9. Olive

I let the warm water of the shower glide over my body. The only thing I have on is my silver chain necklace and my rings. I rub my hands over my face trying to relax. It's been almost a week now since I've gone to school. I still can't face anyone. Ever since my panic attack I've been so stressed out. I don't want to see anyone. I don't want them to ask me how I am or worry about me or make fun of me, or anything! I don't want their reactions. I can't take it. I've been so confused, trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me. It could be many things, anxiety, depression... PTSD. I shake my head at the thought and get out of the shower.

After drying off I put on some black boxers and gray sweatpants. I can't be bothered to put on a shirt. I fall down on the bed and stare up at the fan on the ceiling.

Then the front door opens. My mom. She's a lot earlier than normal.

I feel my eyes get heavy and I'm sleepy. After a while I close my eyes.

Then my door opens loudly, disturbing me.

"What is it?" I groan without looking up.

"Neat room." Aron's warm voice speaks.

I shoot up from the bed.

"What the—"

"Shawn told me your room number. The door was open. Cool place." He says casually.

"You can't just walk into my house." I protest.

"Hey, I'm just checking if you're still alive. You haven't spoken to anyone in almost five days."

"Get out." Is all I say. A lot weaker than I meant to.

Aron ignores me and just walks around my room.

He looks around the boring white little room. I never cared much for decoration. Unless you count the mess on the floor.

"Your room's a lot different than what I expected. Where are the photos?"

I sigh and lay back down on the bed. I can't be bothered with this guy.

Then he sits next to me and pokes my shoulder.

"Ay, your fridge is empty. You eating enough?" I can just feel his caring brown eyes burning my face.

"You went through my fridge?" I look at him. Burning brown eyes confirmed.

"Someone's gotta do it. Now answer the question. What do you eat?"

"Takeout. Duh."

"Three times a day?"

I sigh. "No. Once."

Aron's eyes glide over my naked upper body.

"That explains a lot." He sighs and gets up.

What is that supposed to mean?

I sit up.

"Alright, I'm leaving. See ya." With that he leaves the room. A while later I hear the front door close.

So that's it? Was he really just checking on me?

What a fucking weirdo. I hate him so much.

I lay back down and play with my ring.

Why didn't he just stay?

***

After a while of napping I wake up to some sounds coming from the living room. As I open my eyes, I smell something delicious. Is my mom.. cooking? Since when?

I get up and walk into the kitchen.

To my grand surprise it's not my mom cooking, it's Aron.

Also.. the house is kind of.. clean. It's usually a bit of a mess. Did Aron clean up around here?

"What are you doing?" I ask, completely confused.

"Cooking you a proper meal. You need it."

"What does that mean? You think I'm ugly?" Why do I sound so whiny? I'm not like this! I don't care what he thinks!

Aron snorts. "Of course not. I think you're malnourished." He says casually.

"Gee, thanks. Much better." I roll my eyes and walk towards my room.

I close the door and try to ignore the tingles in my stomach. Why am I so happy he's back?!

I grab a gray hoodie and pull it over my head.

"Food's ready!" Aron calls.

I walk back into the kitchen.

I look at the pot on the stove. Seems he made some vegetable curry with brown rice.

It smells so good.

"I'm not eating that." I say, just to go against him.

"Why? Are you allergic to something?"

"No."

"Have you eaten today?"

"No—"

"Great. Then you're eating my food." He smiles.

Why is he so bossy?

I sit down at the small table in the kitchen.

He puts a plate with the delicious curry and rice in front of me. My stomach growls.

"Come on, eat it." Aron encourages as he sits down next to me with his own plate.

"I told you I'm not eating that." I cross my arms.

"Why not?" His frustration is growing.

"Because." Is all I say.

I can see the irritation in his eyes.

Just how I like it.

"Fine, Princess. I'll feed it to you."

"No—" Before I can even speak he's already shoved a spoonful in my mouth.

I try not to moan since it's so good.

I find myself actually wanting him to feed me the next bite. It's delicious.

I can just feel the smug joy oozing off of him.

"Shut up." I say in between bites.

He laughs.

"Sorry." He smiles.

