47. Break the rules

Olivia

''Olivia!'' Andy says in a dramatic voice.

''What now?" I ask.

We're planting flowers in the garden at my house. Our two witch mothers made us do it. I shot them a narrow glance; they are seated by the pool on sun chairs, sipping coffee in a fancy way.

My sister is sat on a chair close to us, reading a book. I know she does this to have fun of us, that we're working and she's not.

''I am in big trouble.'' he says wiping the soil from his face.

''Me too bro, that's why my dearest mother and yours made me do this.'' I point at the flowers.

Long story cut short, me and Andy were playing football inside the house (they warned us not to) and broke my mom's favorite vase. The minute the vase shattered on the ground we knew we were fucked up. The most embarrassing part is that we tried to hide it, but my mom found us in the moment of burying the pieces of the vase in the garden. Her and Aunt Michelle made us plant the flowers after that.

Me and Andy got a thing of burying things.

''That's not my only problem.'' he shakes his head.

''Shoot.''

''I think I'm in love with Avril Cullen.'' he says, and I stare at him.

''We know.'' I say.

''What? How the hell do you know?" he asks in horror.

''Because you always look at her as if she was the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite herself.'' Lucy says.

''Because she is and also shut up, you don't have the right to speak when you sit there like the queen on her throne and not help us.'' Andy glares at her.

''It wasn't me who broke the vase.'' she says with a dramatic close of her book.

''Lucy is right, you do look at Avril like that.'' I intervein.

''Shut up, I do not.'' he huffs.

''Mhm.'' me and Lucy look at him amused.

''Why do you think you're in trouble?" Lucy asks.

''Well,'' he sighs, ''I don't know if she has the same feelings as me or not. Sometimes she wants me, sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she's all hugs and kisses and then yelling and cursing. Sometimes she's good and then all of a sudden, she goes mean. I don't understand her at all.''

''Sounds like Avril.'' I say and he sighs again.

''Wait,'' my eyes widen, ''Did you just say that she's hugs and kisses?"

''No, I didn't.''

''Yes, you did!'' I throw a handful of soil at him, ''Are you two meeting in secret?" I ask and he groans.

''Oh my God!'' Lucy gasps.

''Since when?'' I ask.

''It's been a while.'' he says.

''And you didn't tell us a thing?" I hit him lightly in his shoulder.

''Hey, not talking!'' mom shouts.

''Only working.'' Aunt Mishelle shouts at us too.

"Witches," I whisper, creating a space for the flower with the garden trowel.

''They're mean when they're together.'' Andy whispers putting the flower on the space I created.

''Are you two together?" I whisper at him.

''Nah.'' he shakes his head.

''I'm not sure if our parents would allow us to be together even if we wanted to. I mean, we're not directly enemies, but my family is on your family side so." he shrugs.

''True.'' I sigh.

''You can always keep it a secret, you know.'' Lucy shots and our heads snap at her direction.

''That could happen?" I ask my eyes wide.

''Yeah, if you're careful enough.'' she answers.

''Go for it.'' I turn at Andy.

''Yeah, I'm not sure about that.''

''Come on, don't be a coward.'' I say.

''The worst she could say is no.'' Lucy says.

''Totally.'' I laugh.

⚛⚛⚛⚛

Joel Cullen has the audacity to ignore me! Me. Olivia Meyer.

I don't know what the heck is wrong with him. Even his twin said good morning to me, which I find very weird.  Did he and Avril switch roles? Or is he shy now because I told him that I loved him? I don't know what it is but I sure as hell don't like it.

He got out of his car and went straight ahead into the school, without looking behind, and I was left there looking like a confused idiot. Avril came to me and said good morning and walked with me and Lucy.

We enter the cafeteria and to my glorious surprise, Joel wasn't there. Only Andy talking with a quiet Luke, poor him has to listen to Andy's morning nonsense.

''Morning belle. How did you sleep last night?" he grins at Avril and she shots him a narrowed look. His grin hardens.

''I slept very well, parce que tu es dans tous mes rêves.''

''What does that mean?" she asks him.

''It means I slept with dreams.'' he answers still grinning and she nods rolling her eyes.

I'm not sure that is the actual meaning...

Luke closes his book and glares at Andy. Uh... does Luke know French?

Andy gives him a small awkward smile and sips his coffee.

Joel: Come to the rooftop.

