It was only a few days now before Christmas holidays began.
Everyone was buzzing with excitement, ready to go home and celebrate with their families. Archer and I, in the meantime, also completed our remaining work and satisfied Mr Richards enough for him to say, "No more work for you two during your holidays. You can spend it enjoying with your families without any burden of schoolwork." And as we were exiting his office, he also added, "I'm really glad you two are leading the school. Despite your...erm, differences, you've managed to form an extremely efficient partnership. You should be proud of yourselves." He beamed at us, which only made us more flustered. All this talk about partnerships was just...not comfortable to hear with a certain boy standing next to me.
After thanking him and coming out into the hallway, Archer turned on his heels abruptly and left for his friends without saying a word to me. I rolled my eyes and continued in the other direction.
On the morning of our last day of school, I was training with the other girls of our football team, and Heady, our coach, was yelling at us as we tried out different formations.
Heady had been coaching our female team since god knows how long. We'd won four interschool championships under her and needless to say, she was very popular among the students. We always called her Heady because even though she was in her late 30s, she insisted we call her by her first name. We all loved her and basically treated her like family
The football pitch at Bloomwood was huge, much larger than your average pitch, and so it was divided in two, for the boys' and girls' teams to practise in the different areas, which were separated by a fence.
On the last day of school, as we were playing a practice match, I was in my regular position as attacking midfielder, when I suddenly heard loud laughs coming from the other side of the pitch, where the boys were training. I glanced at them to see they were currently taking a water break, and most of them were constantly looking over at us and laughing.
Even as I ran with the ball at my feet, my blood started to boil hearing their mocking laughter. I was probably not focusing much, because Evelyn suddenly tackled me and I went hurtling to the ground. Heady blew her whistle as the laughter increased.
Heady walked over to where I was planted on the ground. "Get your arse up and play like a bloody woman, Wentworth! What happened all of a sudden?"
I looked at the boys once more. "They happened."
Heady rolled her eyes. "Those twats will never learn. Why don't you ignore them and focus on your game instead?"
I nodded and got up. This time, as the play resumed, I performed much better, with concentration. I even assisted one of my teammates in scoring a goal, but right after that I missed a golden opportunity myself. I groaned in frustration, and just at that moment I again heard the laughs and jeers directed my way, from the boys.
This time, I couldn't keep my cool.
I strode up to the fence separating us, ignoring Heady's calls, and shouted out to the boys, "Find something funny?"
Archer, who was captain of the boys' team and one of the people laughing, smirked at me. "Yes, in fact we do."
"Care to share the joke?"
"Just look in a mirror, you'll see what we're laughing at."
I crossed my arms across my chest. "You know Archer, it's really pathetic how you have to resort to petty insults and jeers to cover up the fact that we're better than you."
"Who said you guys are better?"
"Well, nobody said that, but I think the silverware cabinet speaks for itself."
It was true, the girls' team had won more trophies than the boys in the last 5 years.
Archer glared at me. I know I'd hit a nerve.
"If you're so talented, why don't you show some of that talent right now? in your pitch? Cause I can't see any."
I gave him a fake smile. "Well, get ready then."
I turned and walked over to my team as play resumed. This time I didn't hold back. I ran like my life depended on it and didn't let the ball escape from my feet even once. After 30 minutes, I won a free kick outside the box. I could feel Archer's eyes on me as I positioned the ball to assess the angle. It wasn't an easy angle but I had to somehow score from here. Giving up or failing wasn't an option, especially not when he was watching.
I carefully set my eyes towards the goal. I did a quick calculation in my head about which point would be best to hit in the ball and then, as the whistle sounded, I angled my body and kicked the ball with all my might.
It soared and bent into a perfect curve, until it hit the net with a bounce, just beyond the reach of the 'keeper.
All around me, my teammates erupted in cheers, especially because they all knew how much desire I had to prove Archer wrong. Evelyn ran up to me and jumped over my shoulders as the rest all thumped my back.
Even Heady said, "Good job, Wentworth."
