Olive's P.O.V.
"I see why you guys hung out so much here." Lucas said as he looked out towards the coast at my and Ian's favorite spot.
I would still come here even after Ian moved, but it only made me feel lonlier. I hadn't been here myself since sophomore summer. A cold breeze carried the salty ocean air to my nose, making me take a deep breath. I missed that smell. The only thing I smell in New York is the stench of garbage mixed with the urine in the alleyway. There's no fresh air in New York, just the millions of smells intermingled into one stench.
"It's beautiful," he said, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder. I loved the tickle of his breath on my neck as we watched the waves crash in.
"I'm glad you could see it. Thank you for coming home early," I told him, placing my hands over his.
"I'll come running any time you need me, Rose."
I nodded, not able to say anything more. I focused on this moment, on the feel of him holding me. I missed him so much and it had only been a couple of days. Like him, I kind of liked knowing he'd be in my life no matter what, because of our child. We will be forever linked even if we break up. I don't ever want to lose him, but I could live with it better knowing we have a child together.
"What do you want to do, Rose?"
"What do you mean?" I turned my head to look at him, seeing him stare into the beautiful blue sea.
"Do you want to stay a little while longer, or go home? Do you want to confront your father? Or talk to his girlfriend? What do you want to do? Whatever it is, I'm by your side."
I mulled it over, asking myself the same question. I want dad's girlfriend to know that she's not alone. That if he ever starts hitting her, I'll be there to help. I'll help her escape.
"Let's go talk to Daisy," I said firmly.
"Who?" He arched a brow and puckered his lips cutely.
"That's Dad's girlfriend."
He nodded his head in understanding. We stayed a little while longer, enjoying the view before we headed to the car. I let Lucas drive, just to ease his worries, and directed him to the bookstore. We parked up front, where Lucas opened my door for me. As we headed inside I heard an all too familiar voice call out of me.
"Brillo?" Her high pitched squeal of a voice had my hairs stand on edge, remembering all the horrible things she had done to me my junior year.
Jessica Tilles stood a few feet away with her dirty blonde hair now cut short. Her sapphire eyes held dark circles around them and her skin was not as perfect as it once was. She wore gray sweatpants with a stained pink baggy shirt. She looked nothing like the flawless primadana I knew in high school.
"Jessica," I greeted her with a small nod. I squeezed onto Lucas' hand, needing to remind myself that I was not alone. I was not alone with my tormentor.
"Jesus, Brilo, I almost didn't recognize you without the frizz and metal in your mouth."
"I almost didn't recognize you, with the stains and dark circles." I bit back, because this isn't high school anymore, and I'm more confident than I used to be. She stared at me slack jawed for a second before composing herself again.
"Come on babe! James is losing his mind in the car seat." I heard Bret Lyle yell from the same black corvette he used to drive to school. I could hear the crying baby in the back seat through the now rolled down window. "Lucy, sit back down." I heard him scold the small girl that had peeked her head throughy. She didn't seem to be any older than 3.
"Let's go, my love. I'd like to spoil you rotten before we go back to New York." Lucas pulled at my hand. He was trying to show off for me. I could tell he wanted to make her jealous of me. I appreciated the thought, but I already felt better just looking at her poor state. She was nothing like her former self, and she knew it.
"It was nice seeing you, Jessica."
"Wait!" She called out, holding her hand out like she could grab the air around me and pull me back. "Are you really dating Lucas Porter?"
How does she know who he is?
"That she is. I don't recall making your acquaintance before, so how is it you know my name?" Lucas answered her, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me close. Jessica seemed to blush, a bit embarrassed or maybe intimidated.
"Oh, um, I saw you in a magazine once, as one of the most eligible billionaires." She answered timidly, with her head down.
"Jessica, let's go!" Bret yelled again, laying on the horn of the car in irritation at her taking so long. Jessica let out an annoyed grunt before turning around and yelling back.
"Hold your goddamn horses. Take care of your fucking child for once!"
Lucas and I froze stiff, surprised by the shameless outburst she had in a public place. She turned back to us with a fake smile, stepping towards me.
"Look, Brii-Olive, I have to go, but I would love to catch up on old times. Let's meet up, okay?" She asked with a fake smile and extra cheesy pep in her tone.
