Chapter 13

Oliver's chosen hangout was truly remarkable. On the other side of the lake that Jordan had taken me to on the first day at the school, it was a little clearing by the water that once was a park.

Tied to an oak tree was a tire swing. And over under the shade was a table with a barbecue and right by the lake was another bench, I gather that is so you can sit and feed the ducks. 

It was very peaceful here.

We walked towards the tree that had the tire swing and sat right at the base of the tree.

"I used to come here a lot with my family when I was younger. My Great grand parents actually built this sanctuary. Then when the fights started bout me and my dreams we kind of stopped coming out here. Then one day I moved out of house. I come out here a lot to clear out my mind." Oliver told me while staring out into the view.

I bit my lip and contemplated on how to reply to that.

"I have noticed that all the parties are at the other side of lake. I saw you sitting there with Abigail and Eve until Jordan took you away." 

I nodded like it was something to think about, "Are Eve and Abigail...?" How do I put it.

"Eve and Abigail are angels. They are such lovely people, but they often doubt themselves and their dreams. They are really good friends of mine. Eve's father owns the farm next door so she comes past my way very often. Abigail's parents are pretty close to Eve's so she is often there as well visiting Abigail, especially when they make the special jam."

It felt odd hearing this. I was so used to having everything not having much significance. In the city jam was jam nothing special about it. Most of it was factory made, but here everything seemed to be special, in some way it made me want to smile. I have to admit, no matter how boring this place was, there are really nice and genuine people here. 

"So why does Jordan not want me around you?"

And that killed the moment. "Well..."I pondered the best way to put it. "When I asked him his answer was that he was afraid that you will take me away from him." 

"I'm not a friend stealer." Oliver defended.

I bit my lip. "What I mean is Jordan wants to claim me as his."

"Oh, so he is afraid that I am going to be a girlfriend stealer?"

I shrugged. "It's pretty stupid really. Of all the girls to like why me? His dream is to live here forever and mine is to leave the first chance I get."

"Maybe he hopes that you will fall in love with him."

"Love can't ruin my dreams."

"Maybe he hopes that love will blind you from what you would want to do. Or perhaps that love will be enough for you to stay here."

I shook my head. "That's not the point, he knows that I can leave at any point. So why risk being involved with me?"

"Because you are a really lovely girl Cecilia."

"I just don't see it."

Oliver chuckled. "Of course not your a girl, so it's in your nature not to see it."

I rolled my eyes." But I am sassy, stubborn, thinks I know everything type of girl. And Jordan has his whole life planned out for him. He is going to finish school and then take over the farm harvesting fruits and taking care of cattle. Then he is going to get married and have as many kids as he can so that one day one of them will take over. I don't want to be stuck here wasting my life like that. Who wants to be a housewife who just has to resepct her husbands needs? I am not a farm type person, I am a city girl."

Oliver nodded. "But at least while you are here, you should have some fun."

My fun..was fun really worth it, when I am just going to leave anyway? To get someone's hopes up just to leave and have them crushed?

Oliver noticed me thinking about what he had just said. " Cece, you need to learn to live in the moment. Don't worry about the future or how you will be hurt, just follow your heart."

What did my heart want? When I looked up at Oliver, he smiled at me. His eyes piercing into mine.

That is when I asked myself if it really was Jordan that I wanted?