My eyebrows shot up as I read his text. So, mister perfect isn't ignoring me anymore?

Well, news flash I'm the one ignoring him now.

After a minute another text comes from him, and I peek at it.

Joel: Please.

Well, since he asked so nicely....

I get up from my seat with a reminder to myself that I need to learn how to ignore him.

''Good luck.'' Luke says.

''You're going to need it.'' Avril adds and I look at them in confusion.

''Uh...thanks?" I say uncertain why I need the good luck.

I go up the stairs toward the rooftop and stop on my tracks when I open the door.

At the entrance of the door is a pathway of carnation petals in all colors.  Beautiful pink, red and blue color is added to the gray stones of this ancient building creating an astonishing view. I step on the pathway confused and follow the petals. They lead me close to one of the towers and where the rooftop becomes crooked.

The tower is decorated with carnations too and I take my phone out to snap a picture of it. I look closely and notice a red arrow pointing left. I turn my head and my jaw drops at the view. At the left, the flower petals have created a heart shape, and there are lightened heart shaped candles too. There is a note tucked under one candle and I take it to read it.

Step into the heart.

What the heck is going on?

Puzzled I follow the instruction and step inside the heart careful not to blow out the candles.

After a minute someone hugs my waist from behind and a bouquet with blue carnations is placed in front of me.

Joel.

I take the bouquet with a smile and smell the amazing scent of the flowers.

''What is all this?" I ask turning at Joel.

''Do you like it?" he smiles down at me, his hands still at my waist.

''Yeah.'' I grin looking around.

''How did you know that I like carnations?'' I ask, inhaling the flowers.

''I know a lot of things about you.'' he says brushing my hair behind my ear.

I blush a little and he smiles.

''I'm going to asks you something.'' he says and my heart stops beating. I think I know what he's going to ask.

''Will you break the rules with me and be my girlfriend?" he asks, and I take in a sharp breath.

''I...'' I struggle to give him an answer.

But what can I say? Do we even have a chance to be together? We... our families are enemies; they are in the stage where they want to destroy each other. They'll do everything to keep us apart.

My father's word ring on my ear like gunshots, I warned you to keep your son away, A death for a death. What would he do if I really get together with Joel? Force him to stay away from me? Or worse...

I can't do this. I can't risk his life. I don't recognize my own father anymore; I have no idea what he's capable of. If something happens to Joel because of me, it will hunt me forever.

''I can't do this.'' I force myself to say. Joel's face falls as he hears my answer, a slight frown appears between his perfect symmetrical eyebrows.

''You always break the rules, Olivia. Why don't you break them with me for once?" he asks with a plead, his face vulnerable.

''I can't.'' I breath out.

''Why not?"

Because I don't want to hurt you, and I'm scared of our families.

''Let your heart run free princess.'' his hold on my waist tightens.

''Heart is a wild creature, you shouldn't let it free. That's why our ribs are a cage.'' I say looking at the ocean of his eyes.

''Nothing is happy in a cage.'' he whispers.

I sigh and try to get away from him, but he holds me tighter and pulls me against his body.

''You don't want to be my girlfriend?" he asks, his face filled with worry and hurt.

''No, it's not that. I do want to be your girlfriend.'' I say. ''But I'm scared.''

''I'm scared too.'' he laughs a little, ''Terrified actually. But why don't we just try?"

Can we?

''Our families are enemies.'' I say, my voice below a whisper.

''Fuck them, I don't care about my family or yours. I only care about you.'' he says. ''So, are you in with me?"

''Taking a risk and going against our family?" I ask and he nods.

I hesitate. I told Andy yesterday not to be a coward and now it's me the one who's being the coward.

What will my mom say? Or dad? What will Adam Cullen do? Could we even keep this a secret?

Ugh fuck it!

''Heck yes, let's do it.'' I breath out and his eyes widen.

''Wait, does this mean that you'll be my girlfriend?" he asks, his face shining in delight.

I nod at him, and he lets out a breath.

''Say it.'' he brings his forehead at mine.

''Yes, I'll be your girlfriend.'' I say with a smile.

He grabs my waist and lifts me up, spinning me around in the air.

''Joel.'' I squeal wrapping my arms around his neck, holding the carnation's bouquet tight on my hand.

''Can I kiss you?" he asks looking at me and I let out a laugh, nodding.

