Reverse Romance

A Light in the Darkness

A week had passed since Cleo's strange encounter with Oliver and ever since she agreed to be friends with him, life had gone steadily uphill. Yes, she was still bullied and ridiculed like no tomorrow. Yes, kids still avoided her like the black plague anytime she was near them. Yes, she still got looks of regret and sorrow from her long lost friends. No, she was not alone anymore. That's what made life worth it for once she finally had someone who made her life better not worse, but she would never tell him that because that would just boost his confidence which he already had too much of.
When Cleo first agreed to be Oliver's friend she did not expect him to sit by her every lunch and switch into as many of her classes as she would allow, it was three out of the four classes she had to have a little break. She never expected him to make her smile every single second with him. Even without knowing it Oliver changed her appearance as well, she would actually braid her soft black hair and put on cute clothes just so she felt better and eventually happier.
The one thing that stayed the same was Cleo's lunch spot she liked the peaceful privacy. She was on her way to meet Oliver for lunch smiling to herself wondering what goofy mood he would be in today? That's when she noticed her older brother a senior in high school talking to a group of people right in front of her. Right behind them was Oliver who spotted her and waved with a huge grin as usual. She tensed knowing this was the only way she could take to the spot but she couldn't bear getting near her brother. Instead she ran back the other way turning the corner and leaving Oliver stunned and confused.
Cleo huddled in a corner where no teacher could see her and started tearing up, she desperately didn't want to cry. After a few seconds of shallow breaths, she noticed a shadow behind her before it wrapped itself around her in a bear hug.
"It's ok, you're ok I'm here, you don't have to worry" Oliver said in a soft quiet voice stroking her back comfortingly. I hated seeing her like this, I hated seeing the pure fear in her precious emerald eyes. I know she went through something bad and I hope she tells me one of these days but for now, all I need to do is make sure she stays happy.
Cleo breathed a sigh of relief and soon calmed down and looked at Oliver his creamy brown eyes reassuring her it's gonna be alright.
"I'm sorry" Cleo said embarrassed
"It's ok but why did you run off like that" Oliver asked concerned
"That's my brother and I....... I just don't like being around him" Cleo said having a hard time getting the words out.
"We don't have to be around him if you don't want to talk to him then you don't have to" Oliver said reassuringly.
"But what if he tries to talk to me" Cleo said unsurely.
"Then I will be your human shield and block all human contact with you" Oliver said serious but still making Cleo giggle.
"Ok let's get this over with" Cleo said getting up and taking one last deep breath.
            As Cleo started to walk around the corner a scruffy looking boy wearing headphones aimlessly walked down the hall obviously not paying attention to his surroundings almost crashed into Cleo. Right before the supposedly imminent impact Oliver dramatically stepped in between Cleo and the unobservant boy. When the boy shoved into Oliver on accident he was startled back into reality and apologized quickly before running off embarrassed.
            Oliver looked at Cleo with a triumphant grin making her smile before they started walking again towards her unavoidable brother. Cleo started shaking uncontrollably and taking small short gasps of air. Right as she thought she was about to pass out she felt a comforting hand intertwine with hers he didn't need to say a word, the small gesture was more than enough to tell her she was safe. As Oliver and Cleo walked past the group of Seniors her brother was surrounded by she hoped and prayed he wouldn't see her. Just as she thought that somehow she and Oliver snuck past she felt two beady eyes staring at her and looked up to see her brother coming their way