29. Even Einstein is jealous

Joel

I hate you so much.

I hate you with all my soul, my heart and my body.

Her words are echoing in my head.

I want to stop them, but they get louder and louder.

I watch her leave the cafeteria with a heavy chest and a blinding headache.

She looked at me with hate.

There were tears in her eyes too.

I don't like the tears in her beautiful hazel eyes. I wanted to reach my hand and wipe her tears.

I wanted to kiss her eyes and stop them from crying.  But I can't do that. Enemies aren't supposed to do that. Enemies are supposed to do what I am doing.

She was too close to me and yet too far away.

My heart was crawling to reach her, to hold her.

But I can't. And I don't know why I want to.

I hate her.

The Meyers are the reason my family is this way.

They are the reason I don't have a normal life.

And now they are gone.

She is gone.

''Joel, are you listening to me?" Avril's voice comes to my senses.

I look at her and she rolls her eyes.

''Did you and Olivia kiss??" she glares.

"Leave me alone, Avril.'' I say and sit on the couch.

''No, I'm not leaving you alone until you tell me what's going on between you and her.'' she comes in front of me.

"Nothing is going on between me and her.'' I yell, ''It wouldn't even if I wanted to.''

''Even if you wanted to? What the hell does that mean?" she raises her hands in the air.

I sigh and lean my head in the couch and cover my face with my hands.

''Okay, let's just not argue now.'' Luke says, ''Avril go get some air.''

''Of course, it's always me the one who's left out.'' she huffs and leaves.

''Are you okay?" Luke asks after a while.

"Yeah, I'm fine.'' I stare at the ceiling.

''It's not your fault.'' he says sitting beside me.

''Of course, it's my fault.''

I was the one who destroyed their project.

I'm the reason they are bankrupting.

Olivia's life is getting ruined because of me.

I ruined someone else's life once again.

''Father is forcing you to do it, so it's not your fault.'' Luke says.

And I'm just like father.

''You are a good person, Joel. Don't let the others tell you otherwise, not even our father.'' he puts his hand on my shoulder.

I wish it was true.

But there's no good inside me.

Everything inside me is black and broken.

I can't be fixed.

Just like father says, I'm a whole failure.

Just like Olivia says, I'm a Devil.

Well, they call me a Devil, why shouldn't I act like one?

''I'm going to ask you a question, but don't get mad. Okay?" Luke says and I nod.

''Do you like Olivia?" I narrow my eyes at him.

"You said you won't get mad.'' he raises his hands.

''Well, don't ask stupid questions.'' I scoff.

''Joel this is serious. Do you like her?'

"No. I don't like her.'' I say.

I mean, I think she's pretty. No, I think she's beautiful. She has a beautiful smile and beautiful hair.  Her long brown hair falling over her shoulders and her sunshine smile is the best view you can get in the morning.

Her eyes are like the forest, trees and earth combined together.  Green and brown mixed.  They shine when there is light. And she has some tiny freckles on her nose too, I always wanted to trace them with my finger. Her laughter fills my ears like music, it's so carefree and childish.

She's just like a princess.

Me on the other side is the villain.

The princess doesn't belong to the villain.

Anyways, that's it.

I don't like her.

''Are you sure?" Luke asks and I stare at him.

What's wrong with this man?

"Yes.''  I roll my eyes.

''Well, the way you were looking at her tells me otherwise.'' he shrugs.

"I was looking at her like a normal person.'' I huff and he raises his eyebrow.

"You were looking at her like you can't get enough of her.''

I open my mouth and close it again.

Only a fool wouldn't look at her like they can't get enough of her.

''She's my enemy, Luke.'' I speak after a while.

''So?" he says and gets up.

I frown at him.

Olivia

''Dad!" I call and enter the house.

''Yes, pumpkin?" his voice comes from the living room.

''Did you hear the news?" I ask him and he nods.

"So, it's true then?" Lucy asks and dad sighs.

Hearing out father admit it its way worse.

''Do you know who did it?" Lucy asks.

We go and sit beside him.

''Adam Cullen did it.'' dad says, his voice full of hate.

'I'm sorry dad we failed you. We didn't destroy the Cullens at school.'' I cry.

"No, no, my sweethearts.'' he hugs both of us and we lay our head at his chest, ''It's not your fault. It's mine, I should've known it.'' he kisses the top of our head.

