18. Blacklist

Olivia

Shit.

The photo of me and Joel is posted in Royal Academy news Instagram.

We are both tagged on it.

The worst of all is that everyone in this school follows Royal Academy news, so all of them will find out about that picture.

''Holly shit!'' Justin yells looking at his phone.

Everyone gasps while looking the post.

I'm fucked up.

''Olivia and Joel?"  Ben says.

''Not possible.'' Alexa whispers.

''Do you have anything to tell us Olivia?" Justin asks.

Oh my God, what the hell am I going to do now?

Okay Olivia, stay calm. Don't panic.

What would Lucy do in this situation?

''Play it cool.'' Joel whispers and I look at him in confusion. ''They can't prove that the people on the photo are us. The faces aren't shown. Just deny it.''

He's right. The faces aren't shown.

Okay, you can do this Olivia.

''What are you guys talking about? This aren't us.''  I speak.

''Oh, come on, of course it's you. Royal Academy news never lies.'' Alexa glares at me.

''Exactly.'' the others agree.

''Well, I don't know about that, but in that photo is not me and Joel.'' I lie.

"Oh yeah? Prove it." Alexa says.

Shit.

''Why should we prove anything? You prove it that in that photo is us.'' Joel says.

Everyone drops their gaze at their phone, studying the photo.

I look at it and I can't recognize myself. I'm sure that they can't recognize me either.

Thank you, a million times dear uniform, I'm sorry that I hate wearing you.

''Can you prove it that it's us? I'm waiting.'' Joel glares at Alexa.

''Well...I...'' she stutters.

''They can be anyone in this school.'' Joel says, ''Stop with believing everything you see.''

''Play the victim.'' he whispers at me.

Bro, how can he be so smart?

''I'm so disappointed in you guys.  First with the money and now this? What is wrong with you? And you Justin?'' I say looking at Justin and he looks at the ground. ''I can't believe it.''

And with that I left the classroom.

''I'm sorry queen.'' I hear Justin yell.

Oh, this is not a good thing. Not good at all.

''Hey, princess.'' Joel calls running to catch me, ''Well played.''

''No, don't follow me. Why did you follow me?" I ask him and he raises his eyebrow.

''What?" he asks.

"Don't follow me. Stay away from me.'' I say.

"Why the fuck would I do that?"

''Because we are at the Royal Academy news's watch. They are watching our every move. We have to stay away from each other from now on.'' I say my tone worried.

''What?" he asks again.

Ugh, why wouldn't he understand?

I grab him by his hand and drag him into an empty classroom.

''Listen.'' I speak after closing the door.

"I'm listening.'' he says.

''Royal Academy news is not only a page where news about the school is posted, but also more dangerous. It posts gossips and people's secrets. Once you are in its grasp there is no way out until your secret is revealed for everyone to find out. '' I say and take a deep breath.

''And also-'' I say raising my hand and realizing that I'm holding his hand.

Shit, I didn't let go of his hand when we came here?

His gaze shifts from our joined hands to me and he smiles.

A dimple one.

I watch him smile and my mouth goes dry. I'm mesmerized by its beauty.

I shake my head and let go of his hand.

''Why didn't you say anything?'' I whisper at him.

"Because you were looking cute while holding it.'' he says, and my heartbeat quickens.

Don't overthink it Olivia.

''Why don't you stop this guy?" he asks.

''That's the worst part.'' I start pacing around, ''We don't know who the one behind that account is. It might be anyone from this school, boy or girl. That account is dangerous, it knows everything that happens in this school. And it trades secrets.''

"Trades secrets?" he raises his eyebrow.

''Yes. If you ask it for a secret, you have to give another secret in return. And also, if you ask it not to share your secret, you have to give another secret as a payment.''  I say.

''That's fucked up.'' he says.

"I know.'' I agree. ''So, to stay safe we have to stay away from each other. I don't want a mess with Royal Academy news. My reputation in this school can't be ruined because of that fucking account.'' I say.

