OLIVER
I made my way inside the house to meet Claire having lunch.
Mom wasn't back from work yet. It wasn't something new. She works as a nurse and would often return home late.
Sometimes I think she was trying too hard for us. It was mainly one of the reasons I didn't want to disappoint her. After dad left four years ago, she would often work overtime just to make ends meet.
She thought school was the most important thing in the world. She'd refused my pleas of searching for a part-time job so many times because she just wants me and Claire to study hard and get into a good college.
I wasn't a bright student, far from it. I think the only area I could boast of being good at was my paintings. I draw beautifully well… but according to her, that wouldn't secure me a bright future. I don't blame her. Almost everybody thinks the same. They must be probably right.
A sigh escaped my mouth. Life could be so hard at times.
My thoughts were distracted when I realized Claire had been saying something while I had been spaced out.
"Sorry, what?"
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Well I'm going to Alanna's house later for a sleepover, just so you know."
"Does mom know about it?"
She gave me a slight shrug.
"Nope, but she would have allowed me if she were here."
"No, you definitely need to inform her. Besides, you can't be hanging out with friends every time. Don't you have homework?"
"Done with them!" she chirped.
"Then you can make yourself useful by…" my words trailed off. I couldn't think of anything. My kid sister could be a little miss perfect most of the time. It was really hard to pin out a fault.
"Like what? Oh wait, I know! You could stay home and protect our belongings from… you know… burglars and stuff."
Claire nearly choked on her sandwich, laughing. "Oliver! Are you seriously asking your little sister to babysit YOU?"
"I am NOT asking you to babysit me!" I protested, my cheeks burning at her annoying laughter. "I'm just saying it's safer if we both stay home together. What if something happens?"
"Like what? The boogeyman comes to get you?" She giggled, making spooky finger gestures.
"I'm being serious, Pumpkin!"
"Oh my god, you ARE scared!" She clapped her hands together in delight. "My big brother is afraid of the dark scary house!"
"I am not afraid! I just… prefer company. That's normal!"
"Sure it is," she said, patting my head condescendingly. "Don't worry, I'll ask Alanna if you can come too. You can paint our nails and we can braid your hair."
I glared at her. "You're evil."
"And you're a scaredy-cat who's too proud to admit it," she shot back with a grin.
Ugh… She was right, but I'd never give her the satisfaction of admitting it.
I just didn't want to stay home alone until mom returned late evening, jumping at every little sound and checking the locks five times.
-----
I chewed on the bottom of my fancy pen. I could mentally hear mom scolding the bad habit. Too bad she wasn't present, and good for me.
Mrs. Osborne went on and on about the French revolution. She seemed passionate about it. I wonder how she would feel if she knew more than half of the class wasn't really paying attention? And I was sadly included.
I was really trying my best to, but her classes were always so boring. And it wasn't just me. It hasn't even been up to five minutes but I could already feel my eyes drooping close with the need to sleep.
I jolted alert when the door suddenly pushed open. And he walked in. All traces of sleep vanished from my eyes.
Mrs. Osborne stared at him in blatant disapproval. Her lips were clipped tightly. He returned her stare with a glare. I could swear I saw her run a little pale. I guess I wasn't the only one he had that effect on. Hers was for a different reason anyway. His parents practically owned the school and it would be so easy to lose her job.
His presence commanded attention like flies to honey. All the girls wanted him. The boys were jealous of him. Or wanted to be him.
From the corner of my gaze I saw Amanda who immediately perked up like a peacock in mating season. She shot him what she probably thought was a seductive smirk, but looked more like she was constipated. She adjusted her pose dramatically, arching her back and pushing her chest out so far I was worried she might tip over.
Then she started the hair flip. Oh god, the hair flip. She tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder not once, not twice, but five times in rapid succession like she was having some kind of neck spasm. She even licked her lips and batted her eyelashes so aggressively I thought she might take flight.
She could be regarded as the queen bee of Riverside High, with her natural wavy blonde hair and pair of the bluest eyes. Too bad, especially for me, that her apparent beauty didn't match with her heart. She could be a real evil bitch sometimes. Well, most of the time actually.
Rumors were that she and Keiran had once dated. I wondered if that was true. They would fit each other perfectly. The head cheerleader and the school's most popular bad boy… my formerly childhood best friend and present tormentor.
I snapped out of my thoughts. My whole nerves stood in alarm as he began to make his way over.
His gaze searched around like he was looking for something.
His piercing metallic grey eyes fell on me. I couldn't breathe. Each drawn breath was stuck in my throat. Oh god!
A slow sinister smirk plastered on his face, sending an icy shiver through my bones. I tried to shrink myself into my seat, wanting to make myself smaller so he couldn't see me.
I was swept in absolute relief when he walked past me to take the seat behind me.
All throughout the class, I could feel his gaze burning holes into the back of my head. I didn't dare look back, but I knew he had his eyes on me.
Something hit my shoulders and fell on the floor. It was a folded piece of paper. It filled my insides with dread.
Another hit my shoulders. I couldn't avoid looking backwards, not surprised to find his deadly stare piercing right back at me.
"Get ready," he mouthed.
My stomach rolled and churned. I think I was going to be sick. I just wanted this class to be over as soon as possible.
-----
I pushed past through the sea of bodies. I had practically raced out of the class immediately when the bell sounded.
My spine was laced with dread. Why couldn't he just leave me alone?
William would probably be waiting for me at the cafeteria. I couldn't risk it.
Keiran wouldn't mind embarrassing me in front of the whole school in so many different ways. I would just have to find a hiding place, at least until lunch break got over.
Why couldn't I be like the other kids? Why do I have to hide?
I entered an empty classroom. My phone binged with text. It was from William.
Where are you?
The door pushed open before I could even begin to reply to him. I spun around so suddenly to find HIM.
My knees faltered. My lips trembled involuntarily. The cellphone almost slipped from my hands.
His intimidating gaze held mine as he slowly made his way over to me. With every approach, I took a step backwards, until there was nowhere else to move. I was trapped between him and the wall.
"K…Keiran…" I stuttered, unable to keep the trembling out of my voice.
I was trapped here alone with him. My whole body trembled with fear. And he knew it.
He stared down at me. One of his fingers reached to force me to look up at him. My betraying eyes began to brim with tears. Why was I so weak?
His gaze hardened. His grip on my chin turned painful.
"L…let go!" I hissed out in pain when his other hand shoved me against the wall.
I panted breathlessly, struggling to break free. How did he find me? Did he follow me right from class?
Nowhere was safe for me when it came to him. He would always hunt me down.
"I missed hurting you, Ollie," his taunting voice dripped with menace.
What a psychotic thing to say…