Too Close

Chapter 14

Olivia's P.O.V

I was sitting in class listening to Haylie tell me that her brother asked her to go on a double date with him and someone he'd met even though she didn't really want to go. Tyler didn't come to class today and he wasn't responding to my messages. I'd avoided him ever since the day in the library. Even in the library that week of detention I'd dodged him by focusing solely on the work Ms. Friedberg assigned us to complete. I avoided him so something like that wouldn't happen again.

"Excuse me, can I go to the bathroom?" I asked, raising my hand. When our Spanish teacher nodded, I quietly slipped out of the room. When I reached the bathroom at the end of the hall, I heard snickers coming from around the corner.

"Hello?" I called out. I kept my hand on the bathroom door and peered around the corner into the next hall. I saw two guys standing about halfway down, their gazes bouncing around them as if to check if anyone was watching. The one closest to me squatted down revealing that it was Tyler who stood next to him. He noticed me when I noticed him.

"Hey," he called and I walked toward them.

"What are you doing?" He looked at the wall in front of them and I turned my attention to it as well. I covered my mouth in a gasp. I couldn't believe it, they'd spray painted school property. The newly painted wall depicted a carnival with a ferris wheel and neon arcade booths.

"Tyler, are you trying to get expelled?" What started off as a yell ended in a disbelieving whisper.

"It's harmless fun," his partner in the act said from where he squatted on the floor. A flash of irritation surged through my veins.

"Fun?!" It was a wonder how my voice remained low despite my annoyance. "Who even are you? Tyler, who is this kid?"

"Whoa, whoa," Tyler's face came into my view, stepping in between the two of us. The guy behind him stood up and backed away.

"Uh—I'll catch ya later Ty," he said and hurriedly disappeared down the hall.

"Give me that," I said, extending my hand out for the can of spray paint Tyler held.

"Why?" I ignored the question and grabbed it from him. I aimed the spray at the wall and managed to write: Charlotte Fall Festival, this Saturday!

"I'm saving your ass." I glared at him then heard a screechy inhalation of breath. Over Tyler's shoulder I caught sight of Ms. Friedberg standing at the other end of the hall with balled fists.

"Ms. Verano! What is the meaning of this? Are you part of the art committee?" She threw questions at me as she clicked her heels toward us.

"No..." I wanted to drop the can of paint but I couldn't move a finger. I was frozen like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Then I have no other choice than to send you to the principal's office this instant," she said. My jaw could've hit the floor. "You go to the principal's office too, Mr. Durfee." When she said the last part, I saw her eyes roam freely over him before turning on her heel and disappearing around the corner.

"I'm gonna kill you," I said finally as it dawned on me the amount of trouble we were in. His eyes widened and he raised his hands in surrender.

"You're the one who got caught with a can of paint."

"Is this some kind of joke to you? You know what, don't even talk to me." I brushed past him and ventured off to the main office.

"Are you serious?!" I shrieked. Principal Jacobs gave me a scornful look and crossed her hands over her desk. "I mean, is that necessary?"