by V. R. Knight
“Olivia!” he said surprised. I looked up and smiled.
“Hey Grant.”
He motioned me over. I awkwardly went over.
“So what are you doing here?” he asked.
I laughed.
“Getting books?”
He smiled.
“Sorry stupid question.”
I nodded.
“Are you studying?” I asked.
He sighed.
“Yep, history,” he tapped his pencil and nodded. “It sucks.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You were never good at that subject.”
He laughed.
“Yeah, not my best.”
It was silent I shifted awkwardly on my feet.
“Well, I better get going,” I said and headed down the aisle.
“Um, yeah…ok bye!” he called after me.
“Bye,” I said and walked to check out my books. “Awkward.” I muttered.
Chapter 34
I went home that night and read one of my books by the fire, with dad watching TV and mom drinking a glass of white wine. She sipped little drinks then filled it again. I shook my head and got into the book I was reading. Before I knew it, Dad and mom were sleeping and it was just me, the TV off and the fire blazing. I smiled as I smelled the fresh wood burning. Christmas. That’s what I thought. Christmas. I realized that it was in two and a half weeks. For about 4 years now we hadn’t put anything up but a stupid Christmas tree we got on Christmas Eve. I bit at my lip as I looked up the stairs. Could I? I smiled and put my book down. I ran up stairs and into the attic quick. I grabbed the dusty boxes of decorations and ran back down stairs, tip toeing when I went past mom and dad’s door. I curved lights around the stair case and put little Santa’s everywhere. I set fake snow and a manger set on the piano. I hung up our old stockings above the fire and smiled. They were torn at the edges. I had made them when I was about 3 or 4 with mom. I put my hands on my hips and looked around the room. It looked like a Christmas castle. It smelled of cinnamon and musk. But that’s how I liked it. I made a cup of hot chocolate and sat back down with my book. I glanced out the window and smiled as I saw it clouding over. Maybe we wouldn’t have any school tomorrow. I grinned even more. I checked my phone and frowned seeing I didn’t have a text or message from Zane. I was about to write him then thought better. Maybe he was busy. Remember you’re not his real girlfriend. How many times have I told that to myself?
My alarm went off and I groaned and slapped it off. I looked at my blinking cell phone and snatched it off the table and looked. Text message from Candice. I pressed my lips together and sighed. I stood up and got a shower taking a little longer than usual. I got dressed in warm clothes and went down stairs. Mom was packing stuff into a bag from the cupboard. Looking like liquor bottles.
“Honey!” mom said with a smile.
“You guys leaving this morning?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Ugh! How much stuff can you pack?” my dad mumbled as he came down the stairs holding 4 suitcases.
I rolled my eyes at mom.
“What? It’s just a few things.”
I laughed.
She got her bag then I helped them carry their stuff to the car. I put it in the bag as the wind whipped at me and I shivered. Mom sighed as dad shut the back. “Well that’s it,” mom smiled at me. “Come here.” She pulled me into a hug and I smelled her peach hair. “I love you sweetie.”
I nodded.
“There’s money in the jar. If you want to go shopping, the credit cards are on the counter. Call Mrs. Rogers if you have any trouble or us. But we probably won’t pick us.” she grinned at my dad who blushed a little. I raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t want to know,” I muttered.
She giggled.
“And no boys after midnight, ok?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah I know that.”
She nodded.
“My girl,” she got into the car as dad gave me a hug and said to be safe.
“Oh!” he said, turning before he got in. “There’s supposed to be a bad storm tonight and into tomorrow so be safe on your way home from school.”
I smiled.
“I will.” He gave me a salute and I laughed and did it back. They drove off as I waved. I sighed then went back inside and got my bag for school. I looked outside waiting for Zane. I tapped my foot as the clock got closer to the time I was supposed to be at school. I finally got out my cell and called it.
