36. Falling for you

Joel

I was supposed to sit with Alexa, so imagine my surprise when I found Olivia sit there instead of her.

I managed to hold a neutral face, but I was smiling from the inside.

Olivia hates Alexa, so I'm kinda using that poor girl to make my princess mad.

I can tell that it worked.

She would never sit with me if it wasn't for Alexa...

And she called me baby.

Why did she call me baby? Was it an irony?

Or was she jealous because Alexa calls me baby?

My soul left my body when I heard that word come out of her lips.

A lot of girls call me baby, but it feels different when she does.

It felt like I was transported on another universe.

I turn my head and stare at Olivia.

She's resting her head on the window, sleeping.

How can someone look this beautiful while sleeping?

Her long brown hair is falling on her shoulders and on her pretty face.

She looks so peaceful and so Goddamn beautiful.

It's been an hour since we left LA, and it needs another one hour or more until we go to Big Bear Lake.

Suddenly she shifts her position and lets her head fall on my shoulder.

I freeze in place.

My heart starts beating fast, it looks like it's going to explode from my chest.

The electronic watch on my wrist starts vibrating, showing that my heartbeat is raising.

73

91

What the hell?

120.

Something is wrong with this stupid watch!

130.

I take it off from my wrist and put it on my pocket careful not to wake a sleeping Olivia on my shoulder.

I look at her face as my heart goes wild.

Her hair is falling on her eyes, and I reach my hand to brush them away.

Her hair is really soft, and it smells good.

I lean my head close to her head and sniff her hair.

Oh, pure haven.

I close my eyes as her flowery scent fills my nostrils.

''Okay, kids we're stopping here for a rest.'' the teacher, Miss Colgan says as the bus stops on a shop.

I look down at Olivia and she's still sleeping.

I can't wake her up.

''Are you coming?" Avril asks looking at Olivia surprised.

"Can you get me a snack?" I ask her and she rolls her eyes nodding.

I look at Olivia and call Avril again, ''Can you get me a strawberry chocolate too?"

She nods and leaves.

Olivia loves strawberry chocolate.

She got a hot chocolate with cookies and strawberry chocolate on the morning. She mixed them together on the cup and ate them with a spoon on the bus.

I felt pain watching her eat that thing.

''Joel baby what are you doing?" a high-pitched voice comes at the side of me.

I close my eyes annoyed.

Olivia shifts on her sleep.

''You're done if you wake her up.'' I whisper glaring at Alexa who can't keep her bird mouth shut.

''But-'' she starts loudly, and I narrow my eyes.

''Be quiet.'' I whisper.

''Are you coming?" she asks on a quiet voice.

"No.'' I look at Olivia.

Alexa stares at me with hurt on her eyes and then leaves.

I roll my eyes at her drama.

I never told her that I liked her or something, why is she acting like I betrayed her?

The one I like is sleeping on my arms.

The fuck?

Did I just think of Oliva as the girl I like?

Wait, do I actually like her?

I look at her face and my stomach flutters.

She's my enemy...

I play with the ends of her hair and watch her face.

I watched her sleep the whole trip and I never got tired of it. While everyone else on the bus were sleeping, I was watching her sleep. She slept on my arms for one hour and thirty-five minutes and I never teared my eyes away from her.

I can watch her for an eternity and never get enough of her beautiful face.

I'm like a thirsty man for her.

She slept on my arms very peaceful, and I watched her afraid that she'll wake up.

Because if she woke up, she would move away from me, and I wouldn't have her on my arms again. She'll go away and I won't play with her hair anymore.

We arrived at our destination, and everyone is leaving the bus with their bags.

I don't miss the way they look at us as they leave.

Royal Academy News is going to have a big talk on this.

''Hey princess.'' I whisper to Olivia scratching her head lightly, massaging her scalp.

"Mhm?" she says on her sleep.

''Where're here.'' I whisper brushing her hair.

''Okay.'' she says not opening her eyes.

''You have to get up.'' I smile and she murmurs something that I don't understand.

''Come on, let's go.'' I kiss the top of her head.

I have no fucking idea what the hell I'm doing.

And when the fuck did I turn so soft?

She opens her eyes and raises her head a little looking at me.

I smile at her, and she smiles back.

My heart flutters.

Then she realizes her head is at my chest and that my arm is around her shoulder and frowns. She sits up and I realize that my arm is frozen. I can't fucking move it.

