Believe Me, I'm Lying

Believe Me, I'm Lying: 19

Oliver stared at Elliot for a few moments, mimicking his expression. Then Oliver looked away, shoving his hand into his pocket. "You ready?"

I blinked at him, a little disappointed in his response. Was I wrong? Did he actually not like children? I could feel myself pouting. "Yeah, let me just grab a jacket..."

I hurried to the living room where my peacoat was, frowning. A part of me wasn't surprised by Oliver's reaction- I was in a good mood earlier, and I was half teasing him. The other half was upset, because I thought maybe, somehow, if he liked children, we could become closer.

My peacoat wasn't on the couch were I left it. Sighing lightly, I glanced at my coat rack. It wasn't there either.

"Here."

I turned just in time to catch my peacoat Will had thrown at me. "Thanks."

"So, I'm curious," Will started, taking a few steps closer to me. He lowered his voice. "Is Oliver your boyfriend?"

My eyes widened slightly in surprise, and I quickly shook my head. "No, he's just... an acquaintance.

Will nodded. "Good."

"Why?"

"I feel like I've seen that guy somewhere..."

I raised my eyebrow. "And why does that matter?"

"Wherever I saw him, it wasn't good," Will clarified, furrowing his eyebrows. "But I can't remember where..."

I blinked in surprise. What was Will talking about? He'd seen Oliver before? And it wasn't good? An uneasy feeling washed over me, but I quickly forced it away. Oliver was a delinquent- Will probably saw him name and picture in the paper for something he did. That was all.

"Gotta go to work," I said quickly, moving around Will. "Make sure Elliot actually does work today..."

"Coming from the person who hasn't done her school work in a week," Will called after me tauntingly.

I paused, whirling around to give him a sheepish grin. "We should probably catch up..."

"Tomorrow," Will assured me. "Now go."

With a nod to Will, I turned back around, heading towards the door again. Oliver was squatting at Elliot's height, talking to him, a small smile on his mouth. When I grew closer Oliver's eyes snapped onto me and he quickly stood up, looking away. A grin spread onto my face as I stopped just behind Elliot.

"Getting along?" I asked.

"Look!" Elliot cried, holding up a bundle of lollipops. "Olive gave them to me!"

I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Oliver, who was glaring at the wall. "Oh, did he?"

Elliot nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

So maybe my original thought wasn't that far-fetched after all. Maybe Oliver really did like little kids...

"Let's go," Oliver snapped, sounding irritated.

It took all I had to keep all my teasing comments to myself. "Alright."

"Wait!" Elliot cried, pushing past me, and grabbing onto Oliver's pant leg. "Olive, will you come play Wii with me soon?"

Oliver's hard expression immediately dropped as he looked down at Elliot. For a split second Oliver looked forlorn, but that expression was quickly replaced by a friendly smile. "Maybe one day."

"Pig? Can Olive come play Friday?"

Oliver glanced at me as I looked at Elliot in surprise. "Friday?"