''Like fuck I'm staying away from you.'' Joel scoffs.

Bro what?

''Did you hear any of the words that came from my mouth?'' I ask him in disbelief.

''Yes, I did. And I don't give a damn fuck about that account or the one behind it.'' he says.

''Joel, I'm telling you that that account is dangerous, and it will ruin our reputation.'' I say.

"And I'm telling you that I don't give a damn fuck.''  he says and I glare at him.

He's so... ughhh!

The civilization between us lasted only ten minutes.

''Listen here.'' I say grabbing a fistful of his shirt, bringing my face closer to his '' I can't be on Royal Academy news's blacklist just because you don't give a damn fuck.''

He puts both of his hands at my waist and then pushes me against the wall.

And the butterflies in my stomach revived once again.

''Seems like your problem.'' he smirks, and I glare at him, tightening my hold on his shirt.

"I didn't know Olivia Meyer is scared.'' he says.

''I'm not scared.'' I glare.

"It doesn't look like that to me.'' he smirks.

"Looks like your problem.'' I say, bringing my face closer to his, and he chuckles.

''Listen, Joel. You have to stay away from me, or this is going to take a bad turn.'' I soften my voice, letting go of his shirt.

''I don't care.'' he says pushing my hair out of my face.

''We have a bet to finish and then you're going to leave this school.''  he says and then kisses my forehead.

For Miss Strawberry's sake, what the fuck did he just do?

He kissed my fucking forehead! And did he just say that I'm going to leave this school?

In his bloody dreams.

"We have a bet to finish and'' I push him, '' You are going to leave this school.''

''Let's have a bet on that too.'' he chuckles.

"Fine by me.''  I say and he laughs.

''Let's go, the lesson has begun.''  he says and opens the door.

"Wait!" I stop him, pushing the door closed.

''What now?'' he looks at me annoyed.

"We can't get out together.'' I say and he raises his eyebrow, '' Royal Academy news is probably watching us, we can't be seen walking together out of this classroom. It will be misunderstood.''

''You're being paranoid.'' he says and reaches for the doorknob.

"No. Just do something I say for once.'' I say and he nods.

''I'll go first, and you come after me. Okay?" I ask.

"Fine.'' he rolls his eyes.

Phew, finally I made the devil do something.

I open the door and then look sideways.

After making sure that no one is into view I stepped out of the classroom.

Right after I made two steps away from the door Joel opened the door and got out of the classroom.

''Dude what?'' I complain and he looks at me innocently, ''You're supposed to wait.''

"You said that you'll go first and then I'll come after you.'' he says.

''Man, are you dump? I'll go first and then after I leave you can come.'' I say angry and he burst out laughing.

Why the fuck is he laughing? He's such a nefarious person.

''What's so funny?" I ask and he laughs more.

''How the hell do you make me laugh this much, girl?''  he asks and pride bursts in my chest.

"It's in my nature.'' I say making the proud face and he laughs again.

''Don't laugh man. You made a mistake; you're supposed to come after me. Why didn't you get that?'' I say getting angry again.

"I got what you meant, I did it on purpose.'' he says clearing his throat and I stare at him.

He did it on purpose?

Okay calm, I'm calm, I'm okay. I'm fine.

''May I know why mister Joel?" I say my face getting red.

"Because you're cute when you're angry.'' he says rubbing the hair of my head and then leaves.

"Ughhhhh!'' I scream fixing my hair, "Stupid, selfish, devil, narcissist. I hate you. Hate, hate, hate you. Ughhh!''

Wait, does he think I'm cute?

Shut the fuck up brain.

Suddenly my phone vibrates in my pocket.

I take it out and read the message.

Royal Academy news: What were you doing in that empty classroom with Joel, Olivia?

Author's note:

For miss Strawberry's sake this chapter is too short...

Anyways... any guesses on who is behind the Royal Academy news Instagram account?

Feel free to tell me about your thoughts on the comments :)

Love you always,

G.T.Diola.