Only if you know (Book 1)

Chapter 13

Olivia went to her locker to keep her books after receiving little comfort from Drake. She was about to head toward the library when Sia appeared out of nowhere and hooked her arm through hers.

      “Where do you think you’re going?” Sia grinned mischievously, dragging her along. “You’re coming to the cafeteria with me.”

      Before Olivia could protest, she was already seated at a table surrounded by Sia, Mason, and Caleb.

      “I still can't believe you actually know Professor Drake,” Sia gushed, practically vibrating in her seat.

      Olivia shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “It’s not a big deal. He used to teach at my old school, just like he said in class.”

      “Not a big deal?” Mason leaned forward, smirking. “Please. Jenna’s face when you two were ‘flirting’ was priceless. She’s been trying to get his attention for a long time, and you pulled it off in two minutes.”

      But before she could say anything more, her attention flickered toward two familiar faces walking past, Stella and Zack. For a moment, the noise in the cafeteria dimmed.

      “It's good to have you back, Livy.” Stella offered a gentle smile. Zack nodded beside her, his expression mirroring hers.

      “It's good to see you both again,” Olivia said quietly. They exchanged a look, half nostalgia, half sadness, before heading to their own table.

      Sia frowned, glancing back at them. “Since when are you close with them?”

      “They have also been in the same batch as us, Sia.”

      “Zack’s kind of… rude,” Caleb muttered. “I mean, the first time I tried to talk to him, he didn't even bother to reply courteously. And after I started playing centre-forward for our football team, he had formed some kind of hatred towards me.” 

      Olivia was able to understand where Zack was coming from. Even Mason and Sia decided to keep their mouths shut. Sudden silence at the table confirmed to Caleb that all three of them knew the reason for Zack's hostility toward him.

      “I think I deserve to know,” Caleb pressed. “What exactly did I do wrong to earn Zack’s hatred? Except for me, he appears to be fine with everyone else.” 

      Olivia’s voice softened. “Zack doesn’t hate you. Just… give him time.”

      “Three years isn’t long enough?” Caleb’s brow arched.

      “Sometimes it isn’t,” she replied quietly. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Caleb. You were just… in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

      She couldn’t tell him the truth unless she broke down her own barriers. She herself is not strong enough to face it. Zack thought Caleb was replacing his best friend. It wasn’t easy for any of them to deal with that.

      “Why didn’t you tell us about your parents, Olivia? Is this why you have come back?” Mason asked her, trying to change the topic. 

      Olivia froze.

      Caleb turned to her, guilt pressing into his chest. He never tried to find the reason for her sudden appearance in his house. Instead, he only assumed.

      “Yes,” she said finally. “Eliana and William, they’re my godparents. Our families were… very close.”

      “How did it happen?” Sia asked softly.