Chapter 14

When we arrive at the house, I'm the one who has to drag in my bags because my father runs ahead of me childishly. My mother greets me with a hug and a gift bag. It seems like forever since I last saw her, even though it's only been a month. In the gift bag, there's a necklace in the box and a few gift cards for stores that I like. Dylan gives me a hug as well and explains that he's on a college kid budget and doesn't have money for things like gifts and that I should be grateful for his existence. Charlie, the cutie that he is, made me a heart on construction paper. In his sloppy handwriting, he wrote my name and a picture of me. I also notice something crossed out across from my nickname. I can faintly see the letters 'M' and 'A'.

"What's that?" I ask him when I crouch down and point to the two abandoned letters. The rest of the word is covered well by black crayon.

My two brothers look at each other and Dylan starts snickering. He starts laughing so loud that he has to leave the living room. "I wrote Olive plus Maddox," my little brother answers.

I grimace and nod as I try to make out Maddox's name. "Did you?" I trail quietly.

"Yeah, Dylan told me to," he excuses and I simply sigh and stare at the paper.

"It's okay, I love it anyway," I concur with a small smile.

The teasing of Maddox doesn't stop there. It continues on throughout the week. It's especially bad on Christmas, however. My mother even joins in a few times. Whenever the topic of Maddox comes up, my father just sits there with this annoyed look on his face; sometimes, he'll offer a few grunts. On the morning of Christmas, I'm awoken by my little brother, who takes it upon himself to run from room to room shouting that Santa has come. We all get up, despite the fact that it's barely seven in the morning.

Charlie digs around under the tree like a mole, searching for presents with his name on them. Every time he finds one, he shoves it to the side into a pile he's created. He'll occasionally hand a gift back to me and Dylan, which we take upon ourselves to separate. I get clothes, perfume, jewelry, and a few other things. My older brother will say slick comments whenever I unwrap a gift, like: "Ah, she wants to look good for Maddox with those new clothes." I simply glare at him and resist the urge to kick him. The highlight of Christmas, however, is watching my little brother open his gifts and thank Santa with a large grin on his face.

We also visit Grandma Ortega, who speaks only Spanish. Seeing as I haven't spoken the language in a while, mainly because I haven't been around many Spanish speakers aside from my Spanish class (which is definitely not your average Spanish 4 class); it takes me a moment to grasp what the older woman is saying. My father notices this and makes a comment that my aunt is rubbing off on me, seeing as Aunt Genevieve can't speak Spanish to save her life. Then again, it isn't her first language like it is my father's. In fact, it isn't one of her languages at all. My aunt is Italian and German, like my mother. My father is Spanish; his mother's straight from Spain.

For the majority of the time at my grandmother's house, I'm hunched over in a chair at the kitchen table, explaining that I don't want any more food. She keeps refilling my plate whenever I manage to scarf down what she put on it previously. I'm grateful when we leave. I feel like I've gained twenty pounds. Dylan, however, takes a to-go plate.

I spend a lot of time with my brothers, doing what we used to do, like play video games and just hang out in general. I didn't realize how much I missed Dylan until I spent time with him. He'd been at college for so long that I grew used to his absence. That's another thing I'll miss when I leave: my older brother. And I'll definitely miss Charlie, because he's Charlie. How could you not miss him?

Dinners are definitely something I missed. My mother would make her famous stuffed cabbage and my father would burn everything he touched. I didn't really miss that. It was sitting down at the table like a family that I did miss.

+ + +

It's on New Year's Eve that my old friends make their first appearance. They'd seen me in a local Wal-Mart and stopped by my house later that day. I open the door when it rings and am greeted with the sight of my old comrades- Reina and Wilson. To say that it's awkward is an understatement. I haven't really talked to my old friends very much, aside from the occasional text here and there. I honestly hadn't expected them to show up when they said they would earlier.

"Liv, you have to come out tonight," Reina urges me with wild eyes. "Porter's throwing a party tonight. You have to come! There's going to be so many drinks and fireworks. It's going to be great."

