect me not to notice!”

My eyes widened in panic. Obviously I’d been looking long enough for her to register what was happening.

“Don’t look so worried,” she laughed, keeping her voice low. “Jesse’s a lovely boy, and very good-looking too.”

“Mum,” I moaned, “Please don’t make a big thing out of this. I’m not going to marry him or anything!”

“How do you know?” Georgia asked. “He might sweep you off your feet, fall madly in love with you, and you can live in L.A in his mansion and make lots of beautiful children together!”

“Oh shut up,” I said. “That’s never going to happen.”

Mum smiled, knowingly. “I said something similar about your father once.”

“Well you and Dad have lots in common,” I pointed out.

“You and Jesse might have lots in common if you ever spoke to him!” Georgia teased.

“Like what?”

“You both like comedy movies.”

I rolled my eyes. “One thing. I hardly think that is going to make him interested in me.”

Mum, sensing my discomfort, placed some gold tinsel around my neck like a scarf. “Come on then,” she said. “This tree isn’t going to decorate itself!”

Thankfully, Mum and Georgia didn’t make any further comments about Jesse. It was embarrassing that everyone had started to catch on to the fact that I fancied him. If Hunter got wind of it, I’d never live it down.

The rest of the decorating passed by without me making an idiot of myself, and when we were finished, the living room looked beautiful. The tree was hung with red and gold baubles and tinsel, and matching garlands were strategically hanging from the ceiling. We celebrated by having another mug of mum’s homemade hot chocolate, then Georgia and I went upstairs to start getting ready for our night out.

Even with a couple of hours to go, I felt sick. Georgia was way more excited than me. I wanted to puke up my lunch, but she kept me calm by telling me how amazing I’d look when she’d finished with me. My bedroom turned into a mini beauty parlour as Georgia carted all of her make-up into my room, arranging it carefully on my dressing table.

“Georgia,” I said, nervously. “Do we really need all this?”

“Relax,” she laughed. “I know you’re not crazy about make-up so I’m not going to put too much on you, but I want to have everything here so I can figure out what will work best. I need to do your hair first, though.”

“What are you doing to my hair?” I asked, as she sat me down in front of the mirror, and ran her fingers through my freshly dried locks.

She stared into the distance for a moment, and I could tell she was really considering the best option for me. Eventually, she said, “I think we should curl it. Not too much, just in romantic, wispy curls.”

I opened my mouth to stop her going off on another tangent about Jesse, but she held up her hands, and said, “I’m only thinking about what will look good on you. I promise.”

I knew she was lying when the corners of her mouth twitched, but I smiled. “Whatever. Do what you want, before I change my mind and sling my hair up in a ponytail.”

An hour later, the transformation was complete.

She had done an incredible job. My hair swung softly around my shoulders in loose curls, and my make-up was … not as subtle as I’d hoped, but pretty, all the same. Georgia had found the perfect shade of purple eye shadow to match my dress, and my lips were painted with some very pale pink lip gloss.