Paralysis

Chapter Twelve

  Olive's day had gone by slower than she would've liked. The constant reminder of everyone hating her even more continued to knock back and forth within her. At the very hands of Damian, everyone in the school would know she was a pickpocket. Olive figured it was inevitable after everything she had done and said to Damian a few hours prior. Olive received typical remarks from fellow students as she always did—only, from then on, she wasn't going to respond. She needed to focus on herself, her mental well-being and more importantly, her future. Olive wanted to do her best to avoid Georgia. She couldn't put her finger on why, but it seemed like the best thing to do was to keep to herself at a distance, even if it were just a short while.
  Olive didn't give Georgia the opportunity to approach her during lunch. She simply steered clear of everyone, deciding to head out to the bleachers behind the school. Time alone in order to think clearly was Olive's best bet. Olive wanted nothing to cloud her mind or her judgments. Although, she was quite troubled, because even though she didn't want Georgia to worry or see her the way she was, she was befuddled as to why Georgia hadn't even messaged or called her to see what was wrong, or if she were okay.
  Olive shrugged everything off as she sat in detention. Her, and the same number of students from before were all present. Olive had decided to sit next to Samantha for the day. After their truce and short discussion in the bathroom, she was much more comfortable with the coiled haired teen girl. Samantha didn't seem to mind Olive's company either. Morgan was attempting to push Olive's buttons nearly all day whenever he had the chance, but Olive was ultimately uninterested. Sly, unwanted remarks about she and Damian being a couple swarmed her. Morgan made crude gestures in the halls as he always did. Yet, there was something about his antagonistic phrases in regards to a complete lie that made it difficult for Olive to stay silent. The fact that Olive wasn't giving Morgan the reactions he craved, aggravated him further. It seemed to challenge him, pushing him to up the ante. Samantha was distinctly irked at just the sound of Morgan's voice. Olive moderately chuckled. She grabbed Samantha's attention by tapping her desk. Samantha looked over at her with an interested expression. Olive shook her head softly, smiling at her. Samantha grinned in return, nodding in response; understanding what Olive was meaning without either of them having to say a word.
  "He's not worth your energy." Olive leaned in towards her to whisper. Morgan became exasperated, making assumptions of what Olive had to say.
"You talking shit?" Morgan growled, making Olive and Samantha chortle. Mr. Heald looked up from his book, visibly not in the mood to deal with any childishness from anyone; especially Morgan.
  "Do I need to remind anyone that this is detention? This isn't a social get-together. No talking whatsoever, understand?" Mr. Heald warned. Samantha and Olive nodded with no objections. Morgan shifted back into his seat, crossing his arms and averting his eyes from Mr. Heald. Olive had thought to herself that Morgan was the poster boy for child tantrums.
"If we could go the entirety of an hour in detention without saying a word to each other, that would be a miracle." Mr. Heald added, preaching about how fed up he was with the misbehavior. Olive understood and continued to stay quiet. Naturally, she would likely come up with some type of snide comment, even so, she didn't want to worsen her situation; nor did she feel the need to irritate Mr. Heald any further. Olive was surprised that she and Samantha were getting along. It was extremely bizarre for her. Olive was almost positive that Samantha felt the same. Though, they both decided to simply roll with it and let nature take its course.
Mr. Heald dismissed all the students from detention. After walking out of Mr. Heald's classroom with Samantha by her side, Olive had reminded herself that she needed to place Morgan's wallet in the lost and found before she headed home.
  "I'll talk to you another time, I just remembered that I have to go down to the office really quick." Olive stated, somewhat lying. Samantha nodded with understanding.
  "Okay, see you tomorrow." Samantha waved goodbye at Olive before they parted ways. Olive walked down the halls, passing by classrooms until she made it to the office. Olive mindlessly pulled Morgan's wallet out of her pocket to toss it in the lost and found bin. Before she had the chance to follow through, her right arm was jolted back, pulling her entire body backwards.
  "Holy fuck, don't just grab me like that." Olive shouted before yanking her arm out of the stranger's grip. The force that the stranger used was nearly strong enough to make her lose grip of her cello case. She turned to see Morgan glaring at her with malicious purpose. Olive mentally panicked, swallowing excess saliva.
  "What the hell is up with you? I get that you don't like me, but I haven't said or done a damn thing to you today. Grow up and get over yourself, Morgan. This is really getting old." Olive voiced, making it seem like she had no idea why Morgan was upset. Olive turned to head back over toward the lost and found bin, but she was pulled back yet again.
  "Jesus, do you understand English? Leave me alone." Olive proclaimed in a slow pace, mocking how immature Morgan was acting.
  "You think I don't know that you jacked my wallet, you fucking bitch?" Morgan barked, startling Olive. She continued to keep her composure, giving off the impression that she was offended by his accusations.
  "No, I found it in the hall and decided to return it since I'm a pretty decent human being." Olive still managed to allow a bit of sarcasm to show through her lie. Morgan stepped forward, getting in Olive's face, practically towering over her. The blonde male wasn't backing down. He clearly knew that Olive was lying.
