41. Be mine

Olivia.

''We have to go.'' I run free from Joel's grip, and he lets out a complaining groan.

I try my best to suppress a smile.

We're still on the girl's locker and I'm a little bit afraid of girls running in here and catching Joel.

Not that I'm scared of them, RAN and the scandal it would cause scares me.

Joel drops his arm around my shoulder as I approach the door.

I give him a questioning look and he winks at me.  Seems like Joel Cullen likes physical touch.

I roll my eyes to him just to seem tough when I'm actually melting from the inside.

I'm faced with Sam Archer as I step outside.

''Sam! What are you doing here?" I ask and drop Joel's arm from my shoulders. He looks at me not amused.

Sam looks at me and then at Joel with hunting eyes, which to be honest kinda scares me.

Then he leaves without saying anything.

I watch him leave down the hallway with my heart beating loudly.

I have a feeling that this is not a good thing. Sam has always given me a bad vibe, and today he was reflecting the bad atmosphere more than before.

''Sam Archer is really weird. I don't like him at all.'' I turn to Joel who is leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. He looks at me with his eyes narrowed.

''What?" I ask.

''Are you ashamed of me?" he asks out of blue, and I frown.

''No, why would you say that?" I ask stalking closer to him.

''You dropped my arm as soon as you saw Sam. You were either afraid or ashamed.'' he says, ''I believe the last one.''

''You believe wrong.'' I say. ''I'm not ashamed of that, there's no reason to. I was just afraid of the rumors that would start if he saw that. I acted out of instinct.''

He nods then, but his face looks hurt.

I catch his arm and hop it around my shoulders. ''Are we okay now?" I say and he just looks at me not impressed.

I kiss his cheek then. ''What about now?"

''I'm considering it.'' he says with a mischievous look.

I roll my eyes and give a peck to his lips. He licks his lips and smiles.

''I guess we're good.'' he taps my nose.

My heart feels light and happy as I walk down the hall with him. But there is a bit of concern crawling its way up to my chest.

My mind seems to worry about two things.

One, what are we and two what is going to happen to us.

I catch Katrina with the corner of my eye as we walk. She was hiding behind a corner with a phone on her hand, but when I looked again, she was gone.

Why was she hiding like a spy?

''Tell me pumpkin, how was school?"  dad asks looking at the cards on his hands.

We're playing cards together at the living room, me and dad against mom and Lucy.

''It's nice.'' I say looking at my cards carefully.

I got the red Joker. Talking about luck?

''Just nice?'' he asks.

''Yeah...'' I glance at Lucy who seems just as confused as me.

Is he suspicious about something?

''Is something happening between you and the Cullen?'' he asks, and I freeze in place.

Does he know anything about Joel?

''Which Cullen?'' I ask.

''Oh no, I meant the Cullens. The tree of them.'' he says, and I let out a breath, ''Is something happening that I need to be aware and take care of?"

''Oh no, don't worry dad.'' I say, ''There isn't anything for you to worry about.''

''Okay.'' he nods, ''I'm trusting you.''

I smile.

''Okay, let's continue the game.'' dad clasps his hands.

''Let's destroy them.'' I shout.

''You're going to lose.'' dad picks up his cards.

''Oh, not as long as I'm alive.'' mom picks up her own cards and looks at Lucy. ''Let's start the war, pirate.''

''Aye, aye, captain.'' Lucy laughs.

''Soldier.'' dad shouts.

''Present, sir.'' I say.

'''Attack.'' he shouts and puts on the table his card.

''Oh, you're over!'' mom makes an evil laugh and puts on a card with the number two. ''We start with big cards.''

''No.'' I yell and the pirates laugh.

''I have the Joker.'' I say to dad.

"Don't sacrifice it now soldier.'' dad says.

''Are you playing or not?'' Lucy says with a smirk.

We don't have the cards to beat the number two expect the Joker, but I'm not using it now.

''Pass.'' me and dad say at the same time.