When I've finished eating I'm completely full. That was the best food I've ever had. By far. I can't remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal.

"So.. your first name is Oliver?"

I look up, surprised and embarrassed.

"How do you know that?" People have been calling me Sky since I was a kid.

"Looked through your photo album. You were a cute kid, by the way."

What is wrong with this guy?!

"Ever heard of boundaries?!"

"What?" He looks genuinely confused as to what boundaries are.

I sigh in frustration. This guy doesn't know when to stop.

"Why do people call you Sky?" He asks.

"Because I want them to, okay? I hate my first name."

"Why? It's so cute! I should call you Olive.." Aron teases.

"It's not." I play with my ring. "It's my father's name."

My heart beats out of my chest. Why did I tell him that? Why do I tell him anything?!

"You don't like your dad?"

"Not really. I don't really know him." I keep looking down at my hands.

"He just.. He left my mom when I was like two.. I've only seen him like three times since then."

Aron listens attentively.

"I mean, with my mom I get it. I wouldn't want to stick around for her either but.. I'm his son.. " I laugh darkly. "Then again I'm just as much of a nightmare as she is.."

"You're not a nightmare." Aron grabs my hands. I look into his honest eyes.

"You're a great person."

I snort. "When am I a great person? When I cheat on people or when I break their hearts for no reason?"

"Being good has nothing to do with being perfect. I think you're a really sweet guy but you just hide it so you won't get hurt."

"You think too highly of me."

"Please," Aron grabs a cigarette from his pocket and lights it. "I've seen enough terrible people. Trust me, you're not one of them." There's that darkness behind his eyes again. I wonder..

"What does that—"

I'm interrupted by the door opening loudly.

This time it is my mom. She looks like a hot mess, as always when she comes home from work. Her makeup is smudged, hair a mess and her short ass dress all roughed up.

"Hi sweetie," She mumbles as he walks into the apartment in her stilettos.

She doesn't even look at me and heads straight to her room, leaving the front door wide open. I sigh and am about to get up to close it when a big tough-looking guy comes in.

He smiles a disgusting smile when he sees me.

"Ah, you must be Lisa's son. You look just like her." His eyes scan over my body. I feel beyond uncomfortable.

Aron gets up to stand in front of me protectively.

"Yeah, why don't you just keep walking?" He says, his voice trembling with anger.

"What's your problem, big guy? Is that your boyfriend?" The guy mocks.

I see Aron's fists begin to shake. Is he seriously planning to fight this guy? He is like twice his size!

"Aron!" I whisper.

He doesn't budge.

"So what if he is?" Aron challenges.

Um.. since when?

"Brody..!" My mom calls from her room.

"Saved by the bell.." The guy walks to my moms room. "Fags." He says before closing the door behind him.

"That fucking.." Aron moves to walk to the door.

I get up and grab Aron's arm to stop him.

"Aron, stop. It's fine, okay?" I look into his angry eyes.

"Fine? Did you hear what he said about you?!"

"Who cares what he says? I don't even know the guy."

Aron stares at the door for a while longer. Then his eyes shift to me again.

He exhales and tries to calm himself.

He looks down at the floor and clenches his jaw.

"Sorry." He says.

For the first time I see some insecurity in Aron's eyes as he looks at me.

"It's fine." I answer.

"I'm not a psycho, I promise." He chuckles awkwardly.

Isn't that what all psychos say, though?

Suddenly we hear some... sex noises from my mom's room.

Like this had to get any more awkward.

"Does she bring guys home a lot?" Aron asks.

"She usually takes them to a motel.." I stammer. I run my fingers through my hair.

Aron nods slowly.

"I should go.." Aron looks around uncomfortably. "I could get you a hotel if—"

"No, I'm good. Really. Don't worry about it."

He nods again.

"Okay. Well, see ya." Aron walks to the door.

Somehow it feels like a piece of my heart is being ripped off. I don't want him to leave.

"You should unblock me, by the way." He says over his shoulder.

I roll my eyes.

"Goodbye." I press.

"Bye, Olive." He smiles.

"Don't—"

Aron closes the door.

"Call me that."