OLIVIA
AFTER TWO YEARS...
"ONE MORE TIME!" exclaimed our cheer captain, Piper, as she asked us to perform our final routine. "Come on, guys, one more time, we just need to nail it," she added.
Piper, a senior and the cheerleading squad's current captain, was a stickler for detail. We know she wants us to win the cheerleading competition next week, but I thought we did well earlier. And I was utterly exhausted.
I can see that my coworkers are also exhausted. The last routine was incredibly taxing. Everything seemed too good to be true. And I'm convinced that this is only the beginning of my new happily ever after.
Miss Peyton butted in, "Piper, that's all right." She serves as our cheerleading team's adviser and coach. She works as a teacher at Clover High School.
"But, Miss."
"No buts," she interrupted Piper before she could finish her thought. When our coach said the following sentences, I saw everyone's faces light up. "You may now go home and rest, and I will see you tomorrow."
Before our captain could say anything, we took off. When we were leaving the field, our captain shook her head.
"Thank God Miss Peyton was there," one of my cheerleading teammates exclaimed.
I smiled. I took a quick shower and was about to leave when I noticed someone being bullied again at the school's entrance.
I pretended not to notice them because the three female bullies were my cheerleaders and my sophomore classmates.
"You're back, nerd," one of the bullies exclaimed. They formed a circle around the nerd, who was taller than them.
"You're stalking someone here, aren't you?" said the other, pushing the nerd on her shoulder.
Because the nerd was so frail, she has quickly pushed away. The nerd was looking down while the bullies attacked her.
"Why aren't you responding? You're asking to be beaten, aren't you?" said the more petite bully.
I walked past them, but the other bully motioned for me to join them. I reasoned that I was tired and that they should go home to rest. But they retorted that they would lose steam on the nerd. I just shrugged and walked away.
I looked at the nerd again, but she looked down and allowed the bullies to attack her. I continued walking back home, taking shortcuts so no one would know where I lived.
I was at home, and no one was there, as usual. Uncle Zaldy and mom were both away on business. I went straight to my room, changed my clothes, and began preparing dinner.
It's been more than ten minutes since I returned home, and I'm beginning to worry. I keep checking my phone, but I'm not sure if I should make a phone call.
She hadn't arrived after twenty minutes. I was about to dial her number when I heard the front door open. I was in the living room, pretending to watch TV so that I could see the front door quickly. When I realized it was her and saw that she had locked the door behind her, I dashed over to meet her and give her a bear hug.
"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" I asked, letting go of her hug as I examined her face and arms.
"No, I'm fine. You know the bullies can't hurt me," Zoey said, smiling reassuringly. "But yeah, thanks to Piper. She saved me again," she sheepishly added, scratching the back of her neck as she made her usual gesture.
I felt guilty after hearing that. Again.
"I'm sorry, Zoey; I'm a coward," I said, looking down. I can't stand in front of her because I'm ashamed of what I did to her. I deserted her. Again. "Please don't wait for me any longer; just go home right after class so that those bullies can't pick on you."
"Hey," said Zoey. "Look at me, Vi," she said, and I locked my gaze on her brown eyes. Zoey and I were the same height two years ago, but she has grown taller over the years. Me? Let's not get into it. "I promised Dad and Mom that I would protect you no matter what happened, especially when they weren't around, so don't worry, I can take care of myself."
They knew me as a tough girl in school, but they had no idea that I was a cry baby, especially when it came to my family.
"I'm sorry for being selfish. I'm sorry, Zoey. I'm sorry I can't protect you from them. I'm sorry I'm a coward. I'm sorry." I know I keep saying it, but I genuinely mean it.
If you're not sure what I'm talking about. It was the earlier incident involving the bullies and the nerd. Zoey was the nerd, and I just let those girls pick on her. Why? Because I am an arrogant, famewhore bitch. My reputation at school is more important than being known to be in a relationship with Zoey.
It's never easy to be bullied. That is something I am aware of from my previous school. When I was in elementary school, It was a harrowing experience, and I vowed that I would never live like that again.
But on the first day of my first year at Clover High, I discovered that Zoey had become the bully's prey. It was too much for me to bear because I had also been traumatized due to my grade school experiences. My mother was unaware that I had been bullied because I was very good at hiding it from her.
I didn't want her to be concerned about me, so I kept it hidden from her.
I was upset to see Zoey being bullied, but I was too afraid to stand up for her. Being the sweetheart she is, Zoey chose to understand me rather than be remorseful. She had previously told me that I might have a reason for doing what I did. I gradually revealed why I was so afraid to interfere with her bullies. Zoey chose to comprehend my situation once more. Zoey was indeed one-of-a-kind.
Despite her young age, I believe Zoey has mature thinking and a better understanding of what is going on around her. I thought I was a strong girl, but I was pale compared to Zoey.
"That's okay. Don't worry about it. Nothing happened to me. I came back whole," Zoey said, jolting me out of my reverie. Even if everyone around her is cruel, Zoey can still smile.
"I hope you can wait for me until the day I can stand up for you; I hope you never get tired of understanding; I hope you never change," I told her as I hugged her again.
"I'm here, Vi, and I'm not leaving," she said, kissing my forehead softly.
Zoey was not only my step-sister but also a close friend of mine. Possibly.