His kiss steals the breath from my lungs. I hold him tighter against me, wanting to feel all of him. His mouth fits mine like a long lost piece of puzzle. I know him for only four months, but it feels like I know him since forever. Like we lost each other before and reunited again now to never be separated again.

We stop the kiss, and he puts me back down to my feet. His breath kisses my skin like a warm wind.

''Our first kiss as boyfriend and girlfriend.'' I almost can't believe the words leaving my mouth.

''Guess what fuckers, Olivia Meyer is my girlfriend!'' he shouts at the top of his lungs, and I cover his mouth with my hand.

''Shh.'' I laugh.

''Let's go.'' he grabs my hand and I stop in place inside the heart.

''We can't walk like this.''

''Why not?"

''They can't find out we're together.'' I say and he smiles.

''All the students are in the classes and also is Olivia Meyer afraid?" he smirks

''No, I'm not.'' I straighten.

''Seems like you are.'' he teases.

''Let's go there.'' I grab him by the hand and walk ahead, with the flower bouquet in my hand.

Olivia Meyer is everything but afraid.

That's why I'm always in trouble, but that's a thing to talk about in another time.

We go to the cafeteria because Joel said he has something to do there. Cafeteria is empty considering that classes has begun for about fifteen minutes.

I stop on my tracks when I find Avril sitting on our place. I look at her my eyes wide as a walnut and hide behind Joel.

''What?" Joel asks confused.

''Avril's there.'' I whisper.

''So?"

So? He's right.  Why am I hiding? I'm afraid of her reaction to be honest. What if she jumps on me saying ''you can't be with my brother, sugar.'' The thought shots shivers down my spine. And that sugar nickname is going to hunt me forever.

''Did she leave?" I ask Joel.

''Yes.''

I get out of my hiding spot behind Joel and find Avril standing in front of me.

For the sweet strawberries I flinched!

She looks at the bouquet on my hands and I wait for her scolding.

Instead, she says, ''Woah, you did it? I'm impressed.''

''You underestimated me, Avril.'' Joel smirks and drops and arm around my shoulder. ''Pay up.''

He stretches his hand out to her, and she puts a hundred bucks in his palm. He puts it in his pocket with a smirk.

What in the actual fuck is going on?

''Did he threaten you to be his girlfriend?" she asks me, and I look at her lost.

''You can tell me don't be afraid, he can't do anything if I'm here.'' she gives Joel a side eye.

''Avril.'' he glares at her.

''Just making sure.'' she backs up.

''Wait, what the hell is going on?" I shake my head too lost to understand the Cullens around me, ''You're okay with this?" I ask.

''Yeah, why not?" she shrugs, and I look at her as if she's Medusa in front of me.

I'm scared of Medusa she has those snaky hair...

Focus brain.

''You better not break his heart otherwise I'm going to push you off that rooftop he proposed you.'' she threatens, and I shake my head afraid.

''I won't, I promise.'' I say and she smiles.

Phew, I didn't die today.

''Okay bye, see ya lovebirds.'' she waves us of and leaves the cafeteria.

I look at the two of them with my eyes narrowed.

''Come on ask.'' Joel says walking ahead to sit on our couch.

''Did Avril know that you were going to propose me?" I ask.

''Yes. We made a bet if you were going to say yes or no.'' I look at him in disbelief and he gives me an apologetic smile.

''And you won because you got the money.''  I say.

''Exactly.'' he grins.

''Give me the money, I was the one who said yes, I deserve them.'' I offer him my palm.

''Wha- You're not winning all the bets, miss.''

''Why not?" I say playfully.

He tugs me by the waist and pulls me down to sit on his lap. I look around nervously if there is anyone looking at us, my nerves calm down when I find no one.

I look at him and he smiles at me before giving me a kiss. I pull away and look at his lips and can't stop myself but wonder how many lips have touched his before. Did he love any other girl before me? Did he love her more than me? Jealousy creeps inside me at those thoughts.

''Can I ask you a question?" I say and immediately regret it. I just got with him and I'm being the annoying jealous girlfriend. I hate to be that, but this feeling inside me is too consuming.

''Ask.'' he says.

''Never mind, it's stupid.'' I pull away from his lap and sit on the couch properly. He frowns at me.

''You can ask whatever you want, and I'll answer it. Even if it's stupid.'' he says playing with my hair, ''So ask.''

