19. Tick tock...

Joel

''Joel.'' father calls as soon as I enter the house, ''Come to the office.''

I follow him without saying anything.

Father sits on his place and then points to the chair in front of his desk, for me to sit.

I obey without any words.

''I heard you hacked Christian Meyer's email and spread rumors about his bad economy situation.'' he says leaning back in his chair, and I nod.

''Good. I'm impressed.'' he says, and my eyes widen.

Is my father really praising me?

I can't believe it.

A warm feeling that I have never felt before envelopes me and my heart starts beating faster.

It feels...good.

So, this is how those kids whose father praises them every day feel like?

I'm jealous of those lucky fuckers, they get to have this feeling every time.

''But you could have done better.'' he says and that little feeling crashes.

Dang, I wish it could stay a bit longer.

That very known feeling envelopes me again and my chest starts hurting.

''For example, you could have taken all the information that email had and then use it against his company instead of writing that stupid email to the principal. The rumor you created lasted only a few hours. So, it's not a huge thing. You could have done better. " He says and I nod.

In every situation, I could have done better.

Nothing makes my father proud.

No matter what I do.

''Stop using your hacking ability with childish things and start doing what a smart man does.'' he says in a harsh tone.

''Yes father.'' I swallow.

''What if I tell you to gain information's about the 'Meyer Team' company, could you do it without messing it up?" he asks, and my eyes lit up.

He's giving me an opportunity?

I'll work with blood and tears just to prove him that I'm useful in this family.

''Yes.'' I answer.

"Can I trust you?" he asks.

"Yes father.'' I say my heart beating faster.

"Okay.'' he nods, ''You may leave.''

I get up and walk toward the door.

''Joel.'' he calls, and I turn, ''Don't disappoint me.''

Right.

Father's famous words together with 'you disappointed me'.

I nod at him and leave his office.

''Hi Joel.'' mom calls.

My mom, the greatest Amanda Cullen, is a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart who ended up with a man like my father. She has the prettiest ginger hair and the perfect green eyes.

''Hi mom.'' I say and hug her.

She's so...lifeless.

When I look at my mother's eyes it's like I'm not looking at her at all.

It's like she's here and not at the same time.

Her mind and soul are far, far away, somewhere I can't reach.

At least her hugs are still warm.

''How was your day today?" I ask touching her beautiful red hair.

''Nice.'' she says smiling.

A smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

The eyes that instead of the shiny green, I find a black soulless.

''Good.'' I smile. "I'm going to my room now.''

I kiss her forehead and let go of her.

I walk towards my room and my mom continues her ghostly walk around the house.

I enter my room and open my computer.

Now let's see who the motherfucker behind that Royal Academy news is, that made my princess sad.

I start working to hack the account, my fingers tapping the computer's keyboard hard.

Combining million and millions of codes, I try to break the fucking password.

After a whole goddamn thirty minutes I gained access of the account

''Fucking yes! Try messing with me bastard.'' I say.

Okay, where is that fucking post?

Scrolling and scrolling, posts of posts, I finally found the post of me and Olivia.

How many fucking posts does this account do per day?!

I download the photo of me and Olivia first.

What? We look good.

Right at the moment I was going to delete the post, the computer's screen turned blank.

''What the fuck?'" I say and start typing on the keyboard. What the fuck happened?

The account is blocking me? How?

I start working to gain access of it again, but it's not letting me.

It turns blank again.

How the heck is the motherfucker doing that?

''Impossible.'' I whisper to myself.

My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I get up to check it.

Royal Academy news sent you a message.

That fucker.

I open Instagram and check the message.

Royal Academy News: Ops!

Royal Academy News: You were so close...try harder next time. *Winking emoji*

Is this fucker playing with me?

And did he just send a fucking winking emoji?

Me: Who the fuck are you?

Royal Academy News: That's a good question. I get asked that a lot.

Me: Quit the games with me. Who are you?

Royal Academy News: Do you really think I'll tell you that?

Royal Academy news: Olivia is right about calling you dump today. By the way what were you doing on that empty classroom?

This fucker is eavesdropping us?

Me: Listen here you motherfucker, you have no idea who the fuck I am. Delete the fucking post and leave us alone. Stop this shit game you're playing, or you won't be this happy when I fucking find you.

Royal Academy News: Such a harsh language mister Joel. *Sad face emoji*

I clench my fists, working hard to suppress the anger building inside me.

Me: You'll be surprised when you'll find out about the other harsh things I have. Delete the fucking post!

Me: Or I'll fucking kill you when I'll find you.

Royal Academy News: Oh, now I'm scared...

Me: Do you think I can't find you?

Me: It will take time because you're hiding like a rat, but I'll find you. And then it's over for you man.

