Olive's P.O.V.
Lisa was curled into a ball on the floor in front of Lucas' door. She held her knees to her chest with her head down between them.
"Lisa?" Lucas called to her, making her look up, showing her busted lip and bruised face.
Something bad had happened, and the sight of her made me feel like I was 8 again helping mom clean up her wounds. I froze as I stared at her, Lucas did the same. He moved faster than I did, grabbing Lisa quickly, opening his door, and helping her inside. She limped, showing me she must have hurt her ankle or perhaps her leg.
It took me a whole minute to convince my legs to move again. I took a slow, heavy step towards his apartment, feeling the trauma rise in me. I swallowed the thick emotion that felt like it was chocking me. I pushed forward, finally making it inside and closing the door behind me. Lucas had a first aid kit out, tending to Lisa's wounds already. His face was serious with his teeth clenched in anger. His nostrils flared, and his jaw twitched furiously.
"Explain," he told her in a stern voice.
"I know how to pick them." She gave a manic laugh, causing me to worry even more about her. "It's a guy I started seeing a coupe of weeks ago. He thought I was seeing someone else, and didn't like that."
"What's his name?" Lucas seemed ready to set the world on fire to get to this guy.
"No, Lucas. I can handle this myself. I just need a place to crash tonight. I don't want mom to see me like this and there's no chance in hell that I would stay at dad's." She shook her head violently at the thought.
I hated to see her like this. I don't understand how a man can hurt someone like this. Especially, if they claimed they loved them. Hitting someone isn't love. It's not how you display emotions. Hurting someone is not a form of love. It's anti love.
"Tell me his name, Lisa." The tone Lucas used made me tense up. He was angry, and he meant business.
"Seth," she finally spoke. "Seth Reynolds."
"Got it." He nodded at her, staring at the wound on her lip. "Rose, can you finish this while I make a call?" He asked me, holding out the cotton ball with alcohol he was using to clean her wounds. I nodded my head, stepping forward. I took the cotton, and began to clean her wound.
Lucas stood up, unable to keep his calm any longer. He grabbed his phone, stepping out onto the patio, slamming his sliding door closed. I jumped unintentionally, still feeling on edge. Lisa grabbed my hand that was dabbing at her lip. She held it for a moment, making me look into her eyes.
"He's just worried. I'm sorry I ruined your night." She sighed, looking guilty.
"No!" I quickly shut that down. "You didn't ruin anything. Don't you dare apologize for coming here. This is not your fault. If I ever get my hands on that guy I'll beat his ass twice as bad," I promised.
Lisa let out a loud laugh then. She smiled fondly at me.
"Thank you, Olive. You really are amazing."
Her words made me blush, making me feel bashful for no reason. It was the look of admiration in those hurt eyes that was killing me. I'm nothing inspirational, nothing to admire here.
"I'm just me." I shrugged. "Nothing amazing about it."
"That's exactly why you're amazing."
I tended to wounds more, making her wince or flinch at times. All the while Lucas was screaming into the phone outside. It was muffled, but I could see his hand waving around as he spoke. His motions were big and fast, telling me he was furious.
"Who do you think he called?" I asked Lisa as I picked up the area around us. Her wounds were all clean and dressed now.
"If I had to guess, I would say Leo." She sat back in her chair looking out towards Lucas with me. "They're probably deciding what to do. He's venting."
We both watched Lucas a while longer, seeing him slump in the chair outside. The more I watched him, the more I saw him. He looked so exhausted. I wish I could help. I want nothing more than to make life easy for him.
"What's with the bags of clothes?" Lisa pointed to the bags Lucas had put down.
"That's clothes for me. I'm staying the week here." I bit my cheek bashfully.
"Oh?" She raised her brow in amusement with a playful smirk on her face.
"My dad showed up yesterday and he's still in town. Lucas offered for me to hide out here for a bit." I explained.
"I'm guessing he did that to you," she said, pointing to her cheek.
"Yeah. It's a first that I won't let happen again." I felt the fight in my words and I meant it. I won't let him hurt me like that again.
"I wish I had your confidence, Olive."
"Call me Liv. And what do you mean? You're so beautiful, and you certainly look confident."
"Looking and being are two different things," she said with a sigh. "I hold myself well, but I'm very weak, Liv."
It's crazy to think that someone like her isn't as confident as she seems. I just assumed if you were beautiful, rich, and kind that you must have confidence of steel, but that doesn't seem to be accurate. I guess we all battle our own insecurities, even people we might think are perfect.
"Lisa, you're amazing too."
"Thank you, Liv, but I know you're only being polite."
Before I could argue, Lucas opened the sliding door, stepping back inside. He drew my full attention instantly, making me forget everything else. His presence alone was enough to ease my nerves. I'm not sure when it happened, but I've started to feel safe around him.
"Well? What's Leo say?" Lisa asked him knowingly, not catching him off guard in the least.
"He's on his way. Rachel said she's stealing you away."
"Of course she is."
"Don't pretend otherwise, you love it when Rachel kidnaps you. You guys have a lot of fun together."
"I guess," Lisa sighed. "Until they get here your Rose is mine so go entertain yourself for a while." She shooed him away successfully.
Lisa chatted with me for a while about small and trivial things. I think she was trying to get her mind off of what happened, and I was happy to oblige. Every now and then my eyes would wander to Lucas who was sitting on his recliner reading my journal. I wondered what part he was on. Did he get to the part where Ian became my best friend in high school? Is he to the part where I admit I love Ian, but would never tell him for fear of ruining our friendship? Or is he already to the Halloween party?
"You really like him, don't you?" Lisa snapped my attention back to her.
"More than that. I'm falling in love with him."
I didn't mind admitting my feelings for Lucas to her. She's his sister.
"Really?" She smiled brightly at me.
"Yes, really. He's a sweet guy, and he gets me so well. I honestly don't think I've ever fallen in love so quickly." With the exception of Ian who I liked very quickly, and began to love over the months.
"I am happy for you both. Lucas has been a mess until you arrived. Thank you, Liv, for getting my brother back for me," she said, looking at Lucas as she spoke.
"I haven't done anything." I shook my head.
"You've done more than you know."
The door bell rang at that moment, letting us know Rachel and Leo had arrived. Lucas opened the door, inviting them inside. They didn't stay for long, grabbing Lisa with a promise of a good time. Lucas caught them at the door before they left whispering something to them. I strained my ears to listen, but couldn't hear a word.
I wonder what he told them?