“Are you sure?” She locked her eyes to mine.
“Absolutely.”
“I’ll go with you!” Apple followed along behind Candy.
“Any excuse to be alone with me?” Oliver pursed his lips.
“Still pouring on the charm, are you?” I guided him toward the corner. “I thought me being nosy might change that.”
“I’m sorry about that, I just got a little frustrated. It was personal.”
“I could tell.” I met his eyes briefly, then placed my hand against his head. “You have to put your ear up against the wall—where the tiles meet.”
“Why?” He frowned as he drew back from my touch. “Is this some kind of prank?”
“Not at all.” I pushed his head with a little more force this time but was careful not to actually knock it against the wall. “Just listen.”
As my fingers lingered in the smooth silk of his hair, my chest grew tight, my head swam, and I felt the same sensation that I’d felt that morning.
“This is some kind of game.” He narrowed his eyes. “Real mature.”
“Sh!” Without thinking I pressed my fingertips against his lips to silence him. The jolt of electricity that raced through me took my breath away in the same moment that he caught my hand by the wrist.
For a second, it seemed as if we were both frozen. Then a strange smile spread across his lips.
“Is that Candy?” His eyes widened as he released my hand. “I can hear her. Just like she’s right next to me. How is that possible when there’s a crowd of people between us?”
“It’s the design of the tiles and the archway.” I leaned back against the wall and looked up at the domed ceiling. “It creates a perfect place to tell secrets.”
“And this is your favorite place?” He looked over at me, while keeping his ear pressed against the wall.
“It was.” I shrugged. “I like the idea of being in a crowded place full of strangers and yet you can confess your most secret desires to someone on the other side of all the chaos.”
“Is that why it’s not your favorite place anymore?” He sought my eyes. “Because someone confessed something?”
“Now who’s being nosy?” I avoided his gaze and straightened up. “You know, she’s waiting for you to say something back.”
“Oh.” He drew his head away from the wall. “How do I do that?”
“Just put your lips up close and whisper.” I shrugged.
“Could you show me?” He stepped to the side.
“She wants to hear your voice.” I crossed my arms as I watched him.
“Is that because she thinks my accent is sexy?” He shifted closer to me along the wall. “Wait, wasn’t that you?”
“Would you just say something?” I gave him a solid push back toward the corner.
“Violent.” He made a surprised face, then leaned into the wall and whispered.
I leaned close but couldn’t hear his words. “What did you say?” I met his eyes.
“That’s for me and Candy to know.” He stared at me. “I know you didn’t want me to come here, Maby. I know that something happened here, something that not even your closest friends know about.” He frowned. “I know I haven’t given you a good reason to consider me a friend, but if you need somebody to talk to about it, I’m here.”
“Oh?” I laughed. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I’m serious.” He took my hand just as Candy shouted from the other side of the corridor.
“Are you even listening?”
“Why don’t you tell me about Shauna first?” I locked my eyes to his.
“I don’t have anything to say about her.” He released my hand and put his ear up against the wall again.
As I watched his cheeks fill with color, I couldn’t help but wonder what Candy had whispered to him.
On our way back to Oak Brook, I sat on the opposite side of the taxi. Candy sat beside Oliver and chatted with him the entire way. I kept my eyes on the window, but my thoughts returned to the sensation I’d felt the moment I’d touched his lips. Why had I done that? Why didn’t I just keep my hands to myself?
When the taxi pulled up to Oak Brook Academy, I dared to look in Oliver’s direction.
Instantly his eyes met mine. Had he been watching me for some time?
He held the door open for everyone to get out.
As Apple and Candy led the way through the entrance, Oliver hung back to walk beside me.
“Thanks for sharing that with me today. I had no idea anything like that existed.”
“There are a lot of things you can discover about our city, Oak Brook, and the people here if you keep an open mind.” I headed in the direction of the dormitories. “I hope you find something to hold your interest.” I quickened my pace and hoped that he’d take the hint that the conversation was over.
His footsteps right behind me made it clear that he didn’t.
“I thought you were going to be the one to show me around?”
“I think I’ve shown you enough.” I climbed the steps to the door of the commons and pulled it open. “You got around the city on your own just fine yesterday. I’m sure you’ll be good.”
He stepped into the commons behind me. “But why? Is it because of what I said about Shauna?”
“It doesn’t matter, does it? I’m sure you can have more fun with someone else.” I started up the stairs to the girls’ dormitory.
“Fine. If that’s what you want.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned back toward the door.
“I’m sorry, you know.” I held his gaze.
“For what?” He took a few steps toward me and paused at the bottom of the stairs.
“For whatever she did to you. I’m sure you didn’t deserve it.” My heart softened as I noticed the hurt surface in his eyes.
“You don’t know anything about me, Maby. Not a thing. I’m going to tell you one thing that is very important for you to understand. Stay out of my business. Got it?”
I stared at him as he turned and walked away.
Just when I thought there might be a decent person beyond that charming mask, just when I thought maybe he had a heart, he made it clear that he didn’t—at least not one I wanted to get to know.