''How long did I sleep for?" she looks around the empty bus.

''One hour.'' I say rubbing my arm.

''One hour?'' her eyes widen, ''I slept the whole trip?"

''The trip is three hours.'' I say and she rolls her eyes.

''Why didn't you wake me up?" she asks, and I shrug.

How could I when you were so peaceful and looking so cute?

''Is your arm okay?" she asks.

"Yeah, don't worry.'' I get up.

We get out of the bus and turn to get our bags on the bus's luggage compartment.

''Do you need help with it?" I ask Olivia pointing at her bag.

"No, I got it.'' she says.

I get the bag from her hand as we walk toward the hotel. She doesn't say anything but continues to walk behind me.

''Okay kids, go up to your hotel room. We're resting here for a little bit and then we're leaving the hotel to visit the town. Wear your most thick clothes because it's very cold here.'' the teacher says as we wait for the receptionist to give us our room's keys, ''Meet you all here at eleven thirty, okay?"

''Oh God, I feel like I have a rock on my shoulders instead of my head!'' Avril says leaning her head on my shoulder.

''Don't sleep, we're leaving for twenty minutes.'' I say rubbing her hair.

''I can't, I'm too tired.'' she groans.

''How can you be tired on a trip?" I ask, '''Did you sleep on the bus?"

''Nah, Katrina talked too much.'' she complains, and I laugh.

She sat with Katrina on the bus.

Our hotel room is really nice. It has a view from the lake.

I'm sharing it with Luke.

''It's pretty nice here, don't you think?" he asks taking his clothes out of his bag.

''Yeah.'' I say looking out of the window.

''You don't seem okay those days.'' Luke looks at me, ''What's wrong?"

I frown at him.

Did I lose the ability to hide my feelings?

''Nothing. I'm okay.'' I lay down on the single bed.

''What's going on with Olivia?" he asks, and I sigh.

"Nothing is going on with her.''

''What's going on with you then?" he asks, and I look up at him.

''What do you mean?" I frown.

''How are you feeling about her?" he asks.

How am I feeling about her?

I feel something about her that I'm afraid it's not hate anymore...

''We should go, they're probably waiting for us.'' I get up avoiding his question.

He sighs and then follows me.

We're walking around the town with Miss Colgan and Luke's teacher Ms. Jonas heading the way.

I have never been in this city, and I'm amazed by its beauty.

We walk on the streets that are covered with snow. The green giant trees stand beautifully with snow on top of them, they look like queens.

The houses look very vintage, most of them are made by wood.

I shift my gaze from the houses to Olivia.

She's playing with snow together with Andy.

She's wearing black jeans with a black tight shirt and a white winter jacket.

On her head stands a cute white beanie and her hands are covered with black gloves.

She's wearing white boots.

I love her black and white outfit.

Andy throws a snowball at her, and her laughter fills the place.

I smile as I hear her laughing.

''Careful mister Joel, don't fall to hard.'' Katrina says beside me, and I turn at her with a frown

''What do you mean?" I ask.

''I mean the snow is beautiful, but you can slip very easily. Don't fall to hard.'' she winks and then leaves.

I have a feeling that it wasn't about the snow.

We enter an antique shop named 'Giovanni's antiques', it has very beautiful things. Jewelry, woodwork, sculptures, books, paintings and even furniture.

It looks like bits and pieces from all times live here.

''See that bear?" Luke points at a giant woodwork bear, ''Amazing!''

''How did they manage to create all that?" I say looking at it in wonder.

We stop in front of a table that has jewelry displayed.

Some of them are old as time, and some look modern.

''Are you looking for something special for your lover, young boy?" an old lady with a sweet voice says.

''Nah, I don't have a lover.'' I smile up at her.

''I'm sure you'll find her one day.'' she gives me a heartwarming smile.

I turn to leave but then my eyes catch something.

It's a necklace.

It's a silver necklace with a small crown.

The crown's design is what catches my eye the most.

It has tiny shiny rocks on top of it and some rocks that look like hearts on the inside of the crown.  Those rocks make it shine.

I pick it up from its place and study it on my hand.

It's a small crown, but it's beautiful and unique.

Like a princess's crown.

Princess.

''Does it remind you of someone?" the old lady speaks.

''It does.'' I nod looking at the necklace.

