Chapter Seven:

"Okay, Oliver, you stay right here and eat your cookies. If someone you don't know comes and talks to you, you scream. Do you understand?" Dad told me, setting me down on a bench and placing a small bag of cookies next to me.
I nodded and smiled reaching over for a cookie and beginning to munch on it. Dad smiled and kissed my head before running back over to Banjo and grabbing his hand, leading him back over to the car.
I stared around at the scenery, the trees with the bright green leaves, the squirrels and birds scurrying on the ground. I threw a piece of my cookie to one of the birds and it hopped over and took the bit of cookie.
I suddenly heard a noise and I sat back up and turned to the cookies, where I had heard the noise. When I saw nothing there I narrowed my eyes confusedly and shrugged, nibbling on my cookie again.
Not much time passed when I heard the crinkling of plastic again and I swiftly turned my head towards the noise, seeing nothing again. I pressed my lips together and looked around myself, trying to figure out who was making the noises.
I sighed and continued eating, keeping on high alert, listening for the sound again. When I heard it again, I immediately turned around and clasped my hand over the sound, watching a young boy stare at me in fear and run off towards a tree.
I curiously stood up on the bench and watched him. He disappeared behind the tree and didn't reappear so I slipped off the bench and stumbled over to the tree. However, before I got far enough, I thought back to the bag of cookies and I grabbed them, bringing them over to the tree with me.
I poked my head around the tree, seeing the young boy sitting there. He had long hair that touched his shoulders, and a spray of freckles like Banjo and Daddy. He didn't notice me until I leaned over a little too far and fell.
The boy immediately looked over at me, eyes wide and wild with fear. However, when he saw the cookies, he immediately loosened up and smiled, looking at me as I pushed myself back up.
I stared at the boy and without a second thought, plopped down in front of him. I remembered the bag of cookies and I held them out for him. He immediately shook his head but I pushed the bag towards him and he eventually reached his hand in and took another cookie.
"Hi..." The boy said quietly, sticking his free hand out for me to shake. "I'm Cree."
"I'm Oliver. Nice to meet you," I said, flashing him my toothy smile and accepting his hand shake.
Afterwards, we shot right into a conversation like we had known each other for years prior. I didn't know how long we had been talking before I heard the worried voice of Dad, but after his call I stuck my head back out from behind the tree and waved to him.
He narrowed his eyes at me and began scolding me for not doing what I was told. However, when he realized I wasn't alone, he instantly quieted down and stared at the young boy in front of me.
"Hello. Who are you?" Dad asked sweetly, making sure his accent wasn't as prominent as he lets it get sometimes. Cree nervously shifted away and I watched in confusion.
"His names Cree, Dad," I told him, gazing up at him from where he crouched over me.
Dad nodded and smiled and-

"Oliver, wake up," Dad whispered.
I blinked open my eyes and gazed around my room, squinting against the darkness. Dad pet my hair down and left my room, probably going to get a few more minutes of sleep.
I laid in my bed, staring at the ceiling for a couple minutes while I continued to wake up. I thought back on my dream while it was still fresh in my mind.
The dream was about the day I met Cree. Honestly, one of the greatest days in my life. Cree and I had been so little back then and I still remembered how Cree looked, even after years of watching him change.
It made sense that I'd dream about him. I hadn't spoken to him in a couple days, basically ever since the park incident. I missed him a lot.
I finally figured I should get up so I pushed my warm comforters off my small body, sat up, and walked through the darkness of my room and into the hallway.
I went into the bathroom and turned on the water, stepping in once I stripped down. I made sure to scrub extra hard, like I always do, to get all the disgusting germs off of my body. I, then, washed my hair and made sure to get all the products out.
I looked down and let the water run down my back, relinquishing the last sleepy warmth I had. However, when I looked down, I realized something horrifying.
I really was skinny.
Like... Disgustingly skinny. My stomach was flat against my ribs and my arms and legs looked like sticks. I had almost no fat or muscle on my body, it was just my bones.
I started to shake and I suddenly felt freezing. I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist. I stared at myself in the mirror and noticed how sunken my appearance looked. My hair was incredibly thin and lifeless, the blondness of it a very dull color, unlike Crete's vibrant bright blond hair.
I backed away from the mirror and looked down at myself again. Disgusting.
"Oliver, would you hurry up!" Banjo yelled, knocking on the door.
I shifted my gaze to the door and sighed, unlocking it and looking up at Banjo.
He was wearing his glasses, like he did every morning. He glared at me through them, crossing his arms and looking just as tired as I was.