“Hey, this is Zane…leave—“
“Damn-it!” I muttered as I realized his phone was off. I stopped and frowned. I don’t remember him ever letting it go dead. I bit at my lip not sure what to do. I looked back out the window knowing if I didn’t leave now I would be late. I groaned and stomped my feet as I went out of the house locking the door behind me. I kept looking around for him but he was nowhere to be found. There was a churning in my stomach. Did he just take off? Did he not care anymore? Did something happen? I almost threw up again but I tried to think of other things.
On the way to school I called Zane’s cell 10 times and texted him about 20 messages. I wasn’t feeling good as I walked into English and still didn’t see him.
“Hey!” Candice said as she waved at me talking to one of her actors from the play. I didn’t smile. “What’s wrong?” she asked as she came up to me. I turned to her.
“Zane hasn’t called or texted me. I haven’t seen him since Saturday.”
She frowned.
“Doesn’t he always do this?”
I shrugged.
“Not really.”
She sighed.
“Don’t freak out about it Olivia. Seriously guys do that all the time.”
I nodded but not so sure. No you need to be. You know what! I bet he is out playing hooky and got a couple girls. He ditched me again! Anger rose in me and I slammed my locker door shut.
“You’re probably right.”
She laughed.
“Well, I got to go. Call me tonight so we can talk.”
I nodded.
“Yeah sure. My parents left me for the week so you can come over anytime.”
She grinned. “Awesome! Maybe this weekend when the holiday break starts.”
I laughed.
“Yeah party!”
She laughed and hurried on her way down the hall. I turned to go to my next class, teeth clenched hands in fist at my sides wanting everything to have Zane in front of me so I could hit him really hard for ditching me.
I got home that evening just as the snow started to fall. It was amazing I thought. I watched a flake hit the window then slide down it and melt. I turned on the TV and started watching the news. From what it sounded like it, we were going to get a butt load! Like a foot. No school tomorrow! I thought happily. I stood up and turned on the fire to make it warmer as the soft glow formed an orange light around the room. I settled back on the couch and was channel surfing when I heard a noise. I frowned. Then before I could get up there was a loud bang on the door, then it opened and Zane fell onto the floor unable to get up.
Chapter 35
“Zane!” I screamed in horror as I ran over and crouched down trying to lift his face up, as the cold winter air came in from the door. His face was bloody with a big wound open on his forehead. A big bruise was forming on his chin. “Oh God, Zane,” I whispered. I pushed him over trying to see him. He groaned his one eye black and blue then other was trying to open. “Zane?” I shook him tears forming my eyes.
“Olivia…” he mumbled.
“Yes! Yes I’m here,” I told him.
He groaned his eye brows going together.
“Come here,” he whispered trying to lift his hand. I came down a couple tears falling from my eyes. “You sound really sexy when you’re scared.” he whispered.
I jumped back and stared at him wide eyed.
He grinned but then winced when it hurt.
“You idiot! How can you jok
e when you’re practically dying on my floor?!” I yelled.
“Ow,” he mumbled closing his good eye.
I stood up and shut the front door seeing Zane’s car parked in the yard. Oh my gosh. What happened? I locked the door getting goose bumps. It wasn’t from the cold though. I had bad feeling about this. I sat back down on my knees my stomach churning.
“Zane?” I whispered and put my hand on his cheek. He sighed and leaned into it not opening his eye. “You need to stand up ok?” I whispered. He didn’t move. My heart was pounding. Was he dying? Should I call the ambulance? “Come on! Crack another joke. Please!” I begged.
He groaned and moved his head. I stood up and pulled him with me. He was practically laying on me. “Zane, come on! Please help me.” I said. Finally I got him to the couch and laid him down. He grunted. I was crying now. I ran to the kitchen and got a glass of water I went back in and sat on the edge of the couch.
“Zane, you need water.” I pulled his head up and poured water in his mouth. He swallowed then opened his eye a little.
“Why are you crying?” he asked.
I breathed a sigh of relief. If he was talking we would be ok. “You. Silly.” I said shaking my head. He half smiled but it looked like it hurt.
“I’m fine…..just…just give me 5 ibuprofen.”
I frowned.
“You need to rest.”