"It won't be the same without you!" Wilson continues to plea. I stare at them with slightly narrowed eyes. I guess you can say that I'm disappointed; of all the things there are to talk about, this is what they choose. Is this what I was like before? We haven't even talked about what I've missed in the three months I was away and vice versa yet here they are urging me to come out and party with them.

"I'm sorry, but I can't," I explain weakly.

"Why not?" Reina presses as she tugs her brows together. "Just tell your parents that you're going to be catching up with us! I mean, it's not exactly a lie, right? There'll just be more alcohol and loud music."

"I don't think so," I shake my head, slowly closing the door. They get the hint and remain on the porch.

Reina scoffs at me when she catches on. "Fine, don't come. Sit home. Whatever," she bites sourly.

"I see your rich cousin's gotten to you," Wilson mutters as he and Reina skulk down the steps.

Deciding not to say anything in response, I simply lock the door and turn around, mocking Wilson. "Maybe your rich cousin's got to you. Shut up, Wilson." I jump in surprise when I see my father standing there. He has his bag in his hand so I can tell he's waiting to leave for work.

"I'm proud of you," he informs me with a small smile on his face.

"For what?" I wonder as I walk away from the door and towards the living room. He trails behind me and hovers in the doorway.

"For saying no. I was scared to have you home because I thought you'd jump at the chance to go hang out with your friends. I didn't want to have to fight you to keep you home, only to have you sneak out at two in the morning when your mother and I are asleep," he responds as he leans against the doorway.

I scoff as I drop onto the couch, watching Charlie play with his new toys on the floor. "Maybe my rich cousin has got to me."

He laughs and shakes his head. "Maybe."

+ + +

When it's time for me to go back to my aunt's house, I sit in my room and stare at the ceiling. I try to create a list of the perks of going back to Harrington. I mean, I'd get to see my friends again. My friends. I talked to mostly all of them during my time home. I texted all of them except Maddox, but I don't think too much about that. To be honest, I missed them- every single one of them, including the rude idiot.

When the time comes around, my father steps into my room. "You ready to go?" he questions me with a light knock on my door. I sit up in my bed and look at my suitcase beside my bed. I give a weak nod as I stand and grab the handle.

"Yeah," I respond dully. After all of my farewells, I leave the house. In my hand, I hold a paper from Charlie. It's another picture that I've yet to look at; it's most likely a heart because he just perfected drawing them. He told me not to open it until I got back to Harrington so I said I wouldn't. Hopefully, he didn't write Maddox's name on this one. He made me promise to hang up all of the pictures he drew me and I said I would. And I actually will. I try not to cry when we drive away from the house.

The car ride is slow and quiet, mainly because I fall asleep for most of it. My father wakes me up when we arrive back at my aunt's house and I sigh as I get out of the car. I immediately stop once my foot drops through something cold. I look down and see half a foot of snow everywhere. I scowl as I yank my foot back and trudge up to the door, being followed by my father who has my bag.

"I have to get going. Once I get back to Warrensville, I have to go straight to the station," my father announces as I open the door to my room. He hugs me tightly after putting down my suitcase. I smile up at him.

"I'll see you soon?" I wonder as I lead the way back downstairs. He nods and I walk him to the car and watch as he drives off. Once I enter the house again, I notice a note on the fridge. Vivica is with Chelsea and my aunt is at work. I walk back upstairs with intentions of finishing my nap when I see something on my bed. It's a gift bag. I stare at it, unsure of whether or not it's for me. Upon further inspection, I see that my name is written on a small tag hanging from the bag's handle.

I peek inside and take out the tissue paper. I dig around further and smile when I came upon a new phone case, a perfume set, a large bag of candy, and at the very bottom, a gift card. I smile at it and force myself to remember to thank my aunt when she gets home.

Another thought drifts into my mind as I move the present to the bedside table; I must stink if everyone's giving me perfume.