"Are you going to fucking move or do I have to make you?" Banjo growled.
I immediately left the bathroom and heard him slam the door as he went inside. I scurried back to my room, grabbing the outfit I picked out last night and throwing it on as quickly as possible.
I went into the other bathroom, blow drying my hair and then fixing it as quickly as possible. I looked at my watch and saw that I was very early and I smiled, walking out of the bathroom and going downstairs.
I realized how early I truly was when I saw that Dad wasn't even making breakfast yet. I went to the pantry and tried to find foods with a lot of calories and I settled on a pop tart and one of Banjo's protein bars that he ate before a sports game.
I ate them as quickly as possible in my room, literally shoving them down my throat. I felt nauseous afterwards but I shrugged it off and picked out a bow tie, put it on, and went downstairs for my second breakfast.
Dad was setting it down when I got down there. The smell itself was enough to make me almost throw up. The thought of eating more food was sickening but I instantly reminded myself of my body image and I sat down, grabbing my fork and eating the food as quickly as possible.
Dad and Banjo both watched me eat my food, confusion present on their faces. They didn't question me on it, but they did give me a glance every now and then.
When I finished my first plate, Dad gave me some extra food with the comment 'You seem abnormally hungry this morning.' I thanked him and ate that as well, feeling all the more nauseous.
When we finally left, I felt ready to throw up. The food wasn't settling right and it felt strange to have all that food inside me. I swallowed back a gag every now and then, praying that I could keep it down.
When I made it to class, I felt a little better. My stomach was still unsettled and I still felt nauseous, but I wasn't gagging anymore, which was a good sign in my eyes.
However, at exactly eight twenty-two, I regretted my decision of eating all that food.
I was doing my work when I suddenly felt something rush up my throat. My eyes darted up towards the trash can, seeing it all the way across the room. I wouldn't make it time.
So, I turned my head and threw up on the floor.
I had never thrown up in all my life. It felt strange and disgusting. But overall unpleasant.
However, none of that was going to compare to the embarrassment I was to feel after this incident.
"Oh my god! Oliver just threw up!" Someone yelled to the teacher.
Everyone turned their attention to me and gave me disgusted looks. Most looked away immediately yelling 'ew' or 'gross' while others gawked at me and stifled giggles. The boy in front of me who made fun of me my first day of school (who's name I had learned to be Jacob) was laughing at me and pulling out his phone to snap a picture.
The teacher came around and told me to go to the nurse. I stood up, suddenly feeling incredibly dizzy, and stepped over my vomit. The teacher handed me the trash can and I immediately left, not being able to stand being in that room any longer.
I walked slowly to the nurse, staying close to the wall since I felt ready to pass out. There was no one in the hallways to watch me struggle, and I silently thanked whatever higher being there was for that.
I stumbled into the nurses office, immediately alerting the nurse. She got up and took the trash can from me, leading me over to a cot and letting me sit down. She set the trash can next to me and ran to get me some water.
"There's no vomit in the trash can. Do you just feel like you're going to throw up?" The nurse asked me. I ducked my head and shook it, feeling embarrassed.
"I threw up in the classroom," I muttered.
The nurse apparently took pity on me because she cooed at me and patted my shoulder gently. She went over to the file cabinet and grabbed my files, finding one of my dads numbers and calling it.
I watched her as she sat down and dialed the number. I felt fear race through me as I realized she was without a doubt going to send me home. I thought about my perfect attendance and how that was going to be ruined because of a stupid mistake I made.
"Hi, Michael, this is Judy Holla, the high school nurse," The nurse said. A few moment later, she smiled and then laughed, looking over at me.
"Nope, not him this time. It's actually Oliver," She said. She was quiet again, listening to Daddy as he spoke.
"Really? You see I just don't know him as well as Banjo so I never knew. Well, he came here saying he threw up and he honestly looks pretty sick. I really don't want to keep him here if he has a stomach bug," The nurse said. She was quiet again and looked over at me, smiling again.
"Okay, I'll tell him. See you soon," The nurse said, hanging up.
"Your dad said that he was going to come get you. Why don't you lay down and try to relax. I'll have your brother go get your things for you," The nurse said.
I nodded and laid down on the cot, covering my eyes from the bright light overhead. I listened to her call Banjo's teacher however after that it was silent.
I felt empty again. I threw up all the food I ate this morning so I should be hungry, right? But I wasn't. I just felt empty.
"Sweetheart, do you want to try to eat some crackers?" The nurse asked me.
"No, thank you," I muttered.
