Olives are Green, Violets are Blue Chapter 1

Olives are Green, Violets are Blue

Olivia’s Story
Chapter 1: Summer Break

    “Be careful. R2D2 will knock you on your ass.” Zoe warned me with a sly grin as she raised her defined brow. She handed me her hand carved, wooden pipe in the shape of R2D2. The entire thing was carved beautifully; hand-painted with Bob Marley colors. And her pipe was packed with fresh, green bud. You could easily smell the earthy, pungent aroma. I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent deeply with thrill. I haven’t smoked in so long.

    “Do you like it? It’s cute, isn’t it?” My eyes shot open and I saw Zoe shimmy her shoulders towards me, “I got it from our trip in this cute little shop in Colorado. I liked him. I thought he looked pretty cool. Isn't he cute?”

    “Yeah, he is cute!” I smiled in delight. I haven’t seen Zoe in so long. I’ve missed her so much. I missed her and her spunky, exuberant personality. Every time she smiled, her dimples would always come out, showing her wonderfully straight teeth. She had a smile that always made you feel good; contagious even.

    And her persona always resembled so much light. Her forest green eyes were full of life, and seeing her in her favorite low-cut, faded black panda t-shirt brought back memories of the good old times we shared together.

    I held the long shaft of the pipe in my one hand, and my tie dye lighter in the other. I looked down at her piece and back up at her. “Your parents are sleeping right?” I asked as I held the lighter above the bowl with my mouth close to the mouth piece.

    “You’re fine,” she said with her head tilted down, her eyes looked up at me with coy, “It’s late, they are too exhausted from the trip to even care about us smoking up here. You are fine. Just hit it.”

    I breathed in and exhaled quickly as I looked at her with my eyebrows raised.

    Here goes nothing.

    As the bright orange and blue flame torched the top of the bowl, I breathed in deeply. I tilted my head back and held the warm, woodsy heat in my throat. I opened my mouth and slowly let the white smoke bellow out of me. I watched as it danced to the top of her popcorn-textured ceiling.

    I was sitting on her bed. I leaned my back against the wall and I tucked my knees to my chest. I smiled in pure ecstasy and meditated on this head rush and felt every fear, worry, and pain leave my body.

    “Oh, this is good…” I grinned. I tilted my head towards her and I handed her back the pipe.

    “I know.” Zoe agreed as she took a huge hit from her pipe, she blew all of her smoke off to the side. “It’s some pretty good bud.”

    We sat there for a few moments. Zoe gazed at me with her glossy pink eyes, “How are you doing? You doing okay?”

    I rolled my eyes and looked away, “I mean, yeah, as fine as I can be. I feel horrible, but what can you do? It is what it is--”

    “Well fuck Tyler,” Zoe jutted, “If he is just going to be a pussy like that, he doesn’t deserve you anyway.” She gave me the pipe.

    I took another hit with ease. I didn’t say anything back to her.

    The silence in the air was deafening. The only thing that filled the void was the music that played softly on her phone, and the bitter scream of my heart being obliterated from the inside out. I saw Zoe cock her head to the side out of my peripheral vision; her short copper-toned hair reflected the blue light from her fish tank, “ What happened, Olivia?”

    I looked over at her. She sat in front of me with her legs crossed and her body leaned towards me. And her tits were so large they were practically falling out of her shirt. Her round face looked up at me with curiosity.

     I averted my gaze away from her breasts when I noticed that her room looked exactly the way it did before I went steady with Tyler.

    Her walls were still covered in that puffy pink paint she hated, but she had them covered up with trippy blacklight pictures and band posters like Avenged Sevenfold and Three Days Grace. Her sheer, pink canopy curtains were still hanging from her bed from when she was little, and her hot pink lava lamp oozed with colorful slime on the wall ledge right by her bed. It was totally mesmerizing, I could hardly concentrate. That and I also felt really high.

     The only thing that happened to be different about Zoe’s room was that she had that large fish tank gurgling on her nightstand, filled with a whole assortment of neon-colored fish.

    I also couldn’t help but notice that she still had picture frames of us sitting on her ledge from when we were in middle school. They were surrounded with souvenirs from places she has traveled to, like sea shells and shot glasses. She had little paper wristbands she has saved over the years from her favorite band concerts, and she had guitar picks, CD’s, and books about grimm fairy tales and adult romances decorating her space.  

    And from her eerie blue fish tank to her warm pink lava lamp, the lights danced together and created a swell of colors that made her room look pretty much a stoners paradise.

    “You doing okay?” Zoe asked me, looking at me at an angle, “Are you floating away? You only took one hit, you that stoned already?”

    I shook my head and laughed, “Oh I'm sorry, just feeling distracted.”

    “I can tell!”

    We both laughed.

    “Well, there’s nothing much to it.” I eventually said continuing my thought, “We were fine, and then all of a sudden we weren’t fine.” I paused, “I mean...we went out for my birthday this past Thursday. He took me to a really nice restaurant, treated me to a full course meal, and he paid for it all! He was always such a gentleman; very old-fashioned like that.

