My Promised Rejection (Olivia) novel Chapter 1

Olivia POV

One more year of high school and I can finally start working toward my degree in marketing. I know it's strange for a seventeen-year-old to want to have such a specific career, but I want to follow in my dad's footsteps. He owns his own advertising business that I plan on joining after I graduate. I am definitely a daddy's girl. Not that I don't love my mom, but my dad and I have a special bond.

I have an older brother who is a bit of a jock, but he isn't conceited. As older brothers go, he is a pretty good one. Don't get me wrong, we have our fights, but for the most part we get along well. He is two years older than me and in his second year of college. He was actually supposed to pick me up today but flaked, which isn't like him. I make my way down our street and notice a car I've never seen in the driveway.

As I make my way up onto the porch, I can hear raised voices. I can tell one is my mom's but the other isn't familiar. A few seconds go by and the yelling stops. I push the door open and stop dead in my tracks at the sight in front of me. My mother is in the arms of a man I've never seen before. Not only is she in his arms, but he's kissing her. I don't even realize I gasp until both their heads turn toward me.

"Olivia," my mother says, and I take a step back. "How could you," I say before I turn running back out the door I just walked through. I don't get far when I run into the solid chest of my brother. "Oli, what's wrong" he says, wrapping his arms tightly around him. "Mom," is all I manage to get out. He rubs circles on my back, but his next words have me stepping out of his embrace. "Mom will explain everything, Oli," he says.

I step even further away from him and look back at the porch where my mother and the pr*ck she was kissing are standing. I look back at my brother. "You knew, you knew she was cheating on dad." "It's not that simple, Oli. Let's go inside, and we can all talk" he says, taking a step toward me. I move before he can get close. "Where is dad?" No one answers, and I take another step away from them, ready to run. "Where is dad," I scream.

"I'm right here, Oli girl," he says from behind me. I run the five steps and wrap myself around him. I can't stop the tears that flood my cheeks and the sobs that shake my body. "Dad, I want to leave, please." "Alright sweetheart, let's go" he says. My dad keeps me tucked under his arm as we head toward his truck. "Charles," my mother calls out, but he doesn't turn to acknowledge her. He helps me into his truck and rounds it to get in. Before he opens the door, my mother stops him.

"Charles, please," she says. I hate the pain I see in my father's eyes. "You made this choice, Evelyn." "You know it's not that simple, Charles. I never meant to hurt you," she says. "It's not me, I'm worried about Evelyn. You hurt our daughter. She is all that matters right now," he says. Without another word, he slides into the truck.

My mother comes to my window, but I refuse to acknowledge her. "Oli please. I can explain everything if you just give me a chance. I need you to stay and talk to me. I love you," she pleads. I finally can't stop myself from responding. "Well, I don't love you. You made your choice and I'm making mine. I choose dad. Go be with your boyfriend and your son. We don't need you." "Oli," my dad whispers.

"Please just drive dad." Out of the corner of my eye I see my mother sob, but I can't bring myself to care. As my father turns off our street, I let more tears fall. A few minutes later he pulls into the ice cream shop we have been to as a family countless times. Some of my best childhood memories are getting ice cream here and playing at the park across the street. "I don't think ice cream is going to fix this dad."

"I don't think so either, Oli. I just figured it would be easier for us to talk if I parked. I'm sorry you're hurting kiddo" he says. "No, don't you dare apologize for what she has done. This is not your fault. This is all mom's fault and I will never forgive her." "I know your hurting Oli, but this is between me and your mother. No matter what happens, she loves you and your brother" he says. I can't believe him. She cheats on him, and he is still trying to defend her.

He looks as if I just slapped him. "Olivia, you will always be my sister." "No, I won't. Go join your new family. We will be fine without you or Evelyn." His eyes get big hearing me call my mother by her name. I take the opportunity to slip inside my room and lock the door. He knocks a few times, but when it goes unanswered, I figure he must have given up until I hear him speak. "I love you, Oli" through the door. The tears start to fall again, but I quickly wipe them away. Neither of them deserve my tears.

I refuse to cry over him or my mother. They made their choices and I've made mine. I grab my favorite pajamas and head to my bathroom. I step under the hot spray and lean my head against the tile wall. How did all this happen? I thought my parents were happy. They have always acted like they were so in love. I mean I'm sure they have had fights but nothing that was ever serious.

I'm not sure how long I stay in the shower, but when the water starts to cool I step out and wrap a fluffy towel around myself. After I'm dressed, I step back into my bedroom. A knock on the door startles me. "Oli, sweetheart, can you open the door?" I walk over and when I pull open the door I'm engulfed in strong arms. "I love you, Oli. I'm so sorry you're hurting, but I promise you everything will work out," he says.

"As long as I have you, dad, I'll be alright." "You'll always have me. What do you want to do for the rest of the night, Oli girl" he asks. "Can we order a pizza and watch movies?" "I think that sounds like a great idea," he says. He presses a kiss on my forehead. "I'm going to go order the pizza while you pick out a movie." I nod and heads toward the door. He turns when he reaches it and offers me a sad smile.

"No matter what happens, Oli, I want you to remember I love you." His words do nothing to quell the torrent of emotions raging inside me, but I know he needs me to be strong for him. "I love you too, dad."