Separate Ways

Chapter 1

Dear Diary,

I like Ryan Slater (the player) oh no I can't deal with this. He's only the hottest guy in the seventh grade. I know he probably doesn't like me!! But I can't help it, he's so gorgous !! Gorgious?? I don't know how to spell it, lol, but he's charismatic and on the basketball team and debate. I don't know where this came from, but I can't stop thinking of him, Mr. Osland called me in class today, and I couldn't even concentrate. I was just thinking of Ryan. Things have been hard since the move, but I think things are gonna be ok. Oh, and Amelia told me she needs to tell me something tomarrow. I wonder what it is ttyl, journal.

-Olivia Atwood <3

Dad drops me off at school the following day, and I immediately look for Amelia in the cafeteria. I am about to wave, but I realize she is with the mean girls. Oh no, this isn't good. Still, I trudge over to her end of the table, trying to join in the conversation as I sit down.

"Hey Amelia," I say and soon regret it because it earns a scowl from Tatum. Amelia turns to face me with a smile, relief washing over me.

"...You wanted to tell me something, right? That's what you said yesterday."

"Hey! Um yeah...but it can wait till later, ok?" What? now I'm confused

"Sure, but can you tell me what it's ab-"

"She just said she would tell you later. Are you dumb or something?" Tatum cuts me off. I am tired, and I don't need her BS starting so early in the morning.

"Ok, that's great, but I wasn't talking to you" I look Tatum dead in the eyes.

Amelia shoots Tatum a glare. That doesn't happen, and I feel a transfer of power; I am not gonna like this news. Amelia turns to me, and I feel uneasy and look at her expectantly.

"I will just tell you- Hey baby!" Amelia looks past me, and I see her "baby"- Ryan.

Well, Shit. What did I expect?

"Hey Liv, can you move-"

I grab my stuff and push past Ryan, I hear Amelia yell my name, but all I can manage is a half-hearted "class" back. I walk out of the cafeteria towards my first period.

All I can think about is this bullshit. Amelia was supposed to be my friend. How could she do this? My cheeks were burning. I was so mad. Whatever, I don't even care. Ugh, ok, first period, first period, first period, what's my first period?

OH! ITS- oof!

Just as I rounded a corner, I collided with someone and fell on my ass, then gave up and lay down. I contemplated just staying there; the cool ground was letting me calm down anyway.

No, I have to get up.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Olivia!" I end up just laying there, hearing my name snaps me out of my daze as I look up. I am met with bright brown eyes.

"Oh hey, Brendan," I smile. Brendan Reeves. I've gone to school with him my whole life but never really thought much of him; I mean, he's nice and all. He plays basketball with Ryan, and now that I think of it... it's Brendan that's the captain of the team. AH RYAN, I still can't believe Amelia.

"So... uh you okay?"

"Yeah, you know, just hanging out here on the ground after my friend just backstabbed me, the ushe."

"As one does when they're slighted" I look at him and let out a laugh. He extends a hand and helps me get up.

"So... uh, what's your first class?"

"American History... same as you" I didn't expect that answer. I haven't seen him in that class.

"Really? But I never see you there."

"It's because I sit behind you."

"Oh, well, that makes sense; I've been distracted lately heh," I realize we're just in the hallway.

"Um yeah, I know" he knows? Knows what? I shrug.

"heh, well, wanna walk to class?" Talking with Brendan made me forget about the whole betrayal thing

"Sure," he smiles, and a lock of his hair falls in his eyes. He looks so boyish, and I want to fix his hair, but I decided against it. Then I process what he said.

"Wait uh, how did you know I've been distracted?"

"Well, I tapped you on the shoulder yesterday in Mr. Osland's class" My cheeks heat up again as I remember my Ryan-induced daydream. I bring my hand to my mouth " Omg, that was you?" He nods his head, and we both laugh.

As we get to the classroom, we see that we're the first ones and stay talking outside. I notice how Brendan towers over me, warmth radiates off of him. He must have noticed me staring " Hey, uh, so why were you running from the cafeteria?" he asks. "Running? I wasn't running... I was just in my own headspace, you know? I had to get away from the cafeteria."

"Oh, why is that?" he questions. "Well, because um... I don't want to bother you-"

"No, I want to know," Brendan reassures. "I- well um, so, I liked Ryan, but he's dating Amelia, and she knows how much I liked him and still went after him" Brendan looks perplexed.

"Well..." now I'm concerned. "What?" I question, "Actually, Ryan likes you, but wanted to make you jealous and went after Amelia instead" my face drops, "WHAT? WHY? That doesn't even make sense" I roll my eyes. "Yeah, I know, I told him not to do it, but he did it anyway... hey, you said 'liked,'" Brendan says, "Huh?" I was caught off guard. "Just now... you said 'liked'; you 'liked' Ryan as in past tense," Brendan repeats.

Did I? "Well, maybe I changed my mind" By this time, other kids started to line up, and Mr. Osland showed up. We took our seats, and Amelia tried to talk to me, and I just ignored her and walked to my seat.

The rest of the day went by quickly as I thought of my plight.

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Sorry! Just a quick author's note: this story will begin at the beginning of Olivia and Brendan's relationship in middle school. Then, high school and so forth. So, it's slow now, but it will pick up. 

thx :D