OLIVIA "KIDS, we're home!" my mother exclaimed as the front door swung open. Uncle Zaldy was following my mother into the house. Zoey and I were cuddling on the couch, watching N*****x's All of Us Are Dead. It came naturally to us. There was no malice to be found. I also enjoy cuddling Zoey. Her warm embrace envelops me in comfort. Because it's the weekend, there will be no school or practice for the time being. "Mom! Uncle!" I ran up to them as if they were children, kissing them on the cheeks one by one. Zoey silently followed me and made the same gesture to our parents as I did to her. One of the reasons I enjoy being at home is that I can express myself freely. I am a clingy, childish, and whining child. Zoey, on the other hand, was a quiet and calm kid.
OLIVIA I WAS GETTING BUSY WITH CHEERING PRACTICE AS THE COMPETITION NEARED. Zoey and I didn't have much time to hang out either these days. I noticed she was also preoccupied because her childhood friend had returned to town and transferred to Clover City. It turned out to be the girl from the Oceanarium. I'm not sure what her name was, but she introduced herself as Nora or Neri. I'm not entirely sure. I wasn't interested at all, especially since she was sitting right next to Zoey's chair. Zoey and I were in the same class. It was difficult to conceal our actual relationship, but fortunately, we are very good at it. But Zoey's childhood friend will make things more difficult for us. What if she realizes Zoey is my stepsister?
OLIVIA "ARE YOU ready, guys? We're going to be the next performer," our cheer captain said. "Yes, captain!" we said. It's the day of the cheering competition. I haven't had the opportunity to speak with Zoey again because I've been swamped over the last few days. Even though I was so busy, she took care of me when our parents were not present. She prepares breakfast and handles all of the housework. And if I have some spare time, I'll just help her out a little bit at a time. Zoey never complains. Instead of assisting her around the house, she will simply smile and encourage her to get more rest. Isn't she the sweetest person you've ever met? Unfortunately, Camila and the girls do not recognize the Zoey I know. Anyway, it's t
OLIVIA MY HEAD IS EXTREMELY ACHING. I felt the excruciating pain inside my head when I woke up earlier. I was drunk last night, according to Zoey. Mom was upset, but I insisted on not drinking. That is to say; I did not consume any alcoholic beverages. We fought for a while, but Zoey's expression changed when she heard something from my mother. Then mom was tending to me like a baby again. Wow. Zoey's ability was incredible. I'm curious about what she said to my mother to change her mood instantly. Anyway, it's a good thing the "drinking" incident occurred on a Friday night because we don't have school today. But I still have to go to school because our coach, Miss Peyton, said we would have a quick meeting, and it couldn't w
ZOEY I USED TO BELIEVE MY FAMILY WAS PERFECT WHEN I WAS A CHILD. My father is attractive, dependable, and our breadwinner. And then there's my mother, the lovely and wonderful stay-at-home mom. Things were going smoothly. We are happy. My loved ones adore me. Mom and Dad had me at the age of twenty. My parents were too young, and their lives began, but my father was a man of his words. So, when my mother announced that she was pregnant with me, Dad did not flee but instead assumed responsibility for my mother and me. He was a wonderful, devoted father. Dad and mom's family helped them raise me, so it wasn't difficult for them. I admit that I was exposed to almost everything growing up. My parents come from wealthy families. Nonetheless, my parents instilled in me the imp
ZOEY "WELCOME HOME. You look so tired. You must be starving," I said to Olivia, who appeared in the kitchen next to the door. Her head and shoulders are bowed. She appears to have used up all of her energy today. "Sit down," I told her. She wouldn't budge, so I approached her and drew her to the nearest chair at the kitchen counter. "Eat first, then rest," I said, about to leave because I was going to prepare her food, but she drew me closer and hugged me from behind. I can feel her head resting on my back. There's that tingly sensation all over again. Ha! I like what Olivia is doing, but I'm also feeling guilty. "I'm so tired, Zola," she's the only one who addresses me as such. She said it was a combination of my first and last names. Olivia desired to stand out from the
ZOEY ELECTION DAY. "Interesting. Miss Queen Bee appears to be winning this election as well," Nova said as she handed me a box of cold pineapple juice. "Thank you," I said. I drank the box through the straw. "Ah, pineapple juice is delicious!" I exclaimed. "I know, that's why we're friends; we both like pineapple juice," Nova agreed. We clapped our pineapple juice boxes as if they were wine glasses. We are currently in the gym, counting and validating the ballots from today's election of new sets of SC. We were far away from the gym stage where the teachers were counting votes, but a large LED screen displayed the automatic updates of the votes. I am delighted to see Olivia advancing in the polls. She's truly unique.
ZOEY "CONGRATULATIONS, Vi!" I exclaimed as she walked into the house, holding a mini cake in my hand. She was stunned for a moment, but she smiled broadly when she realized what I was doing. "This is for me? Aww, you are so sweet," she said as she closed the door and hugged me. Despite hanging out with Aubrey and Nova, I still went home first. Olivia was out with the charmer bullies earlier, and they said they were going to celebrate, so she's a little late. My parents aren't here, but we don't have a curfew, so that's fine. "Thank you; are you drunk?" I inquired as I smelled her breath. I don't drink alcohol, but I recognize the aroma.