Express Yourself

Chapter Three

Another typical Sunday, worshipping at the church of Saint Mattress, meaning my bed. I layed here for a while, thinking about what happened at Olivia's house. I decided to check my phone to see if I had any texts from her. I rolled over and grabbed my phone. Nope, no texts. Since I was thinking about her, and I was worried, I decided to text her. I wrote, "Hey," and hit send. She texted back the same thing, with a sad face. "What's wrong?" I texted back. She wrote that nothing was wrong, and tha she had to go. I had a bad feeling about this. I knew how much these rumors were getting to her, and it was even getting to me how down she was about it.

A couple hours later, after I had showered and eaten, I decided to give my friend Lily a call. Her full first name is Lilianna, but I call her Lily for short.

I dial her number and she picks up.

"Hey, Lily!" I say with enthusiasm.

"Hey, what's up?" She asks.

"Um, I really need to talk to you," I say, my enthusiasm leaving me faster than I found it.

"Anything. Whatcha need Lex?" She says. I could always count on Lily. I explained to her in detail what happened at Olivia's house Saturday, and the effect the rumors had on Olivia so far.

"Well, the rumors I knew about, and from what happened according to you, they might be true," Lily said.

"But I don't understand. If she was, how could she not tell me? I've been her best friend since fourth grade!" I exclaim.

"Well," Lily started calmly, "maybe she is scared that you'll stop talking to her," Lily finished.

"Good point..." I said.

"Just don't force her to tell you. You and I both know how that works out."

"I didn't plan on it," I say, sighing.

"Okay then. Well, I'd love to chat but mom's yelling at me to come eat dinner. Talk to you later."

"Bye," I said, hanging up with another heaving sigh. I could feel my chest sinking, but I didn't know why. Maybe it's because I feel bad for Olivia. People make up stuff about me all the time, and I never get bothered by it. It breaks my heart to see her so upset and reclusive. She becomes someone I don't even know, and it hurts because I feel like I've lost my best friend.

I grabbed my Touch and went to my Pandora app. I clicked on Three Days Grace radio, and just as Break came on, I heard September by Daughtry and I knew Olivia was calling me. I paused Pandora and answered the phone.

"Hey you," I answer. "What's up?"

"I really need to talk to you. Can you come over?" Olivia asked. It sounded like she was nervous.

"Um, I don't know. I'd have to ask my mom," I say.

"Please? Just for half an hour. It's really important," Olivia said. I could hear that she had a lump in her throat, like she wanted to cry.

"Okay, I'll be there in five minutes," I return.

"Thanks, see you in a bit," Olivia says, and then hangs up. I slide my phone shut and put it in my pocket. I slid my Etnies on and walked out of my room.

"Hey mom, can I go hang out with Olivia for a while?" I asked my mom, standing in the doorway of her office.

"Yeah, just be home by eight," she said.

"Okay, thanks mom. Love you."