Olivia's laugher reaches my ears and I turn to look at her.

She's taking pictures of Lucy who is holding a book at the book's table.

''She's beautiful.'' the old lady says looking at Olivia.

She is, isn't she?

''I'll get the necklace.'' I say.

''It will cost ya.'' she raises her eyebrows.

''Don't worry about it.'' I say.

She smiles and then puts the necklace on a beautiful crystal box.

It's a circle crystal box with snow patterns.

''The rocks you see shining on the crown are actual diamonds.'' the lady says.

''So that's the reason of the shine?" I smile and she nods.

''The jewelry you see here belonged to the women of the rich Italian family Di Giovanni. They all died on an accident many years ago. All their belongings were gifted to me as their most close housekeeper. I worked for them since I was a little girl until the very end when I was fifty-two years old.'' the old lady explains giving me the necklace in the crystal box. ''So, I created this shop with all their things and named it Giovanni's antiques.''

''That's wonderful.'' I say, ''Who had this necklace?"

''That necklace belonged to the youngest daughter of Giovannis. She was a beautiful girl, just like a princess. Her name was Alessia di Giovanni. I was her nanny until she reached her eighteens.  She died twenty-five years old.'' the old lady says with teary eyes.

''You loved them a lot I suppose?" I ask and she nods.

''Very. They were like my family.'' she smiles sadly.

''I'm sorry for your loss.'' I say sadly to her.

''Thank you, young boy.'' she smiles.

I pay for the necklace with my card, and she gives me a very sweet smile.

20000$

It's not that much, I would pay more for Olivia.

''She must be a very special girl?" she asks.

I look at Olivia who is looking at the paintings, ''She is.'' I whisper.

''Are you two a couple?'' she asks pointing at Olivia.

"No, no we're not.'' I say.

''Why not?" she asks.

''We hate each other.'' I answer.

''Oh, hate turned to love. The best one.'' she grins.

''I don't believe in that.'' I say.

''I do.'' she winks, and I shake my head.

''You're a nice boy, I bet she likes you.'' the old lady says.

I swallow looking at her wide eyes.

No one has ever told me that I'm a nice one. I'm always the irresponsible, the bad, the useless, the manipulative, but never the nice.

I don't know what to feel or what to say to the old lady right now.

''No one has ever told me that I'm nice.'' I look down at my feet.

''Well, they must be very stupid.'' she scoffs, ''You're the nicest costumer I have ever had since I opened this shop.''

I smile at her.

''What's your name?" she asks me.

''Joel. What's yours?'' I ask.

''Amanda.'' she smiles and my face fells.

The reminder of my mom gives me a bitter taste on my mouth.

''My mom's name is Amanda.'' I say.

"Oh, that's wonderful.'' she smiles.

It's not.

I don't want another lady to have my mom's name.

Because this lady is happy. My mom is not.

''Don't look behind you my young boy, but that special girl of yours is looking at you in wonder with a smile on her lips.'' the lady, Amanda says.

I smile.

''She must be very surprised looking at me in front of a girl's jewelry table.'' I say and Amanda shakes her head.

''I think she is surprised because she is seeing a part of you, she has never seen before.'' she says, and I frown.

What part?

''Joel.'' Luke calls.

''I have to go.'' I say to the lady, ''It was nice meeting you.''

"You too.'' she smiles. ''I hope you two become a couple.'' she winks.

''Remember me when you get married.'' she yells, and I shake my head.

''I'll invite you if that ever happens.'' I say.

That would never happen.

''What was she talking about?" Luke asks.

''I'll tell you later.'' I say as we leave the shop.

We ate dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

I'm heading up to my room now. I want to sleep so bad; I didn't sleep at the bus at all.

A scream stops me from walking into the elevator.

Is that Olivia?

I turn toward the voice with a hard beating heart in my chest.

Did something happen to her?

And where the heck is she?

''Come on!'' I hear her yell.

Her voice is coming from the game room.

I enter the room quickly and find her yelling at the TV.

I exhale the breath I was holding as I find her completely fine and unharmed.

She's sitting on a couch with the console on her hands.

Is she playing video games?

''What are you doing?" I ask her, leaning on the doorframe.

She flinches on my voice but recovers quickly and puts an angry face on. ''I'm playing this stupid video game, but this bastard is killing me!''

I look at the soldier she's pointing on the video game and laugh.

