No Regrets (No Regrets #1)

by Aimee Noalane

  It’s About Time

  Oliver

  “We need to talk,” I said to my mother stepping out of the house. She was on the steps of our backyard deck stretched out, looking up at the sky with her hands settled behind her head. “Mom?”

  “Huh?” She turned, surprised to see me. “Oh. I’m sorry I didn’t hear you come out.”

  “Mom, can we talk?”

  “Of course. Come sit with me. It’s pretty nice out, but you really should have put a warmer shirt on, Oliver. It’s a lot colder than it was this afternoon.”

  Her comment threw me off guard. She was acting weird, addressing me as if what had happened a few hours before never took place. I shook my head confused.

  “Mom, I’m sorry. I’m sorry about what happened earlier. I’m sorry about school, I’m sorry about everything.” My voice wavered.

  I took a seat beside her, and my shoulders started to shake. I couldn’t hold back anymore. My whole life was falling to pieces and going down the drain. I didn’t want to cry, but the pain of everything was just too much to handle.

  “Oliver.” She looked into my desperate eyes. “Sweetheart, I know you miss him. I miss him too, a lot. But we need to be able to talk to each other if we want to get through this.”

  I nodded. She was right, but she had no idea how bad things were. My telling her was scaring the shit out of me. She wiped away the huge teardrop rolling down my cheek, and took my hand, rubbing it gently to comfort me. I was so lucky to have her. I hated the way I had been acting with her.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours, kid?”

  Not quite ready to make a confession I inhaled and exhaled loudly.

  “Oliver?”

  “I want to move.”

  “Move?” she chuckled. “Why in world would we move?”

  “Because,” I replied, resolved. “I can’t stay here anymore. Everything is just–I can’t.”

  She frowned and waited patiently for me to continue.

  “I screwed up. I fucking screwed up. Dad’s gone. Abby hates me. My grades are slipping. I quit football. I cut class. I’m on drug. I drink… Mom, I can’t do this anymore.”

  “Wait. What?” She let go of my hand. “Fuck.”

  I winced.

  “I don’t even know where to start.” She stood and walked around the yard in silence for a minute, and turned back to me. She was on the verge of her own tears. “Oliver?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Drugs, Oliver, really?”

  “It’s just weed and I only smoke to the edge off. It’s just to help take my mind off things, Mom.”

  She looked up at the sky, and I was pretty sure she was mumbling every swear word she could possibly think of under her breath.

  “So let me get this straight. You think taking drugs and alcohol are your solution to make things easier? For Christ sake, Oliver. Drugs, it’s–I–” She frowned. “I don’t get it. What’s–Why? What the hell are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking–I’m thinking that I hate my life. I’m thinking that I miss my dad. I’m thinking that I’m losing my best friend because I can’t stand to be around her anymore. I want the pain to go away. The drugs, they help–I don’t know. They just help okay?”

  “No, kid, it’s not okay. It’s stupid. What will happen when the weed isn’t enough? You move on to something stronger?”

  “No.” I growled. “I don’t want it to get there. That’s why I want to move. I want it to stop.”

  “Then just quit, Oliver. If you know that this isn’t right, then stop doing it.”

  “You don’t understand. I want to start fresh. I want a new life.”

  With every reply, the sound my mother’s voice and mine increased. We were officially yelling at each other. The backyard light to our next door neighbor’s house, Mrs. Talia, turned on. The old lady peeked out of her patio door, and gave us a mean glare. It was past ten, the woman was right to be annoyed with us.

  “Oliver,” my mother subdued. “This is our home. Our life. Our family is here in Carrington. Things with Abby, they’ll get better. She just misses your dad. She wants to help you, but she doesn’t know how. If the both of you would just sit down and talk–”

  “No. You don’t get it. It’s not just her. It’s everything. I don’t like it here anymore. It’s too hard.”

  She sighed. “Where are we supposed to go, Oliver?”

  “Vancouver.”

