Chapter 25

ZOEY

"KIDS? Why are you not eating?" Mom inquired of us.

We've arrived at our favorite restaurant for lunch. We're celebrating my victory in the quiz bee competition.

"Girls? Is there a problem?" My father, too, inquired.

Olivia's unease is palpable. Because I was startled, I was unable to respond immediately. Especially when Olivia and my arms touch. I felt like I was being electrocuted, so I had to pull my arm away from her.

"I-i was eating," I said, awkwardly smiling. Because it was falling, I touched the middle of my eyeglasses. Why am I so worried?

Because I was looking away, I didn't notice our parents' skepticism. Olivia, too, was quiet.

"Okay. Stop with the awkward silences," Mom said as she dropped her utensils. She looked at both of us. Olivia and I were looking in opposite directions. "Look at me, you two," Mom demanded.

We have no choice but to look at her. I don't want Mom to be upset with me. Olivia, I'm sure, doesn't want Mom to be upset as well.

"What is the matter with you two? Did you get into a fight?" She inquired of us. She was switching her gaze between the two of us. My father was doing the same.

"No, Mom. We are fine. Right, Zoey?" Olivia said, smiling at me. She even rested her arm on my shoulder. When I feel her touch, I get this electrifying feeling all over again. Olivia! "W-we are. Yes, Mom... and Dad... Don't be concerned. We just ate a lot last night, that's why," I reasoned.

They didn't appear to be convinced, but they didn't say anything. Olivia and I pretended as much as we could and tried not to be awkward with each other.

When they agreed to go home after lunch, I was overjoyed. I informed our parents that I was not feeling well. I don't want Olivia to catch up with me or everyone because I'm not in the best of moods right now, so I asked that we go home for the time being and reschedule our family activities for tomorrow.

During the car ride home, Olivia and I tried to answer as many of Dad and Mom's questions as we could. It was all about school and what had happened to us over the last few weeks; they were not at home.

We told them everything except Olivia's and my current school situation. And, of course, we didn't tell them what happened the night before. I'm not sure what I'm feeling exactly, but I can't deny that I enjoy the kiss. It was all so sudden, and our parents almost caught us.

Yes! They were almost on us!

We didn't expect them to come home last night. Our parents had said they would leave early in the morning, so we were taken aback when we heard the front door open.

On the other hand, Olivia was quick, and she stood up right away. I was still on the floor because I was in such shock, but Olivia managed to help me get up.

When Dad and Mom appeared, I noticed my face was flushed and red. Olivia pretended nothing had happened, but she was utterly silent after that, even when we were eating the cake that Mom had brought.

We went to our separate rooms after finishing the cake and had a brief conversation. I debated confronting Olivia about what had happened, but I was scared. I was afraid she'd say it was a mistake, and she was just caught up in the moment. Even though I expected her to say that my heart was still not prepared to hear those words of rejection.

I understand that she initiated the kiss, but I kissed her back! Yeah! It got to that point. We were savoring each other's lips when my parents came home, and you know what happened next.

To be honest, I like the kiss. No, I adore it! But... but I know Olivia didn't mean that. It hurts, you know!

"Where do you want to go tomorrow, girls?" Mom inquired. We were close to our home.

"Where do you want to go, Zo?" Olivia asked, a smile on her face. I can see that she has moved on from what happened. Why am I obsessing over that kiss? I know it means nothing to her.

"Anywhere. As long as I'm with you... all," I said.

I could tell she was surprised by what I said, but it was only a brief moment. Then she smiled once more. She smiled with her gummy grin. Why does she have to be so cute?

"Can we go to the amusement park tomorrow, Mom and Uncle Zaldy?" Olivia inquired.

"Of course, sweetheart," Dad replied.

"Yehey! Did you hear that, Zoey? We're going to the amusement park!" She exclaimed with zeal. I nodded and smiled. Her happiness is my happiness. I'm content and happy every time I see Olivia happy.

"So, make sure to get plenty of rest today, okay?" Mom explained.

"Yes, mom," Olivia and I replied.

"I'll make dinner later. So, what do you want for dinner?" Mom enquired once more.

"Well, Mom," I explained, "I don't have anything specific in mind."

"Surprise us, Mom," Olivia chimed in.

"Whoa. Okay, kids," Mom explained.

We arrived at the house. We got out of the car first because Dad needed to park.

I was the first to arrive at the door, and I went upstairs after opening the front door.

I wanted to go to Nova's house. I want to unwind there and not think about anything. My mind was in a complete state of disarray at the time. I can't stop thinking about Olivia and our shared kiss, no matter what I do.

I walked into my room. I immediately sat down on my bed. I was just staring at the ceiling, my mind wandering back to what had happened the night before.

FLASHBACK...

Olivia came dangerously close to falling. What did she think when she jumped out of nowhere? Fortunately, I was able to apprehend her. However, we are currently in an awkward situation as a result of this.

Olivia was on top of me. She was now grasping my breast. I'm not sure if Olivia was aware of this, but... ugh! If she does not get up right away, I may be doing things with her that I will later regret.

On the other hand, Olivia did that for me before I could move.

Olivia kissed my lips! Because of what she did, I thought I would die happy. I couldn't even reach for a moment, but Olivia was still kissing me. At first, it was just a smack. When she saw that I wasn't resisting, she kissed me again, this time closing her eyes. My eyes widened, but her lips were so soft that all I could do was savor the moment. And I had been fantasizing about this kiss for a long time! So I closed my eyes and kissed her back.

I drew her in closer and kissed her gently. Olivia was my first kiss, and I am not a seasoned kisser. She got her first kiss when she was drunk the last time. Even though I have no idea what I'm doing or doing correctly, I still kiss Olivia back. I was just watching what she was doing. Olivia is an excellent educator. Yay!

