Chapter 1
The backlit mirrors in Mier Chele’s don’t flaner me at all. I look like a rat!
Weeks of planning, and my cardigan sleeves seem a bit long. The headband I put on is doing nothing to tame my wavy hair. Are Chuck Taylor knockoff’s okay for here!
Still maybe Oliver will notice the effort.
Speaking of which, has he seen my text messages? It’s already 9:43. If we eat and leave on time, we can get to the New Year’s firework show…..
“Lookin 4ward to u grilin here“-30 minutes ago, unread.
I scrunch my eyes tightly, I worked hard to learn how eyeliner works, so I don’t want to mess it up, but…
“Keep it cool, Cynthia.. Just two more minutes.”
I already have a text reminder alarm set. There’s no need to bombard him.
It’s okay. Just two more minutes.
When I start opening the bathroom door-
“Don’t go!!”
-1 almost smack myself in the face with it.
Who’d scream
ream like that here of all places? I got my answer when I peeked out the door
Jessica Parthow. She looks absolutely stunning in her deep blue dress. The dance team really does wonders for her legs.
The guy she’s holding onto doesn’t seem to notice or care.
Alex Hewlett: hockey team captain, satisfactory student, and notoriously unserious playboy. My Oliver waxes portic about him constantly. Their current season is a huge success so far because of him.
Ldon’t really care about Alex. Sure, he looks like a fashion catalog photo made real: light slacks, tucked–in black dress shirt, clean sneakers
But from what I know, he isn’t one for commitment. A fling–only person, never dated anyone that I know of
Though Jessica’s, uh, not gotten the picture. I heard she texted someone, demanding they “stop trying to fuck my boyfriend.” From his phone no
Those two are sull fussing so I’ll just wait in here for now
My heart jumps into my throat when my phone starts blaring-
Ah 9:45
Panic rushes through me as I try to turn it off, but I can’t get a handle on it before the bathroom door gets shoved open. I stumble back and look
It’s Jessica, Immaculate, and furious. Her five–foot–seven seems mountainous to my five–foot–fourteen,
Meeting her gaze is too much. I try to slip past her, but her hand ensnares my shoulder.
“Who the hell are you?” Jessica hisses, her nails digging in as I wince. “You were listening to us just now, weren’t you? Took a video to laugh with your bitch friendyTM*
Before I answer, a large hand grabs my other shoulder and pulls me away
Imeze un
up, getting smushed against someone’s pers
“Hey lube,” a saccharine voice says. “What took you so long?”
„Oliver doesn’t call me babe: This body is too big, too
When I look up, Alex’s warm brown eyes meet mine. He winks before looking back toward Jessica.
What’s that look for You know I’m not one to date. I just wanted to have fun, but.. It’s not anymore. See you
Chapter 1
Then, I’m being ushered away. My ears are for full of contou to fully understand what Alex is saying to me
Were his hands always this bigt? This strong!
I only realize how far we’ve gone w
gust of wind blows against my face. When did we get down the street.
Okay, she’s leaving. Thank fuck-
I squirm out of his arms immediately, nearly braining myself on the snow–dusted ground. When I shoot him a look I hope is intimidating, he just
ses Tris hands like he’s confronting a scared deer
“Hey, yeah, sorry about that. Jess was jumping down my
y throat” I feel his eyes trail up and down my body “You were a great help, though have your number! 1’11 make this up to you.”
It takes me a moment to process what he said, then irritation Bolddes in my chest, Didn’t be just diss Jessica ining
No need
I stumble past him, heading back to the restaurant. Whatever. I’m going back anyway. I just want to wait for Oliver
However, his sneakers catch up beside me.
He lets ou
out a snort. “It’s almost 10. No qualified boyfriend
“I mean it. I’m really sorry about that! For real. Are you even waiting for someone? He would be late on a day like this
I stop in my tracks and turn on him. With
some effort, I forcefully unclench my jaw,
“Someone who uses random girls on a whim should keep their mouth shut. He’s a thousand times better than you.
Alex’s eyebrows rise up as lie gives me another lice–over.
You’re spicier than you look.” He starts smirking, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Redmond High, right? Do I know your perfect Prince Charming?
“Oliver is
My six–month anniversary is today, but almost no one knows. Oliver doesn’t like school gossip, and I’m happy as long as he is. But
I cut myself off, glancing up at Alex, hoping he doesn’t know the rame. But of course he does, thick black eyebrows raised in surprise.
His grin turns playful, so I try making my expression as steely as possible
“Oliver Oakley? Yeah..great asset to the team. A real fun guy. He gasps, and I joh slightly. “Speaking of fun, Gunther’s throwin‘ a party while has folks are out. Go drop by. You might see something fun.”
The winter air firmly reminds me I’m just in a cardigan. I wrap my arms around myself and decide to flee instead of wrapping my mind around
Alex calls after me. “Remember! 8298 Harvey Way!“
I don’t answer him. There’s no need to.
Text Oliver at 9:52
By 11 PM. I’m standing in the snow w outside the now closed restaurant, my half–eaten breadsticks in a to–go box under my arm. My stomach grumbles with hunger
Dad. Oliver just stand me upt
No he couldn’t have. Maybe he was
was just occupied.
2:16 PM m
Chapter 1
Like, anything could’ve happened. His phone battery could’ve died or he could’ve gotten into a car accident and couldn’t reply. Or maybe
If Oliver was going to a party, he would tell me. I don’t need to act out–of–control like Jessica Given, Oliver and I actually are dating, but still.
Well. It’s not like I can’t drop by. I don’t know Gunther super well, but maybe he knows where Oliver is
Checking is fine..right?
I’ll just see if he’s there, that’s all
Upon arrival, I immediately pick out his car among the e others.
The lights inside and the music are a lot. There’s so many people. I’m getting squashed just by stepping inside. It kinda burns, somehow
As I stumble onto the uile, I find Gunther there, a lanky brunette slumped in a chair with an off–brand booze battle limp in his hand.
“Hey.”
Gunther blinks at me slowly like I’m a mirage. Maybe I look like one. My hair’s all over the place now
I try to drag words from the drying concrete in my brain.
“Ulm_ah… Oliver. Do you, ulum Know Where he is?”
He squints at me.
“Whut
The music’s too loud. So I try speaking up, but he doesn’t hear me. I try again, and no dice
“said! Do you know where Oliver is!”
My throat feels raw as I scream. There’s swear rolling down my back.
“Olsh Damn, you didn’t have to yell, Gunther huffs. “He’s snoozing upstairs.”
Relief floods
& me immediately.
Where’s the stairs? Just find the stairs. The bedroom’s upstairs…
t
When I catch a glimpse of the first step, crawl my way through the crowd. I just want them off of me
Getting up to the second floor.
It’s quieter, I think. I can’t hear past the buzzing downstairs, the ringing in my ears, and my own panting
But I know he’s here. I can feel him, my guiding light. Oliver’s here.
I know he’s behind the first door I find Surely he’s resting.
I’ll ask him why he didn’t answer my
my texts later. I just want to see him
Know that he’s safe. Just to calm down before I head home.
The voices downstairs are counting
I open the door quietly, not wanting to wake him
But he’s already up.
The voices are cheering
Oliver’s indeed in bed.
He’s laying under the covers, kissing a girl with naked shoulders