Lucy puts on number three, and I continue with four.

''Oh, you're so losing.'' mom laughs adding a six.

''Laughs best who laughs last, love.'' dad says and high fives me.

''Yeah.'' I add with a smirk.

We lost.

''Come on, dance for us.'' mom twirls her finger, leaning in the couch and I shot her a narrow look.

The losers dance in front of the winners, that was the deal.

''You cheated.'' dad says.

''Yes.'' I cross my arms.

''That's what losers say.'' Lucy says.

''Ha, good one my sweet pirate.'' mom high fives Lucy. ''Those are loser's words.''

''I show you the loser.'' dad grabs mom and throws her over his shoulder.

''No, Christian!'' she screams as dad twirls around with her on his arms.

''Let's dance.'' he says and me and Lucy laugh.

I love my family so much.

⚛⚛⚛⚛

''Cherie!'' Andy yells running toward me as I get out of Lucy's car.

''What? What happened?" I ask in concern.

''Nothing, I missed you.'' he says, and I look at him in disbelief.

Who runs yelling like that just because you missed someone? And we were together yesterday.

''Aww, I missed you to buddy.'' I hug him.

I love this dump maniac.

''Lucy!'' he yells and grabs her face, kissing her cheek.

I laugh as she tries to escape his hold.

''Oh, my chéries, I'm going to miss you so much.'' he leans on Lucy's shoulder, ''I'm leaving for France this afternoon.''

''But today is Thursday.'' I frown, ''Weren't you supposed to go on the weekend?''

''Change of plans.'' he says, ''But I'm returning on Monday, don't worry.''

''It won't be the same without you Andy.'' Lucy says.

''I know, right?'' he gives us a proud look.

''I'm going to the library.'' Lucy says.

''And I'm heading to the gym.'' Andy says walking backward.

''Thank you for leaving me alone.'' I say.

''You won't die.'' Lucy says.

I don't like being alone. It's sad and very quiet. I feel like I'm suffocating in the silence when I'm alone.

''Good morning.'' Avril says and sits down on the couch.

God, I said I don't like being alone, but I didn't ask you to bring me her.

''Morning.'' I say and she smiles.

Smiles?

''You like Lana Del Rey?'' she asks looking at my bracelet with Lana's name.

''Uh, yeah. I love her.'' I say.

''I love her too!'' she says enthusiastically leaning in the table. ''She's my favorite singer!''

Her face is bright as she smiles, and I look at her in shock.

It's my first time seing Avril so carefree and actually talking to me instead of arguing.

And it's my first time seing her smile.

What is it with Cullen and smiling?

They never smile as if you're holding them under a gun.

She realizes what she's doing and sits back on her place, dropping the smile.

I look at her and something like guilt forms on my stomach.

Avril looks so alone.

She stays all the time with her brothers and when none of them is around she stays alone. She's not friends with any girl in the school. She is part of the cheerleading, but it seems like she looks at the girls as the ones she just dances with not her friends.

I wonder if she feels alone not having a girl friend to talk with.

''What's your favorite song from her?" I ask without thinking.

My empath self is going to lead me toward trouble someday.

She looks at me, her eyes wide opened. There's a glint of hope and uncertainty in her big green eyes. ''Um... I love all her songs. But the one that I'm loving currently is 'Sweet serial killer'. It has a catchy dark vibe.''  she says while smiling.

I'm too busy gawking at her smile that I forgot to say something.

She looks at me as she's afraid doing something wrong and I give her a big smile.

''Yeah, I love that song too. My now favorite is 'Cola' '' I give her a mischievous look.

''Mmm, okay.'' she says playfully, and I laugh.

Well, if you know you know.

I wonder how it would have been if I was friends with Avril Cullen.

She is mean and has a serious look. But I'm starting to think that it's just an act.

Maybe she's actually sweet and very nice.

Just like Joel.

''I have to go now.'' she says looking at her phone, ''Is it a problem that you'll be alone here?"