''What?" she frowns.

''Princess that's on your team.'' I say.

She's playing a war video game that is played with teams from different places.

I have never played this game, but I know what it is, David my old friend used to be obsessed with this.

Her eyes widen as she looks at me.

''Well that one.'' she points again, ''He is the one who's killing me.''

"That's also on your team.'' I say.

''That one.'' she points again, and I try my best not to laugh, ''Definitely that one.''

''Princess, that's you.'' I say as she points at her soldier.

She looks at me in disbelief and throws the console on the couch.

''One of them is fucking killing me!'' she says angry, and I laugh.

''Have you ever played this game before?" I ask. I know she hasn't judging by the fact she can't recognize her own soldier.

''Nope, I don't play video games.'' she says. ''I found the TV with the video game on, so I came to look at it out of curiosity. But know is making me mad.''

I smile and walk closer to her.

''The video game is making you mad?" I ask sitting down beside her.

''Yes, I need to win this but the dump one over there keeps killing me. Right as I start the video game, he kills me, can you believe it?" she says in an angry tone.

''I can't believe it! How could he?" I say trying to hold my smile.

''Exactly!" she throws her arms in the air.

I love it when she's angry.

''Come on let's play together.'' I grab the other console. ''I won't let them kill you don't worry.'' I nuzzle her with my elbow. She laughs and grabs her console.

''Let's be rivals.'' she says.

"Come on Olivia, let's not be enemies in this world.'' I say in a sad tone.

Why is my freaking voice so sad?

She looks at me and smiles a little.

''Okay then.''

We start the game and after a minute she shoots me.

"What the fu- Yo''' I look at her in disbelief.

She throws her head back on the couch laughing.

''You're not supposed to shoot me.'' I say and she laughs.

I smile as I hear her laugh.

''We're a team.'' I point at the Tv.

"Seems like I was the traitor on your team!'' she laughs at my face, and I roll my eyes.

I'm not even a single bit angry at her...I'm amused.

I'm amused to hear her laughter and see that she's happy.

Her laughter is so beautiful I want to keep it and hear it every day.

''Okay then traitor.'' I say getting up.

"Wait, wait.'' she clutches my arm, the skin tingles from her touch, ''Let's play another game, I promise I won't shoot you this time.''

I smile and sit down beside her.

''Keep your promise.'' I warn.

"Cross my heart and hope to die.'' she swears, and I shake my head.

We start the video game, and she really doesn't shoot me.

I risk myself million times to protect her from getting shot because she plays like a five year old.

''Yes!'' she shouts as we win the game.

''We won.'' I raise my hand to high-five her and she takes it laughing.

I connect our fingers together when her hand meets mine and she doesn't say anything.

I clench her hand once and let go of it.

''Let's play one more game.'' she says, ''I like this, it's easy.''

Easy because I'm doing all the work

I shake my head and put on the other level.

''Yay!'' she claps her hands, ''This time I'm protecting you my dear Joel. No worries.'' she winks.

My dear Joel.

We play for about two hours and we're close to the finale.

I can easily say that those two hours were the best hours of my life.

I don't remember the time when I have laughed this much.

Olivia Meyer is the easiest girl to be around to, she makes you smile and laugh without even trying. She's so sweet and I feel so good being around her.

You would literally lock me up in a room with her and I would never complain, I would enjoy it.

It feels so Goddamn good spending time with her.

This is our first time being together without actually fighting.  We're spending time together, playing video games and laughing.

And I feel...happy.

It was a long time since I felt happy. I even forgot about this feeling.

Am I really falling for Olivia Meyer?

I look at Oliva and her eyes are closed; her console is still on hand.

I stop the game and nuzzle her with my arm, ''Don't sleep, we have to complete the finale.''

''I can't, I want to sleep so bad.'' she rests her head at my shoulder.

''You're the one who slept on the bus and now you want to sleep again?" I ask and she groans on my shoulder.

My heart is gone from my chest...I think Olivia has it.

''Fine, let's play tomorrow the finale, okay?" I rub her hair.

''You promise?" she looks up at me.

"I promise.'' I smile.

She gets up sleepy and turns to look at me.

''It wasn't that bad spending time with you Joel Cullen.'' she says, and I give her a big smile.

''Dimples.'' she groans and looks away.

I remember that she told me she likes my dimples.

The day when I cried in her arms.

