37. Mine

Joel

\\Maturity is realizing Joel never ever hated Olivia//

''Ouch, idiot!'' Avril yells as I pinch her arm.

She grabs a handful of snow and throws it at me. I dodge it at the last moment.

''Loser!'' I yell and run away.

We're at the mountain, the ski area.

It's pretty cool here, everyone is enjoying their time.

''Don't mess with me Joel.'' she warns bending over to create a snowball.

I run behind a tree and start making my own snowballs.

I smirk as I hold five snowballs on my hands and my twin just one.

''Go ahead, make your shoot.'' I unhide from the tree.

I laugh as she misses me.

''Now you're done.'' I show her my hands full with snowballs.

Her eyes widen and she starts running.

''No, Joel!'' she screams as I throw her two snowballs.

She falls at the third one.

I stalk closer to her laughing.

My siblings are the only people I laugh around to this much.

And Olivia.

I throw Avril the snowballs that are left on my hands, and she struggles to get up.

''I'm going to kill you.'' she threatens, and I laugh.

''Me? Your brother?" I ask making a heartbroken voice.

I reach my hand to her, and she grabs it, pulling me down on the ground with her.

I fall with a loud hump.

''You crazy witch.'' I groan and she lets out an evil laugh.

I get up and she throws snow at me.

Snow.

On my clothes.

''Avril!'' I yell ''You ruined my damn clothes!''

''You deserved it.'' she gets up and wipes the snow off herself.

''I'm gonna-''

''Stop you two. You're annoying me.'' Luke interrupts me.

''She started it.'' I say.

''Excuse me?" Avril looks at me.

''You're the one-'' Avril starts talking but I don't focus on her.

I shift my gaze on Olivia with the fuck face.

What in the fucking fuck is he fucking doing here?

He's telling her something and she's laughing at him. What's so funny that she's laughing?

I don't like her laugh at this moment.

The fuck face looks at Olivia with that look on his eyes. The look when you want someone.

He dares to look at my Olivia like that?

My Olivia.

''You dare to ignore me? Joel.'' Avril yells at me and I look at her.

Oh yeah, she was speaking.

''Go away witch.'' I push her face away and she slaps my arm.

''Will you two ever make peace?" Luke asks.

''No.'' we both answer.

''Joel! Joel!'' Katrina yells as soon as we enter the hotel's front gate.

What happened?

She runs toward me and suddenly slips on the snow.

I close my eyes as she falls on the ground.

Avril bursts out laughing and Luke shots her a glare. She stops laughing Immediately.

He helps her get up and she mutters a small ''thanks'', her cheeks flushed.

''I have to tell you something.'' she looks at me.

''Later Katrina, I'm tired.'' I say.

We climbed a fucking mountain today, plus the snow and my feet are dead.

''But it's important.'' she adjusts her glasses.

''Fine.'' I sigh and mention her to walk ahead.

''So, what is it?" I ask as we're far from Luke and Avril.

''It's about Olivia.'' she says.

''What about her?" I frown.

''I'll tell you, but you have to promise me you won't get mad.'' she says, and I close my eyes for a second, taking in a deep breath.

''Katrina.'' I narrow my eyes.

"I'll tell you later, you're already mad.'' she says and turns to go away.

I catch the hood of her jacket and drag her behind.

''Say it.'' I say and she blinks up at me.

''But-'' she stutters.

''Say. It.'' I let go of her hood.

''Um...okay...uh...Olivia is...uh she is.'' I look at her annoyed.

I can't anymore with this person.

Remind me why I'm working with her again?

''Olivia what, Katrina?" I ask trying to keep my voice as calm as possible.

Is she in trouble?

I swear to God if something bad happens to her, I'm going to kill this stuttering duck in front of me.

''She's going on a date.'' she blurts out and my hearts drops.

On a date.

Olivia?

''With whom?'' I clench my teeth.

She swallows and says the name I don't want to hear.

"Elliot Harper.''

Why the fuck is she going on a date with him? She just fucking met him.

Does she like him that much?

My heart fucking aches at that.

''It's not like a real date.'' Katrina begins, ''He wanted to show something at her, and she agreed.''

Right, of-fucking-course.

I clutch Katrina by her arm and whisper, ''Find when and where they're going.''

With that I leave.

I sit on my hotel's bed and bunce my leg, waiting for Katrina's text.