As I turned around to smirk at Archer, I noticed his eyes were already on me. The other boys on his team were clapping for me, they seemed genuinely impressed. Archer was the only one who just stood there with his lips pursed, staring strangely at me with an indecipherable look in his eyes.
At the end of the match, as I emerged from the dressing room after taking a much-needed shower, I noticed Archer come out of the boys' dressing room as well, which was located right across from the girls'.
We locked eyes for about two seconds, after which I looked away and started walking back to the common room.
"Good free kick."
I stopped in my tracks. Archer was still standing in front of the dressing room, looking at me. I raised my eyebrows, looking at him suspiciously. Why would he be praising me now?
I swallowed. "Um, thanks."
With nothing more left to say, I turned and left. Weird.
°
Our Christmas holidays had officially begun and I couldn't be more excited. Christmas was one of my favourite times of the year, and one I got to spend with my family and cousins. We would all gather in our house in Kensington, and celebrate together. It was honestly amazing, and I looked forward to this time every year.
The only difference from last year was that this year, Archer wouldn't be there. At least, I hoped so.
Last year, since we were dating and his and my parents had becone such good friends, they had also been invited to our Christmas dinner. They too lived in Kensington, just a few streets away, and so it was easy for them to come.
But this year, obviously, things were different. Yet there was no trusting my parents. They were so close to the Woods that they might just think about inviting them, so I made a mental note to try and dissuade them from doing it this year. I knew it wasn't fair to his parents but I just wasn't ready to deal with him during a holiday as well.
As I stepped inside my (unnecessarily large) house, I was immediately welcomed into the large arms of Pippa, our maid. Actually, it would be wrong to call her a maid since she had been with our family since I was a baby, and was practically a part of it by now.
Pippa beamed at me, but soon it was replaced by a frown.
"Viv, what are they feeding you at school? You seem to have grown ten times thinner than when I last saw you!"
I laughed. "Hello to you too, Pip. And don't exaggerate. I've been eating loads, and I most definitely haven't grown thinner."
Pip frowned. "You have, love."
"That's what you say everytime I visit."
"Viv!"
I looked up and saw my mother standing on the staircase. I ran up to her and hugged her tight. I'd missed her too much. I inhaled the soft smell of lavender she always seemed to carry with her, a smile involuntarily creeping into my lips.
"Oh god, we missed you so much, darling."
"I missed you too Mum!"
She kissed my forehead. "Now come on, let's get you freshened up, and then you'll tell me all about school. And I have loads to tell you as well."
An hour later, all of us were sitting at the table having lunch. My dad was still at his office and he wouldn't be home until evening.
After telling my mum everything about Bloomwood over lunch, I asked her, "Now tell me, what were you going to say?"
"Yes," she smiled in that excited way she always did when she had something good to announce. "Well, your dad and I have decided to do something, uh, different for Christmas this year."
I scrunched my brows. "What do you mean?"
"Well, as you know, this year marks 10 years since I've been in the fashion industry. So naturally it's very significant for me, for all of us. But the day when it all started, when I had my first fashion show and showcased my label to the world, was the 23rd of December, 2010. That's just before Christmas. So that's why this Christmas, we'll be organising a fundraiser gala to celebrate a decade in the fashion world. And all proceeds will go to three orphanages here in London."
I smiled. "That's great, mum! I'm so proud of you."
Internally, I was a little sad since I wouldn't be having the time of my life with my cousins the same way we did every year. Instead I'd have to attend a gala with fancy people wearing fake smiles. But I was really proud of mum's journey and if this was her plan, then so be it.
Mum hesitated. "Oh, and one more thing. Your dad and I invited lots of people to this ball, our close friends as well as high profile individuals, so that everyone can contribute and celebrate with us. So we also...um..."
I frowned. "Yes mum?"
"We also invited the Woods. And they've accepted our invitation."
I sank back into my seat, not having the energy to say anything in response.
a/n: oooh, what do you think will happen at this gala? seems like viv just can't get rid of archer lol. anyway make sure you leave votes and comments and take care! xx