章 12: Simon

The cold house welcomed Oliver when he entered. He was used to how cold, empty and unwelcoming the place was but he tried to pretend that the house at least, welcomed him whenever he entered.

He had planned to walk straight to his room as usual, but today was different. Someone was in the house.

"You are late." He heard the cold voice of Lisa from the dining table, and looked at where she was seated. She was having a fruit salad while looking through a newspaper.

He froze on the spot. He hadn't expected her or anyone else to be inside.

"Aunt. I... didn't know you were in." He stuttered quietly.

"That is the reason you return late from school? The school closed over three hours ago." She said, raising her head to look him in the eyes until he could not stand the stare and looked down. There was no way he could tell her he had been hanging out with a friend from the other city. She was probably going to flip.

"Go freshen up before dinner is served." She spoke again and returned her attention to her newspaper. It wasn't until he got to his room that he began to breathe normally again.

Just how long was he going to keep walking on eggshell? He was tired of everything, but what could he do? He didn't have control over anything, including his life.

He broke out of his reverie when his phone began to ring. He wanted to ignore it until he saw Simon's name displayed on the screen. After taking a few seconds to stabilize himself, he answered the call.

"I was just about to call you." Oliver spoke first.

"You say that everytime I call. I'm not sure I believe you anymore."

That was the truth. It was difficult for him to pick up his phone to call someone even if the person was really close to him.

"It's totally fine. I can always do the calling. How are you?" Simon asked.

Oliver was really greatful that Simon was letting it slide just like he did always. "I.. am fine... I guess."

"Do you like your new school? Made any friends yet?"

"You know I don't like any school at all. And making friends is out of it." Oliver dropped his school bag and sat on his bed to continue his conversation with Simon.

"Look Olly..." Simon sounded serious.

"I know shit happened but you cannot survive alone in this town. Are you up to date with school work? Do you fully understand how your school works? Do you want to be stuck in that big, empty house every day until your graduation?"

Oliver sighed. "Aunt is here."

"Mum? She is back?" Simon sounded surprised.

"Yes."

"Is... she treating you well?" He asked hesitantly.

"Yes."

"I know when you are lying Olly."

Oliver laughed. "She is not particularly harsh. She is just... scary." He admitted honestly.

"She may act like that, but she loves you. She just has a strange way of showing it. You know she is a Judge."

"Are all Judges like... that?" Oliver asked curiously.

"Well.... I... you know.."

Oliver laughed again. "I get it."

"So back to you making friends...."

"Do you know Liam?" Oliver cut in.

"Liam? Liam who?"

"I can't remember his surname. But he attends my school and his aunt lives in the next house, at least that's what he told me."

"Oh! Adley? Liam Adley?"

"I think... that was his surname."

"Sure. I know him. We used to hang out. Why?"

"He... well..." Oliver paused for a moment before he continued. "He asked if I knew you. And I told him we were cousins." He bit his lower lip.

"What? Why didn't you tell him the truth?" Simon scolded.

"I don't think aunt would want me to tell people the truth."

"That's bullshit. You are my younger brother and there's nothing wrong in telling people about it." He sounded slightly angry.

"It's fine Simon. This is not just about what you want. It's what the whole family wants especially your parents. I just want to live here quietly until I'm done with high school."

He heard Simon sigh deeply.

"You are having a rough time. I usually do not like to return home during my holidays, but I'll come this time. I'll stay with you for a while and let you adjust to the place."

"Really?" Oliver asked hopefully.

"Yea. But before that, you should really make friends. You've already met Liam. He's a cool guy."

"No!" Oliver rejected the idea immediately which made Simon curious.

"Why?" Simon asked.

Oliver remembered what happened the previous day. How grossed out Liam had looked when he talked about the love letter he had received, and all the things he had said. He was not hoping to make friends with Liam or anybody else, but after what happened, any slight chance of being friends with Liam went down the drain. It was the same reason he had been cold to Oliver earlier even though the boy had promised not to tell anyone else about where he lived. Honestly, he didn't believe him, but he hoped Liam wouldn't tell a soul about it.

"Olly?

"I... just don't... like him." He answered with a sigh.

"That's the first!" Simon exclaimed.

"What?"

"It's the first time you hate someone. You've just met him once or maybe twice and you hate him? Did he bully you are something?"

"Hate is a strong word, Simon. I don't like him. I didn't say I hated him. Also, he didn't bully me. I just don't want to be friends with him."

"Whatever you say Olly. So how is Amanda?"

"Amy was around today. She keeps bugging me to attend the Friday night party with her—"

"AMANDA WAS IN TOWN?!" He asked, interrupting him. "Why didn't you tell me or call me earlier?"

"Why?"

"You are asking me why? She doesn't respond to any of my text messages! I should have been able to speak with her if you had called me!"

"It's because you bug her." Oliver pointed out the obvious.

"Which party are you talking about? Who is hosting?"

"A boy called Harry or something. He is a friend of Liam's."

"We won't miss it."

"Not you too please! You know how uncomfortable I get with crowds and noisy places. And there is no guarantee that some drunk people wouldn't bump into me or try to touch me with their sweaty hands. I can't." He cringed.

"Yes, you can! You cannot keep hiding in your shell forever. This is the time to get used to it. You can wear a turtleneck with gloves just like you do. I'll see you on Friday and make sure not to tell Amanda I'll be there."

"I cannot believe this. You are such a simp for her." Oliver mocked with a light laugh.

"I will gladly be a simp for Amanda, and you are a simp too. She can practically get you to do anything." Simon mocked back.

"Whatever."

"We'll talk later bro. Call me if you need anything."

"I will." He knew he wouldn't.

"Take care." Simon said before hanging up.