+ + +

Once vacation officially ends, I'm sad that I'm no longer able to sleep in but I'm happy that I get to see my friends again. They seem happy about it, too. Maddox, of course, doesn't text me, not that I expected him to. I guess you can say that I'm shocked when I see a message from him on Wednesday morning when it's time to return to school.

6:40? I simply stare at the text before replying positively, telling him that I'll be waiting. I don't know why I agree to take the ride from him. Maybe it's because I want to know why he didn't make an effort to talk to me. But then again, I didn't make the effort to talk to him either. I sigh as I stare at my phone.

My aunt told me yesterday that Vivica will be driving me to and from school from now on because she's not letting me walk in the cold. Maybe that's why I agreed to take the ride from Maddox. Spending all that time in the car with my cousin doesn't exactly sound like fun. Deciding not to overthink the situation, I plop down on the couch with two granola bars this time.

"I have a ride to school today," I tell my cousin as she comes down the steps.

"Good, because I have things to do after school," she retorts sourly and I roll my eyes at her. I walk outside when I hear Maddox honking his horn like a madman.

As I get into the car, I scowl at him. "Hold your horses," I snap as I buckle my seatbelt.

When he begins driving off, I pull a granola bar out of my pocket and hand it to him. "For me?" he questions as he stares at it for a second.

"No, idiot, for me," I retort with a short glare. He takes it from me so I take my own granola bar from my pocket and unwrap it.

"You remembered," he mutters as he takes a bite of the snack.

"Yeah, that makes one of us," I respond quietly and he eyes me curiously. I lift up his phone, which is resting in the cup holder between us. He furrows his eyebrows as if not catching on so I scoff and roll my eyes. "You never did text me."

His eyes widen a little as he glances from the road back to me. My face is unchanging as I watch him. "You were serious?" he asks after a few seconds of us exchanging glances.

"Yeah," I nod at him. He simply shrugs as if there's nothing he can do now. I decide to tease him a bit as I finish off my granola bar. "Did you miss me?"

"No," he scoffs and makes me feel like an idiot for asking. I roll my eyes at him and urge to make more conversation.

"How are things with Raven?" I wonder aloud and he sighs.

"I don't care anymore. I've tried texting her but she hasn't responded. I've called- no answer. I give up. If she wants to be petty, let her be petty," he answers with another weak shoulder raise. I want to tell him to try harder, maybe go to her house, but for some reason, I don't. Somethings telling me not to. So instead, I offer him a wordless nod. 

"Maybe she just needs more time," I decide to respond after a minute of silence.

He mutters something under his breath and shakes his head. I don't bother to ask him to repeat himself and get lost in my thoughts, instead.

+ + +

I'm greeted with hugs and words of welcome- the complete opposite of how Maddox received me. "At least you guys missed me," I grin at them before briefly sticking my tongue out at Maddox. He simply purses his lips at me and looks into his locker, which is where the meet-up is taking place.

"What?" Nicholas gasps in surprise. "Maddox missed you most of all!"

Maddox rolls his eyes at this and shakes his head. "I did not," he denies the accusations without a second thought.

"Yes you did! 'When's Olive coming back?' 'The third?' 'How many days away is that?' 'Oh, okay.' He never stopped talking about you!" Winona cackles teasingly, laughing loudly as Maddox goes pink in the face.

Deciding to go along with their joke, I smile at him. "Oh really? You missed me that much?" I prod him. I nudge him lightly in the side and he glares at my hand.

"No," he retorts as he glares at me from the corners of his eyes. I grin at him and raise my arms for a hug. As I approach him, he only glowers harder; if looks could kill, I'd be long dead. "Olive, I swear I will—," he starts but that's enough for me to hear. Throwing all caution to the wind, I toss my arms around his neck and embrace him. It's awkward and one-sided but for some reason, it makes me happy. He smell good, and despite the fact that he's tense and rigid, I can feel his heartbeat through his shirt. Once I pull away, I notice that his face is almost as red as mine and I giggle loudly.

