'Lover Boy'

New Friends

    Oliver sat where he usually sat at lunch. In the library. He would normally go, interested as he admires Adelaide from afar. The way she would emotionally get into a book, the corners of her mouth turned upwards as she scans the pages with her eyes, or the way she would grip the book with furrowed brows, turning the pages violently.

    He always noticed her. How whenever the bell rang, she would slowly get up as she finishes her sentence, folding the corner of the page, then quickly shoving the book into her bag.

    She always wore a yellow or gray cardigan which, accompanies her mom jeans and an old band tee. She wore glasses that framed her face perfectly, and when she walked her fluffy hair that was snugly pulled into a ponytail swayed as her hips swung. She had a natural light tan, with distinct freckles on her left cheek in the shape of an upside down triangle.

    Oliver noticed that when she smiled, her eyes squinted and her cheeks sunk into two dimples. They weren't big but, they also weren't small.

    She was a lightweight girl, and tall. Though recently, she hasn't been in her usual spot.

    Curiosity taking over after a while, Oliver stands with a sigh, collecting his bag from his chair and swinging it over his shoulder. He decides to roam the halls a bit, casually drinking from one of the school fountains on his way.

    "Oliver!" He stops in his tracks, his bleach blonde hair bouncing a bit as he turns his head.

     Benny, his best friend since last year runs down the hall to him, each step echoing throughout the halls.

     "Hey, wassup?" Oliver gives a genuine smile.

     "I'm trying to find Adelaide, we usually meet in the library and hang in there but she didn't show up?" Oliver explains with confusion in his voice, hoping for an answer.

     "Oh? I saw her in the cafeteria with Ellie, i'm pretty sure." He answers.

    "Why is she with Ellie? That can't be good!" Oliver heaves a sigh. 

    Why on earth? Ellie knows to stay away from Adelaide. Ugh.

    Oliver rolls his eyes, walking  angrily towards the cafeteria. Ellie has been his girlfriend of two years. She's always been a bitch. From cheating to verbal abuse. She always brings people into her life to drag them down, and Oliver is not letting her do this with Adelaide. She has enough in her hands right now.

    He busts through the doors of the cafeteria, Benny walking closely behind.

    "Ollie, don't, you know she isn't going to take this well-"

    Benny gives up as Oliver grabs onto Adelaide's arm, standing her up.

    "Who is this? Oliver what are you doing?" He walks away quickly, giving Ellie a death glare. Adelaide swiftly moves her legs from under the table and picks up her bag and holds it by her side as Oliver drags her through the hallways.

    He walks her to an empty hallway, hands on her shoulders as he looks her in the eyes.

    "Don't get involved with her, why are you even talking to her? Are you two friends? Why didn't you tell me? Are you okay?" Oliver bombards Adelaide with questions, his mind racing.

    "Oliver one question at a time, please. I'm only talking to her because she invited me to sit with her. We aren't friends, no, but she seems really nice, you are honestly so lucky that you have her she is so pretty-" Oliver interrupts her.

     "Adelaide, stop.." He composes himself for a second then begins again. "Adelaide.. She really isn't who you think she is." He looks into Adelaide's deep brown eyes, his blue one sparkling with genuinity.

    "Oh? So you're jealous." She smirks, raising her brows.

    "What? No, No." He shakes his head, leaned forwards, hands in front of him as he speaks.

    "Ade, i'm telling you." Adelaide winces. "Do. Not. Get. Involved. With. Her." 

    Adelaide pushes him away, clenching her fists as her eyes well with tears.

    "You are not to determine who i do and do not talk to and or get involved with." She pivots on one foot, "And DON'T call me that.."

    Adelaide stomps off into the nearest bathroom, tears welling up and overflowing from her eyes.

    Clara was the first person to call her 'Ade.' It was a nickname she had always used. 

    Hearing that name broke Adelaide into a million pieces. It's only been a week since the incident. 

    Adelaide washes her face in the sink, taking deep breaths as she looks at the stall doors. 

    The door opens and Ellie strolls in.

    "Adelaide? What's wrong? Are you okay?" She slows to a stop, placing her hand between Adelaide's shoulder blades.

    "Uhm, yeah, yeah i'm fine.." She swallows back the frog in her throat. 

    "Are you sure? Do you want to go to the counselor?" Adelaide shakes her head, turning to face her. 

    "No, i was just.. Thinking." She subtly smiles. 

    Ellie's red locks bounce as she nods her head. Her hair is short, and the way it naturally curls frames her face an a way straight hair wont.

    "So, tomorrow night, i'm having a sleep over at my place, why don't you come?" Adelaide is taken back by the offer, her lips parting slightly. She thinks about what Oliver said, how she 'shouldn't get involved' with her.

    "Yeah, sure, that's fine. What time?" She puts her thumbs in her back pockets.

    "You can come shopping with me after school then we can go to my house, my parents won't be home until Monday so we have it all to ourselves." She grins, glancing up and down Adelaide's body. "Bring a swim suit."