A bit off trouble*

We started our exam week and made it till the last day! Oliver made a lot of progress, coming to my place, making time to study instead of hanging around with friends all the time.

We spent most weekends together, studying at my place. It was just me, Oliver, Olivia, Hillary and another classmate named Sarah. She was my rival in Advanced Algebra, (but it has never gotten between our friendship since the first year), and Oliver's best friends.

We went out a lot as a group. Oliver and I also went out just the two of us just as friends, and it was amazing how much we had in common! Oliver wasn't so bad once you got to know him. He was funny, energetic, respectful, athletic, smart (when he really put in the effort), shares most of my hobbies, looks good, is kind, and is really sensitive. All the things that make Oliver who he is are things I love about him.

Today marked the day when we received the results for the examinations we had undertaken over the course of the previous week. I felt an immense amount of anxiety on behalf of Oliver.

I was aware of the effort he had put into his studies and knew that he had given it his all. However, I couldn't help but wonder if his efforts would prove to be sufficient. His progress was evident, but would it be enough to ensure his successful completion of the academic year? Only time would reveal the answer to this question.

During the lunch break, I obtained my grades for all of my exams. To my lack of surprise, I had achieved an 'A+' in all subjects, even algebra was an A+. I was grateful to ascertain that I would undoubtedly progress to the next year based solely on my own determination and hard work. As a means of leisure, I decided to take a stroll on the track field.

The majority of students were engaged in conversations regarding their exams, with many of them eagerly anticipating their upcoming holidays following graduation. A few individuals were visibly upset, presumably due to not achieving the grades they had hoped for. Hillary and Sarah were engaged in a discussion, comparing their respective grades.

I was astonished to discover that I had attained the highest grade in our algebra class, with Sarah closely following behind, having made only a few errors on the exam. Olivia and Marcos were seated on the bleachers, engaged in conversation. Over the past few weeks, they had developed a peculiar bond. Although they claimed to be just friends, it was evident to us that their relationship extended beyond mere friendship.

The countless hugs, inside jokes, little notes in class, 'accidental' had holding, and café study sessions they share are enough proof that they like each other, but are just too shy to admit it. Olivia had all 'B's for her exams, making both her mother and my parents proud when we phoned them.

I was absolutely in my personal world, when I felt someone hug me. I turned around and saw Oliver smiling from ear to ear. He had a grin as wide as the Pacific Ocean. I chuckled, "Look who's all happy on grades day. How did the Exams go ?" His smile grew wider if possible, and he said, "You won't believe it! I got all 'B' and two 'A's for the exams! And it's all because of you, Alexa! Thank you for assisting me, thank you!"

I high-fived him. " Hey, It's not because of me, Oliver. I did nothing. It's due to the fact you made an effort to improve, and you did your best." Oliver shook his head. He picked me up in the air and hugged me tightly, thanking me again and again. " In that case, you're welcome, Oliver. Now, please put me down." He placed me down and rubbed the Back of his neck.

" Forgive me, Alexa. I got too excited. It's just... If you had never come and talked to me and helped me, If you hadn't driven me to focus on my studies and my future. I might have never gotten this good of an outcome today. You truly are a great person, Alexa. You didn't give up on me, regardless of how difficult I was in the beginning. Thank you."

I smiled and gave him a hug. He stared into my eyes, for a while. His smile was so cute, his height made me feel so little in his embrace. The bell had rung, breaking our focus. We chuckled and let go of each other.

This was the final week of school. This Friday was graduation and I could not wait. School was getting a bit boring. That is, till the latest news spread like wildfire. Oliver and I had become the talk of the school. Everyone was talking about the bully and his prey, how the lamb was laying with the lion. How absurd. We became friends, however they still as usual focused on the past.

When Oliver and I hated each other (well, mostly I. He was kinda annoying to be honest). But honestly, I didn't care what they thought about us. We have become friends, and that was in the past. It was the last week of school. I was happy, and nothing any of them stated could get rid of my happiness.

I may have been on the good side of fate. But matters were not right on Oliver's page in the book of fate. I had come over to Oliver's residence after quite a while. And to my surprise, that woman was home, and was the one who opened the door for me once more. I entered the house, and found Oliver's father sitting in the living room.

I felt a tension in the room. It was so quiet, and it made my feel a bit nauseous, to be honest. Oliver, who happened to go out the kitchen, asked me if I desired to come upstairs. I nodded, and followed him, while his father's eyes observed me all the way upstairs. Creepy much?

We entered his room, and sat on his bed. I told him to show me how far he had gotten in the thank-you letter he was making for our principal. If the principal hadn't given me no choice, and selected me as Oliver's study buddy, then he would not have been capable of have gotten the grades he got, and he would not have been capable of improve himself the way he did. He appeared a bit off, while I read his letter.

I didn't want to go into his private business. So I ignored his bizarre behavior. But as time went by, it got more bizarre for me. He took lots of breaks to the bathroom, and stayed in there for extra than twenty-five minutes to come out. He wasn't as enthusiastic about writing the letter as he was after he got his Excellent grades.

I approached him and inquired about the situation, but he remained silent, refusing to respond. Just as he was preparing to leave once again to use the restroom, I firmly grasped his hand. To my dismay, I noticed a fresh bruise upon his skin. This discovery left me frozen in place, as it was not an ordinary bruise, but one that clearly indicated signs of abuse.

Before I could question him about it, his father abruptly entered the room, informing me that there was someone waiting for me downstairs. Descending the stairs, I discovered that it was Olivia. I reassured her that I would join her shortly.

Slowly making my way back upstairs, I overheard Oliver's father speaking in a disrespectful and threatening manner towards him. He was making disturbing remarks about showing Oliver what hell felt like.

Every fiber of my being urged me to intervene and admonish Oliver's father for his unacceptable behavior towards his own son. However, I acknowledged the impropriety of eavesdropping on their private conversation. With a sigh, I pretended to be oblivious to what I had heard and entered the room.

I smiled and said, "Sir, my cousin and I have plans to go out and I wanted to ask Oliver if he would like to join us for a movie." Before his father could respond, Oliver shook his head and expressed his disinterest in going. He mentioned that he preferred to stay home and study.

I nodded, silently hoping that everything would be alright once I left. After packing my belongings, I reminded Oliver to be punctual for his upcoming lesson the next day. With that, I bid him farewell and departed.

However, throughout the entire interaction, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. It seemed like Oliver was keeping a secret.

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