COURTNEY's POV
"Hi. It's nice to meet you." Olivia grinned at me.
I didn't want to, but for the sake of being polite, I shook her hand and smiled back.
But all the blood drained off my face when Mrs. Treyson added, "Olivia is staying with us until the competition."
And at that moment, I felt my luck had run out and the universe close on me, totally forgotten that I existed.
If this was a joke, it wasn't funny at all. I tried to keep my smile up, to maintain a facade that that information didn't have an effect on me, but deep down I was a mess.
Olivia, on the other hand, didn't seem to be bothered at all. She just kept that sweet smile on her face while I was struggling to hold it together. She was able to stay composed.
Her face showed no signs of distress, her eyes were still bright and her lips were still curved upwards in a gentle smile.
I've only seen Olivia on instagram, she was pretty--fine I give her that. And as much as I hate to admit, she was even prettier in person; long auburn wavy hair, a subtle eye-liner that emphasized her brown eyes, and her lips were full, painted with light pink lipstick.
And not everyone can pull that shade off, but she somehow managed to.
If she studied at our school, I would have recruited her to join our group of friends. She was perfect! But, I was so glad she didn't. Otherwise, she wouldn't be that horrible of a person that broke Chad's heart.
Damn it, why do I sound so selfish?
Because right now, the only thing that kept me sane was the fact that Olivia wouldn't stand a chance with Chad again because of the awful things she did to him. But I couldn't help but worry that he would eventually forgive her and take her back. The thought of him doing that broke my heart.
I just wanted to protect him from her, and keep him safe from her manipulations.
But who was I to talk? I wasn't exactly a saint myself. I hurt Chad. I lied and manipulated him!
And the fact that they would live under one roof was such a torture for me!
I wouldn't feel so insecure and bitter if I didn't have any misunderstandings with Chad, but damn it the timing was such a bitch.
Calm down!
It's only a week until the competition. So instead of sulking and worrying, I need to keep my head up and focus on the task at hand. For me to succeed, I cannot allow my emotions to interfere.
I must stay focused.
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Courtney." It was a quick handshake, but nothing that suggests that there was animosity between us. Well, maybe she didn't know who I was in Chad's life?
"Chad is Courtney's tutor," Mrs. Treyson announced.
Tutor.
I wasn't sure how I would feel at that moment. I guess Chad hadn't told her about us, the part when we were a couple.
Couples, huh?
Did we really?
I'd like to believe we were! I thought of him as my boyfriend and I just hope he thinks of me as his girlfriend, too. Though it only seemed like a quick relationship, I was determined to fix it and let it continue.
"Oh, is that so?" I swear Olivia's smile just got wider. I bet, like me, she was trying to hold it together. As a response, I tried my best to smile.
Kill her with silence.
I told myself. I know it should be with kindness, but it wasn't in my vocabulary at the moment.
"Are you here for the tutoring session? Chad said he would be late. The drama club underwent some changes. Due to the upcoming show, Chad needs to stay for extra rehearsals to ensure that everything is perfect."
I was tempted to lie and tell her that yeah I came because of the tutoring, but I decided to tell the truth.
I raised the bag and looked her in the eye. "I'm here to just drop this off, and then I'm heading home."
"Is that a gift for Chad?" Cindy asked, her eyes glinting at the idea. Well, kids do love gifts. I should have brought something for them before I came here!
"Something like that. It's more of a gesture." I said, not really wanting to reveal his jacket and the love letter I had in it. "I won't stay long, I'm just here for this."
"Please stay for dinner, dear." Mrs. Treyson pleaded with a sweet smile. Who could say no to that?
"Are we going to bake a cake again, mommy?" Cindy asked as she tugged on her mom's apron.
Then, I remembered the cake they made for my birthday. Though I already said a million thanks to them for this gesture, I still wanted to do it in person. "Mrs. Treyson,"
"Oh Courtney, you can call me Rebecca." She interrupted. I blushed and nodded.
"Rebecca, I don't think I thank you enough for the lovely cake you baked for me. It was so delicious! Most definitely one of the best cakes I've ever had." I exclaimed.
"That's very kind of you to say, thank you." She beamed widely, obviously pleased with my compliment. "Chad told us that you were so happy when you received it, and told us that you were so thankful for it."
I nodded at her and told her I was very grateful for it.
I sat down at eye-level with Cindy. "I heard you put a lot of effort into it, too. Thank you, Cindy."
Cindy gave me a toothy grin. "Chaddy said you deserve to have a beautiful cake on your birthday. I burned the first one, but mom helped us a lot with the second one."
I swear, I felt like crying at this moment. If I didn't mess up, I would have spent lots of dinners in this lovely house, and felt the warmth of their beautiful family.
I only spent one dinner with them, but they already made me feel so welcome. And now, all I could think about was how I wished things had turned out differently. I could have enjoyed this moment with them.