''Uh... no.'' I say taken back by her question, ''It's okay you can go.''

She smiles at me and then leaves.

Okay, what the actual fuck?

Do I have cancer and they are being nice with me because those are my last days?

My favorite strawberry chocolate is placed at the table in front of me and I look up to find Joel smiling down at me.

''Is that for me?" I ask and he nods sitting down. Beside me.

Okay, stay calm.

I take a bite from the chocolate and blissful tase explodes on my mouth. Closing my eyes enjoying the trip from haven and back I lean on the couch. I would never get tired eating this amazing human invention.

''Thanks.'' I open my eyes to look at Joel.

He has his arm on the table and resting his head on his palm, looking at me.

I forgot how to breath.

Again.

''You're welcome.'' he smiles.

He's smiling really often those days.

''Can I ask you something?'' he asks after a while, and I nod.

''Be mine.'' I choke on my chocolate.

''Easy.'' he reaches and strokes my back.

What the hell?

He's asking me to be his?

I look at him in shock and he raises his eyebrow.

''So?" he asks.

I stare at him unable to say a thing. I don't know how to feel about this.

Do I want to be his? Yes? No? Maybe?

I love him, and I really want to be with him all the time. I want him to be mine.

And I want to be his.

Oh God I'm in some serious troubles.

''I mean you are mine; you just have to admit it.'' he grins, and I look at him in disbelief.

My face falls and anger builds inside me.

What am I a fucking animal that he can own and buy?

I was going to say yes, I'm going to be yours, but now I changed my mind.

If he's so sure that he can own me whenever he likes, he needs to learn his damn lesson.

I'm going to make him crawl and beg to me to make me his.

And he's going to ask nicely.

''Thank you for your clarifications.'' I get up, ''Don't come near me again.''

I turn to walk away, but he clutches my wrist and pulls me down. I yelp as I fall back down on his lap. His lap. Holly shit.

He holds me by my waist and his other hand is on my thigh.

''You didn't answer.'' he says.

''No.'' I look at him. ''My answer is no, Joel.''

''Even if you say no, you're still mine.'' he strokes my thigh and my skin tingles.

Focus, Olivia.

''Go to hell.'' I push him and get up from his lap.

''If I'm going to hell, I'm dragging you with me. You'll never escape me.'' he says and my breath hitches.

We were so good when he had forgotten his attitude at home.

''I hate you.'' I lie.

''We're both lying here but yeah, our feelings are mutual.'' he smirks, and I turn away frustrated.

I get out of the cafeteria and walk down the hall.

''Hey, wait.'' Joel calls behind me.

I turn at him and he approaches me smiling.

I can't fucking stay mad at him when he smiles.

''What-'' he starts.

''Joel!'' a girl squeaks and jumps on his arms.

My blood boils at the sight in front of me.

What now, we got a secret girlfriend?

I should have known this! How the fuck did I trust a Cullen.

And he has the guts to ask me to be his!

Fuck you man.

''Samantha.''' he says between his teeth and pushes the girl away.

This girl Samantha has black wavy hair and she's wearing a purple dress with white knee socks black boots and a purple jacket on. I love her style, but it has too much purple. Even her make up consist glittery purple eyeshadow.

She's pretty.

I hate the jealousy creeping inside of me.

''What are you doing here?" Joel asks her.

I bet he's afraid that his secret girlfriend is going to reveal.

''Aww, you're so cute.'' she pinches his cheeks and kisses him on the cheek.

Oh, I'm going to murder this girl.

She looks at me and gasps. I narrow my eyes at her.

''Is this your girlfriend?" my face turns into a frown, ''Oh my Gosh she's so cute!'' she runs toward me and hugs me, taking my breath out of my lungs.

Why would his girlfriend think of me as his girlfriend?

Do they have a threesome as their thing?

And why the heck isn't he denying it?

Why aren't I denying it?

''I'm Samantha.'' the girl pulls away. ''Luke's fiance.''

Wait what?