    ‘And I had a great time, and I thought he did too, but then all weekend I didn’t hear from him; no text, no phone call, no snap...nothing. I just thought he was busy with starting up his new college classes, or was busy at work or something. I didn’t think anything of it.” I paused again. I tried to think about what he could have been doing all this time, “Then he calls me up today and dumps me with no reason at all. He just said we weren’t ‘working out.’” I said while I used my fingers to air quote. I rolled my eyes and looked away in anger.

    “Well that’s bullshit!” Zoe shouted. She took another large hit from her pipe, “How freaking dare he do that to you. I mean, you guys were so cute together. How long did you guys date? Like, a year and a half or something?”

    “Yeah, almost. 1 more month and it would have been a year and a half.”

    “Wow…” she shook her head back and forth and laughed maniacally through her teeth, “Well, you will find someone way better than him. Someone who won’t just dump you over the phone. And someone who’s way sexier than ‘Ty.’” she mocked his name harshly and rolled her eyes far back into her head. She had a disgusted look on her face. She went to take another hit and she paused, “Oh wait, isn’t it your hit? Oops.” she laughed a short laugh and handed me R2D2.

    “Yeah… and who knows.” I said quietly as I took another hit and breathed out. “Like I said, it is what it is. If he wanted to stick it out with me, he would have. But obviously I wasn’t good enough for him. Probably because I wouldn’t have sex with him. I mean, I turn 17 in two days for God’s sake. I’m not ready to have fucking sex yet.

    ‘I know some people don’t care about losing it, but I do. I’m waiting for the right moment at the right time before I let someone take advantage of me like that. And I guess he couldn’t wait for me to be ready.”

    “It’s probably because he’s fucking some other girl. Prick.” Zoe inserted bluntly.

I nodded my head swiftly, “Probably. I wouldn’t doubt it.” Although I didn't want to believe that.

Zoe sighed heavily and took the pipe from me, “Well fuck him for dumping you over the phone, fuck him for dumping you over sex, and fuck him for just being a douchebag. You are way better without him.” She took another big hit finishing off the bowl, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound rude. I just don’t like seeing you hurt. Especially over scumbags who don’t deserve you. You deserve a real gentleman; someone who is going to respect your beliefs.” She looked down and noticed that her pipe was full of ash. “And I’m sorry, did you want me to pack this again, or are you good?” she pointed down at her pipe.

I stuck my hand out and shook it. “No, I’m good, thank you,” It felt like my whole body was 1000 pounds, moving in slow motion, I definitely didn’t need any more, “and don’t worry about it, it's okay. You aren’t wrong. I need to just forget about him, because obviously he wants nothing to do with me.”

“Yes! You need to forget about him!” She sat up quickly in her seat. She grabbed a chunk of my hair, and pulled it out to the side and let it cascade down my face, “You are gorgeous and sweet and fun. You have beautiful blond hair and pretty blue eyes. Guys will fall in love with you. Don't let him get to you like that. You deserve much more than him. Plus? Men love a girl with long hair. You should own it.”

“Yeah right, I don't see how. I’m so not pretty.” I shrugged, “I just happened to luck out with Tyler. And how could I ever compete with you anyway? You are so gorgeous. How on earth are you still single?”

Zoe’s mood quickly shifted, she scoffed lightly under her breath and rolled her eyes in frustration, “Olivia, you know why I am still single. I choose not to date. There is not one single boy in this school I would date, and plus, guys suck. I’d rather be alone.”

“Oh really?” I raised my eyebrows in shock, “I don't see how, men are always asking you out, and you're always so flirty with them, how can you rather be alone--”

“I’m not flirty!” she shot back in defense, her pale cheeks flushed with color, “I’m just...very outgoing is all. But I’m not flirty.”

    “Sure, sure!” I teased.

    All of a sudden, her mood shifted and she embraced me; her soft breasts pressed around my right shoulder. She looked up at me kitten-like, and batted her long, eyelashes repetitively, “I’m only flirty when it comes to you, dear. You're the only one that can handle my insanity. Prrrrrrr…!” She purred in my ear playfully.

    “Yeah, I don't think anyone else could handle a person like you!” I said, toying with her. She hissed at me like a cat, grabbed my arms, and yanked me down towards her bed. Our heads slammed down into her teal pillows with a thump! I yelped and she laughed at me hysterically.

    It was so nostalgic to be reunited with my best friend again after not seeing her for months. It was as if we never stopped hanging out. I definitely needed this. It was about time I came over here.

    I smiled at her, “Thank you. For everything, seriously. It means a lot that you let me come here. I’m sorry we stopped hanging out.”

    Zoe smiled big in return. She looked back at me with understanding, “No problem, girly. Don't even worry about it. Time doesn’t affect our friendship. I totally understand why we stopped hangin’ out. Shit happens, life happens! And we went our separate ways; Tyler was a senior, you were a freshman. He had a job, you had time. He was an older man, and you were intrigued. And I was over here being single and getting all high and shit. I understand why we lost touch.”

    I shrugged.