I headed up the stairs. My decision was made.
In the morning, I would talk to the principal.
Chapter 11
I woke up the next morning with a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach. After the way Oliver had spoken to me the day before, I knew he wasn’t someone I wanted to be around. Yet there was still a subtle tug in the back of my mind that tried to keep me from getting out of bed—from heading to the principal’s office.
Still, I ended up there.
As I sat outside his door, I rehearsed in my mind exactly what I would say. Although I was grateful for his trust, I was not the right person for this particular job. Principal Carter had to understand that, didn’t he? I fiddled with my phone as I continued to wait.
In the process of swiping through apps, a particular picture surfaced. Jennifer and me, with our arms around one another, my smile as bright as hers.
Had it happened yet? I closed my eyes and did the math in my mind. Yes, it had to have happened.
“Mabel?” Principal Carter opened the door and poked his head out through it. “Sorry for the wait, I didn’t expect to see you today. Please, come in.” He took a step back from the door.
I drew a deep breath, then followed him into the office. How would he react? Would he be disappointed in me?
“Thanks for seeing me.” I sat down in a chair in front of his desk as he sat down behind it.
“Of course, any time.” He looked across the desk at me. “It sounded a bit urgent. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine. It’s just—I think it would be better if you found someone else to show the new student—to show Oliver around.”
“Oh?” He frowned. “I thought you two were a perfect match. Did
something happen?”
“No, not really.” I held back a barrage of reasons why I never wanted to deal with Oliver again. “It’s just that I have a lot on my plate this year and I thought I could take on this as well with no problem, but it turns out I can’t. I can’t risk my grades suffering.”
“I understand. That’s perfectly reasonable.” He tapped a fingertip lightly against the top of his desk. “But I’m not sure that it’s honest.”
“Sir?” I squirmed in my chair as he continued to study me.
“It’s important to me that you know you can come to me with any concerns you might have, Mabel. If there’s something going on that is making you uncomfortable, I want to know about it.” He looked into my eyes. “Did Oliver do something to upset you? It’s not like you to shirk any kind of responsibility, and you’re never going to convince me that you’re concerned about your grades.”
“I just don’t think I’m the right person, that’s all.” I frowned. “Maybe Candy would be a better option? She has a lot of free time right now.”
“Okay, give me a second.” He picked up his phone. “Yes, please have Oliver come to my office.”
“Wait, why?” I sat forward in my chair. “I said he didn’t do anything wrong.” My heart began to race.
“I know that.” He hung up the phone and looked back at me. “But I think it would be a good idea to let him know what’s going on. With him being new to our school, I wouldn’t want to blindside him with a new host without some kind of explanation. You don’t mind telling him yourself, do you?”
“You can’t be serious.” I narrowed my eyes.
“If there was no issue between you, then there shouldn’t be an issue with telling him that you’d like him to have a new host, should there?” He glanced up as the office door swung open and Oliver stepped inside.
“Oliver, please, join us.” He smiled as he gestured to the empty chair beside mine.
“What is this about?” Oliver sank down into the chair but avoided looking at me.
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to assign you a new host to help you get settled here at Oak Brook.” Principal Carter smiled. “Candace. You’ve met her, right?”
“Yes.” Oliver looked up at him. “Why?” He stole a swift glance at me, then looked back at the principal.
“Mabel?” Principal Carter met my eyes.
Stunned, I could barely take a breath. I hadn’t anticipated having to tell Oliver to his face. But I wouldn’t let it stop me.
“I have a lot on my plate right now, Oliver, and I think Candy would be a great host for you. I’m sure she will have plenty to show you.”
“Whatever you say.” He shrugged. “Is that it?” He looked back at the principal. “Can I go now?”
“I just wanted to make sure that everything is going smoothly so far, Oliver. If you have any questions or need anything at all, please know that my door is always open.” He offered his hand to Oliver.
“Thanks.” Oliver gave it a quick shake, then stood up from his chair and left the office. Not once did he look in my direction. My hands broke into a sweat as I realized what I’d done. I’d severed any ties we had. That was supposed to be what I wanted but watching him walk away made my mind spin into panic.
“Thanks, Mabel.” Principal Carter offered me his hand as well. “I appreciate you taking the time to introduce Oliver to our school. I hope it wasn’t too taxing on you.”
I wiped my hand on my pants, then shook his hand.
“You’re welcome.” I mumbled my words, uncertain what else to say.
My heart sunk as I stepped out of the office and continued through the exterior office out into the hall. Had I been too hasty? The first class of the day had already started, which left the hall fairly empty. As I wandered along it, I was reminded of how I’d felt walking through New York City completely alone. Why did these thoughts surface now? Why did he have such an impact on me? Before Oliver showed up, I was perfectly fine with being alone. Now I felt his absence.
“So that’s it then?”
His voice caused me to jump and turn to face him.
“Are you following me?” I glared at him.
“It’s a hallway.” He glanced over his shoulder, then back at me. “There’s nowhere else for me to go.”
