Lost in the Space Between

Chapter 8

Jackson's POV;

We both stayed in the park until one of our mums texted us to get our asses home. (My mum texted first, she was probably home from work.) I kissed Oliver goodnight, my boyfriend Oliver, and we parted ways. He rode on his bike whilst I walked. My house wasn't very far, just a minute's walk. I smiled to myself, because I was buzzing with joy. I finally had a boyfriend. I was finally me. But I was still hiding, until I could muster up enough courage to tell my mum the truth, then, the whole school. I think I'm more afraid of telling my mum than the school, she'll take it worse than they will. I wasn't kidding when I had told Oliver that I would take the punches and the bruises if it meant that he'd still be mine and we'd still be together. I earned a kiss for that comment. I don't know why I asked Olivia to be my fake girlfriend, I could get by without one, but Olivia begged to help (she shipped us now, whatever that meant). She insisted that she would help us in any way she could, she would let David know (he was on board, after I myself told him that there were no feelings involved; he's a good chap, Olivia picked a good one). I opened the door only to be met face-to-face with mum, who had been waiting for me.

"You're home very late, Jackson Miller Scott." She sounded stern. I gulped down fear, and stiffened my posture.

"I'm sorry, I was still with.." I trailed off, thinking about Oliver, and how he had kissed me when we finally came to an agreement. I've never been happier to finally be the person I was meant to be. Finally, I almost smiled but then I remembered that mum was right in front of me and she would ask questions. "I was with Olivia," I finally said. She smiled at me softly.

"Darling, that's all you had to tell me, but you should have called, Jacky," she pouted, standing up and striding over to me. She was in her robe, so she's most likely showered already. She looked at me skeptically. "You two didn't..?" I felt my cheeks turn hot.

"No! Mum I would never!" I closed the door and walked away from her, hearing her laugh as I walked up the stairs and up to my room. As soon as I enter my room and lock the door, I slump against it. I let out a quiet sob, and even though I'm alone, I feel like eyes are watching me. Mum expects me to be something I'm not. And for the past six years, I've been listening to her. I've been going out with the girls she thought would be my type and what girls wouldn't be. And I listened to it all. I cried through my teeth grinding; I was pissed now. I was done listening to mum's advice. Because now I had Oliver, he's my guy. I stood up and dried my tears.

Things are going to change around here, I thought. And I don't care what she'll say.

He's my guy.

                                                                                      ---------

The next day, me and Olivia walked into school holding hands. Everyone was gawking over us, some of my mates from football fist bumped into me while I walked down the hall, telling me how "I picked one of the good ones." I was disgusted, and I simply flashed them all a smile. Is this how Olivia was treated when she wasn't with someone? As a prize that can be picked out? Is this how all the girls were treated? I glanced at Olivia, she was smiling at the girls and commenting to them about their hair, makeup, and clothing. We walked until we were out of sight and she let my hand go. She slumped against a locker and opened her phone, most likely checking for texts from David. We had called him after we left the restaurant, in hopes of him being on board with our plan.

"Hello? Davy?" Olivia had the phone to her ear. We were outside the entrance to the restaurant. I would be constantly shuffling to the side to let people through (there was a line waiting outside), but I was also close enough to hear snippets of the conversation. "Yes I know I haven't called you in a while, I'm sorry, school has been shit, what about you? How is college so far? Is it as hard as they say?" She was silent then her face turned red. "Oh my god! You are so dirty! I didn't mean it like that, idiot!" She talked as though she was mad but she tried to suppress a smile. My heart ached. I missed Oliver. She went over the plan with David. I didn't hear anything over the phone, and I was afraid that David had hung up on her; I could probably understand why. Then I heard something unintelligible coming from the other line. Olivia smiled softly. "Ok baby, yes," she paused. "I love you too, call me when you get out." She laughed and hung up. I couldn't help but smile.