I Hate You...I Think (9 page)

             
"Sure, Oliver, come right in," I scowled after him. Shutting the door I followed him into my tiny living room. He stood for a moment silently looking around before finally speaking.

             
"Nice place," he commented going to my kitchen. I followed him frowning.

             
"Why are you here?" I asked as he finally turned to face me. He didn't speak, which was irritating me to no end, but instead he took his time surveying my shorts and tank top before answering.

             
"I'm taking you to breakfast. Get dressed," he told me casually drinking his coffee and leaning against my counter top. I stared at him a moment baffled. My bi-polar hot English teacher, who I sometimes hate with a passion sometimes, is standing in my kitchen wanting to take me to eat breakfast.

             
He smirked, "As much as I enjoy standing here having you check me out we should be going. So closed your mouth and go get dressed."

             
I snapped my mouth shut, glaring at him, I turned on my heels and marched to my room shutting and locking the door behind me. Arrogant jerk. I was so not checking him out.

             
After digging in my closet for what seemed like forever, I pulled out a blue and black checkered skirt and a cute blue shirt. After finishing with my make-up I looked myself over in the mirror. I wonder if he'll like it? I froze. Did I really just think that? Slapping myself in the head I slipped on some black flats and stepped out of my bedroom.

             
Oliver was now sitting on my couch flipping through channels. He stopped looking up at me as I entered the living room. His eyes lingering on my legs. I blushed feeling butterflies in my stomach.

             
Without speaking he stood and walked to the front door. He didn't even wait for me. I quickly grabbed my cell and bag and hurried after him. When I caught up to him outside he was standing by the passenger door holding it open for me. I gave him a look when I got in the car. What is up with him today? He is acting weird and quiet...but most of all nice. In a weird way, but nice nevertheless. He walked around to the driver side and got in. Hastily, I snapped my seat belt cross me and he started the car and threw it in reverse. He didn't even bother with his seat belt.

             
You should put on your seat belt!" I told him, clinging to the door as he took a sharp turn out of the parking lot.

             
He chuckled, "What's wrong? Are you worried we might wreck?"

             
"That and you'll get pulled over," I frowned. He drove like a maniac. I hadn't paid attention the last two times I had been in here, maybe this was the first time he decided to drive like a psychopath.

             
"I'm not worried about getting pulled over in this part of town," he laughed.

             
"Why not?" I asked curiously. He took his eyes off the road to look at me.

             
"We control this part of town," he began. "The guys that you see that are around all the time are only my immediate gang. We have other followers. We control the whole west side of town. All the way from the college to the beach."

             
"So you’re like there "leader" or something?"

             
He grinned. "Something like that."

             
I knew it was exactly that, but there was more than the six I seen? How did this stuff work? Actually...I really shouldn't even ask that. I shouldn't want to know.

             
"Why are you telling me this? Aren't you worried?" I asked unsure. Why would he tell a complete stranger that could be bad?

             
"I trust you. For one, if you told anyone and we got in trouble Jet and Tyler would go to jail. Do you think that Kimmy would be very happy with you if that happened?" He smirked looking at me. His eyes had a mischievous glow to them. Pursing my lips and scowled at him. He was right I wouldn't do that to Jet and Tyler.

             
"And, two I just trust you," he added with a smug grin. I looked him shocked. How could he trust me? He didn't know me?

             
Oliver pulled into a star bucks that was just around the corner from the college.

             
"So do you like never go out of your territory then?" I asked as we got out of the car.

             
Oliver gave me a look. "Don't be stupid, Of course we do, but-"

             
"Did you just call me stupid," I asked shocked, I stared at him a moment. I didn't know whether to drop kick him or walk away. How dare he call me stupid!

             
"Don't interrupt me either," he told me taking my arm and pushing me toward the front door, that stupid smirk on his face.

             
"I'm not going with you," I scowled trying to jerk my arm away. He didn't let go.

             
"Don't make a scene, Ever." he scolded. "You wouldn't want it to get out that you kissed a teacher now would you," he whispered in my ear. Frowning, I glared at the sidewalk and let him guide me into the cafe.

             
"Now where was I," he remarked thoughtfully as we sat down. "We can go out of our territory but it's dangerous, like you apartment is under Jason's control.

             
I looked up from the table confused. "I thought you said it was your territory, the other night when we were at the gas station."

             
Oliver sighed but I could see in his eyes he was amused. "That particular station is right on the border, it's a little hard to tell where the line is when there isn't exactly one spray painted on the ground, that and Jason thinks it's amusing to test my patience."

             
"So my apartment is in Jason's territory?" I frowned. The thought of living in those apartments by myself didn't seem so great anymore.

             
I shook my head and looked up at Oliver, only to find he wasn't there. Looking around the cafe I found him standing at the counter. After a few moments he came back to the table and sat a cup and a chocolate chip muffin in front of me. I thanked him and started eating.