''What made you so worked up?" Luke asks looking up from his book.

''Read Luke.'' I say.

''I am reading, but your nervous self is distracting me.'' he says.

"Seems like your problem.'' I give him a look.

''Okay, what is it man?" he puts his book down and walks over to me.

''Nothing.'' I shift away from him.

''Joel, I know you. Something is definitely bothering you.'' he says. ''What's wrong?"

I get up and start pacing around.

''She's going on a date.'' I confess, ''And I don't know why it bothers me this fucking much.''

''It bothers you?" he raises his eyebrow.

I don't ask him how the fuck he knows who I'm talking about.

Am I that fucking obvious?

''I don't want her to go on that date, Luke.'' I whisper, ''I don't want him to be near her, I don't want him to look at her, to touch her, to hear her laugh. I don't want him to see how beautiful she is. I don't want him to recognize how an amazing person she is. I don't want him to see her perfect smile and the way her eyes light up whenever she's happy or exited. I don't want him to find out she has the kindest heart ever and that she is the best fucking person to exist in this world.''

I sit near him and rest my head on his shoulder.

''I like her so fucking much, Luke.'' I whisper. ''So, fucking much, it's killing me.''

Here, I said it. Out loud.

I admitted my feelings to my brother before I even admitted it to myself.

But there's nothing new anyway.

I liked her since I first laid my fucking eyes at her.

''You should tell her that.'' he says.

"Fuck no.'' I look at him.

''If you don't, you'll never find out how she feels about you.'' he says.

''I already know how she feels about me.'' I say my heart clenching, ''She hates me.''

''No, she doesn't.'' Luke shakes his head.

"Oh, but she does.'' I smile sadly.

Why would she like me anyway?

I'm such a selfish, worthless piece of shit.

I'm nothing in front of her.

My phone vibrates and I take it out of my pocket.

Katrina: ''The Pines Lakefront'' restaurant. At 4:30 Pm.

I stare at it my fist clenching.

It's 3:47 now, she must be getting ready.

''You should always fight for the ones you love Joel. If you don't someone else is going to do it.'' Luke speaks and I swallow.

I get out and close the door with a bang.

I stand at Oliva's door staring at it.

What the hell am I doing here?

What would Olivia think when she sees me here? Will she think that I'm a psychopath?

Will she leave me?

Everyone does eventually.

Everyone leaves when I show them another side of me.

I knock at the door without overthinking it anymore.

Overthinking makes you a coward.

''Lucy did you- Oh.'' her face fells when she sees me.

She does not want me here.

My heart falls on the floor.

I recover quickly and put on my signature face.

''Is Avril here? I'm looking for her everywhere so I thought she would be here fighting with you.'' I lie.

''Uh, no she's not.'' she answers.

I look at her and my mouth gets dry.

She looks so fucking beautiful. Perfection is jealous of her.

She's wearing a tight black dress with sleeves that reaches her knees with some black boots.

''Are you going anywhere?'' I ask her, looking her up and down.

''Yeah I...um, I'm going out with-'' she looks at me and then looks away as she says his name ''Elli.''

I nod at her.

Elli.

''No offence, but dressed like that?" I ask.

I'm not allowing her look this perfect for him, sorry not sorry.

''Why? What's wrong with my outfit?" she asks.

You look too hot in it.

''You look like you putted to much effort on it.'' I shrug and she frowns.

Yeah, she has no idea what I'm talking about.

''Have you ever been on a date?" I ask.

I know she hasn't.

''It's not a date. I'm not going on a date with him.'' she says, and I smile.

It feels my chest with a weird emotion hearing her say it.

''Okay, I get it.'' I raise my hands, ''But have you ever been on a date?"

''Nope.'' she says embarrassed.

''Okay, let me tell you something.'' I lean on the door frame, ''In your first date you dress normal. You should not put too much effort into it, because it will make you look desperate.''

''Oh my God!'' she gasps, ''Do I look desperate?"

''Very.'' I nod.

She makes a terrifying face.

''Should I change it then?" she says, and I smirk.

Mission accomplished.

''Yeah.'' I say, ''I can help you choose another outfit if you want?"

She looks at me in suspicion.

''Okay.'' she says.

I go to get in the room, but she stops me with a hand on my chest, ''Why are you doing this?''

I look at her hand on my chest and swallow.

"I have a soft spot for fashion, and you have never been on a date so why not?" I shrug.