"I got a picture!" Cassidy cheers as she turns her phone to me.

"What's wrong, Maddie?" I question him with a puckered out lower lip.

"Don't call me that," he snaps with a tightly clenched jaw.

I simply grin at him and watch as he slams his locker and storms off.  As the bell rings, everyone disperses after high-fiving me for my courageousness. Cassidy, who is the only one still standing around, looks at me. "That was cute," she coos with a small smile on her face.

I roll my eyes at her as I start in the direction towards class. "He hates me," I state the obvious.

"I think I like the idea of you and him more than you and Abel," she shrugs as if either of those situations are likely to happen.

"Don't be like my mother," I mutter as I grip the straps of my backpack.

"She knows about Maddox?" she asks in slight surprise.

"Unfortunately. She found out because of homecoming, but my father told her a lot more," I grumble with a dismissive shake of my head. She nods along with me before quirking a brow.

"Did Maddox bring you to school?" she wonders and I offer her a nod.

"Yeah," I answer.

"That's cute," she smiles suggestively.

"Ugh," I shake my head at her. "Don't make it into something it's not."

"He did miss you, you know?" she informs me. I only continue to shake my head but she nods hers vigorously. "He did keep asking when you'd be coming back! It was cute, you know? He hasn't really liked a girl since Raven."

My eyes go wide and my head jerks back a bit at her casual mention of liking people. "He surely doesn't like me, Cass," I assure her as I hold both of my hands up. Her smile is unwavering.

"We'll see, won't we?" she teases with wiggling brows. "Now don't you have a class to get to?"

"Don't you?" I retort.

+ + +

Normally, when I have class with Maddox, I follow behind him slowly and mock his pace. But today, he races from class to class. I have a feeling he's avoiding me. So when it's time for fifth period, I walk over to the table he's at, grab his book bag, which is resting on the chair beside him, and put it on the floor. When I take the seat, I feel his familiar harsh look.

"Are you going to hug me again?" he snaps as if he was waiting to use that line on me.

"Are you going to kiss me again?" I bite back with the same amount of attitude. 

"For some reason, I think you want me to," he responds as he leans in a bit. My mouth drops a little and I can only blink for the first ten seconds after hearing his response. He seems satisfied with my reaction.

"Shut up," I hiss when I come to my senses.

"Only if you promise to never touch me again," he grumbles as he violently takes his folder from his bag.

"I came over here to apologize, but now, I don't really feel like it," I inform him with a roll of neck.

"Apologize?" he questions with raised brows.

"Yeah, something you're too much of a coward to do," I bite back.

"I'm a coward?" he chuckles dubiously. I nod with my arms tugged tightly across my chest. "At least I'm not too scared to admit when I like someone."

"I don't like Abel!" I defend myself again.

"That would be your cowardice kicking in," Maddox mutters in a tone quieter than mine.

"Why do you care so much about whether or not I like your brother?" I interrogate as I lean forward just a little. He acknowledges this by assessing my upper half for a brief second.

"I don't," he insists with a fleeting glance.

"Obviously you do if you keep bringing it up," I retort as I raise and drop my hands.

"I don't," he assures me in a much firmer tone. I eye him for a few seconds before reaching into my bag and retrieving my notebook, successfully ending the conversation.

+ + +

Despite the fact that we're sitting beside each other during fifth period, the moment the bell rings, Maddox is up and out of that room quicker than I thought possible. He was already packed up whereas I take my time putting my belongings back into my bag. I get to lunch a few moments late and everyone is already at the table.

Like usual, there's a topic on the table and everyone is talking about it. Apparently, the topic of conversation is midterms. They're approaching quickly (only two weeks away) and I didn't even realize it until this morning when my Spanish teacher handed out an extremely long study-guide. Maddox is complaining about Algebra 2 and I give him a long, drawn out sigh.

"If you need help, why don't you ask me?" I wonder, seeing as Cassidy and Winona aren't offering any assistance.