"No, thanks. I'd rather not see you again, Jessica. You made high school hell for me, and I'm not wasting my time on you. You should go take care of your family. It was nice seeing you, if only because I got to see that you really did peek in high school. Goodbye, Jessica."
I turned, pulling Lucas behind me and continuing up the stairs to the bookstore. Lucas didn't say a word, just followed quietly behind while he held my hand tightly. I could tell he was worried for me, wondering how I was. He didn't voice his concern, however, until we reached inside the bookstore.
"So she's the one that tormented you so bad through out high school?" He asked me in a hushed voice.
"Yeah, she was the ringleader of the girls that did."
"I'm sorry, Olive. Are you okay?" He rubbed my cheek with his thumb, maintaining eye contact with me.
"Yeah, actually. I'm really glad I saw her. She looked nothing like herself. It feels good to see the people that hurt you not doing so well. I feel bad for her kids though. It's not good having a mom that seems so unhappy to be one." I bit at my lip as I thought of that little girls adorable face. I hope she turns out to be nothing like her mother.
"I know what you mean. Are you ready to talk to Daisy?" Lucas asked, focusing me back to the task in-hand.
"As ready as I can be."
I felt nervous to talk to her, wondering what she would think. Will she believe what I say. Will she heed my warnings? I hope she does.
"Did you guys find everything okay?" Daisy asked as we approached the counter. When she noticed our empty hands she looked up at us, changing tactics. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"In fact, there is, Daisy. It's about my dad, your boyfriend."
Her eyes widened as she took me in. She had been looking at me before, but now she was really seeing me. She studied my features, probably trying to find commonalities between dad and I. She didn't seem too convinced and rightfully so. I look nothing like dad, taking after mom way too much.
"Your father?" She asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Nick Brewer, my father."
"He didn't mention having a daughter." She swallowed hard, probably realizing how old I am and how weird it'd be to be my step mother.
"That's why we need to talk."
The sun was beginning to set casting a blinding light anytime you looked out of the store's glass door or large windows. A large figure blocked off some of the light as they entered. It was hard to tell who it was at first, but as they stepped further in and away from the sun's bright light my eyes recognized Dad's face.
"Olive, what do you think you're doing?" Dad's voice caught me off guard, chilling me to my core. My hairs stood in the back of my neck, feeling extremely exposed. I could see how enraged his expression was. His arms were crossed and flexed in anger. His eyebrows scowled deeply as he looked at me longer.
"Trying to warn her about you before it's too late."
"There's nothing to tell her, Olive. Now leave." He was trying to intimidate me.
"Or what? You'll hit me again?* I egged him on further. I wanted Daisy to see the kind of man Dad truly was.
"I would never hit you," he lied right through his teeth.
"Then what do you call the back handed slap to my cheek the last time I saw you? I promise you that's not how you high five people."
I could see the rage rising in him as his muscles flexed further and his nostrils flared. Daisy seemed like a deer caught in the headlights. She was clearly unsure what to do or say. Her eyes darted between Dad and myself and occasionally Lucas, probably wondering what part he plays in this.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Livie."
"It's Olive. Only people who actually cared for me get to call me Livie. I came here to warn your girlfriend about you. I want her to know that if she ever needs to escape, I'll help her. She won't have to abandon her child with you to do so. You won't see either of them again, so you better make sure to hold back on those punches. I won't allow you to fuck up another child."
Dad's expression was a mixture of unbridled rage, but also hurt, as if my words had actually caused him damage. Did he think he did a good job at caring for me growing up? Is he really delusional enough to think he did everything he was supposed to? Surely he realizes that being passed out drunk, sparing with your kid, and barely ever having food in the fridge is not a good childhood.
"Don't come back, Olive. It's clear you've disowned me as your father even after everything Ive done for you. Now your spreading vicious rumors to ruin my happiness because I didn't give you everything you asked for as a child. You're spoiled." He spat at me.
His words hurt me deeply even though they were a bunch of lies. My anger was at all times and I was ready to show him, but I didn't get the chance as Lucas fist made contact with dad's jaw, swiveling his head enough to make him take a step to the side.
Oh, fuck me!