She looks at me for a second and then nods, letting me get in.

Her scent envelops me as soon as I enter the room.

''So, do you have your clothes at the closet?'' I ask.

''Yep, right there.'' she points.

A weird sensation comes through me as I look at her clothes.

I look at her jeans, jacket, crop tops and dresses. They all are too good and make her look hot.

''Does this girl own anything ugly?" I mutter under my breath after I go in her clothes for a while.

''What?" Olivia asks.

''Nothing.''

I find another dress that is long.

I study its brownish colors with a frown.  It looks like its long and it has sleeves, so it won't be revealing right?

''That's a dress to wear on a church.'' Olivia says looking at it.

I look at her and grin.

''This one it is.''

''What?" her face drops, ''You want me to look like a nun? And that's Lucy's dress.''

''This one is perfect.'' I put the dress on her hands, ''Go and wear it.''

She gives in and enters the bathroom.

She'll look like a nun in it. And that's the whole point, make her look ugly. Not that it is very easy though. Olivia Meyer could wear a fucking plastic bag and she would still look beautiful.

''It's not that bad.'' she gets out of the bathroom and my jaw drops.

She's supposed to look ugly. What is this? She looks like a fucking doll!

''Absolutely not.'' I shake my head.

''Why not?" she looks at me in disbelief.

You look beautiful, my princess.

''You look too much of a nun. So go and change it'' I say and she lets out a groan.

''Wait, I'm picking one myself.'' she says and enters the bathroom after a while.

How the hell did I end up choosing my crush's date outfit?

''How's this one?" she asks.

I look at her and my breath disappears.

She's wearing a short black dress with black leggings.

The way those leggings show her legs and the cleavage of the dress?

Gorgeous.

Good thing is only me the one who's seeing her like this.

''Too much.'' I say.

"You're exaggerating it.'' she rolls her eyes.

"You're the one who's exaggerating.'' I say.

''Change it.'' I say and she huffs.

''You're too bad for a styler.''

''And you're too bad for a model, but do you see me complaining about it?" I say and she narrows her eyes.

''Change it.'' I say and she goes in the bathroom.

We try five more outfits and each of them is a no.

What it's not my fault she's so beautiful.

''Try this.'' I say.

I picked grey baggy jeans, white sweater, a white jacket and brown boots.

''Seriously?" she looks at me annoyed.

''What?" I ask.

"Those don't match. Brown boots seriously?" she asks.

''It will look good on you, go.'' I push her on the bathroom.

I just realized that she has too much fucking clothes with her. How did she manage to get all of them?

''This is ridiculous.'' she gets out of the bathroom.

Still beautiful.

But this one is acceptable.

''Perfect.'' I clasp my hands together and make a proud face.

She looks at me in disbelief.

''I look stupid.'' she watches herself on the mirror.

She does actually look stupid.

''No, you look amazing.'' I say trying to hold my laugh.

''I don't trust you at all.'' she shakes her head.

''I promise, you look amazing.'' I say.

''Fine.'' se throws her hands on the air. ''Let me finish my makeup look.''

Makeup? What makeup?

''Thanks...I guess.'' she says after a while.

''Oh, come on, what are the enemies for?" I say and she laughs.

I put my hands at my pocket and clutch the box with the necklace in it.

Should I give it to her now? It's hers anyway.

She looks at herself on the mirror. ''Should I keep my hair down?"

She looks beautiful with her hair down.

''I think you should tie it up. You know, change the look.'' I shrug.

''Good idea.'' she looks at me like she can't believe it that I'm helping her.

''Hey, Olivia?'' I say and she turns at me.

''Um...the lady on that antique shop gave me a necklace as a gift after I bought something else from her.'' I lie and get out the box from my pocket. ''Avril doesn't like it so I was thinking on giving it to you.''

She looks at me in surprise.

Sometimes I'm afraid of myself. I can lie so easily and make people fell for it hard as fuck.

I even believe my own lies sometimes.

''You're giving me a necklace?" she asks looking at me in wonder.

''Well, I'm not wearing it myself.'' I say and she rolls her eyes.

''Do you want it or not?" I ask looking at her hopping she would say yes.

I want her to say yes.

''It's like...weird.'' she says not looking at me.

''Okay then, I'll go give it to Alexa.'' I say trying to hide my smirk.