  “As in British Colombia?”

  I nodded.

  “Are you freaking crazy?” she shrieked.

  “It’s Dad’s home. It’s where he grew up.”

  “It’s across the fucking country.”

  I winced at her harsh tone.

  “I’m sorry,” she rushed. “But you’re not making sense, Oliver. You can’t possibly believe that moving to B.C. is the solution to your problem.”

  “It is.”

  “But–”

  “Mom, listen. I get it. I get that you don’t want to go. I’ll understand if you say no, but this is what I want. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and honestly, getting out of here, it’s what I need. You can even stay here and send me away to live with Uncle Jerry if you want. I’ll be eighteen in a year, I–”

  “I’m not living without you, Oliver. I just lost your dad. You can’t ask me to let you move away. I need you.” She rubbed her forehead and finally took her seat beside me. “Oliver, sweetie, I love you, and I understand where you’re coming from. Losing your father like we did, it hurts. I’m hurting too. Everything I look at reminds me of your dad. But moving? It’s–I don’t know… It’s a big step, Oliver. I just don’t believe that you’ve really thought about leaving Carrington through and through. What about Abby? Your friends? What about school?”

  “I’ll start school as soon as we move there and pick up from where I left off here. As for friends, I’ll just make new ones. It doesn’t matter to me. It’ll work,” I argued.

  I was hopeful. With the way she was questioning me, it sounded like she was actually considering my suggestion.

  “And Abby?” she repeated. “She’s your best friend. You two have never lived apart from each other. Up until a month ago, you refused to spend the night without her. Are you sure you can just pick up and leave her behind?”

  “I–” I exhaled and shut my eyes. Abby’s beautiful orbs appeared from the darkness. I sighed, opened my eyes and shook off the shiver running up my spine. “I’ll figure it out. Can you just think about it? Please?”

  Abbygail

  I wasn’t surprised that Oliver had declined my invitation, but it still stung. He’d been ragging about the stupid movie for months. I thought that by suggesting it, knowing very well that I hated the movie but would go just to make him happy, he would have at least considered my offer. I was wrong.

  I called Ava as soon as I received his rejection and told her she should go alone with Chris, but ten minutes later, she called back and told me I had a date.

  I didn’t want a date.

  I wanted Oliver.

  It turned out that Mason, Ava’s nineteen-year-old cousin, was pretty cool. And hot. The movie sucked big time, but it didn’t matter because Mason and I had a blast. I really enjoyed his company. He and I barely watched the movie. We either mocked Ava’ and Chris’s making out or talked and got to know each other.

  Mason wasn't Oliver, but he was a damn good replacement for the night!

  “Hey, Mom, I’m home.” I shouted from the door as I walked in.

  “Was that Ava’s mother or father that just backed out of my driveway?”

  Crap! I told him to put down the music.

  I tossed my shoes into the closet. “Um, neither. Ava’s parents weren't available, so her cousin, Mason, drove us.”

  “Mason, the guy that kissed you on my front porch?”

  I winced.

  “How old is he, Abby?”

  “Nineteen,” I answered waiting for the blow. My mother had strict
rules about my driving around with people she didn’t know.

  “So let me get this straight. You let a nineteen-year-old stranger drive you to and from the movies, without my knowledge, and then you let that same stranger kiss you in front of my house for our whole neighborhood to notice?”

  I frowned. “He’s not a stranger, Mom. He’s Ava’s cousin.”

  And since the kiss did happen, there is one particular person I hope saw it…

  “I don’t know him, Abby, so he’s a stranger to me. How many times must I remind you that you can’t just get into anyone’s car without my knowing? The deal was that her parents were to drive you. What if something had happened?”

  “You’re overreacting. I’m here, and I’m safe and sound. What more do you want? Besides, Mason was sweet.”

  She made a disgusted face. “Of course, you’d think he was sweet. He’s nineteen, and he kissed you. By the way, I won’t agree with this relationship. He’s too old for you.”