  "Since you claim that it's yours, here." Olive held out her arm, willingly handing the wallet to Morgan. Though she felt bad that she had stolen Morgan's wallet, she wasn't about to admit to doing it, nor was she going to admit that he didn't deserve something like that to happen to him. She only felt bad due to the fact that being a pickpocket wasn't acceptable to her any longer. Morgan looked down at her hand. Olive's expression wasn't harboring any ill will.
  "What, you honestly think I'd steal your money?" Olive scoffed, waving the wallet in his direction.
  "Take it already. Whether or not it's yours, I really don't care. I was just trying to do the right thing, asshole." Morgan snatched the wallet from her hands and continued to stand there, glaring at her. Olive scowled back in return. She placed her free hand at her hip, awaiting for Morgan to either say something else or leave.
  "Other students have been complaining about their wallets suddenly going missing. When they come across their wallets again, they always find them here, in the lost and found." Morgan spoke, angered. Olive was starting to feel the pressure of the situation expand, bit by bit. She didn't expect Morgan to continue or come to such a result in what she had been doing. Olive remained aloof, however.
  "What's funnier is that after they get their wallets back, their money is always gone." Morgan continued, making it so Olive couldn't help but give him a light sneer.
  "Well, detective, check the wallet to see if any money is missing. As I already told you, I found it, and now I'm returning it. You don't even have something as simple as a photo ID card in there, but I did see some money. Don't worry, it's all still in the same place I saw it because I'm no thief." Olive crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. She was waiting for Morgan to set aside his ego in order to do what she had suggested. Morgan checked inside his wallet, seeing that every single bill was where they were supposed to be. Morgan didn't pick his head up to look at Olive, or to apologize. He simply just froze up for a moment.
  "Whatever, glad you got your wallet back." Olive muttered before adjusting her cello at her left side. Olive heard the sound of heavy foot steps hitting the floor of the hallway. They were getting closer. She turned around to face the Morgan again, annoyed that he wanted to continue the conversation with her. He wasn't ceasing his quickened, angered movements. Olive placed her right foot behind her left, readying herself for impact while she tightened her grip on her instrument. Morgan stopped suddenly, seeing that Olive was prepared for his assault. He let out a chuckle.
"This proves shit. We all know it's you that's stealing everyone's money." Morgan's voice was stern and threatening. Olive's expression shifted and she turned her head to the side.
  "Who exactly is this 'we' you're talking about? To me it just looks like you're looking for someone to blame. Maybe you're the one stealing all the wallets and you're trying to place the blame on me, huh? But you know what? Let's say for argument sake that you're right. Maybe I am the person who has been stealing all this money from everyone like you claim. Why would I be stupid enough to take the money, then throw the wallets into the lost and found? Why wouldn't I just throw the wallets away completely? Get rid of the evidence?" Olive stopped to take a breath. Morgan's glowering expression softened up the more she proved him wrong. He wasn't wrong at all, but she had to convince him otherwise, in order for the story to be believable. It was bad enough having Damian holding her secret over her head, dealing with Morgan on the same issue would've been torture. Olive knew that while Morgan's mentality was comparable to a slice of cheese, she comprehended that old fashioned reverse psychology would definitely work no matter what he had to say about her.
  "You must have a really tiny dick with the way you act. Is that why you're angry all the time?" Olive heard Samantha's voice coming from behind her. She approached the both of them, shaking her head with disappointment at Morgan. His cold, mocha eyes practically stared directly into Samantha's soul, while he harbored an expression that looked as if he were attempting to make her burst into flames of hellfire.
  "This has nothing to do with you, Sam." Morgan snapped, disregarding Samantha's comment. She pursed her lips with a self satisfied look on her face. Olive chuckled, somewhat amused.
"She already explained herself to you and even if she hadn't, you have no proof against her whatsoever. Back off." Samantha stepped into Morgan's face, her voice becoming more hoarse towards the end of her statement. Despite her stance compared to Morgan, Olive didn't think it was Samantha's height that made her intimidating, but rather, it was her sudden malevolent attitude. Morgan did as Samantha informed. Before finally fleeing, Morgan glared at Olive one last time before he strolled off. Samantha turned to Olive, fostering a different energy after Morgan had finally left.
  "He's entertaining sometimes, but that horseshit was unacceptable. Are you alright?" Samantha asked Olive, concerned for her well being. Olive was at a loss for words for a moment before fully identifying what Samantha had asked of her. She nodded her head, laughing it off.
"I'm fine, he was getting on my last nerve. It's honestly funny how desperate he was to pin the blame on me without even realizing how stupid his accusations sounded." Olive continued to lie. Although, her lies didn't make her feel as bad any longer when she knew that she was done being a pickpocket. Olive admitted that she had done the right thing by bringing the wallet back, even after the way Morgan had always treated her.
  "You're right, after you and I separated, I noticed that Morgan started to follow you, instead of leaving like the rest of us. I followed after the both of you and just listened to what was going on. I wanted to step in sooner, but I saw that you were handling it on your own." Samantha explained herself, seeming like she was angry at herself for not stepping in when she wanted to. Olive shook her head.
  "You're good, don't even sweat it. It was funny the way you did step in, though." Olive laughed softly, smiling at Samantha. Samantha gave Olive a pleased grin at the news.
  "I'm glad to hear that." Samantha stated, happily.