He nodded and leaned his head on the couch. I ran up stairs and grabbed the medicine and pulled out 5 pills. I got a cup and filled it with hot water and a wash cloth and went back down stairs. “Here,” I whispered sitting on the floor next to the couch. I put the pills in his mouth and grabbed my water bottle and let him drink it down as he leaned his head up. He nodded and I pulled back. He let his head fall back down. His eyes closed.
“We need to talk.” I whispered.
He was silent. I swallowed hard as I looked across at his chest. I slowly peeled off his jacket then was afraid to see what was under the other shirt. I saw it already it was traveling up his shoulder. I slipped off his shirt as he grunted but didn’t say no. I gasped and put my hand to my mouth. There was a large bruise from his stomach up to his shoulder. Then on his arm were hand prints.
“Oh my gosh!” I yelled.
Zane looked up at me his eyes looking distant. He gave a short laugh then coughed.
“It’s just a couple bruises.”
“He did this to you, didn’t he?” I whispered as I sat down on my knees and looked into his eyes. He clenched his teeth and looked down at my hands on my lap.
“Yeah,” he choked out.
I shook my head.
“Zane,” I whispered closing my eyes. “You need to tell someone about this. It’s getting out of control!” I yelled.
He shook his head.
“It’s over now.” he said coldly, acid in his voice.
“When did this happen?” I demanded.
He leaned back the marks on his arm really showing. “Last night…..he said something bad about you.” he looked over at me his eyes sweet but hard. “I hit him.” A lump started in my throat. “We got into a fight. He hit me and I hit back just as hard,” I didn’t want to hear anymore. No, but I had to let him finish. “He got me good in the stomach and I fell. He had the advantage and kicked me and kicked me……he was rough. More rough then he has been. Finally he gave up and yelled screaming all this crap about respect,” he scoffed. His voice sounded a lot better. Something of hope filled me a little. “Then this morning I couldn’t get up for school. I was in pain. He got mad. He came in and hit me again till I would leave. Finally I did….” he looked back at me adjusting his jaw. “And here I am,” he said. I didn’t realize how my hands were in fist and how I felt like hitting that man so hard he would die.
Where is your mom?” I asked my voice tense.
He shook his head.
“She was at work this morning. Last night she yelled but she wasn’t strong enough to stop him.” I looked down. Calm down Olivia. I told myself. It’s ok. I kept on having these visions of me killing him. It was horrible. Why did I care so much? I looked up at him.
“I’m glad you came.” I said quietly as I reached for the wash cloth. I dipped it in the water then looked at him again. His eye that wasn’t black and blue was watching me, the light of the fire reflecting sparkles of orange. I put my hand on his jaw and brought him more toward me. Even though he was beat up he still looked handsome. Like one of those models that whatever you put on them they still look like sex gods. I touched the wash cloth to his forehead where the wound was, he winced. “Sorry.” I mumbled. I wiped the blood off. Well it wasn’t too bad. It looked like maybe he hit it on something when he fell. It already looked like it was stitching its self up. I looked down at his chest and bit the inside of my cheek to where I felt blood in my mouth.
“It doesn’t hurt that much.” he said still looking at me. I avoided his eyes as I put the hot wash cloth on his bruised chest and shoulder. He flinched slightly as the hot water touched his cold body. I took it off and wiped his arm where the finger prints were just trying to make it feel better.
“Are your ribs ok?” I asked thinking. I looked up at him. He moved a little bit and winced. Panic stirred in me.
“Yeah, I think….just muscles are sore.”
I nodded pressing my lips together.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
He shrugged a little.
“Better but sleepy.”
I nodded.
“Ok, go to sleep.”
“Olivia, please don’t tell anyone. I’m fine.” he said quietly.
I nodded as I stood up and picked up the wash cloth and cup looking like it had red dye in it. “Wait,” he touched my hand. I turned toward him looking down. “Thanks.”