''No need.'' she grabs my arm, stopping me from walking out of the room.

I raise my eyebrow at her, and she drops my arm.

''I'll get it.'' she shows her hand at me.

I drop the crystal box on her palm.

''Oh, wow, amazing.'' she looks at the box in awe, ''Where did you find this?"

"The lady gave it to me.'' I lie again. Actually, it's not a lie, the lady picked the box.

She opens the box's lid and gasps.

''This is beautiful.'' she picks the necklace up, studying it.

My heart relaxes at the sight of her liking it.

I kinda was in doubt if she would like it or not.

Olivia looks at the crown and smiles.

''This looks expensive, how did that lady give it to you for free?" she asks.

''Maybe she didn't know it's worth.'' I shrug and she nods.

''Will you help me put it on?" she asks, and my heartbeat quickens.

Yes please.

''Sure.'' I clear my throat.

She turns her back on me and pushes her hair in front of her, revealing her neck.

I have to stop myself from kissing the spot behind her ear.

My fingers make contact with her skin, and she shudders. I bite my lip suppressing a smile.

I love the effect I have on her.

''Done.'' I say as I clasp the necklace on her neck.

''Thank you.'' she turns around.

I kinda stop breathing when I see it hanging on her neck.

Perfect.

She's perfect.

''It's really beautiful, I really like it.'' she looks at it, ''How did Avril not like this?"

''Uh...no clue.'' I say.

Would Avril like that? I have no clue about that too.

''Oh my God look at the time!'' she says terrified looking at the watch on her wrist. ''It's 4:17!''

Getting her late. Done.

''Get out it's all your fault.'' she pushes me out of her room, and I raise my hands at surrender.

I leave with a smirk on my face.

''Psst, Joel.'' I hear someone whispering my name.

I turn around with a frown. No one is here.

''Joel.'' I spot Katrina hiding on a corner.

What the fuck?

"Come here.'' she whispers again, and I approach her.

''What are you doing psycho?" I say at her, and she grabs my arm hiding me too.

''Look.'' she points outside the hotel.

Oh wow, Olivia with the fuck face.

I narrow my eyes at them.

''Her outfit is stupid.'' Katrina whispers.

"I know.'' I give her a proud look and she gasps.

''You, did it?" her eyes widen, ''How?"

"You underestimate me.'' I say looking at Olivia.

''You look beautiful.'' the fuck face says looking at her in awe and my face drops.

''Thank you.'' she smiles sweetly at him.

''Let's go, my car is there.'' fuck face says, and she follows him.

I hear Katrina muffle a laugh beside me.

''One thing and you're over.'' I say my voice tight.

''I'm not saying anything.'' she says.

I hear her laugh after a minute.

''You did all that only for him to find her beautiful.'' she laughs, and I show her a glare.

"You want to die?" I say and she shakes her head in fear.

Olivia.

Elli took me to a restaurant that it's near the lake.

He wanted to show me the birds here. I loved them, they were so freaking cute.

''So, what do you think of this place?" he asks.

''It's awesome, I like it here.'' I smile.

''It's my favorite place.'' he says, ''I come here every holiday with my family.''

Elliot is really a nice guy. I have met him once before, when our company organized a big event with all the employees. He was there too because his family's company is our partner.

I find him cute. He's a cute boy.

His hair is brown instead of blonde and his eyes are green instead of the ocean ones I have fallen for.

Why the fuck am I comparing him with Joel?

I clutch the necklace he gave me on my hand.

It's a shiny crown with diamond in it. I refuse to believe that the lady gave it to him.

I recall Joel in that shop on my mind. He looked so... different.

He was smiling and speaking so calmly with that old lady. I couldn't hear the words, but it looked like they had a nice conversation.

I couldn't tear my eyes off him, he looked so cute and such a golden boy.

Why would he give me the necklace?

It has a crown on it...

''Olivia?" Elli calls and my eyes snap on him.

I can't believe I'm thinking of him when another boy is sitting in front of me.

''Yeah?'' I force a smile.

''I asked do you plan on coming here again.'' he says.

''Um...maybe why not?" I say and he smiles.

My phone vibrates on the table.

Joel Cullen: Enjoying yourself?

I smile as I read it.

I know it very well that he's jealous. He doesn't even try to hide it.

I can't believe I fucking allowed him to dress me this way. But the fucker was so genuine I fucking fell for it.

