Page 11 of The Other Half

So why am I attracted to her? Is it because I want to be the one to corrupt her? I know that she’ll eventually be introduced to the things all the other kids at this school are used to; sex, drugs, parties. So why shouldn’t it be me?

Maybe it’s because she’s the daughter of a rich bastard, too. I’d find some enjoyment in being the one to ruin his perfect little princess. It’s probably the least he deserves.

It’s been two weeks since she came over to my house, and I’ve ignored her since then, aside from finishing our project. I was so quick to invite her into my home and comfort her in her hour of need. But it felt like too much, afterwards I kept worrying that she’d come running to me every time she needed comforting. I don’t want to be responsible for someone’s emotions like that. But I also can’t stop thinking about the way her body felt when it was pressed against mine.

Truth is, I don’t know if I can handle that kind of attachment to anyone, but especially not someone like Oakley. She’s gone through enough hurt and betrayal from her own father, and I know I’m not gonna be the one to pick up the pieces. I wouldn’t even know how. I’d probably just manage to fuck her up worse.

It’s getting close to fall now, and some of the leaves on the trees have turned yellow and orange. I watch as one of them is blown off its limb by the wind, spindling around several times before landing on the ground. Soon it’ll be too cold for me to walk to school, and I’ll have to take the bus to avoid the freezing temperatures. I like walking to school. My parents have never been able to drive me because they both always worked long and unpredictable hours, and in elementary school I got bullied while riding the bus, so I got used to walking instead.

As I approach the door I notice Amber and one of her friends standing just beyond the breezeway. I’ve been actively avoiding her, too. I’m not even sure why exactly, but I’m willing to bet it has to do with the fact that all I can think about when I jerk off now are images of green eyes and gaudy, modest outfits, when it used to be images of Amber.

Amber quickly struts over to me with a mischievous look in her hazel eyes. She’s wearing tight jeans with large manufactured rips in the thighs, and a too-small polo shirt that isn’t buttoned, her tits nearly falling out of it. Usually it would turn me on, but right now it’s just fucking annoying.

“Hi, Ollie,” she chirps as she grasps my shirt in her knuckles and grins up at me.

“Hi,” I grumble, pushing past her and continuing to walk to my destination.

She doesn’t take the hint and keeps following me. “I haven’t heard from you much lately. You need to text me,” she says, punctuating the demand by pouting her lips.

Again, fucking annoying. It’s too early in the morning for this.

“Sure.”

She steps in front of me and stops, pushing on my chest. “Why are you being a dick right now?”

“What are you talking about, Amber?”

“You’re being short with me. What’s going on, are you talking to some slut or something? Is that why you haven’t been talking to me?”

I roll my eyes and continue to push past her. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. I’m not talking to anyone.” I’m not. I’m just thinking about this girl I can’t ever have.

I hear her scoff behind me. “Ass,” she whispers. I just keep walking, I’m not interested in entertaining her childish drama and I never have been. Even though we mutually agreed not to make this thing exclusive, lately she’s been trying to act more like a girlfriend despite my obvious lack of reciprocation.

The thing is, I know she fucks around with other guys. She even flirts with my brother sometimes when she thinks I’m not paying attention. I don’t know why she finds it surprising that I’ve lost interest. She knew how I operated before we ever got involved.

* * *

I settle into my seat in the art room. This class has become increasingly awkward. I usually spend most of it thinking about Oakley who’s sitting just a few feet away from me, but we haven’t said a word to each other since our project ended. Which is my fault, I’ve been purposely standoffish, hoping that if she had developed any kind of attachment to me it would wear off.

“Hey,” I hear her familiar mouse-like voice and it catches me off guard. I flick my gaze towards her to see that uneasy look etched onto her face again. I feel kind of bad, I had finally made some headway with coaxing her out of her shell, and now it seems we’re right back where we started. But that’s what I wanted, right?

“Hi,” I reply as I shakily comb my hand through my hair. Since when do I feel nervous like this over a girl? Never, that’s when. I’ve never cared to impress a girl because I’ve never had to. They’ve always flocked to me without me having to put in any effort. Maybe that’s why she makes me nervous, because I know I’d have to put in effort to impress her.

“I was wondering if maybe…you’d wanna hang out tonight?” she asks, her face and neck flushing as the question leaves her lips. “My parents are out of town this weekend, so I’ll just be at home by myself.”

I don’t know what I was expecting her to say, but it wasn’t that. “Uh…” I know I must take too long to reply, because she quickly cuts in again.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to. I just thought I’d ask. I mean, I still don’t know a ton of people here yet, and…” She rambles like that a lot I’ve noticed. Like her mouth starts making words before her brain can keep up with it.

“Sure, we can hang out,” I say before I can stop myself.

“Okay. I’ll text you when I get home, then,” she says with a small grin on her face. She looks so damn happy that it pains me. I definitely can’t back out now.

Chapter 13

Oakley

I’ve been going round and round in my head for the last two weeks, trying to figure out why Oliver has barely said a word to me since I hung out with him at his house.

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