Behind The Mask

Ch. 3

"He wrote in the letter that he was going to be with my mother and not to worry about him. He also wrote that a friend of his was going to pick me up and take me to a foster home and that is where I have lived ever since."

There is complete silence. I look into Olivia's eyes and see the beginning of tears, but she holds them in. I decide to keep speaking.

"I wonder all the time, why did he leave me? I mean, I oviously know he didn't just leave, even when I read the letter for the frst time. I knew he committed suicide." More silence, but this time a single tear breaks free. I have no idea how I am staying this clam. Maybe it was because I didn't really think about it? Maybe it was because it still hadn't sunk in what I was saying? Or maybe, just maybe, it was because she made me feel safe.

That sounds kind of cheesy.... There goes my sub-conscience again. Finally, Olivia decides to speak.

"Blake, I'm sorry. For what happened to you."

"I don't need your pity." I say with my ego. Gosh, what is wrong with me?!?

"I don't pity you. You are a great guy, and it is true that you didn't deserve what happened to you, but don't take it as pity."

"Sorry, again." I say. Man, I am a horrible person for snapping at her. Twice today! She can see through me and smiles to make me feel better.

"It's fine."

Silence. That's all there is. We have had a lot of that between us and I don't know what to do now. Luckly for me, Olivia speaks first to break the silence.

"If you want, I can work on the orphans part of the project alone. I don't want you to be hurt." Did she just worry about me?!? I am probably just exaggerating.

"No, I couldn't have you do that. It wouldn't be fair. I am going to have to face it sooner or later, and it just happens to be sooner."

"Okay." We begin our research, and I don't actually feel hurt.

How does she do it? I just told her my past without getting pulled back into darkness and I am able to research a topic so hurtful to me, yet, I am not hurt. I am not broken again. How could this be? We finally finish researching.

"I'm cold." She says. That's when I get an idea that will help keep my fake ego intact.

"I can fix that." I slide closer to her. My heart is pounding in my chest. Why am I so nervious? Olivia merely rolls her eyes at me and gives me a look as if to say "Funny...nice try".

"I can just grab my sweater from my backpack." Wow, she is good! She reaches next to her and opens her backpack. She then takes out a grey sweater and puts it on.

"Ah, much better." She starts to laugh and so do I. Gosh, she has an amazing laugh.

What did I just say?

I am too lost in thought to notice that we are about to bump heads. Too late. Bang! My forehead hurts and I can see she is rubbing hers.

"Owww! You bumped into me!" She says.

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" Dang it! I let me gaurd down. I showed true concern; my true self.

"I'm fine. Do I have a bump or a red mark on my forehead?" I place her chin in between my fingers and look at her forehead.

"Nope! All clear." But I don't let go. I stare into her eyes. I am drowning in them, they are just so mesmerizing. Slowly, my eyes travel to her lips. I can feel her get tense, but she doesn't pull. She is just as nervous as I am but I do a better job of hiding it. My attention is pulled back to her lips. Wow, she is perfect! My thoughts are interupted by a loud shout down the hall.

"Blake!" It's Josh. Olivia jumps a bit at the shout and pulls back to gather her things.

"Over here Josh!" I shout back. I can hear him down the hallway. He turns the corner and sees us.

"Hey! I have been looking all over for you. Are you ready to go home?" He finally notices Olivia.

"Hey." He says to her.

"Hey." She replies. "So," she continues, "I am going to head home too. We finished the research so we can work on the presentation tomorrow. See you later Blake." She picks up her backpack and walks around the corner.

"Dude!" I totally forgot he was standing next to me.

"Oh, sorry."

"Dude, do you like her?" He says with a smirk. Man, I must just be as clear as glass to the rest of the world if they can read me so easily. Do I like her?

"Let's go home." I grab my things and start to walk. I hear him sigh and start to walk behind me.

Do I like her?

Is it true?

Do I like her?

That is all I could think about on the way home. That, and Olivia herself. Gosh, she was beautiful. Not only that, she understood me.

Ah, man! I think I like her! I think I like Olivia!

This realization hit me like a ton of bricks.