I type him a reply to get on his nerves.

He needs to pay for what he did to me.

Me: Very. *Winking emoji*

His reply comes immediately.

Joel Cullen: I see.

I leave him on read and listen to Elli talking.

I smile and nod at the appropriate time.

Joel Cullen: Why aren't you eating?

I frown at that.

How does he know that I'm not eating?

I take a look around the restaurant with a hard beating heart.

He's nowhere to be seen.

So how?

Me: How do you know I'm not eating?

Joel Cullen: I just guessed.

I don't believe him at all.

Joel Cullen: Which means my guess is correct. Why aren't you eating?

Me: I'm not hungry.

Elli says something that I didn't hear, but I smile and nod at him.

Joel Cullen: You're not hungry or you don't like the food he ordered?

Joel Cullen: What an asshole, ordered the food by himself. *Eyeroll emoji*

I take a sip from my water as I read his texts.

Me: No, I like the food.

Joel Cullen: Really princess? Because that looks like seafood to me, and you don't like seafood.

What in the bleeding livid gates of hell?

Me: You know wrong.

Joel Cullen: Sure thing, princess. *Smirk emoji*

''Olivia?" Elli asks and I look up at him.

''Yeah?"

''Why aren't you eating?" he asks.

''I'm going to eat it now.'' I smile.

I look down at the fish and force myself to take a bite from it.

Oh God, it's disgusting.

''Do you like it?" Elli asks.

''Yeah, it's good.'' I chew on it trying my best to smile.

''I told you so.'' he continues to eat his own food.

I don't know how I managed to swallow it without throwing up.

I don't like fish or any other kind of seafood, it tastes like shit.

And I don't care how good for your health it is, I wouldn't eat it even if I was dying.

Joel Cullen: You good?

I frown.

Me: Yeah why?

Joel Cullen: You look like you want to throw up.

What in the Lucy's stalker books is this?

Is he watching me? What am I saying, of course he is!

Stupid psychopath.

Me: Joel, are you watching me?

Joel Cullen: Of course not.

I roll my eyes as I read it.

Me: Where are you?

Joel Cullen: Where do you think?

Oh my God, I can't believe it.

I look around to spot him, but there's no sign of him.

Is he watching me from the security cameras?

I wouldn't be surprised if he hacked them.

Me: Joel.

Joel Cullen. Yes, princess?

Me: You're ruining my date.

Joel Cullen: Oh really? Shit.

I put the phone at the table with a scoff.

Arrogant much?

''Hey, are you okay?" Elli asks touching my hand.

''Yeah, I'm good.'' I smile up at him.

''You sure? You look like you've seen a ghost.'' he says.

More like a devil.

My phone vibrates again, and I peek at it.

Joel Cullen: Take your hand away from his.

I stare at it my eyes wide. I didn't realize Elli was holding my hand.

I reach for the phone with my other hand, not letting go of Elli's hand.

Me: Or what?

Joel Cullen: You wouldn't want to know.

I roll my eyes at his text.

''Is something bothering you?" Elli asks brushing my hand with his thumb.

''There's an idiot that keeps texting me, but don't worry I can handle it.'' I smile.

He nods and then kisses my hand.

My phone immediately vibrates.

Joel Cullen: Olivia.

I rest my chin at my hand and smile at Elli. He's still holding my hand.

Joel Cullen: Your choice.

My eyes widen.

What is he going to do? Come here?

After a while my phone vibrates.

Is he calling me?

I frown at the caller ID.

''Katrina?"

''Olivia, you have to come back. Lucy is not okay.'' she says.

''What?'' I get up from my seat, ''What's wrong with her?''

''Katrina?" she hangs up.

''What's wrong?'' Elli asks worried.

"I have to go, I'm so sorry.'' I pick up my bag.

''Wait, let me take you to your hotel.'' he says, and I give him a grateful smile.

I swear if he did something to my sister, I'm literally going to kill him.

For real this time.

''Lucy!'' I yell entering the hotel room.

I frown as I find her reading on her bed, exactly how I left her.

And she's unharmed.

''What?" she asks looking up from her book.

''You're...okay.'' I breath out.

''Yeah? Why wouldn't I be?'' she asks confused.

Fucking Joel Cullen.

I open the door and walk out.

"Wait, where are you going?" Lucy calls behind me.

''Joel.'' I yell banging at his hotel room's door. ''Open the fucking door.''