Royal Academy News: Well...

Royal Academy News: As you're asking so nicely...

He'll delete it?

Royal Academy News: Protect your secret with a secret, Joel...

This motherfucker.

Me: What?

Royal Academy News: Give me another secret and then I'll leave you alone.

Me: Why the fuck should I do that?

Royal Academy News: Because it's your only choice.

Royal Academy News: You have only one day to think about it Joel.

Royal Academy News: Be quick.

Royal Academy News: Tick tock

Royal Academy News: Tick tock...

Me: Fuck you.

☯☯☯☯

It's lunch break, and me and Avril are sitting at our place at the cafeteria. Luke went to the library.

''Bonjour Cullens.'' Andy says dropping on the couch, ''How was your day?"

None of us answers him.

''Hello Andy.'' Olivia says with a cheerful voice and sits down beside him.

He hugs her and kisses her cheek and I feel my blood boil.

They are sitting opposite us.

We have the other side of the table; the other half is theirs.

''Olivia eat the food mom packed you.'' Lucy says sitting down.

"But I don't want to.'' she complains.

She doesn't want to eat the food her mom cooked for her?

I would kill to make my mom cook for me.

"What did Aunt Melinda cook for today?" Andy asks sneaking a peek at the packed box in front of her.

"Cookies.'' Olivia says, ''And a cheese sandwich.''

''Oh, that's nice.'' he says opening the box.

Suddenly Olivia's phone rings.

"Shoot! It's mom.'' she says and grabs the package from Andy.

She takes a cookie in her mouth and then picks up the phone.

''Hi mom.'' she answers chewing and Lucy snorts.

"Hi love.'' her mom says.

Her mom has a warm voice.

''Are you eating the cookies I made?"

''Yes mom, and they are delicious.'' Olivia says taking a bite.

''Aunt Melinda those are amazing.'' Andy says after devouring the cookie, ''Please teach my mom how to do those.''

''I would if she would let me to. Michele is really stubborn about her cooking skills.'' Olivia's mom laughs.

''Aunt Michele is like; I know how to do it you don't need to teach me.'' Olivia says laughing and her mom laughs too.

When was the last time my mom laughed?

''Okay, eat the food I prepared for you, love, and don't miss a bite. You too Lucy. I'm checking your food boxes when you get home.'' her mom says.

"You know there's plenty of food in the cafeteria mom.'' Olivia says.

"I can make my own food for my own children.'' her mom says.

I don't know why, but my chest hurts.

I don't want to eat my food anymore... the cafeteria food.

Olivia thinks it's no cool to take the food her mom made for her to school meanwhile I would die to see my mom prepare food for me once.

I hear Avril drop her spoon and I turn at her.

She drinks her water and struggles to swallow it.

I guess her appetite is lost too.

I hug her side and she look at me with teary eyes, it breaks my heart.

''But mom there is a dozen of cookies here, I can't manage to finish them all.'' Olivia says looking at her cookies.

''Oh, I did it on purpose dear, so you could give some to the Cullen kids.'' her mom says in a sweet voice and my eyes widen at her words.

I look at Avril and she looks at me in surprise.

''What? Mom why would I give them cookies?'' Olivia whispers.

Yeah, why should she give us cookies?

My own mother doesn't give us cookies.

''Because it's an act of good, my dear.'' her mom says. '' Now, give the sweets to them.''

"I'm not sure they would want to eat my food mom.'' Olivia says looking at me with uncertainty in her voice.

I would love to eat them.

But I don't dare saying it out loud.

"Of course, they want to.'' her mom says, ''Besides, Joel loves cookies, so give them to him.''

My eyes widen at those words.

How does she know that I love cookies?

My mother doesn't know that.

''How do you know that?" Olivia asks her brows furrowed.

"I... uh... I don't know that, but who doesn't love cookies?'' her mom says, and Olivia rolls her eyes.

''Give the box to them. That's an order.'' her mom says.

That's an order in the sweetest voice I have ever heard.

''Fine.'' Olivia says and places the container in front of us.

I stare at the cookies and so does Avril.

When was the last time I ate a homemade meal?

Or more, when was the last time I ate something, my mom made?

''Why aren't they doing anything?" I hear Andy whisper.

"I don't know, maybe they don't want to eat them?'' Olivia whispers back.

"Maybe they feel forced to eat them.'' Lucy quietly says.

"Do you think we're being annoying to them?" Olivia whispers.

"Oh, come on I would kill for Aunt Melinda's food.'' Andy says.

"Should I take the cookies back?" Olivia whispers.

I smile at their conversation and so does Avril.

''Olivia honey, what's going on there?" her mom asks through the phone.

