The bet

24. Cold

Olivia

Joel Cullen is weird today. 

He's not flirting with me like he always does. 
He's not calling me princess.
He's not even looking at me.
And when he does, it looks like he wants to kill me. 

It's weird. 

Is it possible for him to know that I was behind Luke's failed assignment? 

''Olivia?" teacher's voice wakes me from my thoughts. 
Why did she call me? 

"Yeah?" 
"What's the answer for the question thirteen?"  she asks.

Thirteen?
I'm still at question four.

Shit, shit.
Ain't no way I'm thinking of Joel Cullen on my math class.

''Olivia?" teacher called again.
"Uh...I haven't done it yet.'' I say.
Please kill me now.

''The answer it sixty-three.'' Joel says.
"Well done, Joel.'' teacher smiles at him and I roll my eyes.

''Where's your mind at, princess?" Joel whispers behind my ear and goosebumps erupt in my skin.

Did he call me princess again? 

I was about to answer him when the bell rang, signaling us the end of class and lunch break.

People rush to get out of class with a noise. 
I turn at Joel and he just...left.

Left? 

Joel always waited for all the people to get out and then cornered me in every place he got the chance.
In my desk, in the wall, at the door or at any other desk.

Not today.

Today he left without his famous flirty words. 

As if I care.

Joel Cullen can go straight to hell.

I walk toward the cafeteria with a growling stomach.
I'm craving a strawberry chocolate so bad. 

I enter the cafeteria and my phone vibrates on my pocket.
I pick it up and it's a message from Lucy.

Second mom: Don't wait for me at the cafeteria, I'll be at the library.

I roll my eyes at her message.

Suddenly someone trips me, and I fall on the ground.

What the fuck?

''Ouch.'' I groan.

''Hi, Meyer.'' Avril whispers on top of me, ''Missed me?" 
"What the fuck?" I yell, ''Get off me.'' I try to push her, and she pins my hands on top of my head.

''Shut the fuck up, bitch.'' she says, ''It's time for your lesson.''

''What the hell?" I push her off me with my legs, ''Are you crazy?"
"Very.'' she smiles, and my body erupt on goosebumps. 

Her smile is evil and... scary.
It scared me. 

''Leave me alone.'' I say and walk away pushing through people who are gathered to watch what's happening.

I walk ahead and slump on a strong chest.
I raise my head and see Joel looking blankly at me.

The crowd is around us now, gathered in a circle.
Joel pushes me in the center of the circle and looks at me with dark eyes.

''Wha-'' my words stuck at my throat as cold water is throwed at me.

Gasping I open my eyes and see Avril holding the bottle, with an evil smile on her face.