''Are we poor now?" I whisper.

"No, pumpkin, don't worry about it. I have a backup plan.'' he says.

"You have?'' Lucy asks.

"Yes, but do not tell anyone about it. Act like you're really bankrupting.'' he says, and we nod.

My phone vibrates with a message.

It's the unknown number again.

I go up to my room and read the message.

Unknown number: Bankrupting, huh?

I roll my eyes at it.

People and their desire for drama.

This number hasn't texted me since that day.

I wonder who it may be.

Me: Yes, unfortunately.

Let's play with this dump one.

Unknown number: So, you're not coming to school anymore?

Me: I'm coming only for this month. October is paid.

This is pretty believable. I mean this month is actually paid by my father.

Unknown number: Do you know why your company is bankrupting?

Me: The fucking Cullen did it.

Unknown number: The Cullen?

Should I keep going on with this conversation? I don't even know who the heck this person is.

It could be anyone.

Hell, it could even be one of the Cullens.

Actually, if I tell this person the reason why my company is bankrupting, he will spread it to the others. And boom, The Cullens reputation will be over.

And if this is one of the Cullens, I'll just express my hate to them.

It's a win-win.

I have the mind of a genius.

Even Einstein is jealous.

Me: Joel Cullen.

Uknown number: What makes you think it's him?

Me: I don't think that it's him, I know it. He's a genius in computers and he knows how to hack technology. There is no doubt that he ruined the project.

Uknown number: A genius, huh?

What the hell? I just told him that he ruined the project, and he focuses on the genius part?

This is such a useless person, why am I talking to him?

Me: What, are you fangirling over Joel Cullen now?

Uknown number: Of course not.  Do we hate him?

I almost smile at that.

Me: Yes, we hate him.

The dots appear and disappear at the bottom of the screen.

Uknown number: Got it.

Good.

Me: Are you a girl or a boy?

Unkown number: Why don't you take a guess?

I let out a frustrated groan.

I look at my clothes and realize that I'm still wearing the school's uniform.

Ugh, are people lazy to change too or just me?

I turn off my phone, not responding to the secretive one and head to my locker.

Changing up in a comfortable blue hoodie and white pants, I put my hair up in a messy bun.

I put on a Chase Atlantic song and start dancing around.

No matter how big a problem is, it will never stop me from dancing and singing.

As they say, it's just a bad day not a bad life.

My phone vibrates again, and I roll my eyes.

The secretive one seems very clingy.

Should I save its name as secretive one?

Uknown number: What are you doing?

I debate with myself in ether to respond or not.

Me: I don't even know you and you're asking me what I'm doing?

Uknown number: Don't answer if you don't want to.

The secretive one has a point.

Me: I'm listening to Chase Atlantic. Do you know this band?

I sigh.

Well, my 'trouble' side has always won.

Uknown number: Yeah, I know them. I like them too.

Uknown number: What song are you listening?

Me: "Church"

Uknown number: It's your favorite song, right?

How the hell does this person know that?

Is this someone I know?

Shit, I'm getting scared now.

Should I tell Lucy?

Definitely not, she'll scold me for talking to a stranger.

Okay stay calm Olivia.

Why the hell do I keep texting someone who threated me in the beginning?

I'm so dump sometimes.

Me: How do you know that?

The reply comes after a while.

Uknown number: I just guessed.

That's really suspicious.

Uknown number: Did I get that right?

Me: Yes.

Me: Will you tell me who you are?

I bite my nails as the dots appear.

Unknown number: I told you. Guess.

Ugh, this is making me mad now.

Me: Will you answer sincerely?

Uknown number: Yes.

Okay, let's do this.

Me: Are you someone I know?

Unknown number: Yes

Okay this is good; it won't be that hard now.

Me: Do we talk to each other?

Unkown number: Sometimes.

Sometimes. Okay got it.

Me: Do I like you?

Uknown number: I don't think so.

So, I don't like him?

Okay think Olivia, a person you don't like.

The school guard? He always scolds us for being late and that he has to open the gate million times.

Well of course it wouldn't be him.

Katrina?

She is the one who doesn't like me actually.

Like she acts weird around me. I'm kinda scared of her.

Or is it, Alexa?

Damn I hate her.

Me: So, I hate you then?

Uknown number: I don't know you tell me.

Me: I don't even know who you are.

Uknown problem: Seems like your problem.

I probably hate this person.

