Phoenix

Chapter 4

    Monday morning rolled around far too quickly.  I could have had another week of laying in the sun before going back to school.  I had been alone most of the weekend.  Tim worked a lot.  I didn’t see him Saturday morning, and he had gone to a dinner meeting that night.  I heard him come in late that night but I was almost asleep.  I actually hadn’t seen him all weekend.  Liam had been nowhere around.  Not that I had gone knocking on his door looking for him.  But I had caught myself peering through the curtains to try and find him so many times I began to worry that I was obsessed.  I dressed in my usual blue jeans and t shirt.  I needed to go shopping for some more Arizona appropriate clothes.  Some sandals would be nice.  Shorts maybe.  But I would need to lay in the sun and get some colour before I would wear shorts anywhere public. I headed down stairs.  Surprised to find Tim in the kitchen cooking something that smelled yummy.  As I walked in the room he put eggs onto each plate and a piece of toast and then turned and smiled at me. 

“Morning Olivia,” he said cheerily.  I smiled back.  It was nice to get a few extra minutes with him.  

“Morning Tim.”  I went to sit then realized I had called him Tim. 

“I’m sorry dad.” I felt ashamed.  It was hard calling him dad.  I had never thought of him as my dad.  He had never really been around.  He looked sad for a minute but then perked up and said. 

“I think we should spend a little time together.  I have a work banquet this weekend would you like to come?” I peered up from my breakfast.  What he wanted me to spend extra time with him? Of course I wanted to!

“I would love to dad,” I smiled brightly at him.  

“You will need to dress formally hunny, so if you need more money let me know.” more money? Like I could possibly spend what he already gave me.  I nodded though because I knew it would make him feel good.  He had finished eating so he threw his plate in the dishwasher and went to wash the frying pan.

“Don’t worry about it dad I’ll get it,” I said smiling, both because he had made my morning very enjoyable and also because I had remembered without faultering to call him dad twice.  

“Ok hun, I am going to get to work.  You have a good day at school.” He squeezed my shoulder on the way by.  I remembered at that moment that I had not called mom since I got here.  Oh she was going to be furious.  I dialed the number and let it ring.  It rang until the answering machine picked up.  Hmmm wierd.  I left a message. 

“Hey mom, I’m sorry that I didn’t call you over the weekend.  I’ve been pretty busy.  I’m on my way to school so call me later. Love you bye.” I hung up.  Washed the frying pan.  Threw my plate into the dishwasher.  Grabbed my book bag and keys and headed for the garage.  

I loved the sound of my little car when it fired up. Small but mighty.  I backed out of the garage looking over my shoulder for any sign of life next door.  But there was nothing there.  I brushed off the sinking feeling.  No worries Olivia, have yourself a nice drive to school.  I loved having the top down the sun on my skin.  I could feel the vitamin D soaking into me.  The trip to school was only about 5 minutes but the wind felt great and I enjoyed every minute.  I pulled into the parking lot rocking out to some old school Lynyrd Skynyrd. The building was a bit more welcoming to me now not as scary looking.  I found that my morning classes flew by.  When lunch rolled around I bought my salad and my water then scanned the room for the kids I had made friends with on Friday.  Funny.  I thought to myself.  I have people that I would call my friends.  I spotted them in the far corner grouped together at a table. So I went to join them.  Connor had been particularily getting on my nerves that morning. Making rude s****l inuendoes out of everything that I said.  Embarrassing me at every turn.  He was definitely giving me some color today.  So I chose to sit between Norra and Peyton.  I munched on my salad and listened to the happy chatter around the table. 

Peyton was busy talking to Owen, 

“Well Owen if you love hiking so much then why don’t you come hiking on Camel mountain this weekend.” Then she turned to me, 

“You are so invited too Liv! Come see the trails!” I smiled at her thankful for the invite.  Oh god, hiking? I don’t hike.  I barely walk. 

“Ummm. Nora, I am not much of a hiker.” I said, smiling politely and praying she would ask me to do something else instead.  

“Come anyway.  We will take it easy on you.” She insisted.  I stared at my salad fighting my introvert instincts. What is the worst that can happen Olivia? I wondered.  Fighting the image of buzzards eating my dead corpse I said,

“Ok! Just tell me when and where?” 

“Well if we exchange phone numbers I can text you the directions and then we can pick a time.  Connor and I usually hike for around 4 hours so you will need good shoes and lots of water in this heat.”  I nodded thinking I had better head myself over to a sporting goods store in the next few days.  

“I wish I could give you my number Peyton but I haven’t gotten an american number yet.  I will try and get one this week!”  She smiled at me then said to Owen, 

“See, Liv is cool way cooler than you because you never come hiking with us.”  The chatter continued on and on.  Listening to them bicker back and forth I decided that these kids had all known each other a long time.  I was enjoying a story that Connor was telling about Owen and the last time they went hiking touching a prickly pear and how since then he had never joined them again because he was scared.  