The door opens and I find myself looking at a gorgeous Joel in grey sweatpants and a black shirt.

This is not the fucking time to be hot man!

''You did it.'' I push at his chest.

''Did what?" he asks.

''Do not play fucking dump with me Joel!'' I push at his chest again and get into his room, ''I know that you did it.''

''You left me no other choice.'' he looks at me.

"And you used my sister?" I yell.

''I warned you.'' he comes closer to my face, ''You should have stopped him from touching you.''

''So what if he touched me?" I ask raising my head to look directly in his eyes.

''He can't touch what's mine.'' he says, his chest brushing mine.

"Oh, and I'm fucking yours?" I laugh humorlessly.

''Yes, you are fucking mine.'' he rests his forehead on mine.

My breath hitches at his words.

''No, I'm not. I fucking hate you.'' I breath out.

''I don't give a fuck if you hate me or like me. You're mine and nothing with change that fact.'' he says.

''I'm not yours.'' I push at his chest.

Since when I'm his?

''To bad, it's not you who gets to decide.'' he says.

"Yes, it is, it's me who we're talking about.'' I say.

''Like the fuck I care.'' he says and brushes past me, leaving me alone in his hotel room.

What the heck just happened?

I sit on the bed I suppose it's his and try to understand what happened.

Joel Cullen just claimed me as his.

I don't know how I feel about this.

⚛⚛⚛⚛

Today is our last day at Big Bear Lake. We're leaving tomorrow early in the morning.

We're having a big party tonight, without the teachers and I'm so excited about it.

Except the fact that I have to make Lucy come at the party, I'm not excited about it.

''I'd rather read a book.'' she says while Reading a Goddamn book!

''Don't you get tired from reading?" I ask.

She looks up at me and then drops her gaze at the book on her lap. ''Nope.''

''Look, you have to come to this party. It's going to be awesome and we're going to have so much fun.'' I sit next to her, ''Please.''

"No.''

"Pretty please.'' I make my famous 'puppy eyes'

"Still a no.''

"Pretty, pretty please.''

She looks at me and sighs.

A sigh means yes.

''Yay!" I cheer, ''We're going to have so much fun, I promise.'' I hug her.

''Right.'' she says.

That was an irony...

''I'm leaving with Elli, so you kinda need to go there alone with Andy.'' I say.

"Awesome.'' she says.

That was an irony too...

I'm waiting for Elli in front of the hotel's gate.

He's kinda late though. He's supposed to be her about fifteen minutes ago.

I'm wearing a tight short black dress with a black coat on but it's still cold.

I'm freezing in here.

Lights approach me and I smile.

Thank you, God, for saving me from this cruel cold!

My smile drops when I see whose car it is and who's the person inside it.

Joel's car comes to my feet, and he opens the passenger's door from inside.

''Get in.'' he simply says, and I roll my eyes.

''You're lying to yourself if you think I'm going with you.'' I cross my arms.

''You're lying to yourself if you think I'm letting you go with him.'' he says.

How does he- You know what, never mind, I don't care.

I look at him, not making any attempt to get in his glorious car.

"Get in or I'll make you.'' he says, and I swallow.

I don't move and he opens his door.

''Okay, fine, Jeez!'' I say and get in his car.

''It wasn't that hard, was it?" he smirks as I close the door.

I glare at him.

I put on the seatbelt and look around the car. It's my first time being in his car...like for real being here, putting the tracker doesn't count.

It's clean and masculine. Can a car be masculine? I don't know, but his is.

And it smells like him. Goddamn it, it smells too much like him!

I peek at him from the corner of my eye, and I wish I didn't. He's driving with only one hand and his other hand is resting on the gear selector. He looks so damn hot.

I watch him turn on the heat of the car and warmness envelops me.

I didn't realize that I was shivering.

He did.

''Are you still mad?" he asks after a while, and I look at him.

"For what? Ruining my so-called date, using my sister or calling me yours?" I ask angrily.

''For using your sister.'' he looks at me, ''As for others, I'm not sorry."

Of course he isn't.

I face forward not answering him.

''I'm sorry.'' he says, and my eyes widen, ''For using your sister, not two other things.''

I roll my eyes at that.

''Are we good?" he asks.

I glare at him and face forward again.

''Seems like we're not.'' he chuckles.

''Open it.''' he points at the car's glove compartment.