“I just thought you’d already gone to class.” I frowned.
“I don’t want Candy showing me around.” He met my eyes.
“Why? She’s a lot of fun. She’s a nice person.” I shrugged.
“I’m sure she is. But she’s not you.”
“So?” I raised an eyebrow. “You made it pretty clear last night that you wanted me to mind my own business. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“I shouldn’t have talked to you like that.” He leaned back against the wall and stared at me. “I’m sorry, okay?”
“Okay.” I met his eyes for a second, then looked away. “I just think it’s better for both of us if you have a different host.”
“Do you?” He straightened up. “Why? Because I don’t buy your untouchable act?”
“Oliver, you said yourself that you don’t plan on being here long—that you didn’t want to be here in the first place. Why does it bother you if I don’t want to be your host?”
“You’re the one bright spot.” He sighed as he walked toward me. “You’re interesting, you make me curious.”
“There’s nothing to be curious about.” I watched him as he stopped in front of me. “I’ll just be another disappointment to you, trust me.”
“I doubt that.” He chewed on the side of his lip, then released it as he leaned a little closer to me. “You don’t have to be my host, Maby—that’s your choice—but you’re not going to get rid of me that easily.”
“It’s a free school, right?” I narrowed my eyes as my heart pounded. I absolutely despised the way he could inspire anger and desire in me in the same exact moment. How was I supposed to make sense of that? “Good luck with everything, Oliver.”
I turned and walked off down the hall.
Chapter 12
I made it through the first few classes of my day with my resolve intact. I just needed to create space between us. Once I accomplished that, whatever weird crush I’d managed to form on Oliver would fade.
But at lunch, as I walked into the cafeteria, I felt a rush of anticipation. He’d be at the table, wouldn’t he?
I collected my food, then walked over to the table my friends and I always shared. I saw the usual crowd, but no sign of Oliver.
“Hey.” I smiled as I sat down across from Candy. “How’s your day going?”
“Other than getting a surprise assignment to host Oliver?” She eyed me.
“I didn’t think you’d mind. Do you?” I opened my bottle of water.
“No. Well, at least I wouldn’t, if I could find him.” She sighed. “I waited outside all of his classes this morning and somehow he’s managed to slip past me each time. I’m starting to think he’s avoiding me.
“Starting to?” Apple quirked an eyebrow. “I think that message is pretty clear.”
“No one asked you.” Candy frowned as she crossed her arms. “I don’t know why he would be avoiding me. I thought we had a nice day yesterday.”
“It might be for the best.” I cringed. “I’m not so sure pawning him off on you was a good idea. He’s not your average guy, Candy. He has some issues.” I lowered my voice as I leaned closer to her. “Maybe you should be careful.”
“Careful?” She frowned. “Not all of us are holding out until college, Maby. I’ve been careful. Being careful has made me miss so many chances. Now, if you want to call dibs, I’ll back off, but otherwise, Oliver’s all mine.”
“Go right ahead.” I bit into my bottom lip as I did my best to ignore a wave of jealousy. What was wrong with me? How could I feel this way about a boy I barely knew, who hadn’t exactly given the greatest first impression? “I think I’m going to eat in the courtyard. It’s so n
ice out today.”
I smiled at everyone at the table, then carried my tray toward the door that led out of the cafeteria and into the courtyard. As I reached it, Oliver pushed it open from the outside. He held the door for me as I stepped through.
“Are you lost? The cafeteria’s the other way. Or, let me guess…” He turned to face me as I reached the other side of the doorway. “You’re trying to avoid me.”
“I’m not doing a very good job of it, am I?” I shrugged, despite the way my heart slammed against my chest as his eyes settled on mine.
“It doesn’t have to be like this, Maby. I apologized, didn’t I?”
“That was very noble of you.” I nodded. “But don’t flatter yourself. I like my peace and quiet now and then. Trust me, you’ll have plenty of company.” As I walked over to one of the stone tables in the courtyard, I willed myself not to look back. I didn’t want to know if he still had his eyes on me, or if he had already gone inside the cafeteria. I didn’t want to know how I would feel if I looked back and saw him walking toward me. I didn’t want any of it to be real.
But the moment I sat down, my head swiveled and there he was, still in the doorway, his eyes locked to me, his lips curved into a strange expression. The moment I spotted him, he let the door fall closed and disappeared into the cafeteria.
I set my tray down on the stone table and slouched down on one of the benches. As the weight of this new reality settled around me, I had to face the truth. Yes, I had developed some kind of thing for Oliver. I had fallen into some kind of love-hate trap with him and I needed to get free of it.
As I picked at my food, I recalled the man he’d played chess with and the way Oliver had transformed from arrogant and sarcastic into a caring and patient person.
Which one was the real him?
I heard the subtle thunk of a tray hitting the stone table before I looked up to see Oliver sit down across from me.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he held up one hand to stop me.
“Not a word. I’m here to eat my food in peace.”
Worth the Wait: A Young Adult Sweet Romance (Oak Brook Academy Book 4) Page 5
