Chapter 24

OLIVIA

"I CAN'T believe Camila will do this to us!" Stella said with so much anger in her voice. She sat on the bench but stood up and stomped her feet. She's really frustrated.

We are here on one of the benches in the tracking field after lunch. We are still stunned by the incident that Camila pulled just to defend her "friends," so we went there to chill.

"Stell, you are overreacting," Naomi commented. She looks relaxed while eating her ice cream. Gladly, it was not so sunny, and the sun's brightness didn't hurt that much.

"What? Are you not even going to say something about Camila's stupidity today? Do you not remember what she did? Huh?" Stella faced Naomi as if she was asking for a fight. Naomi seems not affected.

"What's wrong with what she did, Stell?" Naomi asked Stella nonchalantly.

I was just listening to them, but I looked at the field. Other students are chilling on the other side. Some of them are reading but mostly are chatting and fooling around.

"She's acting so friendly with that nerd again! Did you see how she made herself like a fool again because of that girl? Look what happened to her; she was sent to the principal's office defending that geek!" Stella exclaimed.

"Are you jealous, Stell?" Naomi asked a question that took back the other girl.

"No!" Stella defensively said. She sat on the bench again. "It's just that we have been through this. I don't want to see Camila suffering again because of that nerd," Stella explained, sighing.

That got my attention. "Suffering? Why would Camila suffer when she's with Zoey?" I asked.

"Well, we have known each other since grade school, and we have been friends since middle school. But Camila's original besties were actually Zoey and Nova," Stella narrated.

"I heard about that," I stated. I heard it from Zoey. But of course, I can't tell them that. "Then what happened?"

"Camila and Zoey, even though they were best friends, were really head to head when it came to being the top in our class. But the nerd keeps beating Camila. Zoey was always the number one. Before, Camila was that smiley, friendly, kind of person. The three of them are inseparable, especially when she's with Zoey," Stella continued, "but little did Zoey know, Camila's parents don't like Zoey because she's making their daughter incompetent. So, whenever Camila did not reach the number one spot at the end of the school year, she was secretly beaten and bullied by her parents."

Zoey did tell me some of this information, but I think Stella knows more about what happened to Camila all these years.

"Camila's a big girl now, Stell. And I don't think her parents would have time to check on her activities. They are pretty much nowhere to be found," Naomi said; she's almost finished eating her ice cream. "And did you see how happy Camila is? Man, I thought I would never see that smile of hers again. But then I remember, I just see those smiles before when she's with them. Especially when she's with Zoey."

I was taken aback by what Naomi revealed. Come to think of it, Naomi was right. Camila was wearing this unfamiliar but pretty smile all day. So, that was because of Zoey. Hmm...

"But what if her parents will know that she is friends again with that girl? You know how much The Smith despises The Lewiss, particularly Zoey's crazy mom. If they know that Camila is friends with that crazy woman's daughter, I am sure that they will punish Camila, and worse, they will cut her off!"

"That wouldn't happen. I promise," Camila appeared. When did she get near us?

Stella was surprised for a bit, but she crossed her arms and ignored Camila after a while.

Camila was alone. I wanted to see what happened to Zoey, but I can't just ditch the girls as Camila did.

Camila went in front of us. She looks uneasy.

"Uhm, girls... I know you are surprised that I was friendly again with Zoey and Nova. I know I did not give you a heads up on this, but it kinda happened, and I couldn't miss the chance," Camila said.

"So, are you going to dump us? Is that it, Cam?" Stella asked the other girl.

"Of course not! I am more than grateful to you guys for accepting me and being friends with me for these years. And I wanted to keep being friends with you forever... if that exists. And I know it's too much to ask, and I don't expect you to be friends with them as well, but for me, please, can you get along with them?" Camila looks sincere.

My heart was aching seeing her like this. I envy her guts.

"I don't mind, Cam. I am actually happy that you are friends again with them," Naomi said. I know Naomi is a good friend. She's actually more understanding than I thought.

"Thank you, Naomi," Camila said. She was looking at us now, and she seemed to be waiting for our answer.

"Uh, yeah, that's okay," I said. At least now, I don't have to worry about Zoey getting bullied at school.

I should be happy, right? But why do I feel like I agreed on giving Zoey to her? To them? Call me selfish, but I just want Zoey for myself. However, I know that's not possible. Zoey is a beautiful person, and I can see that everyone is seeing that now. What is this pain I'm feeling inside my chest? I don't understand myself anymore.

"Thank you, Oli. I know you will understand," Camila said. She was looking genuinely happy. Naomi was right; Camila's really particularly happy right now.

I just smiled at her.

"Don't ever think I will agree to it. Do what you want and don't talk to me anymore," Stella said and walked out.

"Stell!" Camila called her. She was about to chase Stella, but Naomi stopped her.

"Let her be, for now, Cam. Let her cool down. I will help you talk to her. Just let her think for now on her own. You know her. She just needs time," Naomi encouraged Camila. The latter nodded, understanding Naomi's point.

I sneakily asked Camila about what happened to the principal's office. And I was glad and relieved that nothing serious was done to them. I was apprehensive about Zoey getting in trouble.