It's really annoying.

Me: You know what? Never mind. I don't care. You can be whoever you like, and I don't even care.

Unknown number: Your choice.

Me: And don't text me.

It doesn't text anymore. Good it obeyed.

***

''Happy birthday to my best friend, to my brother, to my partner in crime and to the most genius man in the whole world.'' I cheer as soon as I see Andy at school.

"Don't forget the most handsome one.'' Andy raises his hand.

I roll my eyes.

"Happy birthday to my best friend, to my brother, to my partner in crime, to the most genius man in the whole world and to the most handsome one.'' I repeat.

"Thank you ma cherie.'' he hugs me and spins me in the air.

''Happy birthday Andy.'' Lucy says and he hugs her too.

''I've got you the best gift in the world, wait until you see it.'' I say.

"What is it?'' he asks.

"A big ass party!'' I yell.

"Hell yes!'' he grins.

''It's been more than two weeks that she's preparing it.'' Lucy says.

"Well, I needed it to be perfect.'' I say.

''Aww, you're making me cry.'' he says wiping his fake tears and I laugh.

''So, where is the party located?" he asks.

"That is a surprise.'' I grin mischievously.

''Oh, come on, you know I don't like secrets." he groans.

"But this is a good secret.'' I say.

''Lucy, you tell me.'' he drops his arm around my sister's shoulder as we head inside the school.

"Nope.'' she shakes her head.

''Come on! It's my birthday.''

''Stop being a baby, you're eighteen now.'' she rolls her eyes.

''Fine. Are the Cullens coming?'' he asks.

"I don't know.'' I shrug, ''Do you want them to come?"

"Yes. Let's impress those fuckers.''' he says, and I smirk.

''I have an idea.'' I say when we sit at our place at the cafeteria.

"Oh, please not again.'' Lucy groans.

''But listen it's a good one.''  I say and she raises her eyebrow.

''What if I discover one of Joel's secrets and then reveal it in front of the whole school?" I say.

''That's a good one.'' Andy says while chewing on his dessert.

''And how will you discover his secret, genius?"  Lucy asks.

That's a good question.

''Well.'' I say and put my elbows at the table, ''I don't know.''

She rolls her eyes.

''But I'll find out.'' I defend myself.

''Yeah, good luck with that.'' she gets up, ''I'm going to the library.''

I rest my chin at the palm of my hand and start thinking.

How can I discover his secrets? I mean he has secrets, right? Who doesn't?

Should I go to his house and start looking for useful information?

No, that would get me killed.

Should I eavesdrop his conversation?

Nah, I would get caught immediately.

Should I make him drunk and then drag the information out of him?

What the hell am I saying?

It's not that bad actually.

Okay no.

''Ugh.'' I groan and hit my head at the table.

"What?" Andy asks.

''How will we discover Joel's secret?" I ask him and he starts thinking.

''What if we kidnap him and then threat him to tell us his secret?" he suggests

"That would make Adam Cullen come after us.'' I say.

"True.''

''What if we hack his phone?" I speak.

''That's a great idea.'' Andy agrees.

''Do we know how to hack?" I ask.

"Nope.'' Andy takes a bite from his dessert.

I sigh.

We suck at this.

''Liv.'' he drops his spoon.

"Hm?"

''Who knows everyone's secret in this school?" he asks.

My eyes widen.

''Royal Academy News.'' we both speak.

''That's it, bro!'' I high five him.

I take my phone out of my pocket and go to Royal Academy New's account.

''But he wants another secret in return.'' I say.

"Yeah.'' Andy pouts.

''Give him a harmless one.'' he says, ''Like the time you cried because you learned that the kittens only have their mom for three months and then she abandons them.''

''You promised that you'll never mention that.'' I glare at him.

"Sorry.'' he grins.

''You were fifteen years old, and you cried so hard for them.'' he laughs.

"Oh, shut up. I felt bad for them.'' I say and he laughs harder.

"Andy.'' I scowl.

"Okay, okay.'' he tries to hold his laugh, ''Sorry, I'll stop.''

I look at my phone in doubt.

''Just do it.'' Andy speaks, ''How bad can it be?"

"Yeah, how bad can it be?" right?

Me: Tell me a secret of Joel Cullen.

''I sent it.'' I look up at Andy.

"Okay let's wait now.'' he comes closer to me.

The reply comes immediately.