  “Relationship? Jeez, Mom, calm down. It was just a kiss. Nothing happened.”

  She exhaled loudly. “Abbygail, you know my rules. If you want to go out and enjoy your freedom, then you must respect them. Otherwise, deal with the consequences. Take this as your only warning.”

  I gave her a displeased nod and headed to my room. Although I appreciated the distraction, arriving back home was a harsh reality to come back to. Going out was nice. It took my mind off what had happened with Oliver after school, but unfortunately, it didn’t erase the past.

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Oliver’s light turn on. I was almost compelled to climb out my window and knock on his door. I missed my best friend, but getting into another fight with him was more than I could handle for one day. He and I were barely on speaking terms. I was lucky if he acknowledged me, so showing up uninvited was probably not the best of ideas.

  Sometimes, I felt like we never existed. After Zoey’s party, things went from bad to worse. Oliver never came to our locker. I’d spend almost every recess waiting for him hoping he’d show up, he never did. He hardly hung out with Stephan and Tyler either. I knew, because more often than not I’d make a detour by their locker and ask how he was. Both would answer that they hadn’t seen him, so they didn’t know. The guys weren’t hanging out with us girls all that much anymore either. Oliver had always been the glue that held us together and since he wasn’t there anymore, the guys ended up not spending time with us very much.

  I went to football practice every time he had one, but he obviously never showed up. I always followed him to the skate park, secretly admiring his skills, but I doubted he even realized I was there. If he did, he clearly didn’t care enough to tell me. The whole thing sucked, and that afternoon when I saw him skip class and cross the school grounds to hide away in the woods with Damian, again, all I wanted to do was give up.

  I wonder if he meant it… Are we really not friends anymore?

  The sound of my computer pulled me out of my rueful thoughts. I wondered who could be messaging me at ten thirty at night. Part of me hoped it would be Mason, I really liked him.

  I was wrong. It was the last person I could have expected. I smiled.

  OliSk8: How was your date?

  BlackOrchid: It wasn't a date.

  OliSk8: Funny, it didn’t look like that from here…

  OliSk8: Who’s the guy?

  BlackOrchid: Ava’s cousin, Mason.

  OliSk8: If it wasn't a date, why’d he kiss you?

  Good, I’m glad he saw.

  BlackOrchid: I don’t know. Maybe because he likes me?

  OliSk8: That’s not how you kiss someone you like…

  BlackOrchid: How would you know?

  BlackOrchid: What do you care, anyway? You didn’t want to come.

  OliSk8: Couldn’t.

  BlackOrchid: That’s not what you said earlier.

  BlackOrchid: Anyway, who cares? So some guy kissed me…jealous much?

  OliSk8: You wish. Get over yourself, Abby. Why would I be jealous that some old guy kissed you?

  BlackOrchid: The fact that you noticed he was older tells me otherwise.

  OliSk8: I’m not jealous, Abby.

  BlackOrchid: I don’t believe you, Oliver.

  OliSk8: Once you see me, you will.

  I rushed out of my bedroom and made my way to the front door.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” my mother called out from the living room.

  “Oliver’s.”

  “It’s ten thirty, Abby. You’re not going out.”

  “Come on, Mom,” I whined. “Just a minute, please? I need to check on something.”

  I put my shoes on.

  “I said no,” she warned. “And I swear Abby, if you set one foot over that threshold, I’m taking your computer away for the weekend.”

  I shrugged. I could deal without a computer for a few days, especially if it meant seeing Oliver’s jealous face. I opened the door.

  “Hello, Abbygail,” he smiled.

  I think my heart just melted…

  “Oliver–I–what are you doing here?”

  “I came over to show you my non-jealous face.”

  He stared at my lips and smirked. I was unconsciously rubbing them, trying to wipe off Mason’s kiss.

  Smooth, Abby…really smooth.

  “Hey, Aunt Jen.”

  “Oliver, does your mom know you’re here?”

