It was funny because Oliver clearly had meant what he’d said. Somehow, we were dating without him asking, and I was cool with that. Oliver and I had always shared a special bond, and now it was stronger than ever. He walked me to class, sat with me at lunch, or made me join the jock table, which was, to saythe least, uncomfortable. At the end of school, Oliver waited to drive me home, even if I had clubs. Oliver literally pissed on my leg, marking me as his.
I don’t know how our friendship shifted into a romantic one, but it felt natural. Some of the popular girls didn’t quite believe we were together and flirted, but Oliver refused them coldly. And sometimes, Oliver was downright cruel when doing so.
Strangely enough, the geek was dating the popular jock, and nobody, not even me, could understand it. But Oliver marched to the beat of his own drum, and that meant I did too. And honestly? It was nice being loved and getting to do the usual high school romance things.
We often drove to an isolated make-out spot and did precisely that. Sometimes we went to the movies or a diner, and I attended his games—always wearing Oliver’s jersey and jacket, of course.
Oliver took me to the lake when everyone was there, to bonfires and cookouts. He didn’t care if I sat there and read a book or stayed in the background. No matter where we were, I was safe because Oliver watched me like a hawk. Oliver and I were the idyllic pair, in our minds anyway. To everyone else, we were probably the odd couple.
Paradise lasted a year.
“Did you hear Oliver was caught making out with Bryony?” The words reached me as I stood in the queue for lunch.
“What? No?” Samantha gasped.
“Yup. Seems Mr Faithful is full of shit. Bryony says it’s not the first time they’ve got together, and said Oliver’s a whizz in bed,” Carmelle stated spitefully. My stomach dropped. Was Carmelle telling the truth? Oliver and I hadn’t gone all the way, and Inow realised that should have raised alarms. After all, he’d been sexually active with Carmelle.
“I knew it wouldn’t last between Alicia and him. Alicia’s too weird and virginal. I bet Alicia’s frigid,” Samantha said, laughing.
Tears clogged my throat as those in front avidly listened in and then started adding their own spiteful comments. I didn’t care what people thought, but if Oliver was cheating, we were done. I deserved better than that.
“Alicia, come here, please?”
I glanced up and spotted Mr Edwards beckoning. Carmelle and Samantha grinned when they noticed me, and I held my head up. Their words had been soul-destroying, but nobody would see me break. I smirked at Carmelle and saw doubt in her eyes, and those around me offered confused looks.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t believe the lies of a desperate slut,” I said and headed towards Mr Edwards.
“Alicia, I need you to come with me,” he said kindly.
I followed Mr Edwards, wracking my brain about why I was being called to the principal’s office. Crap, had I done something wrong?
Mr Edwards walked in silence beside me, and as we got to the office, I saw Devon outside. He was scowling, but frowned when he spotted me. No doubt Devon thought I was in trouble. When I entered, two police officers turned to face me.
“What’s going on?” I demanded.
“Alicia, please sit,” Mr Edwards said, sitting behind his desk.
“Someone tell me what’s happening,” I whispered, my stomach sinking.
One officer spoke sadly, “Alicia, we’re so sorry; your parents were in a car accident.”
I sprang to my feet. “Okay, take me to the hospital.”
“Alicia,” Mr Edwards said gently, which was at odds with his huge personality.
“What?” I yelled, backing away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Devon sit up and stare through the door’s glass. Screw him.
“Your parents didn’t make it; they were killed in the accident.”
The scream that left me was heartrending, or so I was told. I’ve never remembered it, probably because I was screaming.
Chapter Two.
Oliver
“Oliver! You’ve gotta get to the principal’s office!” Devon yelled, bursting into the gym.
I looked up and glared; I was busy. I patted Bryony on the ass, and she coyly smiled.