"Are you sure? You must have nothing in your stomach," The nurse said.
"No, it's fine," I told her, laying my arm back over my eyes.
I heard the door open again and Banjo appeared holding my backpack and phone. He come over to me and threw me my phone, of which I luckily caught.
"Dude, how much did you eat this morning? I've never seen that much puke in my life," Banjo commented.
"How'd you see it?" I asked, worry laced in my words.
"I had to get your books and stuff, duh. But seriously, how much did you eat?" Banjo asked.
"Just what Dad gave us," I muttered.
"That's a lie and you and I both know that," Banjo growled. The nurse watched us and I swallowed back my nerves, hoping neither found out my secret.
"Your puke was brown. We didn't eat anything brown at breakfast," Banjo said.
"Gross. Why'd you look at it?" I said, trying to steer him off topic.
"What else did you eat?" Banjo demanded.
I was trapped. He knew something was up. And knowing Banjo, he wasn't gonna be nice about it.
"I... Might've eaten one of your protein bars..." I admitted.
Banjo's eyes widened and he uncrossed them. He stood there for a few moments, processing what I just told him before finally responding.
"Oliver, one of those protein bars is like an entire meal. Jesus, no wonder you puked," Banjo said, shaking his head and laughing. "I couldn't even eat that much."
"Oh, yeah you could, Banjo," Daddy said.
I turned my head back to look at him. He was standing at the door holding his keys and staring at the both of us. The nurse instantly stood up and started a conversation with him.
"Well, looks like I don't have any business here anymore. Thanks for not puking in my car, Ollie," Banjo said. He came over to me and messed up my hair before walking back towards Daddy.
"Yo, can you spot me money for gas?" Banjo asked Daddy. Daddy glared at him and shoved him gently, making Banjo laugh and leave the room again.
"Alright, Oliver. You ready to go?" Daddy asked me. I nodded, grabbing my backpack and throwing it over my shoulder, despite how heavy it was. Knowing Banjo, he probably put my entire locker in here as a joke.
"Feel better, Oliver!" The nurse called after me as I left the room. I looked back and smiled, nodding to her before continuing to follow Daddy.
We quickly drove home, Daddy saying he didn't want to clean up my puke if I were to throw up again. I leaned my head against the window, breathing in the fresh air that blew in from the small crack that Daddy left open for me.
Once we got home, Daddy told me to go to my room while he went to the store to get me some things to make me feel better. I heard the door close once I got into my room, telling me he left.
I changed back into my pajamas and threw my other clothes into the hamper by the washer since it needed to get cleaned soon. I went back upstairs getting ready to go back to my room however I stopped when I heard a knock at the door.
I blinked in confusion, wondering who could be here. Why would someone be knocking on the door when nobody was here?
I went to the door and opened it.
And I was immediately tackled to the ground.
I wanted to scream but I knew that it wouldn't get me anywhere. No one was here to save me.
So, in my defense, I tried to think of something that Banjo would do.
I instantly went limp in my attackers arms. The attacker loosened their grip and I pushed up with my remaining energy, shoving the person off me. I pinned them down and finally got my first good look at the person.
It was the woman from the park.
"What the fuck?" She said. "You're not Gavin."
"No. No, I'm not. Now, who the hell are you," I growled, glaring at her.
"Doesn't matter. Who the fuck are you?" The woman asked.
"Doesn't matter," I mocked.
The woman pushed up, shoving me to the floor again. I groaned in pain as I toppled onto my back and onto the floor. She stood up and brushed herself off, crossing her arms and glaring at me.
"Shouldn't you be at school?" She asked.
I kept my mouth shut. I didn't know her. The best thing I could do at this point was keep quiet.
I began running through my possible defenses. I was pretty quick so I could easily slip past her and call the cops. However, there's still the fact that she was anticipating that from me.
Suddenly, she grabbed me by the collar of my shirt. I felt the fabric dig into my skin and I whimpered out in pain, staring up at her with fearful eyes.
"Now, you're going to tell me right now. Where is Gavin?" She asked me.
I kept quiet.
"Not gonna talk, huh? Well, I'm good at making people-," The woman was cut off.
"Jordyn, let go of my fucking son, now," Daddy growled.
The woman, who I remembered was named Jordyn, let go of me, letting me slump to the floor. Daddy glared at her and came up behind me, helping me sit up and shoving me behind his back.
"Mind telling me what the fuck you're doing here?" Daddy growled, glaring at her.
"Michael... I don't see why you can't see this. You and I... We're meant to b-," Jordyn started.
