For the first time in a longtime I wake up not dreading the day ahead of me. I'm not completely back to my normal self. That will take time and patience. I know that and I'm not in a rush to get to back to that place. I don't think I will ever be but with help from Dixon I can at least get back to a routine.
A healthy routine that doesn't leave time for any wallowing in self pity.
Just as I slip on my right shoe my phone chimes with a text message from Dixon telling me he's outside my house. He is a little early but that's fine. I can always grab a banana or granola bar.
I dash down the steps taking two at a time. Something normal Olivia would do. Broken Olivia is getting back to that place. Small steps is what I need. I don't have to rush.
My mother smiles warmly at me. "Someone is awfully chipper this morning." She chimes.
"What I can't be happy?" I joke looking for some fruit to take on the go.
"Is it a boy." She asks, walking up to the marble island just a few feet from me.
"What? Ew. No." I say.
"A girl?" She questions. Her neat eyebrow arches waiting for my answer.
"No mom. It's not a boy or a girl. I just feel good." I admit. I really do. Something inside me is giddy.
She walks away from the counter back to her newspaper. "Okay." A smirk is clear on her red lips.
She probably thinks I'm lying to her. I'm sure she would love to hear I found a guy and I'm smitten with him. That will never be me. I will never fall in love. Love is poison.
Good. She's going to drop it. I find a banana and a water bottle and stuff both in my bag. "Hey, I'm leaving now." I speak as I walk away. "Have a good day mom."
"You too sweetheart." She calls from the kitchen.
Sure enough Dixon is waiting by my car when I walk outside my house. We exchange good mornings before getting in. This is normal Olivia behavior.
I make no move to turn on the radio. Maybe another day. Small steps are key. I don't need the tunes anyway. Dixon is telling me about the girl he has a crush on in our World History class.
He describes her as fun and outgoing. I can't remember who he is talking about so I just listen to him go on about her. He sounds excited and nervous. I can tell by the way he is using his hands to tell me about Eve.
"I can talk to her if you want." I offer as I park and we exit.
"Really?" His eyes light up like it's Christmas. "No. I should do it." He quickly changes his mind.
Boys.
I roll my eyes and we continue into the school. We agree to meet each other in English because of the distance of our lockers.
I put my things away and take what I need for my first two classes. Just as I close my locker someone brushes pass me. When I look up to see who it was no one is near me. Not close enough to brush me anyway.
I know someone touched my arm because it gave me wicked chills. The hairs on my arm are standing and my heart beat picks up. I better not be having one of those panic attacks.
The bell rings making me jump also bringing out of my thoughts. I quickly turn the corner and find my seat behind Dixon who gives me a worried look.
As we get to the middle of the lesson Dixon finally questions my lateness. I tell him I blanked out for a few seconds and that's enough for him not to question it anymore. It is true. I did pause briefly by my locker but I don't need to tell him why.
Miss Colvin doesn't assign any actual work just more reading. Have you ever wanted to burn a book? Well that's how I feel about this one. Not that it's a bad book or it's hard to read. It would be a great read if I hadn't known what adultery feels like first hand.
How it can effect an entire family and bring it down to nothing but ash. How it can tear away futures and dreams. Can you see why I don't want to read about?
Biology is a breeze and then Math with Mr. Lee rolls around. Nothing exciting ever happens in Math. Today is no different.
Dixon and I walk to gym and split up once we get to the locker rooms. Now gym I like. I used to be very active in sports. I was a cheerleader freshman year, on the softball team sophomore year and I was going to tryout for volleyball this year but I'm not ready for that just yet.
I can't trust myself to trust others on the team. What's the point of being on a team if I can't trust them. One of my solid reasons about trust.
I'm dressed in my gym attire before Dixon is so I wait for him by the boys locker door. I watch some students stretch and some do nothing when a pair of particular blue eyes catch mine. The guy from the nurses office. Why is he here? He doesn't have this period for gym. I guess I really haven't been paying attention to my classes.
"Earth to Liv." Dixon says. He snaps his fingers in front of me gaining my attention.