"You'll probably flirt with my brother when you're supposed to be helping me," Maddox retorts and I repress the urge to ask why he's bringing Abel up again. Cassidy nudges me in the side and I swat at her hand underneath the table. I only shake my head in response to him, doing a good job of holding my tongue.

When the last bell of the day rings, I shove my homework into my bag and exit the classroom. I take my time in the bathroom, freshening up and fixing my hair. I assume Maddox isn't going to give me a ride home so I figure I don't need to be in a rush. As I exit the bathroom, I jump in surprise when his voice comes from a few feet away. "I don't have all day," he informs me.

"You scared me," I hiss with a hand to my chest as I walk behind him to the parking lot.

"Good," he comments with his hands shoved deep in his hoodie pockets.

"What happened to waiting a half hour before going home?" I ask as I fall in step beside him.

"Well, it's pointless now," he shrugs while twirling his keys around his finger.

"Why'd you do it before?" I wonder as I walk around to the passengers side of the car.

"To avoid my mother," he answers as he unlocks the door.

"Why?" I pry a bit more as I crawl into the car.

"Because she'd make me do chores," he explains in short. I stare at him with a blank expression on my face. I was expecting something a bit worse.  

"Are you serious?" I scoff and he gives me a slow nod.

"She goes overboard with it," he assures me while starting the car.

"You're so lazy," I laugh quietly.

"I'm not! She makes me wash the dishes, do the laundry, sweep and mop, vacuum, clean the bathrooms- she's crazy," he elaborates.

I laugh again before doing the math aloud. "So you sit in the school parking lot waiting for her to leave?" I ask.

"Yes," he confirms with a quick bob of his head.

I suck my teeth a few times while moving my head from left to right. "That could be time spent working on your Algebra 2," I point at him.

"Shut up," he scowls at me as he takes us out of the driveway.

"If you need help, you can always ask," I encourage him. "You know, midterms are coming up, and getting a good grade on those is important."

He glances at me from the corner of his eye before letting out a long sigh. "Are you busy after school?" he wonders.

"Nope," I smirk at him.

He doesn't bother to respond and just drives us to his house instead of mine. I message my aunt and she asks if I'm going to be home in time for dinner. I reply that I don't know and if anything, I'll have him stop at Subway. I have a gift card for it, so I'll pay.

When we pull up to the house, he sighs when he sees his mother's car in the driveway. He pushes open the door and ushers me to the living room, where she's sitting on the couch watching television. "Maddox, you have clean that bathroom and put the dishes away—," she starts and he looks at me with wide eyes. She notices two steps of footsteps because she turns around and tilts her head. "Olivia, hello."

"Hi," I greet her quietly.

Maddox looks triumphant as he stares back at his mother. "She's going to help me study for midterms," he explains as he points at me with his thumb.

"Don't act so smug, Maddox. Those dishes will still be there after dinner; there'll be more, in fact," she chides, which gets a defeated sigh from him. "You're staying for dinner, right, Olivia?"

Maddox's eyes dart to me and I start to hesitate. Do I say yes? Does he want me to say yes? Do I say no? Will I be intrusive if I say yes? "S-sure," I muttered after a moment of her staring at me.

"Do you like steak?" she wonders with and I give her a big nod. "Great. I'm going to go get started on the laundry. Your father will be home for dinner, Maddox."

Maddox doesn't say anything as she leaves the room. He only motions for me to sit down on the couch. I wait for him to say something rude and am not surprised when a smirk falls onto his lips. "S-s-sure," he mocks me. "You couldn't just say no."

"Shut up," I snap back. "I don't like being rude."

"Oh, of course not, because you're such a nice girl," he feigns agreement with an understanding nod.

"You say it like you're such a nice girl," I retort sassily, which gets a flat look from him. "Now, let's start working."

"Whatever you say, Madeline."

+ + +

It's four o'clock when the door bursts open and Abel's singing voice fills the house. "Maddox! Where are you?" he calls happily.