''Good night, Cullen.'' she says.

''Night Meyer.'' I watch her walk out.

☯☯☯☯

''Who's the idiot she's talking with?'' I say through my teeth.

''What?" Luke raises his head from the book.

''Nothing.'' I say.

It's eight on the morning and Olivia is out of her room.

We're supposed to leave the hotel to go the mountain at ten o'clock. She's up early.

And she's not alone.

She's walking near the lake with an ugly dude.

He has brown hair and he's very tall.

And she's fucking looking at him in awe. Stupid much?

And why is she talking and laughing with him? What's so funny that she's fucking laughing?

''What did the window do to you?" Luke asks.

''Hm?" I hum not looking at him.

"You're staring at the window like you want to kill it.'' he says.

I shake my head and continue staring at Olivia.

Our window has a full bright view from the lake.

''Hm so that's the reason.'' Luke says standing beside me. ''Who's the guy?"

''Don't know don't care.'' I walk away and sit on my bed.

''You're not jealous?" he raises an eyebrow.

''Why should I be?" I ask.

I'm not fucking jealous of her.

And did you look at the guy? I'm ten times better then him.

''They look pretty intimate together.'' Luke says looking out of the window.

Intimate? What intimate?

I get up and go near the window again.

What would happen if I opened the window, went out in the balcony and shouted at him not to touch her?

Suddenly the fuck face pushes Olivia's hair behind her ear, and she blushes.

Fucking blushes!!

I go away from the window and walk over the door.

Opening the door in anger I spot Katrina walking down the stairs.

''Katrina!" I yell and she flinches.

She looks at me wide eyed and I point at the window behind me, ''Find out who that stupid fuck is.'' I say and close the door with a bang.

''Not jealous I see.'' Luke smirks.

''Shut up.'' I sit at my bed.

I shift my gaze at the window at she's still fucking talking with him.

Oh God, I'm getting out of my Goddamn mind!

''So?" I ask Katrina as soon as she enters the room.

"Let her breathe.'' Luke closes the door.

''His name is Elliot Harper. Lives in LA, studies in 'Whitney' high school. He's seventeen years old. He's here for a holiday with his family.'' Katrina adjusts her glasses, ''His family owns the 'Harper' oil company.''

''Harpers are partners with the Meyers.'' Luke says and I nod.

Is that the reason she's talking to him? I so fucking hope so.

''Is he single? That's what Joel is worried about.'' Luke asks Katrina and I glare at him.

''He's single.'' she struggles to hold her smile.

''Thanks Katrina.'' I say getting up from the bed.

''You're wel-'' I close the door.

I walk out of my hotel room straight to the lake.

''Hi princess.'' I tug her by the waist.

She glares up at me and tries to free herself, but I harden my grip.

Not too pleased to have me here I see.

''Hi, I'm Elliot Harper.'' the fuck face says offering me his hand.

I look at his hand and back at his face.

''Joel Cullen.''

''Pleasure to meet you.'' he takes his hand away.

Not two sided jerk.

I look at Olivia and smile, ''Are you ready for the finale?''

I don't want to play especially now in the morning, but I'll do everything to get her away from this disturbing cockroach.

''Now?" she asks looking up at me.

''Yes now.'' I say

''Can't we do it later?"

"Nope, let's go.'' I say pushing her forward.

''Bye Elli.'' she waves at him.

Elli? She gave him a fucking nickname?

''His name is Elliot.'' I say.

''I like Elli more.'' she says walking ahead of me.

I don't say anything just clench my jaw.

We start playing the game and after a while I ask her about the fuck face aka Elli.

Elli my ass.

''So who's this Elliot guy?"

"I met him this morning. '' she says and looks at me, ''He's great.''

How cute.

I fake smile at her.

''Do you like him?" I ask.

What? I couldn't keep it inside anymore.

I look at her hopping she'd say no.

''He's cute.'' she replies.

Cute? What does cute mean?

Does she like him or not?

''He looks like a nice guy.'' I force myself to say just so I can get more information out of her pretty mouth.

And he's not fucking nice. Did I mention that he's a fuck face?

''Well, he's not my enemy, is he?" she elbows my side and I give her a half smile.

Right. He's not her enemy.

Is this all about being enemies?

Author's note:

The necklace:

The crystal box:

Word count: 4063.

Love you always,

G.T.Diola.