Milkshake girl

Chapter seventeen - I don't like you

Olivia's POV:

I am glad that the things between Nate and me are good. I don't know what exactly Mason is trying to do, but I don't like it. If he liked me, ok, I understand, but he doesn't. At least this is what it looks like. Otherwise, why he was going to talk with me only when Nate is around. I don't know what is going on between these two, but I don't want to be part of it. Moreover, if Mason does something to ruin our friendship, I will kill him. Well, not really, but I will do something. Yes, Nate and I are only friends, but this is better than nothing. Moreover, I feel good when he is around. I am free to talk about everything and even to tell him about the boy who I like. He still doesn't know that this is him, but for now, I will leave it like that. First, I want to clear the situation between Mason and him. Later, I will think about myself. Maybe I have to be honest and tell Mason that I don't like him. I don't know how he will react, but I don't want to lie to him. If he was acting normal, I could give him a chance, but just the way he acts makes me feel weird. I mean he is nice, looking like he wants something from me, but not what one girl could've thought about. He wants to make Nate jealous and I want to know why. I am in school for like a month and a half, but I haven't seen him acting like that with other boys. Neither with Nate's friends. Maybe I can ask them about this. 

I woke up wondering who decided that school has to start so early. Remind me to kill this person. Well, he or she is probably dead already. Anyways, I got out of bed and went to get ready. Later, I walked downstairs for breakfast. Luckily, there is some food. Emma and James still haven't forgiven me completely, but at least now, they are not that mad. I sat at the table and soon mom and dad came as well. All of us were eating without talking. I was thinking about Nate and Mason again. Lately or since the weekend, this is what I think about. It's not like it's something important, but I don't understand why Nate cares so much. He likes a girl so I think that she is more important than me. In that case, my crush should be more important as well, but I told Nate exactly the opposite. Sometimes I need to think before I say something. The thing is that around Nate I feel strange. Like I can't think about anything else. He is not perfect, but for me is. The good news is that he doesn't know that. Otherwise, I don't know what he will think of me. 

After I finished with my food, I walked out. When I arrived at school, I saw Tyler. I don't know where are Henry and Nate, but maybe they shouldn't be here. That way, he can tell me something that I don't know. I don't need to know everything, but this specific thing can't get out of my mind. I walked up to him with a smile. He returned it and we were staring at each other for a couple of seconds. 

- Can I help you?

- Yes, actually. I want to ask you something, but it's better if you don't tell Nate, or at least not for now. 

- Ok, what is it?

- What is going on between Nate and Mason? I see that they don't like each other, but why? I know about the jealousy thing, but is there something else? When Mason is around I feel weird. I know that he doesn't like me or at least this is what it looks like. Is there a chance how I can get out of this without hurting anyone?

- The things between them are complicated. In my opinion, Mason is jealous of Nate, because he quickly got popular and made the girls walk after him. Not like some of them don't go after Mason. He just wants to hurt him, but not physically. I mean that if Mason goes after the girl, which Nate has chosen, maybe he won't like it and then this is a win for Mason. 

- But what about the girl? She will think that he likes her. 

- All of them think it and are left heartbroken when they understand the truth.

- This is horrible. 

- Do you think that he cares? His mission is to make Nate feel what he does. Do you know who was the other boy who wanted to be captain of the football team?

- Let me guess. Mason. 

- Exactly. 

- I will never understand this. 

- You don't have to. Just accept it. 

- As long as I remove Mason from my way. I am not here to look for boys and to be honest, Mason is giving me strange vibes. I mean strange in a bad way. 

- I wish you good luck then. 

Tyler and I kept talking. Later Henry and Nate joined us. Nate smiled at me and I returned it. He was happy, which made me feel good. As I have said, I always fall for his smile. Well, probably I am not the only one, but lately, I haven't seen him smiling at other girls. Not like we are always together. If I have to be honest, I won't mind it, but for now, let's keep it simple. All of us walked to our classes. The boys are not with us. It's only Nate and me. We sat together as usual. I have to say that up to now I haven't had a problem with girls, which is good. I know that some of them might be jealous, but no one has told me anything. I had enough of drama in my last school. 

On the lunch break, I went to leave my things in the locker. I told the boys to go without me. Nate wanted to stay, but I convinced him to go. I took what I need for my next class as well and was about to go when someone called me. It was Mason. Great. Let's see what he wants this time. 

- Olivia, can I talk with you?

- I was going to have lunch. 

- Only for five minutes. 

- Fine. What do you want?

- To say sorry. My actions weren't very classy. I didn't want to hurt you. 

- You didn't hurt me. I will accept the apology but don't think that this means anything. 

- Why? I mean that... um...

- Look, I don't know what is going on between you and Nate, but don't involve me. I don't like you or at least not the way you think. We can try to be friends, but that's it. 

- Ok, I understand. Can I at least get a hug?

- Sure, why not? 

In that moment, I saw Nate. Well played Mason. I knew that he was lying or at least wasn't sincere with that apology. I can't understand why he is doing this? Nate didn't do anything to him or at least I don't know about it. It's not his fault that he is popular and captain of the football team. As I see, Nate doesn't even want to be this. He likes when people treat him like a normal person. 