"In the living room," Maddox responds in a voice barely above his normal tone, which isn't loud at all. I'm surprised Abel hears him.

Abel runs in looking slightly panicked. When he sees me, he smiles despite the fact that he's breathing heavily. "Hey Olivia," he greets me. I stand up when I see that he's preparing to hug me. It's awkward because I feel Maddox's eyes on me up until the second I sit down. "Okay, I need a favor...from the both of you."

I furrow my eyebrows. "What is it?" I question him. Is it bad I want to agree before even hearing what it is?

"I'll save Maddox the embarrassment of asking," he chuckles boyishly, which throws me off. "I have a date on Saturday night."

"Jealous?" Maddox whispers to me quietly. I elbow him in the side, a little surprised that I actually connect with his ribs. It seems as if he's moved closer to me over the span of my visits.

"It was supposed to be a double date but Jacob and Emily cancelled—," Abel starts rambling and Maddox scoffs and stands up, already seeing where this is going. Abel is quick to push his little brother back onto the couch. He returns to his pacing back and forth in the space in front of us. "I really like this girl but I don't want it to be awkward. I'm not good with first dates."

"So you want us to fill in for Jacob and Emily?" I trail in thought.

"Yes," he confirms, which gets a dubious laugh from his brother. When he sees Maddox's doubtful look, he drops to his knees. "Please, guys! I really need this! I like her a lot!"

"Okay," I nod without a second thought. "I'll do it." This response earns a bewildered look from Maddox. He shakes his head at his brother, who's staring at him hopefully.

"Find a date because I'm not going," Maddox encourages me, which gets an eye roll from me.

"Come on, Maddox, help your brother," I urge him with another nudge.

"No," Maddox answers bluntly.

"Please, Maddox! If all goes well, I won't bother you when I'm home!" Abel pleads with wide eyes. "I'll cook for you! I'll do your laundry!"

"Maddox," I start when I see him staring at his brother mercilessly.

"I'll do all of your chores for a week!" Abel exclaims in a desperate attempt to win his brother over.

"Okay," Maddox gives in. "I'll go."

Abel jumps up and cheers happily. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" 

"So when is this date?" I ask Abel, who is now beaming widely.

"Don't use that word," Maddox grunts quietly.

"Saturday!" Abel answers. I go to say something but he is one step ahead of me. "It's at seven. You work until four, right?" I nod and he grins at his brother. "And you're doing nothing, Maddox, like usual!"

"Watch what you say or I'll accidentally make plans at seven," Maddox threatens his brother. "Get started on my laundry. And the dishes need washing."

"You're cruel, you know that right?" I ask Maddox as Abel bounces off into the kitchen.

"And you're just jealous," he retorts dismissively.

"I'm not," I sigh. And it's true. I'm happy for Abel. Maybe this will get everyone off my back about it, too.

+ + +

I didn't even notice that Maddox's father entered the house. I guess I was so busy trying to reteach Maddox concepts from October that I completely ignored him. I only realize when Mrs. Finnegan calls us for dinner, which is at about six o'clock. Maddox and I put our stuff down and I decide to ask him a question. "Should I say I'm your friend? Or your classmate?" I trail as I rub my hands on my skirt, which I'm still wearing. He still has his uniform on too, thankfully.

He rolls his eyes at me. "What would you call me if your parents asked about me?" he asks.

"A piece of sh—," I begin but Abel's voice cuts off my sentence.

"Dinner!" Abel yells like a 1950's housewife.

Maddox glares at me when he realizes what I was going to say. I simply grin at him and follow him into the kitchen. There are six seats at the table but only five plates. Unsure of where to sit, I drop down between Maddox and Abel.

There are a few plates on the table, the main one holding steak. A few side dishes are scattered about and I assume it's because Abel is a picky eater. A pitcher of water and a bottle of Cola are also situated on the table and, like everyone else, I begin helping myself. Once our plates are full and our cups are to the brim, Mr. Finnegan decides to start a conversation. With a cheery grin on his face, he looks at me. "I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Mr. Finnegan, Maddox and Abel's father. You can call me Carl."

