“Are you ready, Olivia?” Eliana peeked through the door.
“Yes, Eliana,” she replied softly, addressing her godmother.
But the moment Eliana stepped inside and truly saw her, she stopped short. “Olivia… What are you wearing? This is your high school party, not a casual coffee run with friends.”
“I know,” Olivia murmured. “I just… I don't feel like dressing up. This is comfortable.”
Eliana sighed deeply and gently, but firmly, took Olivia’s arm, pulling her toward the mirror. “Look at yourself. Is this really you? The real Olivia… would she have worn this to a party?”
Olivia gazed at her reflection. What she saw wasn't a familiar-looking face but rather a person polar opposite to her. Her previous self would never have worn this to a party. Black jeans, a plain top, no jewellery except the bare minimum, and makeup used not to enhance beauty, but to hide pain. Sneakers instead of heels or boots.
“I am not looking for attention,” she whispered. “And I’m not the same person anymore.”
“Maybe not,” Eliana said softly, brushing a hand down her goddaughter’s arm. “But do you even like the person staring back at you? Olivia, no matter how much you’ve changed, you are still you. And you deserve to be seen properly. Now… are you going to change willingly, or do I need to drag you into an outfit myself?”
“I will do it,” Olivia sighed, defeated but touched.
While Olivia was getting ready all over again, Caleb was impatiently waiting downstairs for her.
“Caleb, stop tapping your foot,” William scolded him.
“What is taking her so long?” Caleb snapped, though he didn’t quite know why he cared.
“She is a girl, and girls take time. Your mother takes hours, but look at her,” William chuckled. “Always worth the wait.”
“I am not going on a date with her, Dad. It's only a party.” Caleb rolled his eyes.
“Whatever you say, son. Whatever you say.” William smirked knowingly.
Caleb was about to retort, but when he noticed Olivia coming down the stairs, his breath caught in his throat. He had never seen her like this.
A white top tucked into a red knee-length skirt, a patterned scarf hanging effortlessly around her neck, black boots, a wrist full of colorful bracelets, and a simple black watch balancing the chaos. Her makeup was soft, natural, no mask tonight. And her hair pink-streaked waves cascading loosely, made her look… radiant.
Beautiful. Stunning. Alive.
They even matched. He was dressed in a white T-shirt, black jeans, and a red jacket.
“I told you she’d be worth the wait,” William whispered into his son’s ear.
“Oh my goodness, Livy, you look stunning!” Eliana gushed, echoing Caleb’s thoughts perfectly.
“Livy dear, you look beautiful,” William added warmly, pulling her into a fatherly hug. “You look like a rocking princess. Your father would’ve said the same.”
Tears welled in her eyes instantly.
“William, don’t make her cry, you’ll ruin her makeup,” Eliana said, laughing as she swatted him lightly.
Olivia wiped her eyes and walked toward Caleb, who still seemed spellbound.
“Sorry for making us late,” she said quietly.
“It’s… um, it’s okay. You… you look… good.”
Her blush was immediate, soft, and heartbreakingly shy. “Thank you. You look nice too,” she replied, giving him a small smile.
Caleb was nervous for an unknown reason. He’d always thought Olivia was cute, but today was a complete turnaround. Who would have thought that such a beautiful person was hidden behind her facade? But, on the other hand, Olivia proved his theory of forming a facade in front of everyone was correct today.
When they entered the auditorium, whispers trailed behind them. People were complimenting them, assuming them to be a couple. While Olivia was feeling uneasy, Caleb doubted his feelings for her.
She was getting increasingly uncomfortable with Caleb’s reaction, so she left his side to meet Stella, Zack, and his girlfriend, Gaby. Yes, those two are now officially together.
“Wahoo! Our dear Olivia’s funky old style is back!” Zack teased.
“Livy, you look gorgeous,” Stella and Gaby chimed.
“You both look beautiful, too,” Olivia smiled.
After a brief chat with the three of them, she went towards her best friends, Sia and Mason. But before she could get to them, Jenna blocked her path, venom in her smile.
“Nice attention you’re getting,” Jenna purred.
Olivia smirked. “Jealous that I stole a few wandering eyes from you?”
“You know,” Jenna said coldly, “just because you came with Caleb doesn’t make you two a couple.”
“Relax. I’m not interested in him,” Olivia replied calmly. “He’s all yours. Too bad he has standards and wouldn’t ruin them for someone like you.”
She walked away, leaving Jenna speechless.
“Geez, what happened to you?” Sia asked when Olivia reached them.
“Jenna happened. That bitch! She is like a cursed black cat. Always crossing your path, always ruining your day.”
“That's one way to describe her. But what did she say this time?” Mason asked.
“She basically told me to stay away from Caleb because he’s hers.” Olivia mimicked a dramatic tilt of her head. “So, I told her he’s all yours.”
“You WHAT?” Caleb’s voice came from behind.
Olivia didn’t flinch. “Don’t worry, I told her you wouldn’t lower your standards enough to date someone like her.”
Caleb blinked, blown away.
She bit her lip, embarrassed. “Sorry for ruining your chances with her. You can go kiss her now. She’ll happily play house with you.”
Sia and Mason burst out laughing.
“Olivia, you’re too cute,” Caleb said, and before he realized what he was doing, he pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for saving me. Seriously. She’s been dropping hints for ages. At least now she’ll leave me alone.”
Olivia froze, stunned by his sudden warmth.
“No problem,” she blinked.
The realization of what he’d done hit Caleb a second later. He let go instantly, cheeks flushing, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
From across the room, Jenna watched the exchange—green-eyed, furious, and already crafting her next plan.
YOU ARE READING
Only if you know (Book 1)
Fiksi RemajaOlivia or Livy for short. She has been through a lot. More than you can possibly imagine. She has lost touch with her true self. Old Livy may still exist deep within her soul, but to others, she is nothing more than a girl with a stone heart who doe...