Olivia's kisses became more intense, and she squeezed my boobs. That made me groan. Why is Olivia so skilled at this?

Everything was heating up when we heard the front door open. We came to a halt as soon as my parents arrived!

END OF FLASHBACK...

"I like it," I said to myself. I was now touching Olivia's lips that she had kissed the night before. I was daydreaming again. But, to be honest, my heart hurts because I know this will only be a dream.

I was still daydreaming and lying on my bed, but I became sleepy and decided to take a nap instead. And I slept so long that my father had to wake me up for dinner. Then, after dinner, the four of us decided to watch movies. As a result, it was transformed into a movie night.

As promised by our parents, we went to the amusement park in the morning. Again, I tried my best to disguise myself so that no one could see Olivia and me. I was getting used to it because it was in the Dance Club.

We had a good time at the amusement park. My friends didn't bother me to hang out with them because they knew I was spending time with my father. Olivia and I pretended that the kiss had never happened. She was behaving the same way she had before the kiss. So I tried to be in my best mood and buried the incident in my heart because it was unnecessary.

Even though I was near Olivia, I made sure that we did not accidentally bump into each other again. I was being cautious. I wasn't expecting anything, and I should be happy with what we have now.

~*~

OLIVIA

MONDAY MORNING. Time flies, and it's back to work. I got up earlier than Zoey, so I went to school by myself. As usual.

Someone approached me near the school gate.

"Hello, Pres," Camila said as she greeted me. She's been calling me that since I was elected president of the Student Council. But, yes, she was up early nowadays.

"Hello, Cam. You appear to be pleased. Did anything good happen last weekend?" I inquired. We're walking together now.

"So far, everything was going swimmingly. I had the "talk" with my parents, and we worked things out. Stella and I made up as well," she revealed.

"Oh! That was really nice. So, are you all right? I mean..."

"Yeah. I'm fine." Camila smiled. "I didn't expect them to understand what I was saying. I was referring to my parents, but they accepted it after I told them that I didn't like what they had done to me in the past and that the fact that I was led astray as I grew up was partly their fault. They promised to be my supportive parents from now on."

"Wow! I am overjoyed for you, Cam," I told her and hugged her.

"Thank you," she said. "And Oli, I need to tell you and the girls something important," Camila said as we parted ways. "Can we have lunch together later and then talk on the rooftop if that's okay?"

"Sure, Cam," I said. Camila was still cheerful, but she appeared nervous now.

"Let's go," she said. I nodded, and we resumed our walk to school.

When I arrived at school, I ran some quick errands for the Student Council before heading to my first class.

My entire class was there, chatting while we waited for our teacher, as was Zoey's. Nova appears to be saying something amusing because Zoey and Aubrey are laughing.

I'll just see Zoey sitting alone on the corner quietly before Nova and Aubrey transfer here. The Charmer will then try to disturb Zoey and bully her in front of everyone. But look at her now; she's made friends with almost everyone, and her old friends have returned. I'm overjoyed for her.

But I still can't believe what I did last Friday night. I couldn't help myself and kissed Zoey. If our parents hadn't come home, I believe we could have gone even further. I was astounded by myself as I was by Zoey. Because she did not fight back. And I was sure she kissed me back!

Was she pleased with the kiss? How about me? Did I like it? But what am I thinking about doing those things with her? She's my sister!

"Good morning, Oli," Naomi and Stella said.

"Hey," Camila said.

"Good morning, girls," I replied. Stella and Camila have reconciled, as far as I can tell. Stella isn't as bad as I thought she was.

We didn't have time to talk because the bell rang and the teacher came in. The class was dull, but I can't screw up my grades since I am a model student. So, even though my mind wandered to the kiss, I made an effort to listen.

For the first half of the day, the class was canceled again. Camila had told us she would say something important to us after lunch, so the four of us went to the rooftop.

We were already there, waiting for Camila to say something.

Camila began, "Thank you for coming, guys." In response, we nodded. "Because you are my friends and influential people in my life, I wanted to share this vital information about my life with you. I'm gay. I hope you will still accept me as a friend," Camila added.

For a while, we were deafeningly silent. Nobody wanted to talk.

"I'm so sorry, ladies. I know this is a surprise for you, but..."

"Silly, of course, I will accept you regardless of who you are," Naomi said.

"I'm okay with it, Cam. I have no objections. You are who you are," I told her.

"Thank you so much, ladies. This means a lot to me," Camila explained. Her eyes sparkled as she prepared to cry.

"Are you sure you're gay?" Stella inquired, a poker face on her face.

"I am, Stell," Camila replied.

"How?" Stella had called again.

"I had been thinking about it for a long time. At first, I thought it was just a phase, but as time passed, my attraction to that person grew more robust, and all I wanted to do was be near her and kiss her. And I wanted her to be mine. That's when I realized I'm like this," Camila made a statement.

"Who is this person?" Stella was curious. "Oh, I know who it is. Is it that nerd Zoey Lewis you're referring to?" Stella's voice is sarcastic.

"Yes!" Camila exclaimed joyfully.

Camila's revelation hit me like a bolt of lightning.

"Disgusting!" Stella said emphatically, then walked away.

"Stell, please wait!" Camila was about to pursue Stella when Naomi intervened.

"For the time being, Cam, let her go. She might need some time to think," Naomi stated the obvious.

This feels like deja vu. Oh, I see. This is precisely what happened to Camila and Stella last Friday. But they just made it up—what a mess.

Camila only nodded. She looked as if she was about to cry. This is the first time I've seen Camila so low. She's changed since she reconnected with Zoey.

She even came out because of my step-sister. She must adore Zoey. But why am I feeling so threatened?