I smiled sadly and nodded. I covered him up with a blanket and went out of the room and into the kitchen. I dumped the cup of water and threw the cloth over the dish pan. I leaned against the cupboards suddenly feeling like a leaf getting blown away from the wind. I slid down the side and sat down on my butt. My hands were shaking a little as I closed my eyes and tears streamed down between them. How could he not want someone to know?! It would stop Scott from doing this! If I just call the cops and report Scott they would take him away for good. And Jane, why isn’t she doing anything? Because she thinks she loves Scott? Her son is getting beaten to no end by him and she doesn’t even care! I can’t handle this. I can’t handle seeing him hurt. Why? Because I did care about him. More than I ever knew.
Chapter 36
That night I checked on Zane to make sure he was ok and when he was fast asleep I went up stairs to my room leaving my door wide open to hear if he needed me and fell asleep.
The night was run by nightmares. Every time I woke up it would disappear but then when I would fall back to sleep again a new one would start up. It always started with Zane getting hurt then me then….him dying and me watching. It was horrible. But every time it was a different thing that killed us. The first time it was Scott. That was the worst one I had ever had. The second time, it was a tornado. The third time it was a zombie attack. I know weird and a Dawn of the Dead moment but it scared me. I had to watch him get ripped apart. I woke up crying the last time. I remember it clearly. We were standing beside the big tree laughing at something. Then in the distance we saw two people walking towards us. I frowned. It was Kendra and Grant. Kendra was wearing my white summer dress and Grant was wearing what Zane was wearing. I glanced over at Zane and he was frowning too.
“Ollie,” Grant said his voice fading with the wind. It was strange and too sweet. “Come with me.” he reached his hand out and I frowned clearly wondering why they’re doing this.
“Zane come here,” Kendra coed. We both walked forward and took their hands. Grant’s were warm and hot as I placed my cold one in his. They lead us out into the middle of the field then turned us to face each other. I tried to speak but I couldn’t. Zane and I stared at each other as Grant and Kend
ra circled around us. I looked behind Zane and saw Grant smiling wickedly. When I tried to move my feet they wouldn’t. Zane looked behind me and his eyes bulged into horror. He reached over and grabbed my hands and I held on as I knew what was coming. Grant lifted his knife above his head and I screamed but nothing came out as it raced toward Zane. At the moment it hit him, something hit me searing pain down my back. I woke up in a cold sweat flinging myself up. I put my hand to my heart and tried to calm my breathing. I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. It was just a dream. It felt so real though. Kendra and Grant had stabbed us in the back. I looked at the clock and saw it was only 8 o’clock. I looked over and saw a little light coming through the cloudy sky but then it disappeared. I stood up and tip toed to the window. 5 inches of snow covered my car and the ground. I smiled. It was just lightly snowing now. I sighed and a cloud of breath formed on the window. Christmas Reindeer stood by in Mr. Roger’s yard with a Santa on a sled. Christmas would be here in a week and a half. I’m glad mom and dad will actually be home this time. Last year we went to Australia and it didn’t snow at all. They left me after we opened presents on Christmas morning. Actually we all went our separate ways. Even though I wanted to spend Christmas with them. But they will be home for it this year. And we will spend it with each other. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a black wool sweater. I went down stairs and saw Zane still sleeping with the curtains across the window. I went over to him and looked at his forehead. It was healing quickly but I need to get cream for it. I leaned over him and kissed his forehead softly. I put another cover on him and he groaned and turned on his side. I got my coat and wrapped myself up well before heading out. The 7’11 was only about a block away and seeing my car was covered in snow and probably wouldn’t start, I decided just to walk.
When I got in there I grabbed a tube of cream for Zane, a box of doughnuts, a bottle of soda, and snacks of all sorts and paid. I knew that if we got snowed in we would have to have food so I got everything I could. As I was getting closer to the house the wind picked up and snow started to pound down on me. I looked down shaking as I pushed my feet toward the house. I unlocked the door quickly and ran in shutting it. I sighed as I dropped the bags and peeled off my jacket, scarf and gloves. I kicked off my boots and went to the kitchen to put away the food. I sniffed my nose stuffy.