"Jordyn, I don't want to hear it," Daddy said. I heard a waver in his voice, a nervous waver.
"What? Because Gavin's precious little son will hear? Hey, guess what, your Dad and I, we've been having an aff-," She was again cut off by Daddy.
"Jordyn, get the fuck out of my house before I call the police," Daddy growled.
Jordyn stood her ground for a few extra moments. Daddy reached into his pocket, grabbing his phone and turning it on. Jordyn glared at him, mouthing 'You wouldn't.' Daddy began typing in the number and Jordyn screamed in frustration, stomping out of the house.
Daddy and I watched her get into her car and leave. She slammed the door extra hard, hitting the steering wheel and aggressively turning the key before backing out of the driveway and leaving. We watched her car peel down the road and make an almost dangerous turn before finally heading back into the house.
The moment the door closed, I asked my question.
"So... It is true, isn't it?" I asked.
Daddy didn't turn around for a few moments but when he did, I saw the stressed out and tired look I had always associated with him on late nights when he came home from work late. He rubbed his head and sighed before finally locking eyes with me.
"Yeah... How much do you know?" Daddy asked me.
I couldn't help but feel a little beam of pride. I loved the fact that my dads knew I could crack any mystery, even ones that they tried to keep hidden from me.
"Well... I know that you tried to break things off with her. I saw you at the park," I told him. Daddy nodded and groaned.
"Imagine how many other people saw that too. God dammit," Daddy growled. He calmed down when he realized I was a little frightened that he was going to go into one of his rages. He came over to me and wrapped his arms around me, to which I immediately hugged him back.
"Hug me like you mean it," Daddy said, giggling a little bit. I giggled too and tightened my grip on him, receiving a strangled groan from him.
When we pulled away, he pet back my hair, messing it up some more. I smiled at him, making him smile back.
"God, you look too much like Gavin," Daddy said, making me smile some more.
But on the inside, I was silently wondering if that was meant to be a compliment or not. Dad wasn't as handsome as he used to be.
"Go up to your room and get some sleep, okay? I was gonna head back to work but I'm not so keen on leaving you home alone again with Jordyn snooping around," Daddy told me. I nodded and walked past him to the staircase, wincing when I felt a pain in my back as I started going up the stairs.
Once I was back in my room, I curled up in my bed and immediately shut my eyes. I felt a wave of sleepiness sweep over me and I shifted my body to a more comfortable position before finally falling asleep.

"Come in!" I called through the door when I heard someone knock on it. I paused the show I was watching and looked over at the door, feeling surprise and happiness take over me.
"Cree?!" I said excitedly. I began to get out of bed but Cree shook his head, smiling at me.
"I came over to see if you were... Alive, I guess," Cree said, smiling and walking in some more, revealing he had some soup, crackers and ginger ale for me.
"Your Dad told me to bring this up to you. Um... I might've eaten some of the crackers too," Cree said, handing me the food.
I smiled and laughed a little, accepting the food. I looked up at Cree and handed him the rest of the crackers, to which he immediately refused. I looked at him in shock, shoving the crackers into his hands.
"Cree, what's gotten into you? You never refuse food," I told him.
"Yeah... But you look like you need it," Cree told me.
"Nah. I'll probably just end up throwing it back up," I told him. Cree shrugged and began nibbling on the crackers.
"So, do you feel any better?" Cree asked.
"Yeah I guess. My stomachs still pretty unsettled but I'm not nauseous anymore," I told him. Cree nodded and frowned for a moment.
"Everyone knows," Cree suddenly said.
"What?" I asked, confusion laced in my tone.
"Everyone knows about... You know, throwing up in class. Even the middle schoolers," Cree said.
I suddenly didn't feel hungry anymore.
"Has anyone said anything?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Do you really want to know?" Cree asked, giving me a face that told me I really didn't want to know.
I sighed and handed him my soup as well. Cree watched me in confusion as I rolled over and curled up. Cree set the bowl down and sat down next to me. I felt him curl up next to me, trying to comfort me the only way he knew how.
How was I gonna show my face at school tomorrow?
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Alright. Super long chapter to make up for the fact that I haven't been posting all that much on here.
Please let me know if you're enjoying this book. As I've said numerous times before, I'm aspiring to be a writer and your feedback would be most appreciated and helpful in reaching my goals. All it takes is a few seconds and it makes a world of difference in my eyes.
Alright, I'm also gonna say that updates may be slow. I've been very busy with high school, odyssey of the mind, and my boyfriend... So I very rarely get time to write. But I'm trying.
Thanks for reading!