    “Olivia, you’ve known me all of your life. You cannot lose me that easy. You need to stop being so hard on yourself.” She grabbed my shoulders, pulled me close towards her body, and hugged me. I could smell her strawberry shampoo, “And thank you for confiding in me. I’m happy that you're here. I will always be here to talk with ya, and you know that. You can come over anytime.” She sat back slightly and smiled compassionately, then rolled over onto her back.

    It felt nice to be able to still talk with her like this. It felt good to feel loved. I’m so grateful that I at least have my best friend after all of this.

    She was always good for looking out for me, keeping me from worrying about things like this. She always knew what words to say, how to say them, and her energy alone was enough to keep my mind off things.

    And for a minute, just for a minute, I didn’t feel like I was choking in my own pain of losing Tyler. But it still crept inside of me, mocking me...and the fact that he is going to bed tonight feeling no remorse is absolutely killing me. My heart hurts. I feel like I can’t breathe. And knowing that he could care less about me while I sit here in distress just leaves this empty, gaping hole inside of my chest. I don’t know what I’m going to fucking do without him.

    I hate this...

I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Tyler; his stupid face, his stupid smile, and his stupid haircut. And if I don’t get out of here, I am going to freak out.

I sat up and crawled to the foot of the bed and climbed off, careful not to disturb Zoe. I walked over to her vanity and looked at myself in the mirror.

I looked like shit.

My hair looked messy and frail. And the color appeared dull and grungy, making my pale skin look see-through. It was dark. The only light source I had was the blue light from the fish tank reflecting on my face.

     I hardly looked alive. My eyes were swollen and puffy, smudged with black eyeliner from where I was crying. I wiped my fingers under my eyes to remove the black residue from my face and licked my chapped lips. I still looked like shit.

“Whatever…” I mumbled under my breath and walked away from the mirror. I slipped on my converse shoes, grabbed my phone and phone charger and I shoved it in my jacket pocket. I didn’t really need my jacket, but it made me feel secure, even though it was Tyler’s. And as much as I fucking hate him right now, it was the closest thing I still had to him. And it still smelt like him too.

    I walked towards the opening of the bedroom door and looked back at Zoe; her body was sprawled out in the bed and she looked really comfy. Her face was smushed into her pillow, and the girl boxers she wore revealed her long white legs intertwined in her blankets.

I smiled, and proceeded to walk down the stairs and out of her house. I walked out onto her porch and closed the door softly while I locked it from the inside. I admired all of the cute little houses lining side-by-side on her street.

     They were all small and quaint, decorated in covered porches and colored shutters. The porch railings were covered with air-dried beach towels and soggy bathing suits. And the yards were littered with bicycles and soccer balls. You could tell that it was a summer well spent.

     But it felt quiet. Too quiet. I looked down at my phone. It was 2:36 in the morning. Summer break was almost over. I cannot not believe we start school next Monday.

    I took in my surroundings and tried to soak in all of what I had left of the summer. I looked up to the stars; they were absolutely breathtaking. Despite the street lights that lined the strip, the stars filled every space and gleamed elegantly in the clear sky. It was so exhilarating. I cannot believe that I don't take the time to do this kind of thing more often.

I started to go walking down the sidewalk. I wasn’t really sure where I was going to exactly, just anywhere to clear my head. And I definitely didn't want to go home.

    Maybe I could try to find a good place where I can relax and watch the stars. Then it hit me: The Place.

“That’s perfect!” I said aloud. It’s been so long since I have been to The Place. I haven't been there since I went there with Jeremy. And I bet the stars look amazing over there.

     I picked up my pace slightly and thought about The Place. I wondered if it still looked the same? And it wasn’t a long walk to get there either, just beyond the houses in the back of the suburb.

I started to get excited when I passed the last set of houses and saw the grassy field start to open up. I could see the little creek out in the distance separating one side of the suburb from the other. The sky grew a little darker and the stars shone brighter once I got away from the street lights. And the field was filled with graceful lightning bugs.

The breeze started to pick up and I could smell the murky water coming off the creek and the grass was soft under my feet. The crescent moon peeked in the sky. I couldn’t believe how relaxed it made me feel to be out here again.

Then I saw it; the bridge slowly started to appear out of the black once my eyes adjusted to the dark, and it looked exactly the way it did years ago. The old, abandoned bridge still had colorful graffiti and rust marking the curved metal railing. The creek trickled with water over the jagged rocks, and the wooded area behind the bridge was filled with many more lightening bugs and the area chirped with crickets.

I walked closer and forgot all about the stars and headed towards the grassy area underneath the bridge to lie down. I wanted to feel like a kid again and just reflect on how it felt to lay down underneath it. Maybe I could even throw some rocks into the creek.

Crrrrack!

I stepped on a branch, and I yelped. I could feel my heart pound through my ears.

“Gee wiz…” I said to myself and exhaled deeply. I looked down at the branch and looked back up when I saw movement underneath the bridge. I felt my heart sink.

     I didn’t know what to do. Was it an animal? A person? I couldn’t move. I wanted to run, but I didn’t know where to go. And if I did run, would it chase me? What do I do?

    “Olivia?” A deep voice echoed from underneath the bridge. It startled me, “Is that you?”

    I looked at the dark figure, trying to make out who was talking to me. Then I saw him.

    “Jeremy?”