Love Burns

Chapter 9

Olivia

"I like you, Olivia." He says, in that deep voice of his.

"Huh?"

"I said, I like you, Olivia, why are you so surprised? Do you want me to prove it to you or something?" He says, while stepping closer to me. What's wrong with him today? Why is he so bold? And why do I like it?

"Prove what?", I managed to say, my voice coming out a bit breathier than I expected.

"This." His lips crash into mine. I close my eyes, letting myself go and getting lost into him, his touch and the feeling of being desired but when I open my eyes I'm met with my bedroom ceiling instead of him.

Did I just dream about kissing Quinton? God, what is wrong with me? And why was he so damn hot. Before I could think more about the amaz- I mean crazy dream I had, Tati barged into my room and screamed, "Liv, wake up, we're almost late." Right. Of course. We had school. And who sits with me first period? Quinton.

I can't unsee it. Every single time I look at him I remember that dream. Has he always looked this good? He looked even better in the dream though, he was wearing an unbuttoned white shirt with these black pants and his hair was all messy with a few strands falling into his icy blue eyes. He still looks good though, but he would look better if- what the fuck am I thinking? I need to calm down. Just ignore him for 20 more minutes. You can do this.

I try to get out of the class as soon as possible but then someone grabs my wrist and stops me. "Hey."

"Uh..Hi..?"

"Why are you ignoring me?"

"I'm not ignoring you." Liar, you're totally ignoring him because you dreamt about him.

Quinton looks frustrated. "If I didn't know you, I'd think you were shy, but I do know you, so tell me, did I do something to make you upset?"

"No, you didn't. I'm just a bit...stressed right now."

He sighs, "Whatever you say liv, but if you need someone to talk to, you know who to come to."

Yeah right, as if that was ever the problem. How do I tell you that you're what I'm stressed about?

"Thanks, Q."

A small smile flashes through his face, have I mentioned that he looks absolutely devastating when he smiles? "Q? Nobody's ever called me that. But it's got a nice ring to it. I like it."

I could've sworn that he said that last part while looking at me but maybe, that's just the dream talking. "Well, I've got to get to class so, see ya." See ya. Yeah, that's cool right, sounds like I don't care. Like I totally didn't dream about him kissing me.

It was lunch time and since the past few months, Alice has been very...distant. I don't know if it's because she's now friends with those girls who tried to pick on me. I did tell her that they picked on me, but she just told me that I was being too 'sensitive' and that they were 'just kidding'. Yeah, right. Even though I didn't have that many girlfriends, I'm not stupid. They clearly wanted to bully me that day. But whatever, I don't hold it against her. She can be friends with whoever she wants. And it's not like I have any other girlfriends. While I was lost in thought, a familiar voice startled me, "Is this seat free?"

"It sure is." Though, Ashley and I started off on the wrong foot, I soon realized why people like her. She's the best captain we could ask for, always helping her teammates and encouraging them to do their best. It also helps that she's one of the best of the best in the game right now. She's also confident in her abilities and herself as a person, which is something I can't relate to. Yes, I'm good at fencing but I'm not anything special -- but Ashley doesn't think so, she thinks I'm way more talented than I give myself credit for. But I just brush it off as advice that every captain gives their teammates.

"I'm sorry if this offends you, but why is she friends with them?" She says, pointing towards Alice and her new group. "If I were in her place, I would just throw that lunch tray all over her new designer handbag and threat- I mean warn them to stay away from me. But hey, maybe that's just me."

That makes me laugh, Ashley may look scary and intimidating on the outside but she's a softie at heart but if you mess with her people...yeah, I think its better if I don't finish that sentence. "It's okay, I don't mind honestly, maybe they were just...having a bad day that day."

"So? That's not an excuse to treat someone like that. Plus they've always been a bit annoying. Trust me, nobody except her three friends and now your so-called 'bestie' like her."

I give her a weak smile, she's right. If she were my real friend, she wouldn't leave me to go sit with them, but the truth is, I don't have any other friends, so I can't just drop her that easily.

"Thanks, but I think I can handle her."

"I'm sure you can Olivia, I'm just saying this because I think you deserve better."

I smile, "You know, I never thought I'd be sitting here and eating lunch with you."

"Well, I never thought I'd eat lunch with the new kid that absolutely destroyed me the first day of practice this year. But life's funny like that."

Both of us laugh and this makes Alice's head turn towards us. I can't read her expression but I sense that she's annoyed. It's not like I left her alone. I ignore her and turn to Ashley, "Are we.. friends?"

"Oh my god Olivia! I can't believe-"

"It's okay, I know we aren't anyways. I don't know why I-"

"No, I was about to say, Oh my god Olivia, I can't believe you think we aren't friends. Of course we are, I literally ditched sitting with Quinton because I saw you all alone and lost in thought while staring at " She shoots a pointed glare at Alice, "her."

Okay, how does everything in my life directly or indirectly involve Quinton. "He's a nice guy, you know."

"Huh?"

"Quinton I mean, sure he's weird and acts like a playboy most of the time, but he's one of the most genuine people I've met, second to you, actually. I think you might just be the most genuine person I've ever met."

"That's really sweet, thanks."

"Oh shit, I think lunch is over. I gotta run, so, see ya, also keep yourself free this weekend, we're going to the mall to pick out dresses for the spring formal. I dont care if you're going or not, we're getting you a dress."

I laugh at her enthusiasm, "Okay, okay. I'll be there." This wasn't my first time going to the mall with her, but the last time I went there was with Alice, this time it's just the both us, which feels like a big step in our friendship. I think I might've finally gotten my first real friend.