"Uh...nothing.'' Olivia says.

"Nothing indeed.'' Andy says.

''I think we should try them.'' I whisper to Avril.

"I'm dying to do so, but my ego isn't letting me.'' Avril whispers back.

"Fine I'll do it first.'' I say and reach for the cookie.

I take a bite and a blissful tase explodes in my mouth.

Oh, God this is so good!

Lucky Meyers get to eat this every time.

I raise my eyes and face Olivia, Andy and Lucy already looking at me. And Melinda Meyer who is watching me from the phone.

''Uh...It's good.'' I say and they all exhale the breath I didn't know they were holding.

''Oh, my lovely.'' Olivia's mom says, ''Avril try them sweety.''

Avril looks at the cookies and then at me and I nod at her.

She reaches an uncertain hand and sinks her teeth to it.

''Do you like it?" Olivia's mom says and Avril nods, ''Take as much as you want dear, Olivia won't say anything to you, she's a nice girl.''

As if I don't know.

''Are you feeling good, my lovelies?'' she asks again and both of us freeze.

Avril puts down her cookie and looks at her in shock, so do I.

I'm sorry lady, but this is the first time of someone being nice to us, so is normal for us to act this way.

Actually, it's my first-time hearing someone call me lovely.

''Are you okay Joel love?'' she asks me.

I look at Olivia and she's already looking at me with worry in her eyes.

Well, no, I'm not okay lady.

You're making me want you as my mother.

''I'm fine, thank you.'' I say clearing my throat.

''Okay. Eat more please.'' she says, and my hand went immediately to grab another cookie.

"Okay mom, stop. You're being clingy to them.'' Olivia says.

No, she's not. She's very nice.

''Hey.'' Luke says dropping on the couch.

"Oh, is that Luke?" Olivia's mom says again, ''Luke love you have grown so much! Take a cookie please.''

Is this woman really our enemy?

Lucy reaches for the box and gives Luke one.

''Thanks.'' he says and hesitates to bite it.

''Okay, mom I have to go now. Bye.'' Olivia says.

"Bye. I love you.'' she says and hangs up.

''Sorry about that.'' Olivia says and takes a bite from her sandwich, ''You can take as much as you like by the way.'' she says referring to the cookies.

None of us moves the container from the middle of the table and no one takes a cookie from it.

Andy reaches his hand to take one, but Lucy slaps his hand away.

"Auch! What was that for?" he complains and Lucy stares at him.

Olivia gives him a meaningful look and he nods.

They all want us to get more cookies.

Even that they are our enemies they are so...kind.

''Well, I'm starving, and there is no more food to cafeteria, so I'll just eat those cookies.'' Luke says grabbing the box.

''Sure. I'm already full, so you can have them all.'' Olivia's eyes lit up. '' You can share it with each other.'' she says looking at me.

This girl never fails to surprise me.

I look at Avril and she's looking at Olivia with sadness in her eyes.

Suddenly Olivia's phone vibrates, and she picks it up to check the message.

She frowns while reading it and then groans leaning her head at the table.

"What? You received any of those messages again?" Lucy asks her.

What messages?

''Yes. And I'm tired of it.'' she says.

''What messages?" Andy asks and I look at Olivia waiting for her answer.

''Royal Academy News has been bothering her this week.'' Lucy says.

Shit.

"What? No way Liv.'' Andy says.

''It's stressing me out.'' she groans. ''I can't survive if he damages my reputation in this school.''

"Mon cherie, don't speak like that.'' Andy says hugging her. "What are those messages?"

"I can't tell you about it.'' she says and then looks at me.

This is all my fault.

''What? You're not telling me? You're own best friend? How could-'' Andy continues talking and I block him out.

My phone vibrates in the pocket.

Royal Academy News: Tick tock...

Fucking hell.

Olivia checks her phone and then groans. So, he's been sending her those messages too.

It's me or her.

''Liv, come on stop being sad about it, we'll fix it.'' Lucy says.

"We can't fix it; I can't fix it. '' Olivia says.

''What are they talking about?" Avril asks me and I shrug.

''Oh, God dad will be very disappointment in me when he'll find out.'' she says covering her face with her hands.

Oh, I know the feeling of being a disappointment.

It breaks me to pieces seeing her sad.

Royal Academy News: Tick tock...

Fuck you man, be patient!

Olivia looks at her phone and her face crumbles.

''Ugh!'' she screams and hits her head at the table. "I'm going to kill this man whoever he is.''

She looks at her phone and starts biting her nails.

She bites her nails when she's nervous.

I take my phone out of my pocket and type a message to Royal Academy News.

The things I would do for you Olivia Meyer.

Me: I'll give you a secret.