“Shut up Connor, you ran away from that scorpion that time we saw one so you are no better!”

“Prickly pears can’t move though Owen!”  Just as the two began to wrestle the bell rang.  Peyton, Norra and I headed off to history to work on our replica again.  Norra was dead set on getting one hundred percent on the project.  She intended to become an archaeologist and needed to ensure great history grades.  I wasn’t complaining.  I needed the good grades too.  

“Girls we need to work on this outside of class.  Can you guys come to my house tomorrow and wednesday after school and we can get ahead a bit?”

“I sure can Norra,” Peyton answered.  “Yup me too, I’ll get a cell phone after school and then you can text me directions tomorrow.”  

When the final bell rang we went our separate ways.  I headed towards my locker knowing full well that Connor would be there and ready to make fun of me again.  But Connor wasn’t there.  So I grabbed my purse and headed to my car thankful to skip his harassment for one afternoon.  I needed to find a cell phone store.  

Just down the road from the high school there were plenty of box stores.  One of them would be a cell phone provider.  I found myself the store I wanted.  The salesman tried so hard to sell me on the brand new Iphone 7.  I could not justify almost a thousand dollars for a cell phone.  Instead I grabbed myself an Iphone 6. Handed the lady my credit card and smiled happily at the bill of two hundred and thirty four dollars.  A bill of fourty two dollars would come monthly off my credit card.   It felt weird using Tim’s card.  But I knew that he wouldn’t mind.  Across the parking lot I could see a sporting goods store.  I decided now was as good a time as any.  I searched for the shoe section and found myself staring inexpertly at the hundreds of options.  Oh my god what should I buy? 

“Need some help?” a familiar voice said from behind me.  I wheeled around looking strait into the eyes of Liam.  That familiar flutter in my chest began. Holy s**t.  The butterflies dancing in my stomach.  The saliva leaving my throat.  My palms instantly wet.  Oh how he made me react without even trying.  My mind was screaming this boy is trouble.  My heart was telling her to shut up.  

“Please.” I croaked.   He chuckled quietly.  Then stepped up beside me.  

“Well Olivia, what are you planning on doing with these shoes.”

“Hiking,” I said, 

“What?” He asked.  I wondered silently.  Do I look like I can’t go hiking? And then I realized that my throat hadn’t let the sound out so I cleared it and tried again.  

“Ummm. I’m going hiking.”  He smiled.  Looked around for a second.  Grabbed a boot and headed off towards the sales clerk and then came back.  

“Sit Olivia,” he ordered, in a gentle voice.  

“Liv” I answered immediately.  I hate being called Olivia.  

“Olivia is a beautiful name I like it I want to call you Olivia if that is ok?” 

“Ok” How could I argue with anything he says.  He could call me dog and I would probably sit anyway.  

The clerk came back with a size 8. How did he know my size? I slipped my feet into them and stood up to move around.  Very sturdy.  Very light.  He knew about hiking that much was for sure.  

“I’ll take them, these are nice.” I didn’t even check the price.  I was pretty sure I could afford them.  Liam picked the box up and tucked it under his arm.  Oh he’s a gentleman.  

“Do you have clothes that are good for hiking?” Ummm… No not really. 

“No, I don’t have much here.” He led me towards the back of the store.  

“You need something light and breathable but it also needs to protect you from the sun it will burn you fast.”  He grabbed a pair of light weight trousers and a long sleeved button up shirt and tossed them at me.

“Go try those on.”  I did as I was told.  How did he know my sizes? These fit perfectly.  Plus they were cute.  I slipped back into my jeans and my t shirt and came out.

“you aren’t going show me?” He joked as I emerged.  I shook my head.

“How long of a hike are you doing?” He asked politely. 

“Ummm… I think Peyton said it was about four hours for her and Connor, but I am sure I’ll slow them down.” He nodded and held his arm out ushering me to go first.  He directed me down an aisle to the right and he grabbed a few water bottles, a small survival kit and a little first aid kit. Then he turned to me,

“Anything else?” He smiled at me.

“I wasn’t aware that I needed all of this.” I chuckled,

“Well, if you aren’t prepared here you will get dehydrated and die and then I won’t know any neighbours other than your dad. We need to get you a pack to carry it in." He said, heading towards them.  He picked me out a nice teal coloured one and then carried all of my stuff up to the front for me.  The cashier was a beautiful tanned blonde beauty who stared at him with the hunger in her eyes I was sure I stared at him with too.  But he didn’t notice her. I paid for my gear.  three hundred and ninety eight dollars.  I was spending a lot.  I still needed to get a dress for this weekend.  

We walked together out into the parking lot.  The feelings that he put through my body had not left me during our entire conversation. I was truly uncomfortable.  And yet I didn’t want to be away from him.  I needed wine.  I wanted to invite him hiking.  I didn’t want to be alone with Connor and Peyton.  

“What are you doing this weekend Liam?” I asked quietly He looked at me intently.  

