3: Nice Story To Tell The Kids

This day feels cursed. Lovely.

The weekend had passed and hopefully everyone partied so hard they forgot all about the rumors. That would be really nice, very beneficial to my 'stay under the radar' mission.

Thankfully, no one has come up to me and asked how good Oliver Grey is in bed. I had a response ready in mind if someone had come up to me though.

I'm a lesbian now.

But Oliver's performance in bed isn't much of a mystery so I think my efforts to say otherwise would be in vain. The bad boy gets around plenty. The rude remarks of me being a prude and a virgin still continue and steady as ever. The stares from the girls are directed back to their own first world problems. It's all back to normal, whatever normal even is.

"Does it seem oddly quiet to you?"

I don't look up from homework. I already know what's wrong with the teenagers at this school.

"Oliver isn't here."

It came out so fast. I didn't even have to think about it. I just knew he wasn't here. His big shadow wasn't looming over me.

"Oh, you're right."

Of course I'm right. It's Oliver Grey. Any girl in a ten mile radius knew he wasn't in class. And I knew he wasn't sitting behind me like he usually is. I'm not obsessed, I just have hormones.

"Tonight, you want me to come over and help?"

I look up to Levi and nod, "That'd be great. Thanks."

He laughs quietly, "What would you do without me."

"Cry."

On our way home, Levi starts a conversation. He's driving to the twins' school so we can pick them up before going to my house. When he can Levi helps me out and drives us home. It's one of the main reasons I keep him around, other than him being my best friend.

"Would you have sex with Oliver?"

"Oliver Grey?"

He nods his head but keeps his eyes on the road.

"Have the rumors messed with your head?"

"No," He smiles slightly and let's put a breath, "I'm just asking."

I look out the window and mess with my silver chain while deep in thought. Sex with Oliver Grey. Sure, I've thought about it. Who hasn't? It's Oliver Grey for crying out loud. The man is known for his godliness. All the stories and rumors I've heard make him out to be an exhilarating and exotic partner. Whatever he's into, he's probably good at it. He seems to be good at everything he does.

Sixth grade, we had a musical. Oliver Grey aced the lead. I was a tree, way in the back. I didn't sing, dance, move really, and Oliver got to take over the stage. He doesn't even like musicals and he can still do better than most of us. He's straight out of High School Musical, I swear it. Why he was the lead though, the mystery remains. But at least the theater has his dad's name on it.

"If all the planets and stars aligned, I would consider it."

"So yes."

I shrug my shoulders, "I guess, yeah."

"You'd want your virginity taken by Oliver Grey?"

"Nice story to tell the kids."

Humped and dumped by the Oliver Grey. I'd like to think my kids would be proud.

He parks at the elementary school and I take the opportunity to walk out of the conversation. Not that I don't love talking about Oliver Grey, note my sarcasm, but that is not a conversation I wish to never continue. Especially not with Levi.

"Hazel, Hazel," Ben and Braden singsong as they run over to me.

"Hey, boys. How was your day?"

"Great!"

"Did your boyfriend come pick us up?" Braden asks when he notices that we're making our way to the parking lot.

"No, silly, Levi drives us when he can, remember?"

"Right. Will he ever pick us up?"

I look at Braden in surprise. I didn't think Oliver had made such a big impression on them. It'd been a couple of days since they'd seen him at the diner. In my mind he wasn't that memorable at the diner but I guess the twins had a different experience. Seemed to be a positive experience which is good. Not sure why, not like they'll ever see him again. It's good to know they have a positive image on him.

"Hey, Levi. Guess what?" Ben smiles.

"What?"

"I learned how to multiply today. Multiply! Isn't that crazy?"

"Wacky, brother."

Levi has known the twins forever. He's been there as they've grown up. He's been a good male figure for them to follow and look up to. He's nice, dedicated, moral, all decent qualities males should have. I hope Ben and Braden will follow what they see in Levi. Genes don't play too big of a part in personality, right? Please say I'm right.

"Onwards!"

Taking care of the boys when Levi is around makes my life so much easier. He plays soccer with them and wipes them out so that after dinner they fall asleep almost instantly. It's practically magic.

"Will you be okay?"

"You've done more than enough, Levi. Thank you."

"Always, Hazel."

I smile and open the door, "Run so you don't get shot."

"Shut up."

"Bye Levi."

"Bye bye."

The day is over. Thankfully. It's been a hectic Monday, as most Mondays are. I go to the kitchen to find the drawer with all the bills. I take them out and start sorting though them. Overdue, overdue, overdue, oh hey, not overdue.

I sit and stare. The funds were running out. I knew this day would come. My mom's fortune wouldn't last forever. I'd made the calculations three years ago, when this whole debacle had started. I'd make it to senior year carefree, as carefree as one can be in this situation, then things would start to go south. It was time to get a job, make money, do something. My summer jobs weren't gonna cut it anymore.

Okay, time to pay these and suffer the consequences.

Oliver Grey would never have this problem. Oliver Grey was not only beautiful, he was rich. Oliver Grey lives in a mansion. Oliver Grey uses money to wipe his ass. Oliver Grey was a lucky lucky guy, kissed by the gods.

"Hazel?"

The voice brings me out of my thoughts. I look up to see Braden standing at the doorway to the kitchen. I open my arms so he can come in for a hug.

"What's wrong?"

"The shadow monsters."

"Are they out to get you?"

He nods his head. I stand up and grab his hand to walk him to his room. I tuck him in and kiss his forehead. I stay with him till he's fallen asleep again.

Shadow monsters used to be a thing I would tell the twins so they would leave me alone. Like any good older sister, I wanted to be left alone with my phone to gossip. It became what I would use to get them to leave or do what I want. Now, I protect them from the shadow monsters. How the tables turn.

I leave the twins' room and head to my own. The bills could wait till tomorrow morning. Missing my first few classes to pay bills wouldn't be the death of anything. If I talked to Ms. Watson she would understand.

I try to fall asleep, but I can't stop my brain from thinking. But the weird thing is, I can't stop thinking about him. Where was he today?