Forever Love (2 page)

Trina claps while laughing at the end of my speech as I shoot her a smirk. It’s the same speech I've been saying since I started this game of cat and mouse with the opposite sex two years ago after I'd lost my virginity, best not to touch on that subject though.

I know that Trina, who despite her sassiness and attitude, is a born romantic, thinks that I'm fucked up and I probably am. I have no interest in relationships, not anymore anyway. I think there are a lucky few in life who get to meet their forever love and pop their cherry in a room full of candles and rose petals and then get married to the same dick and have lots of babies. Me, I'm just a bit more realistic. Sure there's a few people out there that get that, but I just don’t count myself as one them. Girls like me don’t get the happy endings with the nice guy and I'm ok with that. There isn't enough of me left to give myself to someone whole heartedly, I wouldn’t even know where to begin.

As I finish my drink, I stand up knowing the end is near and I'm going to have to leave soon. I look at Trina and for the first time since finding out I was being sent away to live with my Dad and his new family, I feel my eyes getting wet. I quickly dash away the ensuing tears, not wanting to set Trina off. Of course it's already too late as she's nearly sobbing as we look at each other and take every detail in.

"I'm gonna miss you even though you’re a raging bitch at times." I whisper while trying to smile through my blurry vision.

"I'm gonna miss you too boo, even if you’re a fucked up slut." Trina says causing me to laugh.

That’s my girl, even at the worst of times she's got some biting remark to change the atmosphere. We hug it out as Ada walks back into the room.

"Oh my days, girls will you knock it off. You're gonna see each other soon. Nobody's dying."

We both giggle at that. We'd already organized to see each other next time Trina's at her grandmother's house in Savannah, which thankfully is only an hours drive away from Franklin. It's still the longest we've gone without seeing each other in all our years of friendship.

I bid Trina and Ada goodbye while giving myself a mental pep talk. I'm not sure if my tears are from leaving my best friend, hell my only friend or having to start again somewhere else. I hate Atlanta though, it's busy and hot and obviously the Bitch lives here, I've been counting down the days since my Dad left until college so that I get out of here. In Franklin it’s a total fresh page.

My Dad and i aren't as close as we used to be, we haven't been close since he left. I don’t blame him for leaving, hell I don’t know how he lasted so long with the Bitch anyway. I'm certainly not some spoilt princess brat that’s gonna blame all her problems on Daddy issues. I know he's tried repeatedly over the last few years get our relationship back to what it was but I've pulled back. It pisses me off that he always believes the Bitches half assed stories she feeds him. The guy's lectures don’t bother me, my Dad is like the least scary person in the world, he's basically a pussy cat and its more comical than anything when he's angry but it still feels like betrayal. He's a good father overall though. He sends me a pretty hefty allowance every month despite having to fork out a fortune in child support and alimony to my money grabbing tramp of a Mother, he bought me my precious Mini and if I really needed him I know he'd be there. The problem is, he knows what the crazy Bitch is like and yet he still left me with her. He moved four hours away and the older I've gotten, the more questions have come up. Why did he have to move so far? Why didn’t he take me with him? Why couldn’t he have killed the Bitch and took off with me to Mexico or something? Ok maybe not that one but the point still stands. The guy owes me big time and if he thinks I'm moving in with him to play happy families with his new wife and her kids he's got another thing coming. 

Chapter 2

Liv (Again)

After an almost four hour drive, I'm ready to pass out not just from tiredness but boredom. The same Taylor Swift song is playing on the radio, I swear that shit's been on at least three times in the last hour. Franklin is a typical small town, it most probably only takes half hour to get from one end to the other. It’s a pretty town with hanging baskets outside every shop and trees lining the streets, I give it a week before I go stark raving mad.

I've driven past one sweet little coffee shop called Annabelle's and I wonder if her coffee is half decent seeing as though Starbucks is a no fucking go in this town. The SatNav let's me know that I've nearly reached my destination as I pull into the street. There are kids riding their bikes and old people mowing their lawns. I feel like I'm on another planet. How the fuck am I gonna survive here for the next year? I knew it was a shitty matchbox town but this is ridiculous.

I pull up to a large white house with dark green shutters, there's a black lacquered door with a shiny gold knocker that looks as if it has just been polished. The perfectly manicured lawn and stone pathway lead to the entrance and from the size of the house I bet the backyard is huge. I get out and stare at what is my new home. It’s a nice house and it’s the kinda house I figured my Dad would live in.

I walk up to the door and knock on the gold knocker, yes it's definitely been polished, someone has too much fucking time on their hands. I hear shuffling from the other side and urgent voices. The door swings open to reveal my Father. He's wearing a green polo shirt with some gray slacks and his salt and pepper hair is slicked back, he's as handsome as ever and a wide smile graces his face. He holds out his arms and pulls me in for a tight hug.

"Oh my baby girl, I'm so glad you’re here. I've missed you."

"Hi Dad." I give him a weak smile, not really knowing what else to say.