The bell rang for the first period for the afternoon class, so we had to go back to our classroom too. Stella was already there, but she was reserved until the class ended.

There was an awkward silence between Camila and Stella when we were practicing. But as Naomi said, we let Stella take her time. I know this is not easy for her to accept. But whatever her reason for not accepting Camila and Zoey's friendship, I hope that will not put Zoey in danger. Because I swear, if she will hurt Zoey, I won't mind harming her too.

~*~

"YOU ARE home early," I said when I saw Zoey in the kitchen.

"Yeah. It's Friday, and I want to hang out with you," she said. She was not looking at me as she was busy cooking. I am glad she did not see the stupid smile plastered on my face.

"I am glad that you still want to hang out with me even though your old friends are back," I said and gave her a hug from the back. I felt her stiffen, but I did not mind it. I like hugging Zoey.

"O-of course, you silly," she said. "Just relax there, Vi. I know you are tired. I will just call you once the food is ready," she added and looked behind. I was really close, so our lips almost touched when she did that. Unfortunately, she was quick to pull her head back.

I was shocked for a while, but why did I feel disappointed? Err... What is happening to me?

I heard Zoey clear her throat, then I was back to reality. I set her free from my arms and step back a little. Am I invading her personal space too much?

"I-i will just... uh... I... living room. Just call me when it's done. I will wash the dishes, don't worry," with my words jumbling, I manage to say that.

"O-okay," Zoey answered in a soft tone.

I awkwardly left the kitchen.

What was that all about, Oli? Why are you feeling so down suddenly? I asked myself. Ah, never mind.

I went straight to the living room and watched shows on the TV instead. I need to shake these confusing feelings in my mind.

Even though Zoey did not confirm her sexual orientation the last time we talked, it does not mean that I can do whatever I want with her. Like... you know... experimenting, I guess?

I do not know what I really want when it comes to a partner. Like, I am not attracted to anyone at all. I am focused on my career at school but nothing more. Romance is not really for me.

Love? I only felt that with my family. I mean, with Mom, Uncle Zaldy, and Zoey. Oh, maybe that's why I am feeling this way towards Zoey? I love Zoey so much as she is my sister and I was not really used to seeing her with other people. I was jealous, I admit. But then, my reputation at school is more important than getting bullied by Zoey. However, Zoey's situation turned around. Who would have thought that Zoey's bully would be friends again with her? What a turn of events.

And maybe, this is the time, like Camila, that I will have the guts to tell them that Zoey is actually my stepsister and we are living in the same house? I am not sure yet. I will think about that later because I need to watch the newly uploaded videos of Blackpink on their YouTube channel. Ah, they are really amazing.

The episode was about to finish when I heard Zoey calling me.

"Hold on! This is almost done!" I shouted. After a minute, the episode was done. I turned off the TV and went to the kitchen.

I smelled delicious food even when I was still at the kitchen door. And my mouth was watering when Zoey prepared the food while I was sitting on the chair near the table and excitedly waiting.

Zoey baked a seafood casserole. It was the best! Though I can cook well, Zoey can cook better. That's why Mom is not worried every time I am with Zoey.

"This is so good, Zola!" I complimented her while eating.

"Aww... you are just hungry, Vi. Don't exaggerate," she said. Zoey is a really humble girl. That's why I can't blame Camila if she wants to be friends again with my step sister. Zoey's really too good to be true.

"No, I am not! This is really your masterpiece. Do you mind sharing your secret recipe with me?" I asked her.

"I already did. I have told you a couple of times and how I step by step cook it and bake it," she said. She was feeding me now. I really like it when she's doing this.

After chewing and swallowing the food, I said, "But why is it that if I was the one who's making it, it was not as good as this? How is that happening?"

She laughed. Ah, why did my heart skip a beat?

"Practice makes perfect, Vi," she just said and smiled.

"Yeah. Okay." I shut my mouth and continued eating. I was having these weird thoughts again in my mind. These were the exact thoughts when she was sleeping the other night, and she was snuggling with me.

What were those weird thoughts? Well, I wanted to kiss her. Ah, this is not good!

Anyway, we finished eating, and as I said earlier, I washed the dishes. Zoey said she would be in her room because she would shower. But then, when I finished washing the dishes, I found her in the living room. She was watching Haikyu!! On Netflix. Zoey's really a fan of anime, and I am sure she has watched this a hundred times.

She was so absorbed in what she was watching, so I came up with a naughty plan in my mind. I was going to give her a little scare. My plan was to jump on her back while sitting still on the sofa.

Just when I was about to do that, Zoey moved, and it was too late for me to back out with my plan because I was jumping towards her.

I heard my own voice shouting while Zoey was trying to catch me. Luckily, Zoey did catch me! Phew! But I was not expecting the next thing I did.

Zoey was now under me, and I fell on top of her. We were staring at each other for a couple of minutes, and I am not sure why I am still not getting up from her. I don't know what spirit possessed me at that time, but I confidently reached Zoey's lips!

Yes! I was kissing Zoey! What the fuck am I doing?