The Bad Boy's Barbie Doll {#wattys2017}

Ten \\ Safe

October 17th, 2016

          Caroline watched me as I ate in silence. There wasn't anything going on between us, I just haven't spoken much since the last time I saw Elliot. Thank God he wasn't in school today.

          "You have to speak sometime, Olivia." She reminded me, snatching my sandwich bag filled with goldfish away.

          I sighed in frustration, grabbing hold of the baby hairs that hung just above my eyebrows. "No."

          "Yes." She leaned her head down till her eyes matched mine, "You have to tell me what happened sooner or later."

          Now it was merely about something else. I knew I couldn't tell Caroline what had happened. Elliot would kill me- worse, those men will kill me. I thought it'd be best if I told her the same lie I told to Garrett.

          "I lost a dog." I vaguely announced, Caroline's eyebrows raising in surprise. She pondered my words for a moment, probably trying to understand why that was a valid reason for me to keep my mouth shut ever since. I knew she'd figure out I was lying sooner or later- but I'd rather it be later.

          "Yea right." She gave me a small eye-roll, tossing the goldfish bag back to me. Caroline rose from her seat at the table, and walked over to the nearest trash can in order to throw her leftover lunch away.

          "Olivia." A very familiar, poisonous voice called out to me. I turned my head towards the source, a frown appearing on my face. Dezerae and her little clique of people walked over towards me, placing their bodies down where Caroline used to sit.

          Caroline stood behind them, making a displeased face. I shrugged my shoulders, watching as she shook her head and walked off back into school.

         "What are you doing?" I asked, eyeing the toxic girl carefully. Something didn't seem right.

          Dezerae chuckled, devilishly. "I know you hate me for what I did, but I'm sorry- honest. Besides, Elliot told me to keep an eye on you during school hours."

         My jaw clenched upon hearing his name. Elliot was the last person I wanted to see nor hear about right now. He put my life in danger, and now he thinks by assigning me a 'bodyguard' that everything's okay. He wishes.

           "I guess he knows I'll gladly kick ass if needed." Dezerae smirked, her friends laughing in agreement.

          I grabbed my belongings, and stood up abruptly. "Where is he?"

          With a look of amusement, she pointed towards the back of the outside eating area- and there he was, staring directly into my direction.

          I didn't hesitate to walk over there, an impassive glare on my face. "Stairwell. Now." I demanded, not bothering to stick around and give him a chance to decline.

          "Seriously?" I asked, as soon as he entered the premises.

          Elliot sighed, "I know you're upset."

          "Upset?" I scoffed, tightening my grip on my binder that rested in front of my stomach, "I can't even believe you."

          He stared at me, sympathy in his eyes. I know he felt bad about what he did, but that still didn't make me want to forgive him. My life is on the line right now, and if he didn't complete his payment once, how do I know he won't complete it again?

          "First you risk my life, and now you're trying to take my freedom." I shook my head, looking for a way to reason with him.

         He rolled his eyes, "To be fair, you did walk in on us yourself. I had nothing to do with that."