**OLIVER**
The bell rang, signaling the end of the last class of the day. I packed my books and other writing materials and walked out of the classroom. I kept them inside my locker and went in search of William.
The hallway was fully crowded, students chattering endlessly. It would be so hard to locate him. It would be best if I waited for him outside.
I made a turn around the hallway and bumped into a hard body. I lost my balance from the sudden contact, falling butt down on the hard concrete floor.
A low sound of pain escaped my mouth at the impact.
"Are you fucking blind! Why don't you watch where you're going!"
The hairs on my body froze at the familiar icy tone and voice. My gaze slowly traveled through combat boots, to a pair of jeans and a black leather jacket. Then I met with his cold angry stare of the one person I have been avoiding. The one person I shouldn't have bumped into.
Keiran.
I scrambled to my feet. It was embarrassing to have him stare down at me, like I was a speck of dust he would like to trample upon. It's been almost two months since I last saw him. He looked just slightly different in appearance. He has always been tall. My head was in direct level with his chest, but then again maybe I was just short.
He seemed bigger, his muscles more pronounced, filling up his shirt. His facial features even harder than I remembered. His grey eyes were stone cold and intimidating as usual.
"I…I'm sorry," I mumbled out the apology and tried to step past him.
I wasn't so lucky.
A gasp escaped my mouth when he gripped my shoulders, pinning me against the locker.
"I've been looking for you and here you are." The corners of his lips quirked in a smirk.
He must have been looking for me to inflict his usual pain on me. That was of no doubt.
Maybe if I just kept quiet and ignored him, he would become bored and let go of me. The chances were slight, but a boy could only hope.
The hallway was empty. Not that I would have been able to scream for help anyway…
This was Keiran Morrison.
No one in Riverside High dared to ever defy him.
"My eyes are up here, so why don't you look at me…Ollie." A shiver swept through me at his direct use of my name, the way he said it like it was poison on his tongue. The grip on my shoulders went painfully tight. I bit my lips to avoid crying out at the pain.
I didn't want him to see the fear in my eyes. Didn't want him to see how much he hurt me.
"I said look at me! Do you want me to make this worse for you?" The warning menace lacing his tone commanded my gaze to snap to his. It wasn't just a threat. I knew he would follow through.
I met his icy glare and I couldn't stop a tear from rolling down my cheek, which added to my embarrassment.
Why was I such a crybaby when it came to him?
I wanted to yell at him, to tell him to go fuck himself and leave me alone. But like always the words wouldn't form. It was all there, clogged up in my throat.
His lips curved into a cruel smirk as he regarded me with pure disgust.
"Look at you, pathetic little Ollie. Still the same weak, sniveling mess you always were." His voice dropped to a whisper that somehow felt more terrifying than shouting. "You know what's funny? Everyone thinks you're so innocent, so sweet. But we both know the truth, don't we? We both know what kind of person you really are."
He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "You destroyed everything good in this world, and you have the audacity to cry? To act like you're the victim here?"
Each word was like ice water in my veins. "Such a crybaby and I haven't even started with you yet. Trust me, by the time I'm done reminding you of what you did, those tears will be the least of your problems."
He abruptly let go of his grip on my shoulders, so roughly that I almost lost my balance once again.
"When will you stop, Keiran!" I managed out, wiping the frustrating tears with the back of my sleeves.
His gaze narrowed into hard slits. His glare got even more intense at my use of his name.
"You are still alive aren't you? Maybe when you're dead," he spoke without any hint of remorse.
Each word he spoke felt like a continuous slash to my heart. I would never get used to his hurtful words.
He stormed off after giving me a last meaningful glare.
I stared after him until I felt a hand tug my shoulders. I turned around to face William, concern written over his features. He followed my gaze to Keiran's retreating back.
"Did he hurt you? It's a new semester. When will he stop being such a dickhead! I'll go after him and give him a damn p…"
"It's fine, William. I'm okay." His narrowed gaze snapped towards me.
"What are you saying! He can't continue to push you around like this… No matter the reason!" he said, emphasizing the last sentence.
I agreed silently, but first of all I had to stop him from going after Keiran.
Judging by how angry he looked, I knew he wouldn't hesitate to stick up for me. But would it change anything?
No.
Also, I didn't want him to get in any bad situation because of me.
"Let's just go home, okay? Please…" I added when he looked like he was about to argue further.
His glare disappeared into a look of concern.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
I managed a weak smile and nodded.
We walked outside to his car. My gaze didn't miss the sight of the four of them standing outside their car. They seemed to be lost in whatever they were discussing.
By the four of them I meant the four popular and most influential boys in our school. Vince, Heath, and Claude. And of course there was Keiran, who happened to be their leader.
A cigarette dangled between his lips. His gaze met mine and held temporarily. I couldn't have walked any faster.
Oh god! Those eyes of his were unnerving.
"Did you see those eyes?" William exclaimed as we hopped into his car.
I stared at him in surprise. How did he know what I was thinking about?
"I'm talking about Vince. He's so freaking hot!" he exclaimed. I could almost see the steam puffing out of his cheeks.
Seriously? Where were his loyalties? I thought he was just sticking up for me against Keiran's friend only about five minutes ago?
I guess Vince was more important than me.
"He's dangerous, William. Not your type. You should stay away from him," I spoke, sounding serious about it. Anyone related with Keiran potentially screamed dangerous.
He rolled his eyes dramatically.
"How do you know what I want? You wouldn't even know what a type is, Oliver. You don't even have a boyfriend, except from those in your books of course," he added with a snicker.
I wondered what was wrong with that. All my book boyfriends were always romantic, kind, warm and loving towards their love interests. I've always secretly hoped that I'll find a boyfriend with such qualities one day. It would be so amazing.
My thoughts wandered to Keiran for a moment. Definitely not someone like him.
"That's so boring! No fun at all."
Did I just say that aloud? I guess so.
"It's not boring! Definitely safe!" I argued. Why would anyone want to date bad boys like Keiran and the likes? Sometimes I found myself wondering at the way most of the boys in school swooned over them.
"Boring," he sang.
"Safe…" I quipped.
"Boring…" he yelled again, sticking his tongue out at me.
I rolled my eyes. He could behave like a two-year-old sometimes.
I allowed him his endless chattering as he drove me to my house.