Loveless

Chapter Eight

//TW! This chapter talks about lgbtq+ issues, and Toby has frustrations with his mental health.

The rest of the weekend went by quickly. I spent Saturday night at Oliver's again, and went home Sunday afternoon. Evie immediately pointed out the hickeys, teasing me. I brush it off as 'part of truth or dare', as I have been with pretty much every embarrassing thing that people bring up from this weekend.

Walking into the cafeteria at lunch was a nightmare. Connor and Laila have decided to invade our table, so now there's 6 people piled up sitting shoulder to shoulder. I sit between Oliver and Beth, attempting to avoid the newcomers entirely.

"I see you've had your fun." Connor laughs, pointing at Oliver and I. Laila looks over at me, and laughs quietly.

"What?" I say quietly, and Oliver doesn't even look up from his book. Lilith looks at us, searching for what Connor is referring to, and when her eyes settle on my neck they widen. She chokes on her drink a little, earning Oliver and Beth's attention. Now everyone's staring at me, great.

I pull my hood over my head and lay my head dramatically into my arms on the table, groaning.

"Oh my god, you really weren't lying..." Lilith says slowly. Why would I have lied? I just groan again, and Beth laughs.

"Leave them alone." Beth says strictly, "You've had your fair share of marks Lilith. And you Connor? It's bold for you to even talk." She sounds like a mom.

Connor clears his throat, and mumbles a short sorry. "We won't tell anyone about them." He says quietly, attempting to make me feel better.

"Thanks." I reply. Oliver has returned back to his book, but he's grinning. He looks so proud of himself, what a loser.

"Anyway, tell us about your date." Beth says, trying to move the conversation forward.

"It was great, we went to see a movie and then went to his house to hang out." Lilith says and I laugh. "What?" She questions me.

"You had the audacity to tease me when you're already bringing each other home? Absolutely bold." I say, and Beth and Oliver laugh. Connor laughs with us, but Lilith is bright pink.

"It wasn't like that!" She exclaims.

"Yeah, and neither were these!" I retaliate, trying to lie. Oliver smirks a bit, invalidating my story.

"Doesn't look like he agrees." Laila says, pointing to Oliver. I look around them, making sure to shoot dirty looks.

"God, you all smell bad." I say, standing up. "I'm leaving."

"Ohhh come on, we smell perfectly fine, you just want to escape the conversation." Lilith calls to me, though I've already started walking away. She's right, but I don't care.

Oliver trails behind me, running to catch up. "Are you alright." He asks, matching my steps.

"Yeah." I respond shortly. I'm embarrassed; why couldn't they just ignore it? Sometimes I wish I could just curl up in a ball on the floor and hide from the world. I'm still walking furiously, though I don't really have a destination in mind. I contemplate leaving school entirely, but I know my mom would murder me if I do.

We just walk, not speaking, both lost in thought. He doesn't question where we're going, probably because he knows that I wouldn't have an answer. I stop in front of my locker and open it, fiddling with what's inside. Oliver just stands there awkwardly.

"You can go back to lunch if you'd like." I say, offering him a way out.

"No, I want to stay with you." He responds quietly.