I look at him confused and do as he say.

My smile widens as I see what's in there.

My favorite chocolate.

With strawberries.

Another one was on my bag the day we came here. I suppose it was him who put it in there.

''Am I forgiven now?" he asks.

''Maybe.'' I look at him.

He gives me a dimpled smile and my heart melts from the sight of it.

We arrive at the party, and I get out of his car as soon as he parks it.

I leave without looking at his expression.

The party is really huge, there are people that I don't know beside my classmates and Lucy's classmates.

Loud music erupts my ears as I go inside. Teens dance around and drink from the red cups in their hands. I can smell the alcohol in the air.

''Liv.'' Andy calls from the end of the room and I smile.

I walk through a couple that are making out and approach him and a not so happy Lucy sitting on a couch.

''Hi.'' I grin and Lucy glares at me.

''Hello, the prettiest girl in the world.'' Andy hops an arm around my shoulder.

''Are you enjoying the party?" I ask.

"Yes.'' Andy answers.

"No.'' Lucy glares.

''Don't mind her.'' Andy brushes Lucy off with his hand.

I laugh.

''Come on, Lucy, let's dance.'' I move my hips and my sister rolls her eyes.

''You can dance, I'm good.'' she says looking up at me.

''You're such a bore.'' Andy sips from his drink.

''I'd rather say I'm more intelligent than you, I'm not the one moving and jumping like an idiot and drink like an animal.'' she scrunches her nose in disgust.

''Do you realize that she just told us that we're idiots and act like animals?" Andy says in my ear.

"Yep.'' I nod.

Me and Andy dance together and Lucy looks at as in a judging way.

I want to laugh at her expression, but she would literally kill me.

''I'm going to take a look around.'' I say at Andy.

"Okay cherie, have fun but not too much fun. Got it?'' Andy says.

"Got it dude.'' I smile.

God, it's too crowded here.

''Olivia.'' Elli walks toward me.

"Oh, Elli. Hi.'' I smile and hug him.

I completely forgot about him; he was supposed to pick me up.

Fuck you, Joel!

''Sorry, my car's tires were punctured so I came a little bit late.'' he apologizes.

I already know the reason why his tires got punctured.

''It's okay, I got a taxi.'' I lie.

He smiles and then stalks closer to me.

Elliot has very handsome features. He has brown curly hair that I really like, and he stands very tall.

Joel is taller than him though.

Why don't I like Elli instead?

He's very handsome...and nice.

''You look very pretty today.'' he says leaning closer to me, putting a hand at the wall beside my head.

"Thank you.'' I smile.

''Have I ever told you that you have a pretty smile?" he asks.

"No, tell me.'' I smile again.

''You have a pretty smile.'' he says leaning closer to my lips.

I look down at his lips, but they don't give me the same emotions as Joel's.

When I look at Joel's lips a warm feeling erupts in my stomach and the butterflies on my belly go wild. When I look at his lips a huge desire to touch and taste them grows inside of me.

Nothing comes though me when I look at Elli.

If he leans in to kiss me, would I let him to? Would I kiss him back?

Why does it feel like a betrayal to Joel?

Elli is pushed off me at the moment his lips where about to touch mine.

Joel's angry face comes to my vision, and I swallow looking at him.

''What the-'' Elli's word are cut off as Joel punches him straight to his jaw.

I cover my mouth with my hand as I look at the terrifying scene in front of me.

Joel punches him again and he falls on the floor with a loud thump.

''Stay away from her, you hear me?" Joel bends over to Elli.

"Or what?" Elli spits out blood, grinning up at Joel like a maniac.

Joel punches him again.

''No, Stop.'' I yell coming in between them.

Elli tries to move, and Joel punches him.

''Joel.'' I grab his arm and try to pull him away from him.

''Stop.'' I yell and he stills.

''Stop it.'' I come closer to him.

He looks at me and his eyes soften.

Then he grabs my arms and pushes me inside a room.

He locks the door and I stare at him.

''What the-''

"Shut the fuck up.'' he yells at me, and I flinch at the sudden raise of voice.

''What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I yell back at him.

He narrows his eyes and stalks closer to me.

"What the fuck do You think you're doing?" he asks, his voice tight.

I glare at him, and he glares back.

''Olivia are you okay? What's going on in there?" Elli's voice comes through the door.

"Fuck off.'' Joel yells not taking his eyes off me.

