Shattered

Chapter 45

Olivia's POV

Ben is waiting for me outside my door Monday morning at 6:30. I didn't put a lot of effort into my outfit today so I was done earlier than usual. I open the door and, as usual, Ben says, "You look beautiful."

I let him say it, even though I don't think I do. We head down the sidewalk to school and, as usual, Ben offers to carry me piggyback style. I refuse, only because I want to walk on my own. Ben watches with agony as I pathetically attempt to hop up the steps. I go up the last step and he catches me when I'm about to fall down. He grabs my crutches and I position myself on them.

He opens the door for me and Gina is waiting there for us, looking better. She gives me a hug.

"Hey, Olivia. I missed you. How's your leg doing?"

I look down at my leg and then saqy, "It's fine. It's a bum not being able to use both legs, and plus I can't hold Ben's hand because of the crutches occupying both hands."

Gina's eyes get big and Ben blushes. I think I forgot to tell her about Ben and me. I laugh. "You see how much you miss when you're out of school Gina?"

"Yeah, but I didn't think I missed that much! Oh my gawd I'm so happy for you two. I can't believe I missed that." She is going to be talking about this all day.

We go through our daily school routine: boring classes, exciting classes, Ben sitting next to me the whole day, and it isn't until 9th period that I realize that I'm supposed to be working tonight. I text Kayla quick to ask her what the theme is for tonight, and when she texts back saying yellow, I almost do a little happy dance in the middle of class. But I just let out a little happy dance in my mind and show the text to Ben. He loves seeing me so happy. He holds my hand through the whole class.

The bell rings and I tell Ben I'm going to the bathroom. When I come out, I hear Ben talking to Jason and Claire about something. I hear my name, and I wonder what it's about. I hear them walking towards the door so I quickly head to my locker, hoping they don't know I was listening. They come out and Ben comes over to me and slips his arm around my shoulder.

"Hey. You almost ready to go?" He sounds out of breath.

"Yeah. Let me just grab your sweatshirt." I go to open my locker, but then I realize it's not in my locker; I'm wearing it.

"Oh...silly me." I quickly shut my locker and hop out of the school, not even waiting for him to follow. I head out the door. Throw my crutches, and try to hop down the steps. Jason and Claire are already outside so they help me climb down. Ben comes up behind me and says, "We have to get to work in a few hours. We'll see you later." Claire gives me a hug and Ben and I walk home. Everyone is acting so weird today and I want to know why.

Ben comes to my apartment because he forgot his yellow converse there and he wanted them back. He comes in and goes right into my room and comes out with the sneakers. He gives me a kiss on the cheek and says he'll be back soon.

I go into my room and put on the yellow dress Claire bought me. I guess if I'm going to be sitting the whole time I'm working I might as well wear something nice.

I get my hair made up and Ben knocks on my door about 20 minutes later. He is wearing my favorite yellow t-shirt, dark jeans, and the yellow converse. He sees me and his eyes light up. "You look so beautiful." He shifts when he says it. "You have no idea how much I mean that." I blush just a little bit and as I walk in front of him, I wonder what they were talking about and why it makes him love me even more.

I beat him to the door and Kayla opens the door for me. "Hey. How are you doing?"

I give her a hug. "I'm good. What am I doing tonight?"

We walk over tot the cash register and I sit down on the stool behind it. Ben is already working in the kitchen. "You are doing the cash register tonight. It only requires math. Are you good at math?"

Ben comes up behind me and says, "She is the best in class." He hugs me from behind then walks back into the kitchen to do his job. I sit at the register and talk with a few people who come here and there, paying for their meals. It feels good to be a part of it.

After a few hours, Kayla comes over to me and says I can go home. I look around for Ben. "He left two hours ago. He gave you a kiss on the cheek and everything."

Man, I was so out of it I didn't even say goodbye to Ben. Oh, well, i'll probably go to his apartment and hang out with him. I head home, change into my pajamas, and head up to his apartment. I open his door because it's always unlocked and I let myself in. "Ben, are you here?"

I hear mumbling coming from his room. His door is closed. I think about going in there, but I don't. I hear him talking about me and I hear him say Jason's name. I hear something about a package. And something about friday.

I think about leaving, but he would probably come out anyway. Might as well face it head on. Ben comes out of his apartment and freezes when he sees me. He quickly says bye to Jason and hangs up, throwing his phone.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I sit down on his couch and he sits down next to me.

"I was coming up to see if you wanted to watch a movie. I felt bad that I didn't say bye to you when you left before."

"Oh. That's fine." He looks fidgety. I decide to not bring up the conversation I heard. "We can watch a movie. What were you thinking?"

We end up watching the all night movie channel. It was a movie neither of us has seen, but it was pretty good. I look at the clock blinking back 12:23 and I get up to leave. I turn around and I see Ben is feeling hurt.

I hesitate but ask, "Do you love me?"

He scoffs, "Olivia, what kind of question is that? Of course I love you. More than anything."

I take a deep breath. "Then please, don't keep any secrets from me."

And with that I leave, not even turning around to see his shocked expression.