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Sitting on the floor in front of Oliver, he wraps his good arm around me as I lean back against him. I close my eyes and think about everything that happened today: the radio silence from Oli; my fight with Ashley; and the run in with Sarah, Caley, and Tiana. I can’t concentrate on the movie with everything going on in my head.
What is Ash’s problem? Why were Oli and Macca so weird in the car when I asked how school was? And since when has Oli been so comfortable just getting in any random car? Why do I feel like everyone around me is trying to hide something?
“How was school?” Jake joins us about halfway through the movie when he arrives home from his girlfriend’s house.
I shrug, not keen to share my day, and Macca squirms, shoving a fist full of chips into his mouth.
“All good,” Oliver says easily. “Just another day.”
Macca clears his throat and stares pointedly at Oliver. “Can you grab me a drink, mate?”
“There’s soft drink and water in the fridge,” Jake offers.
“Yeah, I, uh, I forgot where you guys keep your cups.” Macca scratches his head. “Give me a hand, Oli?” He glances at Jake and me. “Do you guys want anything?”
Sighing, Oliver presses his lips to the top of my head before getting to his feet. “Lemonade?”
I nod, still confused by whatever is going on with him and Macca. Jake doesn’t seem to notice, his eyes already back on the screen. Dylan O’Brien and his dog are hiding in a tree stump from some crazy alien monster thing.This movie is as whacked as this day is turning out to be.
Without saying anything, I stand up and move quietly in the direction of the kitchen. Pausing in the same spot I stood the night of Oliver’s birthday, my stomach swirls as I strain to hear their hushed voices.
“–not a big deal. I’ve got it under control.”
Macca snorts. “That’s not what it looked like.”
“You promised you wouldn’t say anything.” Oliver hisses. “I got in your car and let you drive me home. That was the deal. Can you just keep your mouth shut?”
“Why all the secrecy, man? I don’t know if I feel comfortable–”
“They don’t need to worry about me. I told you, I’ve got it all under control. I’m fine. Let it go.”
I consider sneaking back to the living room; but instead I wait, arms crossed over my chest and cheeks flushed red as Macca and Oliver leave the kitchen. Macca’s eyes go wide as he spots me, and he glances back at Oliver, whose face is expressionless.
“I, uh,” Macca clears his throat. “I think I might get going.” He ducks his head into the living room to say goodbye to Jake, clapping Oliver on the back as he leaves.
“Hey guys, you’re missing the best part,” Jake calls out, laughing his head off.
“We’re going to go hang out in my room,” Oliver calls back, slipping past me down the hall. I follow him to his bedroom, where he shuts the door behind me, leaning against it.
“How much of that did you overhear?” he asks as I sit cross-legged on his bed.
“Enough.”
He sighs and makes his way over to sit next to me. Staring down at his sheets, he traces patterns on my hand that falls between us. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.” I pull my hand away, and he finally looks up at me. “I promise.”
“No more lies, Oli,” I murmur. “It’s ruined us before.”
Oliver runs a hand through his hair, letting out a deep breath. “It’s not a big deal, okay. Please don’t turn it into one.” His eyes pierce mine, and I nod. “I’ve been getting headaches. They’re not always bad, but sometimes they can kind of lead to mini black outs.”
“Wh–”
He puts his hand up to stop me. “They’re not as bad as it sounds. They don’t last long, as long as I have some painkillers handy.”
“It was bad enough today that you got in a car with someone who only just got his licence, Oli. You’ve been spinning out about being in a vehicle for months, and you won’t even get in the car with me.” I narrow my eyes at him, trying to keep the hurt from my voice.
Oliver shrugs. “I took a couple of Valium.”