“Nothing why?”

I took a deep breath.  I wasn’t sure that I had the place to invite him.  But I blurted out

“Well would you like to come hiking? I don’t know camel mountain at all.  I’m not much of a hiking person either, I only agreed to go because I want to be social here.  I used to be so anti social.  It’s really quite hard for me to make friends.  I don’t want to go alone either because Connor drives me crazy.  But Peyton is amazing and I really like spending time with her.  You seem like you like to hike…… and now I’m rambling.” I stopped myself.  He was giggling. 

“Sure I’ll go, what time?”  Crap. 

“Oh ummm.  I don’t know yet Peyton was going to text me the details some time this week.”  

We had gotten to my car.  I didn’t see his bike anywhere.  

“When she tells me I’ll let you know.  Thanks for all of your help today.” I smiled as confidently as I could.  Although inside I was cowering like a scared little kitten.  

“You are welcome Olivia.  I am so glad that you got everything you needed.” 

When we got to my car I dug through my purse for my keys and unlocked the door.  Liam put the bags into the back seat for me.  So sweet, always so sweet.  Then he opened my door for me.  Making me blush again.  

“Have a great afternoon Olivia.”  His handsome smile making my body heat rise. 

“Bye Liam, you too.” Then I headed home.  

    By the time I got home it was five thirty.  Crap it’s almost time for supper.  I threw together a quick meatloaf and plunked it into the oven.  I would have an hour to work on my homework and so I got cracking on it.  An hour later I called Tim.  No answer. I left him a message.

“He dad, it’s Liv.  I picked up a cell phone today.  Call me back.” He was always so busy working.  I was going to have to get used to being home alone.  Such a big house for the two of us I thought as I looked around.  I figured I had some time before he would be getting home so I ran upstairs for a shower.  Jumping into the cascading waterfall.  The water felt great running down my skin.  I was sticky from the heat.  My heavy hair was constantly sweaty underneath.  When I jumped out of the shower I grabbed a towel from in the warmer and stopped. Why was my towel warmer full? I hadn’t done laundry yet.  Did Tim do my laundry for me? 

    I brushed it off, wrapped the towel around myself and headed into my bedroom.  My french doors were open allowing a strong beam of sunlight to enter my room.  I threw on some underwear and a bra.  Then pulled some jeans up over my hips buttoning them.  Then I opened my t shirt drawer. But it was empty.  What? Confused I wandered over to my laundry basket beside the doors.  It was empty too.  Did someone steal my clothes? Then I wandered into the closet.  There they were hanging on some new hangers.  Tim must have done this too.  That was thoughtful. I grabbed one and walked out into the bedroom.  I was about to pull it over my head when something caught my eye out the window.  There I was standing with no shirt on.  My stupid flabby stomach out for all to see.  Liam was in his driveway looking up at me.  Oh my god.  No no no I did not want him to see my body.  It’s gross. I dropped my body instantly to the floor.  Rolling out of sight like a ninja.   I threw my shirt on and slid to the other side of the bed.  Hiding myself beside it.  Oh god, oh god, oh god.    I cannot believe he just saw that.  I felt like crying.  There goes any chance I had with him. He probably won’t even want to go hiking with me now.  Not after seeing my flabby body.  

Then my cell rang.  I answered it, pissed off about how phones always ring at the most inoportune of moments.   

“Hi,”

“Hi Olivia, it’s dad.  I won’t be home for dinner hunny.  Sorry.” 

“It’s ok dad.  I’m going to work on some homework and get to bed early.”

“Ok hun, don’t forget to get something to wear for this weekend.” 

“Yea I am going to ask Peyton and Norra to help me.” 

“Ok, I’m glad you got a cell phone.  I was going to get you one. I can give you money for the bill.” 

“Oh dad thanks anyway but you gave me more than enough money.” I answered.

“Ok Olivia don’t be shy if you ever need anything honey, have a good night.”

“You too dad.” I said happy to have heard from him.  

    Well that was good, I called him dad three times without faltering.  Maybe I could get used to this.  I stood up and headed down stairs.  The meatloaf was almost done.  I chopped up some lettuce and made a salad.  Then cut myself a small piece. I grabbed a glass of wine and sat at the island to eat.  When I was done I cleaned up and grabbed my  homework.  Poured myself another glass and sat down to torture myself with algebra.  God how I hate math.  

    By the time I was done, I was also done my bottle of wine.  A little tipsy but happy to be done with the torture.  I wished that I could buy my own wine.  I needed more.  I wondered idly if Liam would mind grabbing me some.  Then I stopped.  Liam won’t want anything to do with you anymore Olivia.  He saw your gross body.  Nothing compared to his beautiful god like self.  I threw my work into my bag and headed upstairs.  I changed out of my clothes into my cozy pajamas.  Then walked along the wall to the doors.  I tried to peek and see what I could see.  No Liam.  I walked back to my bed, curled up and fell fast asleep.