He's too familiar for me to comprehend. Sure I've seen him in the past few years, he's always calling me and he's come to take me to dinner and shopping but I've had no interest in being involved in his life. Christ, I've never even been to his house and he's been living here since he got married just over two years ago. It just feels so awkward jumping back in like nothings happened. I'm not a twelve year old who adores her Daddy anymore, sad but true.

He pulls me from him, holding me at arms length.

"Now let me have a good look at my baby girl. I can't believe how much you’ve grown up and you're so beautiful."

"You only saw me last week." I say, rolling my eyes.

I'm pulled into the house and take a quick look around. I'm standing in the hallway which leads onto a large staircase that’s in dark wood with a dark red runner running down the steps. I look to my left and through an archway is the living room. It's very homely with dark wood furniture and lots of throws and white fluffy cushions. It's stylish but not clinical.

"Olivia, you remember Pam?"

Pam's a small woman, practically a hobbit if you ask me. She's beautiful in a Mom kind of way. Her dark brown hair is perfectly set in a French twist and her brown eyes sparkle with kindness. She's about as far from my diva like Mother as you could get.

"Yes, hi Pam. Nice house." I give her a weak smile, not feeling like I really have to make an effort. Hell, I don’t even wanna be here.

"Oh Olivia, we're so happy to have you here." She smiles sweetly at me and pulls me into another hug.

What the fuck is with all the hugs? Shit, if one more person grabs and hugs me I'm gonna start throwing punches out.

Seriously, I thought that I'd walk in, get a gruff hello and then find my room. I didn’t expect there to be some type of event happening if the banner across the large fireplace is any indication. It has 'WELCOME OLIVIA' in bright pink letters. These people are fucking crazy. My Dad would have pissed himself at this, not fucking helped them. I'm starting to wonder if their craziness can catch.

"BOYS, COME DOWN AND MEET OLIVIA!"

Shit, for a hobbit she sure has got a big mouth. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone and I can only guess that my face is a picture of absolute horror as my Dad comes to stand beside me. He leans down to me.

"You'll get used to it, I tried to explain that you're not into all this stuff but she insisted. I can seeing you eyeing all the exit points." He whispers and then gives me a knowing smirk. The fucker's enjoying my discomfort. So fucking much for family loyalty.

Some kid that’s gotta be about fourteen huffs and puffs his way down the stairs. His shoulder length brown hair is swept to the side. He's obviously some kind of little skater dude with his blue tatty Converse and three quarter combats. His eyes widen as they take me in and he raises his eyebrows.

"Hubba hubba."

I roll my eyes and stifle a laugh. Pam clears her throat and glances quickly around the room, probably looking for the nearest exit like me.

"Olivia this is my youngest son Chase. Chase say hello." Her voice is calm and sweet though a little shaky.

Just as Chase opens his mouth to speak, the front door opens and in walks a pretty hot guy, ok a very hot guy with some red head hanging on his arm giggling. He comes to a stop on seeing everyone here and his eyes move across everyone until they land on me. He runs his eyes up and down my body and they darken. I'm guessing this is the dumb jock. Looks like they're the same everywhere if the girl drooling at his feet is any sign.

"Noah, I thought you were upstairs." Pam speaks sweetly but it's obvious she's embarrassed.

Noah still hasn’t taken his eyes from me and I feel myself getting hot under his scrutiny. He seems almost reluctant to look away from me as he gathers himself and looks towards his Mom. Nobody else probably would have noticed his reaction, but I've been dealing with it since puberty and I can tell a mile away. I smirk to myself thinking how this town might not be as boring as I originally thought. Hell, if it is I can always play with this guy.

"Sorry Mom, I totally forgot. Sorry Brandy, looks like I'm busy." He says, completely unbothered as his eyes find themselves landing on me again.

I roll my eyes, of course she has a name like Brandy. I bet she's a fucking cheerleader as well. She purses her lips and looks totally put out but quickly plasters a big fake smile across her overly make upped face.

"Its ok baby, another time." She sticks her chest out, trying to bring attention to it as she looks over towards me with what I can only describe as disdain. Fucking bring it on bitch. She flounces out the door without even so much as a wave to the rest of us in the room.

Pam is still staring at Noah, looks like someone's in some deep shit. After what seems like hours of awkward silence but can only be a few seconds, my Dad steps forward.

"Olivia this is Pam's eldest son Noah. He's the same as age as you and he'll be taking care of you at school."

Oh great, I get the dumbass to be my babysitter. He gives me what I'm sure is usually a panty dropping smile. The guy is ridiculously handsome with his messy short brown hair which has that just fucked look that everyone seems to love. Hes got a black v-neck on that hugs his body showing off his wide shoulders, tight muscles and narrow hips. His staring problem seems to have made a comeback as his eyes linger on my tank top covered chest.

"Nice to meet you." He says as his eyes bore into me.

I give him a weak smile that I know doesn’t reach my eyes as a sudden movement in the corner of my vision causes me turn my head and jump what is probably about ten feet in the air.

