Texting Olivia Large ((On Pause))

5

"Dude, she's opening her locker" Scott nudged me with a hushed whisper.

I turn my head as subtly as possible, and I tried to look past the crowd of teenagers swarming the hallways like bees to get a good glimpse of her form by the yellow and red patterned lockers.

She opens the locker. The note falls out.

Oooooh, Gosh...

She picks up the note.

What if she doesn't like it?

She reads the note, her expression apathetic. She raises a questioning brow and shuffles through her locker.

I inhale deeply, letting the smell of sweaty teenagers and cleaning bleach waft into my nose.

This is the moment of truth...

She pulls out the hairpin and smiles, the freckles underneath her eyes perk up.

I smile too.

God, this girl...

I let out the breath I was holding and place a hand on my aching chest, the goofy grin on my face expanding. I know I look stupid, smiling like this in the middle of the hallway, but that's the least of my concerns.

She puts the pin in her hair, the silver foil glitters in her hair like a star.

Then, her eyes scan the busy hallways until they catch mine. I don't look away, I'm frozen in place, still grinning like an idiot.

Her eyes narrow. I think she growls with the way her lips twist but I can hardly hear anything over the chattering of students and sneakers protesting in union against the tile floor.

She shoots me the middle finger and turns on her heel.

A sly wolf whistle makes me tear my gaze from Olivia and settle on Scott.

"What the hell was that?" His voice rings with amusement.

"What was what?"

He mimics Olivia's gesture from just a few seconds ago, from the exaggerated narrowed eyes to the middle finger. "What was that? That was so... hostile."

We've been friends for year's and he's the only one who knows about my little crush on Olivia. Of course, he hasn't questioned it but that doesn't make him any less of a gossip.

I let out a dry laugh and run my hands through my hair. "Nah, she's always like that."

He shudders a bit. "She's so scary. I feel like she could pick me up by my head and toss me."

"That's not nice," I say, heading towards my chemistry class. He trails after me.

"But it's true," He catches up to me so we're walking side-by-side. His tone of voice indicates he's about to drop some rumor I'm supposed to care about."I heard there's this dude that hangs out with her. I don't remember his name-"

"Joey?"

"Yeah, him. I heard she's protecting him from jocks in exchange for homework. She's got him wrapped around her finger!"

"That's obviously a lie, Scott." I sigh. I haven't really talked to Olivia for a while, like, a real conversation without nasty glares and salty replies. But I'm sure she wouldn't do something like that. The Olivia I know- the Olivia I remember wouldn't do such a thing.

Besides, she's a stickler for the rules.

"How do you know?" He asked, swiping his coal-black hair away from his eye. He stops in front of my chemistry class and shoves his hands into his varsity football jersey. He obviously wouldn't mind keeping me from class a few minutes longer until I answer his question.

"Because I just do, now screw off dude." I playfully shove him aside and walk into class.

"Adam Lynch, how nice of you to show up two minutes late." Miss Philliphia gives me a sweet smile that doesn't match her words. "Care to tell why you came late to class?"

"I'm so sorry, ma'am." I give her a guilty smile. "It was my fault for coming late and I take full responsibility for it."

"OMG, he's so cool."

"You don't get a lot of guys like him."

"It's so cool that he took responsibility for his actions like that. OMG, I'm dying."

"Whoa, what a slick way to sweet talk the teacher into getting away with shit."

I know that one came from Olivia. I can hold back the smirk that forms on my lips.

This girl...

My charm works on her because she smiled and directs me to go to my seat- right beside Olivia. It wasn't that way before but I sweet-talked some guy into exchanging seats with me, much to her annoyance.

When I get to my seat, I smile at her. "Hey, Liv," I whispered

"Screw off, asshole." She muttered.

I'm not gonna lie, that one stung a bit. But I'm used to it by now. I guess I deserve it.

I shuffle through my bag and pull out the purple pen she lent me, last class. Well, the pen Miss. Philliphia forced her to give me. "Here's your pen" I reach out to her. "I promised I'd return it, didn't I?"

Olivia gasps and puts both hands over her mouth with a mock surprise. "You made a promise and kept it? Well isn't that swell." She's smiling sweetly but her eyes are still flooded with hurt. I feel bad that I'm the reason why. "I didn't know you could keep promises. I guess you live and learn, right?"

'Nothings going to get in the way of our friendship!" I reassured.

'I'll come back tomorrow and meet you right here!' I promised.

She's right, I didn't keep any of those promises. And for a stupid reason too.

I keep my smile on as she snatches the pen from my hand but it's still a bit shaky.

That sentence hit me. Hard.

I feel familiar guilt creep into my chest and stay there.

This is exactly why I needed to talk to her, to communicate with her without her cutting me off. And the only way I know I could do something like that is by being anonymous.

This is exactly why I had to use her phone at the first opportunity I got to text her.

I look away and Kaleb stares at me intensely. He took me under his wing when I had no one- or at least when I was a dramatic fifteen-year-old boy and thought I had no one. Either way, he's the reason I'm the person I am today. I still can't tell if that's a good or bad thing.

He raises a brow. He's trying to communicate through stares. I understand every word. Why are you talking to her? You know the rules.

I do know the rules. Talking to her is definitely breaking a few.

I give him a lopsided grin and a dismissive wave of my hand. No big deal. I'm just messing around.

He narrows his eyes at me and turns to the side, giving his attention to a pretty blonde by his side.

I sigh in relief then let guilt really sink in.

Maybe Olivia is right.

Maybe I am an asshole.

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