''It's okay Elli. You can go.'' I say and Joel clenches his jaw.

I don't like him like this.

He's too brutal...too harsh.

''You were going to kiss him, huh?" he asks his face closer to mine.

"So what if I was going to kiss him?" I raise my chin up.

He grabs me by my shoulders and pushes me at the wall harshly.

''You can't fucking kiss him.'' he says.

''And who says so? You?" look up at his eyes.

His ocean eyes.

''Which part of you are mine you didn't understand?" he hisses.

''The part that I'm not fucking yours?" I say and he looks at me in anger.

He looks down at my lips and up at my eyes. I lick my lips as I look up at him.

Our lips are close, itching to meet.

''You're going to stay away from him Olivia.'' he orders.

"Or what? You're going to punch me too?" I whisper.

''You know I can't do that.'' he breaths out.

The air gets stuck in my lungs at his sudden confession. His dark gaze falling upon me makes my throat dry. I shake my head and snap out of his gaze. "Step away from me Joel.'' I say trying to push him away.

"I can't'' he whispers.

He looks down on my lips and shifts his face closer to me, our noses touching. His breath is heavy as he holds himself from kissing me.

I want him to kiss me.

''What are you doing?" I whisper. I swallow as the distance between our lips shortens.

''Trying not to kiss you.'' he says, and I look up at him.

His hands end up on my waist, drawing me close to his hot body. His touch sends shivers down my spine. A shaky breath leaves my lips as he draws circles with his thumb on my skin.

We're too close, our bodies have become one with each other. I can feel his breath and his scent coming directly to my nostrils is making me dizzy.

I look down at his lips and look back at his eyes. His gaze is on my lips, and I lick them because of nervousness.

''Fuck it.'' he whispers and kisses me.

My breath is stolen from my lungs.

I gasp as his lips are connected to mine. He grabs my face between his hands and kisses me. His kiss and touch are desperate and delicate at the same time.

Joel Cullen is kissing me.

He squeezes my jaw a little making me open my mouth. And I do, without any fighting, I open my mouth and his tongue slips inside. And I kiss him back.  Because I want this as much as he does.

I wrap my hands around his neck and kiss him recklessly.

Joel kisses me as if the world is about to fall down on us.

He kisses me as if his life depends on it, as if it was the only thing that could make his heart, beat on his chest.

His hands move through my hair down to my shoulders and to my waist. He grips my waist and pulls me closer to him.

His lips are soft as he kisses me. He's soft but demanding as he kisses me with full desire.

I finally got to know what Joel Cullen's lips taste like.

Sweet mint.

We pull away and look at each other's eyes. The ocean blue of his is dark.

Our breathing is heavy as we look at each other. The time seems to stop as I gaze at his blue eyes.

''Fuck.'' he suddenly says and pulls away from me.  He lets go of my waist as if my touch burns him. I look at him confused as he paces around.

And there's where it hits me.

He lost the bet.

I won.

''You lost the bet.'' I whisper.

I can't believe it that I actually won.

He looks at me in disbelief, hurt flashes in his eyes.

''No, I didn't.'' he says after a while.

My face falls.

What does he mean by he didn't?

''What?" I ask my brows furrowing.

"I didn't lose the bet." He repeats.

''You just kissed me.'' I get away from the wall.

"And you kissed me back.'' he looks at me.

''What do you mean by that?" I shake my head.

"You kissed me back; you shouldn't have done that.'' he says.

''The bet wasn't like that. The rules are clear, the one who kisses the other first loses. You kissed me and you lost.'' I walk closer to him, and he takes a step back. I frown at that.

''I don't give a fuck about the rules, and you know it.'' he says.

"You lost Joel, the bet is over.'' I narrow my eyes walking closer to him.

He takes a step back again.

Why isn't he allowing me to get closer to him? His hands were on my body, demanding me to get closer and closer to him and now he doesn't want me near him?

''I didn't lose, and the bet isn't over.'' he walks to the door.

''This is ridiculous.'' I scoff.

He unlocks the door and steps out.

''Joel.'' I call after him, but he doesn't return.

He can't be fucking serious!

Author's note.

I haven't had my first kiss yet, but I still wrote about it. *Smirk emoji*

Word count: 6050

I know, I know it's too long. Sorry.

But I hope you enjoyed it.

Love you alwaysss.

G.T. Diola.