"What took you so long?" I ask.
"I was talking with the guys." He shrugs.
Sometimes I forget Dixon has more than one friend. Just because I stopped socializing doesn't mean he did too.
I lead us over to the red bleachers. Keeping my eyes to myself which is hard to do. I can feel that guy watching me. It's like he wants my attention.
"Have you thought of what you are going to say to Eve today?" I ask.
The small smile he has leaves his thin lips quickly. Way to go Olivia. I mentally curse myself for not being more sensitive.
"No pressure." I quickly say and he exhales deeply.
We both start to laugh at his weird nervousness. Dixon by no means is shy or afraid to talk to people. Not that he should be. He is very outgoing and popular so whatever is going on now with him must mean he really likes her.
I don't know, I'm rusty when it comes to relationships. I haven't had a boyfriend in years. I don't want one either.
That explains why I feel nothing but announce when I feel someone's breath on my curls. Dixon rolls his eyes giving away just who it is. Jake. That always means it is him.
"Hey pretty lady." He says dragging out the hey.
I turn so my back is facing the class and I can see both Dixon and Jake. "What do you want?"
"Aw come on baby."
"Jake you need to chill." Dixon speaks before I can.
"Don't worry. I got the hands off message loud and clear believe me I want to live to see my senior year." He says holding his hands up defensively. "Do you guys know Eric is in our class now?"
I want to know who gave him that message. Of course I noticed. This is a junior gym class. There are never a mix of students in different grade levels.
"What's your point man?"
"Well why do you think he's here?" Jake says in a duh tone. Dixon shrugs his shoulders.
"This little number." He clears up for the both of us. His callous fingers run down my arm that isn't covered by my white gym shirt.
I quickly turn to face Jake. Well not his face but his chest. I grab his left shoulder before I tighten my fist. He has no idea what's coming to him. I smile sweetly and punch him in his gut.
Jake doubles over and falls to his knees. I bend a little to whisper in his ear. "Don't touch me, ever."
Dixon gasps then laughs.
"Is everything okay over there?" Our teacher and wrestling coach asks.
"Just fine couch. I think Jake had a bad tuna wrap." Coach believes me after Jake gives him a weak thumbs up.
Dixon and I both walk away leaving a red faced Jake to be helped by his jock friends. I look around the gym and no one is paying any attention to what just happened. Wait I'm wrong the only senior in the gym is. He flashes me a smile before walking to the other side of the gym. Talk about creepy
The rest of our gym period is spent moving from station to station testing out various pieces of equipment that will be used throughout the year.
We decide to eat lunch outside. The weather is mostly always nice. Rain, flooding and hurricanes are what we have to worry about. It's always warm enough so I just rather eat where there are less crowds. Today it's empty so it's perfect. Dixon and I usually travel off campus for our food anyway.
"Hey, did you hear about Sandy's club party tonight?" Dixon asks me as he sits down on the opposite side of me.
Of course I did. The whole school is talking about it. Sandy's father owns most of the clubs in Florida. She always has a big party for the grand opening. She naturally brings in younger party goers.
I place my tray of food on the circular table. "Let me guess you want to go?"
"Not only do I want to go I really want you to come." He tells me.
"I don't know. Parties and crowds of people isn't my thing anymore." I say. He gives me his best pouty face and I can't say no. "Okay. Fine."
"Yes!"
"You owe me." I laugh.
Dix continues on about the party and the attendees. He names a most of the senior class and some juniors I know. I know why he wants to go so bad and why he wants me to be there. Eve is going. I guess he wants me to be his female wing man.
"So do you know what you're going to wear?" I ask him as we both walk into our Photography class.
"I actually have my outfit waiting for me at home." He smirks.
I lightly punch him in the arm. "You just knew I would say yes huh?"
"Maybe." He chimes.
"Class please get to your seats so I can start the lesson." Mr. Grandberry speaks above the noisy class.
