All American: Winter Break

Chapter Seventeen: Jingle Ball (Part Two)

Clutching her purse with both hands, Layla stood before the three of them awkwardly smiling. "Hey Liv...hey Spencer...hey Jordan," she gritted her teeth forcing a smile. "You didn't tell me we'd be sitting at the same table,". Jordan greeted Layla with a warm hug squeezing her softly. She spoke beside his ear while he chuckled under his breath. "Did I? Oh you must've not have gotten the memo,". Layla groaned. "Not funny Jordan,". "I'm sorry," Jordan swiftly apologized. Pulling out her chair, he sat beside her. Layla looked over to Olivia who turned the other way, not making eye contact.

"Hey...sorry about this. Your brother didn't tell me we'd be sitting at the same table. If I would've known..." Layla trailed the second Olivia interrupted her. Looking down at her lap, she avoided eye contact. "It's fine...there's enough room in this venue for the both of us,". Layla raised her eyebrows slowly nodding. "Okay...then,". The four of them stayed quiet letting the awkward silence fill the space around them.

Spencer turned towards Olivia, when she didn't have to tell him as he could already tell of how uncomfortable she'd felt, because he was feeling it too. Placing his hand on her thigh his thumb gently caressed her, grabbing her attention when she turned meeting his eyes. Softening her gaze, she interlaced her hands in his, giving him the smallest of smiles. Leaning in Spencer whispered beside her ear.

"You good?" he asked. Olivia let out a tense breath she'd been holding in. "No...but you're here,". Spencer placed a tender kiss on her cheek squeezing her right hand he held with his left. Gazing into his eyes, Olivia could automatically feel the weight on her shoulders slowly lift. Giving him a half-smile, the sound of a hand tapping on the microphone grabbed everyone's attention as every pair of eyes in the room were now on Laura's. Clearing her throat a bright smile never left her lips.

"Good evening everyone and thank you for coming out tonight. With Christmas being a week away, I know we all are busy finishing our lists and prepping for the big day. So I just want to thank each and every one of you for coming out tonight, taking a pause on the holiday shopping and decorating, to spend the evening with me supporting a beautiful cause. This is my fifth year doing this gala, and every time I'm blown away by the pile of toys and the donations we'd received. But this year makes it even more special since I didn't think we'd continue the tradition given the circumstances. But with your help, we were actually able to reach our donation goal, and already have a truck filled with toys ready to be delivered to the children at the local hospitals around the city! I hope you have a wonderful evening, Merry Christmas everyone, and happy holidays!" Laura raised her glass while the crowd before her cheered.

The music started to play over the speakers when everyone resumed back to there conversations. The smooth Christmas Jazz music played over the speakers as the lights dimmed low. Leaving the awkward silence to fill the table once again, with only a few forced conversations to be had, Olivia wanted any excuse to leave the table. The last thing she wanted to do was to be anywhere near Layla. Their last conversation both girls had back at Jordan and Simone's reception still cut deep, and in many ways, Olivia still had been hurt from the words that were exchanged from that evening. A squeeze of a shoulder took her out of her thoughts when Spencer swiftly moved his hand away from hers the second her mother approached.

"Liv, would you do me a favor and restock the hot cocoa station. We are running low on packets and marshmallows,". "Yes!" Olivia spoke too eagerly jumping to her feet, leaving her mother surprised. "Great! Layla can join you!". "B-but..." Olivia trailed the second her mother stopped her. "But nothing, Olivia. Run along now. The boys will help me with the toy donations. We still have guests arriving. and I need help stacking the gifts,". Olivia sighed turning back to Spencer who'd wanted nothing more than to go with her. Watching the girls leave to the hot cocoa station Spencer turned to Jordan nudging his shoulder hard.