Damn it. I hoped for everything to be okay again.
As much as I wanted to stay, I just couldn't stand the fact that I hurt their Chad. I didn't deserve their kindness and warmth unless I make things right with him again.
"Are you talking about the traditional Treyson Birthday Cake?" Olivia chimed in. Oh yeah, I forgot she was here. I was lost in my thoughts that I forgot she existed.
I stood up and looked at them. "Traditional?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Oh yes, we have been baking cakes for our closest friends and family for years on their special occasions. It's a tradition that we started and we like to pass on."
"I remember Chad always baking my birthday cake alongside you. He started when we were six!" Olivia exclaimed in delight. I could see her side-eyeing me as she said this. "You baked the best cheesecake in the world, Rebecca. That was my cake growing up. I really missed you when you moved. It's never the same." She pouted.
It was just a hunch, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she was trying to one-up me. Like she wanted to make me feel like she'd known them for a long time, and I was just a newcomer.
I could feel the competitive energy in the room. But I kept my cool and not allow my emotions get the better of me. I wouldn't stoop to her level and take that bait.
"You're so lucky to have those cakes growing up! They were so delicious. I bet it made a huge difference when everything changed, huh?"
What happened to not stepping that low?
I decided I was petty and bitchy, so please just let me be.
"It did." Olivia answered with a hard tone. Her mask started slipping off. "But it's never too late to bring back the tradition, right?" She raised her brow at me with a sinister smile.
"Are we planning to bake cheesecake, mommy?" Cindy's interruption made Olivia and I slip back into reality. And her mask was back on.
I knew it!
"Please, Rebessa. I'll help like before?" Olivia beamed, her eyes pleading with excitement.
"Of course I will bake your favorite cake. You know that you don't need to beg me for that, right? I'm always happy to make you one, dear."
"Maybe we can make it with Chad. For old-time's sake." Olivia stressed each word like she was trying to make a point. And the way she kept side-eyeing me whenever she talks, was my confirmatory sign that she was indeed trying to compete with me.
To make things more frustrating, this also proves that she wasn't just here for the cheerleading competition. But the competition to win back Chad.
But too bad for her. Aside from being petty and selfish, I was stubborn too. There's no way I'm backing down without giving a damn fight.
We both made a mistake, and to be honest, Chad didn't deserve lying mean girls like us.
He deserves better. And I'd like to believe I am that better.
"I should get started. This is going to be a lovely dinner." Rebacca gushed. "You should stay, Courtney. I insist."
I was tempted to refuse because I wasn't sure if I could handle a dinner conversation where Olivia reminiscing about all the wonderful things they shared in the past. However, I didn't want to leave. I most definitely wanted to stay and share another meal with them like last time.
I nodded and I saw her smile get wider. "Do you need help?" I asked, hoping Rebecca would say yes as I didn't want to be left with Olivia in this room.
"It's okay, you girls relax, get to know each other and wait for Chad." Rebecca said as if it was the easiest thing in the world. "Cindy. Keep them entertained." She added before leaving us.
It's more like keeping them out of each other's hair.
Olivia and I settled on the sofa and tried to keep things civil.
Without any clarifications, I bet, by the way Rebecca told us about the cake, Olivia already knew something was up.
She might have thought that Chad and I had something special.
And if only I didn't make that stupid mistake, I would have thrown it to her face that I am Chad's girlfriend. For sure I wouldn't feel this threatened at the moment.
Never once in my life have I felt insecure, threatened, worried, and uncertain by someone.
Only to her!
Olivia and I sat down on a sofa nearby, while Cindy stood in front of us.
"Do you want to know the story of Chad's play? It was beautiful, but he hadn't told me the ending yet. He said he needed to change it."
Chad's drama club show? Is that what Cindy means?
"Of course."
"Absolutely."
Olivia and I said it at the same time. We looked at each other for a second before returning our attention to Cindy.
"Once upon a time," Cindy started in a dramatic way. She sure is one talented girl. I bet she will be as smart and talented as her brother when she grows up.
Just when she was about to continue, her eyes shifted and she started running. "Chaddy!"
At that moment, my heart literally felt like it stop beating. I had to calm my nerves before I stood up and faced him. When I did, what I saw next not only made my heart stop, but shattered it into a million pieces.
He had his eyes wide and fixed on Olivia. Olivia was looking at him with her doe-eyed expression. Her lips curled into a small smile.
They both looked at each other like they were the only ones in the room.
"Livi." His voice was low with a hint of... longing as he said her name.
Olivia waved her hand and responded softly, "Hi my Cat."
-END OF CHAPTER 50-
A/N:Â What do you think of the story so far? Some already saw this coming! What will this jealousy do to our Queen? Share your thoughts!
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It's the combination of SILWAG and MDTP in the Gossip Girl world! More infos soon!