- I know that you are not sincere. I don't know what you have against Nate, but I suggest you stop. This won't help you win what he already has. Also, don't use me. I know that you don't like me. Moreover, you're never going to win, because I like someone else and before you think it, it's not Nate. So whatever you want to do, stop using me. I don't like it, neither all the girls who have been through this. I might be new, but I am not stupid. News spread faster than the light. 

With that, I left. I walked to take my lunch. I looked around but didn't see Nate. Only the boys were here. Great. Now he is mad. There is one place where he can be. I know that he won't skip a class. I walked to the football field and saw him sitting on one of the benches. I sat next to him but didn't say anything. I don't know what. Nate gave me a look, but this time without a smile. I like the smiling Nate more. 

- I'm sorry. 

- For what?

- Everything. 

- It's not your fault. 

- Then why do I feel like it is? I told him the truth. 

- What?

- I told Mason that I don't like him and that I want him to stop using me. 

- He won't do it. 

- I know, but at least I tried. I also told him about the boy.

- What b...? Never mind. 

- Probably this won't help, but it's still something. 

- There is a way that you can get rid of him, but I don't think that you will like it.

- What is it?

- If you stay away from me, Mason will walk away too. 

- No way! I am not doing this. You are my friend. 

Crush as well, but you don't need to know that. When the right time comes or when I get brave enough, I will tell you. For now, it's better if we are friends. 

- It's your choice. 

- Yes and since it's mine, I want us to go out later. Are you free around 9 pm?

- I am. Where will we go?

- On a walk. I think better when I walk. 

- Ok, I can come and take you if you want. 

- I will be at work so you can come there. 

- No problem. Let's go now. Otherwise, we'll be late. 

Both of us walked inside for the last couple of classes. Later I walked home to leave my things and went to work. The team doesn't have a meeting today so I don't expect any of them. Well, maybe Tyler and Henry might come, but I don't mind. They are my friends or at least this is what I think. We haven't made it official. 

After like an hour Tyler came alone. I guess that today he won't have any company. I made him a milkshake and put it on his table. He told me to make one for myself and come to him. When I was done, I sat in front of him and he smiled at me. 

- I understood that you have talked with Mason.

- Yes, I did. 

- How did it go?

- From the beginning good, but not at the end. He tried to apologize to me, but something was telling me that he is not sincere. Later Nate appeared and I understood everything. I told Mason to stop using me, but I don't think that he will do it. Nate said that if I stay away from him, maybe Mason would walk away too, but... I...

- You don't want to stay away from him. 

- Kind of, yes. I mean Nate is my friend. I don't see anything wrong with that. 

- And there isn't. Except for the fact that before Nate has never spent so much time with a girl. I mean he has talked with them, but not that much. 

- It's not my fault. 

- I am not saying that it is. Just things like that are noticeable. 

- And what do I have to do now?

- Think about what is more important for you. Your friendship with Nate or to get rid of Mason. 

- Nate has always been more important. 

- Why?

Damn it! Now, I have to fix this. Think Olivia. 

- Because since the day we met, he was nice to me. My experience in my old school wasn't the best. It only showed me the negative side of the people.

- Now you have the positive. - he said chuckling

- Yes, I do. 

We talked for a while and later Tyler went home. I waited for Nate to come here. There weren't many customers today. At 8:30 pm, Nate was here. I locked the shop and both of us walked out. I didn't have dinner yet so we went to one diner. It was late for dinner so most of the people were gone. It was pretty quiet. Something, which I like. Nate and I stayed there for like an hour and then walked around the town. I saw Mason with a girl, but pretend that he wasn't there. Tyler is right. My friendship with Nate is more important and I want to keep it. I don't care what Mason will do. 

- Do you want me to send you home?

- If you don't mind. I am not scared of the dark, but with some company is always better. 

- Let's go then. 

Nate grabbed my hand and we started walking. The whole time he was holding my hand. I won't lie that I like it. I'm sure that I am blushing, but it's good that it's dark. Otherwise, I wasn't going to feel very well or to say awkwardly. Soon we arrived and Nate stopped in front of my house. 

- Well, that was for today. Thanks for the invitation. 

- No problem. We can do it again if you want. 

- I would love to. Now go inside or you will get cold. 

- It's fine. It won't be my first time. - I laughed nervously

- Maybe, but let's not repeat it. 

- Ok, I won't. 

- Bye Olivia and see you tomorrow. 

- Bye Nate. Good night and sweet dreams. 

- To you too. - he said and left

I walked inside and went into my room. I changed into my PJs and went under the covers. I need to avoid Mason, but I don't know how. It's visible that he has a plan, but I want to explain to him that I don't want to be part of it. Not like he will listen to me. I saw what he did today. That fake apology. Maybe I need to leave everything the way it is and wait to see what will happen. The only thing that I want to do is to keep Nate out of this. I know that seeing Mason around me is hurting him and I don't like watching him like that. I will think about this tomorrow. My energy is not enough for more thinking. All I want is to sleep.