''Okay... how many girlfriends did you have before me?" I ask avoiding eye contact.

''Oh, that was the question.'' he straightens.

I hold my breath as he answers.

''Um... six-''

''Six?" I look at him surprised.

''Teen.'' he adds.

''Sixteen?!" my jaw drops, and he nods a little bit embarrassed.

''Well, that's a lot.'' I say.

''I know.'' he laughs.

''Did you...love any of them?"  I ask looking at my fingers. What a stupid question. Of course he loved one or more of his girlfriends.

''No.'' he answers, and my head snaps at his direction.

''No?" I frown.

''No, I didn't love any of them.''

''Not even the first one?" I ask and he shakes his head.

''My girlfriends were just a distraction from my family, I only was with them just for fun, no emotions included. Whenever they came to me and confessed their love, I'd break up with them.''

''No way.'' I gasp.

''So you were a heartbreaker?" I ask.

''You could say it like that.''

''I warned them in the beginning not to fall in love with me, it's not my fault they didn't listen and got their heart broken.'' he shrugs.

So... I'm his first love? That thought leaves happiness in my heart and makes it flutter with joy.

''You're my first love.'' he plays with my hair, twirling it in his finger. ''If Popsicle doesn't count.'' he adds, and I laugh.

''Your cat is your first love?"  I ask laughing and he nods.

''You're my first love too.'' I say and he smiles. ''And my first boyfriend too. Which is not fair compared to your bunch of sixteen girlfriends.'' I add and his smile widens.

''That bunch of sixteen don't come near your worth.'' he says and my heart bursts at his words.

''I just realized that the number of your girlfriends is same as my age.''  I say and he bursts out laughing.

I look at him in awe as he laughs. I love the sound of his laugh, is so pure.

''I love your laugh.'' I declare and he raises an eyebrow at me.

''Good, because you're one member of the small group I laugh around.'' he says.

''Who are the members of this group?" I ask curious.

''You, Luke and Avril.''

''Hm and I believed that.'' I roll my eyes. He looks at me serious and my face drops.

''Wait, really?" I ask and he nods.

''Why?" I ask.

''You're the people I love and make me laugh.'' he says, and pride beams inside me.

It feels amazing knowing that I make Joel Cullen laugh.

''What about your parents?" I ask and joy leaves his face. As if the reminder of his parents hurts him.

''I love them, but they don't make me laugh...it's quite the opposite.'' he replies with a sad smile.

I sit closer to him and wrap my arms around his neck, giving him a warm hug that he deserves. Joel Cullen deserves the World, it's sad that he doesn't know that. He returns the hug, wrapping his arms around my waist and putting his head on my neck.

I pull away a little to look at him and he smiles, showing me the perfect dimples of his.

''I'm going to do something I wanted to do for a long time.'' I say and he nods curious of my move.

''Smile please.'' I say and he does.

I put my index fingers on his dimples. I put a little pressure on his cheek and my fingers sink on his dimples. Aw this is so cute, I'm going to die. My dream is finally completed.

''This what you wanted to do?" he asks, and I giggle.

⚛⚛⚛⚛

''So you two are a couple now?" Andy asks.

It's lunch break, the six of us are sat on our usual place consuming our food.

''Yes.'' I answer and take a sip from my strawberry juice.

''This should be hidden from our families.'' Luke says and we nod.

Suddenly our phones ring with a message. My eyes widen when I see that RAN had posted something new and that post is exactly me and Joel's dating rumor.

How the fuck did he find out?

''What the hell?" I say worried and I look at Joel which weirdly looks calm and proud.

I frown at him, and he smirks.

''This is the proof that Katrina is behind RAN.'' he points at the post.

''What do you mean?" I ask.

''Katrina was the only one besides Luke and Avril who knew that I was going to propose to you and the exact place where.'' he says, ''She was the one who decorated the rooftop, the idea was mine she just put it into work. I used her to help me out to propose to you and to prove that she's the one who owns the account.''

An uneasy feeling erupts on my stomach. So, he did all this to find out who's behind RAN? That wasn't... real?

''You... it was just a game to trap Katrina? You didn't propose me for real?" I ask and his face drops.

''No, no how could you think that?" he says, ''I wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend for a while, but I wasn't sure, and I was waiting for the right moment. You saying that you love me made it final.'' my heart calms at his words.