             
"So why was Jason in your territory the other night?"

             
He was about to take a bite of his muffin ad stopped.

             
"That is a good question. I haven't figured that out myself. He got pretty far in to go unnoticed too, but like I said he likes to test my patience."

             
I nodded and continued eating the rest of my muffin.

             
"If you don't mind me asking," I started. Oliver nodded as if to say ask.

             
"What exactly do you guys do? Is it like on TV?"

             
"Drugs and violence you mean?" Oliver replied with a laugh. I nodded.

             
"Yeah, mostly for us it's not about drugs. It's about fight and racing, and most of all respect."

             
"How do you get respect?" I asked feeling like an idiot. He smirked again and it was annoying me, I just wanted to smack it off his face.

             
"By winning fights and races," he answered. "The more you win the higher up you get."

             
"So you have won a lot, I'm guessing."

             
"I have been in this life style for as long as I can remember. I'm the best fighter out there and the best racer. I surround myself with the best, as well. They're not as good as me, but they are close."

             
"You are quite full of yourself, aren't you," I shook my head at him. How can someone be so self-centered?

             
"I'm confident," he replied with a smug grin.

             
I scoffed at that. "Confidence is one thing, having a big head is another. Oliver's leg brushed mine; I jumped causing him to chuckle. Gazing around the cafe I made sure no one was looking, before I rounded on Oliver.

             
"You are my teacher!" I hissed.

             
"Why don't we head to the school, it's almost time for class," he laughed like it was nothing. He is going to get me in some serious trouble if he keeps this up. Oliver stood and offered me his hand. Ignoring it I pushed him out of the way and headed for the door.

             
I was 10 minutes early when I opened Oliver's classroom door. My Art history teacher had somewhere to go and let us off the hook.

             
"Hey Ever!" Logan yelled as I pushed the door open. He hit me like a train, scooping me up and crushing me in a hug.

             
"Can't breathe," I gasp. He let go instantly and I punched him as hard as I could in the stomach.

             
"OWWW!" He cried doubling over. Ignoring his whining I turned to Oliver's desk. Jake was sitting on one corner, Alex sat in a chair next to him and Oliver was standing by the board with a marker in his hand, they were laughing at Logan's pain. Yeah those are some great friends.

             
"Your early," Oliver smirked.

             
"I got out of class early," I shrugged taking a seat at my usual desk.

             
"Are you coming to the party tonight?" Alex asked, looking at Oliver more than me.

             
"Party?" I asked curiously looking at Oliver too.

             
"Yeah, the whole gang is going to the warehouse and we are going to Parrtteee!" Jake grinned pumping his fist in the air. Logan sank into the chair next to me frowning at me. I looked back at Oliver. He was not pursing his lips.

             
"Do you want to go? He asked softly.

             
"You’re asking me?" I asked shocked.

             
"Yeah," he smirked. "I guess I am."

             
I looked at Jake. "Is he sick? Cause he never asks me. He always orders me."

             
The three laughed, while Oliver just stood there looking amused.

             
"Would you rather me order you?"

             
"No," I told him flatly. "I don't like being told what to do."

             
Alex laughed leaning back in his chair. "Well hunny, you’re going to have to get use to that, cause Oliver likes to be the boss."

             
I scoffed, "We'll see about that."

             
Oliver's eyes lit up in amusement. "Yes we will won't we," he smirked.

Chapter Six

             
It was almost eight and I was tapping my foot impatiently waiting for Oliver to pick me up. An older couple gave me a disgruntled look as they passed me into the apartment building. I must have looked weird dressed in my black halter shirt and black skirt with knee high boots. That and I was pacing back and forth annoyed.

             
"Oliver, told me seven-thirty, not eight," I muttered angrily. It was raining and cold, so I was huddled under the canopy of the entrance way. A roaring of an engine caught my attention.

             
Jet's sleek blue sports car pulled up to the curb jerking to a halt. The door pushed open, and I ran out from under my protective covering and dove head first into the car.

             
"Nice," Alex laughed.

             
"Where's Oliver? And, I thought this was Jet's car?" I blurted out.

             
Alex faked a hurt expression. "You'd rather have Jet or Oliver over me?"

             
I sighed, "Alex, I didn't say that. I was just asking."

             
I know," he grinned pulling out on the highway. "I'm just messing with you. Oliver is at the warehouse setting stuff up. He is the boss after all. Those guys would be running around like chickens with their heads cut off if he wasn't there. And, I borrowed Jet's car since Logan is using Oliver's to pick people up."

             
"Aww..." I nodded.

             
Alex looked over at me. "You look gorgeous."

             
I blushed slightly. "Well, thank you," I smiled then took in his attire. Black baggy pants and a black band tee.