I can faintly hear the lesson Mr. Grandberry is going over but my thoughts are focused on what I'm going to wear tonight. For the first time in forever I going to a party. I have a few dresses in my closet so I don't have to do any last minute shopping.
A week ago would have declined on a party but I feel up for it. Plus Dix needs my help so I'm going for him.
"And I want quality pictures this time. No instagram filters. I mean it this time." He says sternly.
Thinking about tonight I missed the whole oral lesson and now we are looking at sides of nature pictures taken from the senior class he had before us. I assume the assignment is to capture a certain animal in it's natural habitat.
I can hear a few hushed whispers about taking photos of alligators. I roll my eyes at the originality in the room. I look over at Dixon who writes down a few animals he has in mind. Unlike the others he has great ideas. He has written down lemurs, monkeys, moles, bats and deer.
With inspiration from my best friend I quickly note a few animals I would love to capture through my lens. My list reads coyote, red fox and bobcat. I hope to snap a few of the red fox they are all over the state but hard to find by the lack of pictures of them on the side show.
"Don't leave this assignment for the last minute. Just because it's our first project doesn't mean it's not worth a quarter of your grade." He rushes out as we leave his class.
I plan on starting my project on Saturday. It's better then laying in bed all day eating ice cream straight from the container.
One more class then I can go home. Dixon and I part ways so we can grab our books for World History. I quickly unlock my locker and grab my text book. Not only is my class on the second floor but it's on the other side of the school. Dixon has it so good.
Moving hastily through the crowds I make my way to the other side of the school now I have to climb the stairs and walk around the corner to my class. I need to talk to the person whom made my schedule.
"Tired already? You don't look out of shape." I hear someone make a snarky comment.
"I'm not tired or out of shape. My locker is all the way on the other side of the school." I almost don't answer the guy but I didn't like his tone. I couldn't decide if he was calling me fat or lazy.
I don't know him but he looks familiar. He must be a senior.
He runs his hand through his messy dark brown hair before offering it to me. "I'm Dimitri and you are?"
"Late." I say turning away.
I turn the corner and when I turn around he is following me. Just what I need. Why can't he take a hint? Obviously I'm not interested.
Yeah he might be attractive with his white smile and apple green eyes but I'm not interested in dating.
"Cute but I just wanted your name from your lips." He says dragging the word lips.
I roll my eyes and continue to my class that comes into view. Just as I'm about to walk into it he grabs me from behind. Making me drop my text book and bag.
"Why do you have to be so difficult... damn humans." He mumbles.
"Let me go you idiot!" I yell struggling in his tight hold.
"I just want to know my new Lu-"
"Dimitri!" I hear someone roar.
"Oh it's Eric." He whispers in my ear. What is wrong with this guy? "Come Eric say hello to the beauty."
An angry Eric walks up to us and Dimitri drops his arms and I almost fall from the abrupt action but Eric steadies me.
"I will talk to you later. Now leave." Eric commands and Dimitri slightly bows before leaving. That is weird.
Eric let's out a huff. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine just stay away from me. Tell him too." I say before picking up my stuff and going inside my class.
Boys. Damn idiots.
I quietly rush into my seat. I text Dixon and tell him why I'm late. World History is probably the only class where are seats aren't close enough to have a private conversation. He's angry for me. He wants to talk to them but I tell him I'm fine.
Dixon always acts like an older brother and I'm thankful for that. He has never tried to cross a line with me. I have never crossed that line with him.
I put my phone away and open up my book to the pages listed on the board.
World History is unbelievably boring and slow. I did catch Dixon watching Eve a few times it was undeniably adorable and disgusting.
They have no idea that something so beautiful can turn out to be so repugnant.
"You ready to go?" Dixon questions me after we are released from class.
I almost forgot he rode with me today. "Yeah. Do you want to drive? I'm a bit out of it."
"Sure no problem." He says and I hand him my keys.
Dixon takes his time driving us home. He says he's not used to driving a small car. I guess my car is small compared to his Range Rover.
Dixon parks my car and promises to pick me up at seven since we have to drive all the way to Miami for the party. Something he didn't tell me before.