''I planned all this. I would propose you, but at the same time trap Katrina. And at the same time, if our parents ask us for the rumors, we could say them that we did it to find out who's behind RAN and that it's not true.'' he says, and my eyes widen.

''And that's what I call a genius plan.'' Andy says.

''Do you believe me?" he looks at me and I nod.

''So what are we going to do now?" Avril asks.

''Reveal her in front of everyone.'' he smirks and gets up.

''Can I have your attention everyone?" he shouts.

All eyes turn on us, they start whispering things and glancing at their phone, probably looking at RAN post.

''I'm sure that you are wondering if that post is true.'' he starts. ''No, it's not. Me and Olivia aren't dating. We did that to find out who's behind Royal Academy News. And we did find out.'' he says, and everyone gasps.

''Do you want to know who it is?" Joel asks and they all shout ''yes''.

''Behind RAN is, the one and only.'' he points at Katrina, ''Katrina Lindsey.''

''What? Me?" she points at herself, and I roll my eyes at her ''no clue'' game.

''You bitch''

''You're the one ruining our lives?"

''It was you?''

''I'm going to ruin you.''

''I'm gonna kill you, bitch.''

Everyone starts approaching her throwing harmful words and she walks backwards.

''It's not me.'' she says, ''I swear, I'm not the one behind it.''

''Is it okay that we told them who she is? What if they do something to her?" Lucy says and at the exact moment someone grabs her hair.

''Okay, we have to stop this.'' I say and walk toward them.

''Leave her to me, I have some words to say to her.'' I grab Katrina by her wrist and pull her with me toward our table.

''Why did you do this?'' she cries out and I cross my arms sitting down, ''I'm not the one behind that account.''

''Of course you're not.'' Avril scoffs.

''Mister Joel, why did you do this to me?" tears stream down her eyes, and I almost feel bad for her, ''I was the one helping you with Olivia.''

I frown at her words. And why did she call him mister?

''Yeah, you were helping me to gain more information.'' Joel glares at her.

''I'm not the one behind RAN.'' she cries harder.

''Stop it, Katrina we know it's you.'' Lucy says in a calm voice.

''We found your computer on the old computer lab, there's no need to act.'' I say.

''What? What computer?'' she asks.

''Ugh, shut up you're getting on my nerves with your false innocence.'' Avril says, ''You're discovered now sweetheart, good luck with the other students.'' she gives her an evil smile that sent shivers on my body.

''But it's not me.'' she says crying.

''You better go hide.'' I whisper to her, ''They are like wolves waiting for you.'' I point at the other students eying Katrina.

She gets up and runs out of the cafeteria. Bad news, they are following her.

''Good.'' Avril leans on the couch smirking evilly. I look at Joel and he has the same expression as her. Damn they look so scary, just like the villain's kids themselves.

⚛⚛⚛⚛

''Pumpkin.'' dad says.

''Yeah?" I look u from my phone.

We're all seated on the living room, chilling as a family. Lucy is reading a book, I'm scrolling on TikTok meanwhile mom and dad are watching TV.

''We read a rumor on RAN.'' he says. Finally, I was waiting for this. ''It says that you're dating one of the Cullens. Is it true?"

''Oh, of course not dad.'' I laugh and he frowns, "We're not dating for real, it's only a game. We only did that to find out who's behind RAN. It was all planned, Lucy knows about it too.''

He looks at Lucy frowning and she nods.

''And did you find who's behind that account?" mom asks. She seems a little bit disappointed that I'm not really dating him.

''Yes.'' I answer, ''You're not going to believe who it is.''

I look at the two of them, and they look at me curious.

''It's Katrina Lindsey.''

''That cute girl with glasses?" mom asks and I nod.

''She was behind all that?" dad asks.

''Yeah, I was surprised too.'' I say.

''We told all the school, and she's going to pay for it.'' I lean back on the sofa.

''Well, wow.'' dad says.

''Proud?" I smirk.

''Yes, my little Meyer.'' he says, ''But I don't like the fact that you did that together with the Cullens. You have to share the victory with them now.'' he says, and I roll my eyes.

It's my first time lying to my parents and it's weird how easy it was.

Author's note.

Did you guys like this chapter?

The book is coming toward its end unfortunately...

Hope you enjoy the last chapters.

Love you always.

G.T.Diola💖