''Oh.'' I say, my murder intentions slipping away, ''You're the fiance.''

''Yes!'' she squeaks.

Joel looks at me smirking and then turns to Samantha.

"What are you doing here, Samantha?'' he asks her.

''I'm here to met Luke.'' she says and grabs his arm, ''Quick, take me to him.''

''I'm not taking you to him and don't touch me.'' he drops her hand away.

Joel seems like he hates her. Why would he hate his brother's fiance?

''Aww, you're so grumpy.'' she pats his cheek, and he walks backwards in disgust.

''How do you deal with him?" she turns to me.

I look at her in surprise. How do I deal with him?

Do I even do that?

''I bet he's all sunshine to you.'' she laughs.

''Can you shut up?" he glares at her and she laughs more.

''Let's go find Luke.'' she pushes him and then turns at me, ''I'm sorry to steal him from you.''

''Nah, don't be sorry at all.'' I say. You just saved me.

He looks at me and then glares at Samantha.

"Don't be surprised when you wake up in haven one day.'' he threatens, and she glares.

''You're threating me with death?" she asks.

''No, I'm just telling you how life works.'' he says with a fake smile.

His fake smile looks like a Devil's smile.

I force myself to stop laughing as they continue arguing.

⚛⚛⚛⚛

Lucy isn't okay.

She looks like she's about to cry but stopping herself with all her being.

And she's so quiet, so quiet is scaring me.

''Hey, Lucy, are-''

''I'm going to my room. I have to study.'' she goes up the stairs without facing me.

I swallow looking at her.

Did she get a bad grade and now is anxious about it?

I'm about to enter the kitchen but stop at my father's voice.

''I warned you. Get your son away or you'll be faced with the consequences.'' he says.

I frown. What is he talking about?

I go closer to the door and lean my ear to listen clearer. I know eavesdropping is wrong, but I have a bad feeling about this, I have to find out who is he talking with.

''You heard what I said, Cullen.'' my heart drops on the ground.

I heard it wrong right? My dad couldn't be talking with Adam Cullen.

He said son.

Oh God.

''I warned you before, you didn't take my words for serious. Now all this is getting serious. I told you to get your son away from my daughter and you wouldn't listen. Good luck on saving him.''

My head starts spinning as I hear my father's words.

No, no, no.

I heard this wrong. All this is wrong. My father couldn't be threating Adam Cullen with Joel's life.

He couldn't threat him to get Joel away from me.

No. My father is not the bad one is this story. Adam Cullen is.

I heard it wrong.

''A death for a death, Cullen.'' dad says and my breath hitches.

No, this is not my father the one I'm currently hearing. This cruel man is not my sweet father.

I'm feeling nauseous.

I go away from the door and walk up toward my room. My breathing quickens as I try to process my father's words.

A death for a death.

What death?

Oh God, what death is he talking about?

Joel.

I have to make sure if Joel is okay.

I get my phone from my jacket and go to my contacts; I directly call him.

I pace around the room as the call rings. He doesn't answer.

I call him again.

''Oh, come on please.''  I cry.

I call and call him, but he doesn't answer.

Bad thoughts start to form on my brain, and I shake my head stopping them from continuing further.

He's okay. He has to be okay.

Nothing happened to him.

Dad wouldn't do that.

I turn on my phone and start to text him with shaky fingers.

Me: Joel?

Me: Where are you?

Me: Are you okay?

No answer.

I stare at the screen as panic grows inside me and tears streaming down my face.

Fucker, I guess I love you so fucking much.

I call him again and pace around the room, biting my nails.

''Pick up, please.'' I cry.

Me: Are you mad at me?

Me: Is that why you aren't answering?

Me: I'm sorry.

Me: I'll do anything you want. I'll be yours just answer the phone.

Me: Tell me you're okay

''I still haven't told you that I love you.'' I cry as I call him again.

I sit on my bed numb as my tears run down my face.

I called Joel thirty times and sent sixteen messages. He didn't answer any of them.

Something happened to him.