Chapter 5
Five
Olivia
I cover myself and Hayden with the blanket a little more as we lay on our stomach looking out into the garden, watching his brothers playing with their nerf guns.
Hayden was out there while I was reading, then I asked Dad if I could stay a little longer once he had finished work.
He said I could, but he'd pick me up for dinner, and I didn’t fight with him.
“For someone who makes fun of me for my popcorn choice, you sure eat a lot of it,” I joke, as he’s eaten most of the bowl.
“It’s growing on me.” He takes a handful and puts them all in his mouth. Well, most of it, as a lot falls around us. “Is school getting any better?” I was hoping he wouldn’t ask about it.
I hate it. They all make fun of me about dad’s job, just because he is a janitor at the school part time, we need the money.
I'll never be ashamed about his job, never. I know why he works so hard, and the moment I can get a job to help him I will. One day I lied to Hayden and told him it was fine, but he didn’t believe me, that’s how well we know each other now.
We know when the other is lying, he breaks eye contact, and he said I bite on my lower lip.
“It’s high school, they want to be mean, I ignore them.” I look out at his brothers shouting at each other, then at the iPad as we watch some hockey game Hayden wanted to watch.
He got into the high school team, he had a celebration BBQ, and his dad said I was invited to. It was fun to be able to get in the pool and have fun. My dad is finally starting to like Hayden, the words he said were, “He makes you happy and smile, that’s all I ever want.”
“I’ll come to the school and hurt anyone who upsets you.” I turn to face him laughing, because he’s joking, right? No, he’s not joking. He has that look in his eyes, a menacing glare which always makes me know that he means what he is saying.
“No, they will get bored sooner or later.” I push him away when he shakes his head, and I just watch him for a moment.
He is almost fifteen, six months older than me, but he’s starting to get more and more good looking.
He'll get a girlfriend really fast, and I don’t think I’m going to like it when he does. Not one bit.
“Well, if it doesn’t I’m coming down.” He takes another handful of popcorn and leans in closer to me. It’s starting to get cold now, so having his body next to mine feels good. “Are you cold?” he asks.
“A little.” I pull the blanket closer, but he pulls it off me when he gets up, and starts taking his hoodie off, and gives it to me.
“Put this on—”
“No, you’ll be cold.” I hand it back to him.
“And my bedroom is over there.” I look over to where he is pointing, the window which looks straight out to the treehouse.
“I'll go get one when I start feeling cold.” He brings the hoodie over my head, and he leans in closer to me, leaning his forehead on mine. “Can’t have my friend dying on me.” He stays there for a little longer, and I take in a deep breath, but he pulls away when Mason calls his name.
What was that?
He’s my best friend. I don't want to lose him as my friend, he’s the only friend I’ve ever had. I’m not going to mess it up.
Present Day
I park my car and look around to see if I can see them.
Any of them. One group hates me, while the other group I hate, and that group I would never want to ever see again.
I have to keep telling myself, it’s only five months, five months and I'll be able to go to law school. If I finish with the grade I hope to get, I’ll be able to go to any law school I want.
For five months, all I have to do is hide my hate and guilt.
If I’m lucky the group I hate might not even recognize me., I pray they don’t.
Getting out of the car, I grab my book bag and make my way into school. If I can get through the first day without being seen I’ll be happy.
I look at the map to see where my first class is. I tried to plan my route last night, mostly because I didn’t want anyone to see me looking at the map. I mean it shouts that I’m the new girl.
When I find which building I need to go to, I look as I walk toward it but stop when some girl stands in front of me with a huge smile on her face.
“Hi, I’m going to guess you’re Olivia. I’m Abigail, the professor asked me to meet you, to help you settle in.
” I keep telling myself to smile, because I know I have a resting bitch face.
Some will call me a bitch while others might just think I’m being rude.
So, I tell every muscle in my face to smile.
“I think we both have the same classes. Do you have your schedule?” She points to the folder in my hand, and I hand her the paper with my classes on.
“We do; this will be great. I can show you around after our first class, unless you know anyone here.” She looks around at some of the other students walking around, which gives me the time to think of my answer.
Yes, I know about seven people here. Four of them I want to kill, and three of them would probably want to kill me. How do I tell someone that, especially as our lessons are law, not the best way to start my first day.
“No,” I reply.
“Great, well you have a new friend now, come on, let’s get to class, and I'll give you the tour.” She links her arm with mine, and she pulls me to get up the stairs.
Great, just fucking great. My plan was to go to class, then hide in my car, until the next class. I’ve got my lunch in my bag, so I didn’t have to go anywhere, and if the weather was too warm or cold, then the back of the library was where I thought I’d run to and hide.
Abigail has other plans, so I just need to work on a plan to get away from her, but she gives me the preppy girl vibe and is doing this to get in the good books of a teacher, so I don’t think she'll let me go anytime soon.
I’m still constantly looking around hoping I don’t see anyone I do know. My hand goes to my necklace automatically to try to calm myself down.