  “Yeah,” he winked subtly at me. “She gave me half an hour. Do you mind if I go upstairs with Abby for a few minutes?”

  “Yes, I mind. I was just on the phone with your mother five minutes ago, Oliver. From what I understand, you’re grounded for the weekend.”

  So it’s true…

  He gave me a knowing look.

  “You’re so busted,” I mouthed.

  He shrugged with a smirk that spoke a thousand words.

  “Go home before I call her,” my mother disciplined.

  “’Night, Aunt Jenna.”

  “Goodnight, Oliver.”

  “Later?” he whispered. It was the only word he said before leaving the house.

  I nodded with a discreet smile, but I was disappointed to see him go. “Hey, Oliver?”

  “Yeah?” He had a bizarre grin as he walked backwards with his hands in his pockets.

  “A simple guy doesn’t check on his neighbor unless he’s a little bit jealous.”

  He looked like he was about to reply with something but changed his mind and let out the sexiest chuckle on earth.

  “Hey, Abby?” he shouted once he reached his front door.

  “Yeah?”

  “A neighbor always checks up on a girl if she’s his best friend.” He winked and disappeared behind his door.

  I shook my head.

  His moods swings are giving me some serious whiplash.

  What the hell just happened?

  I couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face even if I wanted to. I was confused, but as I walked back to my room beaming like an idiot, I realized that it didn’t matter. This was our first interaction in weeks. This was us being us, and in the end, if Oliver and I could find our way back to each other, that’s all I could ask for.

  After changing, I took a risk and looked out the window. Oliver was standing bare chested in his bottom pjs, waiting for me. I groaned but didn’t shy away from the window.

  Not jealous, my ass

  I bit my lip in appreciation.

  OliSk8: Stop biting your lip, Abby.

  BlackOrchid: What’s with you and my lip biting?

  OliSk8: Nothing. Just stop doing it.

  OliSk8: And by the way, I saw the way you were looking at me. I’m not comfortable with your objectifying me.

  BlackOrchid: Objectifying you? Get over yourself, Oliver Langton. You’re not even that cute.

  BlackOrchid: Besides, your ass looks big is those pjs.

  I pulled away from my screen and stretched out in front of the window. Oliver was still standing there, holding h
is laptop and raising his eyebrow at me.

  OliSk8: My ass is not big!

  I burst out laughing.

  BlackOrchid: It is. Maybe you should think about walking to school more often.

  Olisk8: Is that you trying to be funny?

  BlackOrchid: No. That’s me being funny.

  OliSk8: Hey Abs?

  BlackOrchid: What?

  Olisk8: You do realize that you just said I was cute.

  I looked back outside and shook my head but all I wanted to do was nod. My computer interrupted my gawking, and my eyes went back to the screen.

  OliSk8: ’Night, Beautiful. xxx

  BlackOrchid: ’Night, Oliver!

  Oliver

  “Oliver?”

  “If you’re moaning my name in your sleep, we’re going to have serious issues, Abby.”

  “I’m not moaning your name, you idiot, you’re hogging all the covers.”

  “That’s because your ass is hogging all the space.”

  She lifted her head and checked the time. “It’s one thirty in the morning, Oliver Langton. Don’t you dare tell me my ass is big at this time of night; otherwise, your ass will end up on the fucking floor.”

  I chuckled.

  “What took you so long, anyway?”

  We both knew her question held different meanings, yet my silence didn’t bother her. I settled myself on her pillow, and she pulled my arms around her body.

  “It’s about time.” She yawned, and was already falling back asleep. “I missed you, Monkey Butt.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “Please don’t disappear on me like that again. My heart can’t handle not having you in my life.”

  I froze, thinking about the conversation my mother and I had after Abby came back from her night out.

  I should just tell her... I know she’d understand.

  But Mom hasn’t said yes yet, so maybe I should just wait. Yeah, I’ll just wait...

  “I love you, Freckle Face.”