"HOLY SHIT! What the hell was that?"

At my scream, the cushion moves again, jumping from the couch as my Dad bursts out laughing and Noah covers his mouth with his hand trying to stifle his humor. Chase is looking around as if he doesn’t know what the hell is going on and Pam just smiles as she walks towards it.

"Oh this is just Sylvester." She says as she picks up what I thought was a cushion but instead seems to be some kind of, hell I don’t even know what.

"What the hell is that thing?" I say as my Dad wipes the tears from his eyes.

"Didn’t I tell you?" My Dad looks toward Pam "I swear Olivia, I had the exact same reaction when I saw that thing for the first time. They say it’s a cat but the jury is still out on that one."

Pam gives him a reproachful look as this cat is obviously her baby.

"Sylvester, say hello to Olivia. She's gonna be your new sister, oh yes she is." I watch as my father's wife rubs noses with the white furball and I realize that I'm not gonna last a day here without losing my mind.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up to my Dad in what I'm sure is terror.

"Why don’t we show you up to your new room and get you settled."

Hopefully I can get a moment to myself in there. Man, I really need Trina right now.

***

It's pink EVERYWHERE! Pink walls, pink sheets, pink curtains and even fucking pink carpet. I'm officially in hell. I must of crashed my car and died. There's no way this can be happening to me. My Dad looked wary, as he fucking should have, when he showed me in here. He knows I hate pink. I hated in when I was five and the Bitch tried to force it on me and I hate it even more now.

My Dad told me Pam decorated my room, apparently she was so excited to have another female in the house so she isn't constantly outnumbered by men. If I was psycho I would just set fire to it all and hopefully she'd take the hint that I don’t fucking like pink.

I hear a buzz from the bedside table where I put my phone and take a look, It’s a text from Trina.

Hey hoebag, hows the fam?

I bring up her number and give her a call, maybe she can calm me down.

"Hey boo, thought you'd be busy. How is it?"

"Trina, I need to move in with you." I speak in a hushed tone. "I can't live here for another year. There's a friggin cat that looks like some type of gremlin, my room looks like Barbie barfed up in it, I think Pam might be on drugs cause there's no way anyone is that nice, oh and she's a hobbit and the dumb jock looks at me like I'm his dinner."

There is loud laughter on the other end of the phone which just serves to piss me off even more.

"This isn't funny."

"Oh Liv, it is, it really is. Hey is the dumb jock cute?"

"Ridiculously hot." I sigh.

"Like Justin Timberlake hot or Ryan Gosling hot?"

"Ryan Gosling hasn't got a a touch on this guy."

"Shiiiiiit, lucky bitch, shame he's your stepbrother."

"The guys an ass, he didn’t even try to hide the fact he was checking me out."

"I told ya so. You're irresistable. Just try not to mess the poor guy up too much. That could make living with him kinda awkward."

"Well thank you for your support FRIEND! I'm in hell here." I groan, obviously I'm not getting much sympathy here. "Anyway I'm gonna go and I'll call you tomorrow since you're of no help."

"Oh no you don’t, I want a play by play of the rest of your night. And here I was, thinking I was gonna be bored with you living four hours away. Oh Mama is gonna love this."

"Glad I can be of entertainment for you. Talk to ya later."

"Bye Boo, oooh and take a picture of the hot stuff for me." I hang up on that last remark.

I walk to the Queen size bed that’s draped in bubblegum pink and flop down on it. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to stop the assault of pink on my eyes. There's no way this room can stay like this. Oh well, I'll wait till tomorrow to worry about that.

Apart from the color, the room's pretty nice. It's bigger than my room at the Bitch's house and all the furniture is mirrored. I bet that’s a pain in the ass to clean. There's a large window on the wall directly opposite the door facing onto the side of the house and a long white velvet covered window seat running along it. My stuff is piled neatly in one corner and I'm grateful that they didn’t try to unpack it, that would have just pissed me off.

I jump up off the bed, deciding to make a start on the unpacking. I drag the first box over to the bed, realizing by the weight that it's probably some of my shoes since there's no way clothes would weigh this much. I sorted through everything when I'd started packing so the stuff can just go straight in the closet.

Most of the stuff here is clothes and a few keepsakes since I didn’t wanna take anything out of the Bitch's house. I see my memory board leaning against the wall towards the back of the boxes and forgetting the box of shoes I'd begun to unpack, I drag it out. It's covered in photos, most of them of me and Trina in various poses. There's a few of me with groups at parties and movie tickets are dotted around the board.

I'm really not in the mood for the dinner I was so gracefully reminded of before being shown into my room. I don’t fancy sitting around a table with these crazy people making idle chit chat.

***

I'm halfway through unpacking when there's a knock at the door. I've now thankfully unpacked all of my shoes and as of five minutes ago, I've started hanging my clothes on hangers to put in the closet. It's pretty huge so I'm pretty sure all my clothes are gonna fit. Clothes are my one weakness, I know I have too many of them but I'm a typical girl in the way I love shopping.