"I'm Olivia, Maddox and Abel's friend," I introduce myself.

"So I've heard. Maddox tells us you're not from around here. Do you like it here so far?" Mr. Finnegan asks me.

"Yeah, it's nice," I answer as I cut my steak. "The weather is different from back home. It rains a lot here."

"Yeah, you get used to that," Mrs. Finnegan waves off with a knowing smile.

"You work with Abel, right?" Mr. Finnegan wonders.

"Yeah," I nod again.

"And you attend school with Maddox?" he continues to ask and I feel like a bobble-head by the amount of times I'm nodding.

After being questioned by his parents, Maddox decides to cut in with a different topic. He brings up Abel's unnamed love interest. Abel, who was quietly eating his meal, immediately looks up and glares at Maddox. Mrs. Finnegan starts cooing and cheering happily. "Finally, Abel!" she all but exclaims.

Abel stares at his mother in slight surprise. "What are you talking about? I dated Hailey!" he reminds his mom.

"Yeah, so did everyone else," Maddox mutters under his breath, which gets a small, repressed chuckle from Mr. Finnegan.

"At least she didn't cling to me like Raven," Abel responds with a roll of his eyes. My head whips from Abel to Maddox, who doesn't seem as fazed as I anticipated.

"Because she was too busy clinging to every other guy with a—," Maddox starts but his mother stops him before he can finish that sentence.

"Maddox! Watch your mouth!" she snaps with a wagging finger. Abel smirks triumphantly and she turns to him with a disapproving look on her face. "And you! Raven was a nice girl."

"Was? You act like she's dead," Abel snorts.

"She's dead to me," Maddox mumbles and it's my turn to repress a laugh. I'm the only one who seems to hear that little comment and he offers me a small chuckle.

"Well, Maddox has Olivia now, right?" Mrs. Finnegan surprises me by commenting. I hear a loud scoff from beside me and Maddox, who emitted the sound, is hunched over laughing. I let out a couple chuckles of my own as I shake my head. Even Abel laughs at this.

"No, ma'am," I correct her, feeling slightly uncomfortable. "Maddox and I are only friends." If you'd consider us that.

It's awkward as we wait for Maddox to stop laughing and once we pass he two minute mark, I'm pretty sure Mr. Finnegan kicks Maddox under the table because he grunts and straightens up.

+ + +

Once dinner is finished, Mrs. Finnegan gets up and points at Maddox. "You better get those dishes done. Because if I come home and they're still in the sink, you can say goodbye to your computer and your video games."

Mr. Finnegan stands up and I finally notice that they both have on formal clothing. I also notice how tall Mr. Finnegan is, standing at about 6'3". "It was nice meeting you, Olivia. I hope to see you again," Mr. Finnegan says with a delicate shake of my hand. I return the statement and compliment him and his wife on their beautiful home.

As they're leaving the kitchen, I hear Mrs. Finnegan make a comment to her husband: "She's a nice girl." I listen to the door close and I notice Maddox saying something to Abel, who's preparing to wash the dishes.

"Where are you going?" Abel asked when he saw Maddox lift the keys off of the table.

"I'm bringing Olive home," Maddox spoke. Abel, who was now soaked in water from trying to wash a spoon, turned around.

"I'll see you at work on Friday, Olive!" Abel mocks him and I chuckle quietly.

"See you!" I wave at him as I collect my items from the living room.

"Oh so he can call you Olive without repercussions?" he asks as I pack my bag.

"Obviously," I retort with a stupid grin on my face. He watches me as I zip up my bag and toss it over my shoulder. "I'm surprised you didn't make me walk." I'm not too keen on talking to him after the embarrassment he made me endure at the dinner table.

"Do you want a ride home or not?" he questions me as he tugs open the door. I don't bother to reply and I follow him to the car instead.