I THINK I LIKE IT HERE

Elise was the punisher; whatever that was. She looked me straight in the eye then turned to the boys side and spotted Oliver. Her gaze didn't linger on Oliver and she took a seat next to Ms Stevenson. I continued to stare at Elise the whole time so I barely heard what was being said. I made a mental note to ask her what her duty was as a punisher. In future I think I'd also like to be feared. When everyone stood up I followed suit even though I had no idea what was happening.

"Why don't you pray for us Olive?" Elise said.

Pray? I don't know how to pray! Back home we have never said grace before a meal or asked for protection when going to bed and now this girl was asking me to say a prayer in front of everyone. Was I supposed to pray about what had been discussed? Not that I heard a word that was said. I looked at her pleadingly and she smiled at me then decisively turned to look at Oliver.

"Oliver, save your sister." Elise said.

Oliver seemed alarmed to have been called out and glared at me frowning before he folded his arms in front of him while partially covering his face. He closed his eyes and everyone else did the same.

"Our father....." he started and everyone else joined.

When the prayer was done I glanced at Oliver who was back to looking like a normal student.He caught me staring at him and smiled at me like I was a child. Even though we were the same age Oliver acted as though he was years older than me. I wondered if I could talk to Oliver now because the important people were leaving and people were back to whispering to each other.

When the boys and girls started to mix I instinctively went to Oliver who was now sitting in contrast to everyone else who was standing.

"You couldn't even say the Lord's Prayer?" he asked me,"I'm very disappointed in you Vee."

"Oh please! I was caught off guard!"

"I'm in the limelight because of you." he complained.

"I thought you are used to getting attention. Do the creeps running this place memorize the names of all the students or am I just paranoid?"

"No idea.....you know the shorty?"

Elise was rude I know but did she deserve that title? I nodded but Oliver continued to stare at me like he didn't understand what I meant.

"Yes I know her." I said sighing.

"I understood your nod." he said.

"Then why did you continue to stare?"

"I just wanted to see how much understanding exists between us and you failed with flying colors."

I rolled my eyes at him and looked at the other students. Some people were now hugging like the rules weren't effective at that moment. I even saw a guy hit a girls buttocks like he was in a bar of sorts with a lustful expression on his face. Oliver and I said a long and exaggerated 'ewww' then giggled at the end. The boy who had been sitting next to Oliver came to sit in front of us or rather in front of me and somehow his smile made me uncomfortable.

"Hi Olive." he greeted me enthusiastically.

"Hi." I responded trying my very best to mimic his energy.

"My name's Chris, short for Christopher." he introduced himself extending his hand for me to shake.

"Nice to meet you Chris....."

I took his hand to shake it and was about to pull back when he brought it up to his lips a planted a light yet moist kiss on it.

"Let's date....." he said looking at me trying to look hot.

"Back off!" Oliver suddenly pushed Chris away.

The chair fell back with Chris in it and he went down with a loud thud that made everyone look in our direction. Christopher groaned from the pain while touching and rubbing the back of his head. I don't know what expression I had on my face but I do know I definitely looked hideous right now. Oliver looked alluring no matter what expression he had on and I noticed his dimples were not in site in that moment.

"Dude .....I was just being friendly. I didn't mean it." he said.

"Joke around some other girl! stay away from my sister!" Oliver retorted kicking Christopher who was still on the floor.

"Ollie.... that's enough." I said trying to get Oliver away from Christopher,"You might hurt him."

"What's going on here?" a familiar voice asked.

We turned around to look at Markus who walked towards us with a frown on his face. Did I mention his voice was hot?! His curly hair was slightly disheveled like he is the one who had been punched by Oliver. He looked at Christopher and his face contorted into an expression of anger.

"Get up!" Markus ordered Christopher,"This is the last time I should find that you snuck into orientation!"

"Sorry...." Christopher responded.

So wait! This kid was a senior?! Oliver looked way older than he did and he was also shorter than Oliver.

"Out!" Markus ordered.

Christopher looked at me and smiled before running out when Markus and Oliver glared at him. What a weird fellow. How did Sr Drevin not notice him?

"Sorry about that." Markus apologized on Christopher's behalf while looking straight into my eyes.

I'm pretty sure I blushed but he seemed unfazed by it.

"No biggie." Oliver said even though the apology wasn't for him.

"I was talking to Liv." Markus said frowning at Oliver.

OMG....! He has given me a nick name! Was the attraction on his end as well or was I overreacting? I smiled at him and I could see Oliver look at me with a stunned expression. Then I realized; people were still staring at us! I want to bury myself right now.

"I know. I was just trying to communicate how I don't like yippies like yourself around Vee." Oliver said grinning at Markus.

I glared at him at those words. Was he trying to ruin my chances of getting with Markus? I know he knows I like Markus so he definitely is not ignorant. Some people giggled because Oliver had insulted the head boy but I don't think I like that joke.

"Yippies?" Markus asked frowning.

Oliver and I were standing close to each other so when Markus moved closer to whisper to Oliver I heard it all.

"Are you going to push away every guy who is interested in Liv? You won't marry her you know."

This proves that he does like me! Is it creepy if I say that I love Markus. Oliver's grin turned into a bright smile and he shook hands with Markus.

"Good to know." Oliver said tapping Markus' shoulder then he continued in a whisper,"Don't hurt my sister. She's my treasure."

What a sweet brother I have. I smiled at him when he looked at me. Markus moved back a little while smiling at Oliver and I.

"Let me show you around." Markus offered.

"Are we allowed to?" I asked.

By now everyone else was back to doing their own things and some were walking out.

"Wow Vee. Now I know you weren't listening at all." Oliver said as he slapped my back.

"I just... zoned out." I tried to defend myself.

"For an hour and thirty minutes?" Markus asked in disbelief.

"I think I was conscious for thirty minutes." I said.

"Then what's the name of the man who was wearing the gray shirt with black hair?" Oliver asked as we started walking to the door.

A man with a gray shirt and black hair? There was a man in here?

"You don't know do you?" he laughed at me and Markus joined him.

"I just didn't pay attention but I was conscious!"

"Yeah right!" Oliver continued.

I walked ahead of them and could still hear them laughing at me. Didn't Ollie know this was an embarrassing situation for me? The weather outside had changed from a sunny sky to a bleak atmosphere blanketed by heavy rain clouds. Wouldn't it be nice for Markus and I to share a kiss in the rain? My head started filling itself with images of a shirtless Markus looking up at the sky while heavy rain cascaded down the ridges of his sculpted body. In my imagination he smiles and closes his eyes as I walked to him and cuddle him from behind. He turns to face me and we share a passionate kiss right.....

"Vee?" Oliver disturbed my wild thoughts," Zoned out again?"

"No. I was just trying to calculate when it might rain." I made an excuse.

"Around prep time maybe." Markus stated eyeing the clouds,"So sad we can't skip prep."

"But we have nothing to study." Oliver said frowning.

"There's a library so that's a lame excuse." Markus retorted.

"What will they do to me if I was to draw instead or paper-chat with someone?" Oliver asked daringly.

"Simple.... you'll be in detention for the rest of the term." responded Markus with a smile,"There the teachers will watch you like an egg they need to hatch. You'll be lucky if you get a prefect to watch you. It's terrible if you get the punisher."

"So shorty is worse than the teachers and prefects?" Oliver asked again.

"Shorty?"

"Yeah. That's what he wants to call Elise." I said to clear Markus' mind.

He nodded like he was doubtful but then he nodded again in a more confident manner. I think I like this place because I've got Oliver and Markus to keep me company. One my brother and the other my possible future boyfriend.