S I X T E E N | Silence Before The Storm

{Gif of Neel}

Song: Love Lies

Artist (s): Khalid, Normani

Always speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.

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Family isn't always blood. Family isn't always defined by blood; it's defined by commitment and compassion. It means showing up when someone needs them the most. It means having each others backs. It's choosing to stand by each other even on the days they're struggling to like each other. It means not giving up on each other.

And guess what? I found my family.

These last few weeks had me shaking in fear but I wouldn't change a single thing that had happened. Fear is nothing but an obstacle that stands in the way of progress. Our inner strength is in-vulnerable to fear.

I sighed closing my locker, whilst hitching my bag higher up my shoulder, turning around to face Nathan.

"Come on, how much longer do I have to do this?" Nathan groaned once again as I ignored him. It had been a week and Nathan had been pestering me non-stop to become friends. I didn't want to become friends. I didn't need friends. I already had everyone I needed.

"Please, just give me a-" my phone buzzed cutting him off. I had finally decided to accept the phone that Neel offered me after he constantly begged me to. I only had 3 people in my contact list and those were the only people I needed.

Waiting by the car - Neel

Neel would usually walk to my locker and we would leave school together but I had insisted he waited for me outside from now on. From the corner of my eye I saw Tobias rummage through his locker and my heart unconsciously sped up. Within a second Tobias looked up and caught my gaze before looking away again. He hadn't approached me since our last encounter for which I was grateful for but I wasn't stupid.

This was only the silence before the storm.

"Who is it?" Nathan asked peeping at my phone. I ignored him turning around to leave but he just followed me. Once I saw Neel I picked up my pace trying to get to him faster whilst also avoiding Nathan.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Neel asked glaring at Nathan. I shrugged in response.

"Do you have no self-respect?" Neel clenched his fists pushing himself off his car.

"None" Nathan clicked his tongue. Nathan and Neel both stood toe-to-toe at this point glaring each other down, Neel having the advantage of being a few inches taller.

"I just want to be friends. What's the problem?" Nathan asked looking at me.

"You don't force friendships, fuck-face." Neel spat turning around grabbing a hold of my wrist taking me towards the passenger side.

"Just give me a chance. Let me take you out to coffee and if you still don't want to be friends I'll leave you alone" Nathan insisted. I hated coffee.

"You're going to leave her alone either way, do you understand me" Neel opened my door, still glaring at Nathan, waiting for me to sit in. Nathan ignored him still looking at me.

"Fine" I whispered but he had heard. Neels head snapped towards me, something flashing in his eyes, while an accomplished smile slipped onto Nathans face.

"But only if Neel comes" I quickly added on making Nathans smile slip. Neel looked at me with a small smile before it turned into a smirk when he faced Nathan.

"Fine" Nathan obliged. "We'll go tomorrow after school" he confirmed walking away. I sat into the passenger seat and Neel closed the door before climbing into his own seat.

"You don't need to go" Neel started the car.

"I know, but he won't leave me alone unless I do" I sighed.

"Trust me, when I say this. I can make him leave you alone either way" Neel pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road.

"No need for violence" I laughed lowly.

"I like hearing you laugh" Neel slowly slid one hand off the steering wheel and grabbed a hold of my hand, resting it on my lap. My eyes widened at his movement but I didn't stop him. Once we got home we spent some time alone before meeting in the living room to play monopoly.

"We've got pizza" Julian said as I sat down. Pizza reminded me of the first time we had ordered it. Since then I had started eating more - Neel had made sure of it - and most of my clothes now fit me. Every time I passed the mirrors I would appreciate the healthy glow to my skin.

The next day at school flew by and without doubt Nathan reminded me of the plan we had made for after school. I was just thankful that Neel was going with me. At the end of the day Neel decided to drive us, Nathan included, to the local cafe.

"Hi my name's Kayla, I'll be your waitress today. What could I get you?" A girl asked as soon as we took a seat. Neel and I sat next to each other while Nathan was sitting opposite us. She seemed similar aged to us and I'm pretty sure I've seen her around school before.

"Hey, could we get 3 cappuccino's please." Nathan smiled at Kayla.

"Make that 2 cappuccino's and 1 hot chocolate" Neel butted in and I smiled at him in gratitude. Kayla looked at Neel nodding her mouth slightly hanging open. I didn't like the way she was looking at Neel. Why was this bothering me.

"You don't drink coffee?" Nathan asked after Kayla had left. I shook my head.

"Sorry, I should have asked" Nathan went red as he rubbed his neck.

"It's okay" Was it wrong that I wanted to leave. When Kayla finally came back with the drinks she milled around for longer than necessary.

"Can I get you anything else?"

"Yes, actually. Can I get one of those..." Nathan said pointing at the kourabiedes "...what's their name, here." Kayla looked back at him in horror.

"What do you mean, 'What's their name'? We've had them for ten years, and..."

"What? We don't want ten-year-old pastries, man; we want fresh ones!" I snorted at Nathans comment.

"How fucking dumb are you?" Neel narrowed his eyes at him.

"I was joking" Nathan replied embarrassed. Kayla rolled her eyes walking away but not before sending Neel a wink.

"But you know, I once asked my mom if she was a virgin" I nearly choked on my drink.

"You're serious?" Neel looked at him in disbelief.

"Yep. I was drunk, don't judge me" He shrugged.

"Why was your mom with you when you were drunk?" Neel rolled his eyes taking a sip of his coffee.

"I was out with friends and everyone had passed out. I had no one to drive me home. I asked her the question in the car. She just looked at me and said 'I wish I were'" Nathan cringed slightly. I hid my smile behind my cup when he finished.

"I thought you guys said you're not together" Nathan looked between Neel and I waiting for an answer.

"We're not" Neel muttered glaring at him. Before Nathan could reply the door swung open and in walked Tobias, Michelle and a few other people from school. Neels fist immediately clenched and he grabbed my hand ready to leave.

"No. They don't decide when we leave" I ignored the questioning look Nathan threw at us. From the corner of my eye I saw Kayla approach the group and take their orders but she hurried back. We all sat in silence finishing off our drinks not being in the mood to talk anymore.

"You okay?" Nathan asked looking at me.

"She's fine" Neel snapped making me sigh in frustration. Once we finished our drinks we got up to leave. Nathan offered to throw away the rubbish so Neel and I made our towards the door. Before we got there though, I walked into something or someone and instantly felt a searing pain in my chest.

"Oops. I didn't see you there" Michelle laughed. I pulled at my shirt which was covered in burning hot coffee which was also practically burning my skin too. Before Neel could do anything I grabbed his hand and walked out of the door still trying to hold my shirt away from my skin.

"Olivia" I heard Nathan shout from behind.

"Make your own way home" Neel yelled back setting me into the passenger seat and driving away. Once we were onto the main road Neel parked onto the side of the road and turned to me.

"Take off your shirt" I shook my head immediately.

"Olivia. Take off your shirt. Now. You're gonna make it worse" Neel took off his own shirt placing it in my lap. He then gave me a water bottle before turning to face the other way. I took off my shirt holding the cold bottle against my skin cooling it down slightly before wearing Neels shirt again.

"God, I'm so sorry" Neel took my hands in his.

"No, don't be. This isn't your fault" I insisted.

"It is. I shouldn't have fucking let it happen." Neel punched the steering wheel making me jump in my seat.

"Neel, calm down. Please" Neel looked at me something flashing in his eyes.

"I don't want to ever  see you hurt" He whispered looking at me.

"Can we go home?" I whispered back taking his hand in mine.

"Yeah. Let's go home"

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Just finished by exams and now all I can do is pray that I get my desired results.

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