“Is there going to be some kind of performance?” Olivia asked, nodding toward the stage lined with microphones, guitars, drums, and glowing spotlights.
“Olivia, how could you possibly forget?” Sia gasped. “Don’t you remember the annual inter-school band competition?”
How could Olivia have forgotten about the annual band competition? Every year, schools battled for the title, though St. Elite had never taken the trophy home. Still, hope kept them coming back.
She cast a glance at Stella and Zack as she reflected on the competition. It also reminded her of someone from her previous school. She swallowed hard and downed her entire glass of Coke in one gulp.
“Take it easy, girl,” Mason said, patting her back.
Caleb watched her quietly, noticing the subtle shift in her mood.
“I really hope we win this year,” Sia sighed. “Even if Jenna’s part of the band…”
“So, Livy,” Mason suddenly chimed in, “didn’t your old school win the trophy the last two years?”
“Um… yes,” she said, nodding.
“Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I forgot. You and Ryan Sterling went to the same school!” Sia squealed.
“Sia, calm down,” Caleb muttered. “He’s just some guy who won two competitions in a row.”
“He is not just some guy. He’s The Ryan Sterling,” she insisted. “Livy, you have to tell me everything!”
“Sia, he is just a guy,” Olivia said, keeping her expression neutral.
Sia opened her mouth to argue when Jenna strutted onto the stage.
“Here comes the drama queen,” Caleb muttered. “Prepare for another year of humiliation.”
Olivia chuckled. “At least she has the guts to perform again after losing. I’m shocked it didn’t deflate her ego.”
“Are you really surprised?” he asked.
“No… not really.” They both laughed.
Caleb hadn’t expected it to feel so good—the sound of their laughter blending effortlessly. Maybe having Olivia as a friend wouldn’t be so bad. One more friend wouldn’t hurt, right?
Their laughter faded as Jenna and her band, The Devil and the Angel, launched into their performance of Love the Way. To Olivia’s surprise, they weren’t bad.
“She is not bad,” Olivia admitted.
Caleb snorted, but Jenna began speaking before he could comment.
“I’m delighted to announce that we’ll be competing again in the inter-school band competition this year,” Jenna declared dramatically. “I know we’ve never won—”
“She says this every year,” Mason muttered.
“And this year will be no exception,” Olivia added. “Ryan’s band, Fire and Ice, will win again.”
“Aren’t you biased?” Caleb asked.
“No. I’m stating facts. Ryan’s band performs because they love it, not to boost their popularity. Jenna only cares about winning and climbing the social ladder.”
“It sounds like you know Fire and Ice personally,” Sia said, narrowing her eyes.
Olivia only shrugged.
Jenna’s never-ending speech continued, causing Olivia to roll her eyes until her enemy dropped a bomb.
“Since I’m always the one singing, why not give someone else a chance tonight?” Jenna said sweetly into the mic. “Olivia, why don’t you show us what you’ve got?”
The entire auditorium erupted in cheers and applause.
Olivia froze.
Her pulse hammered. Zack and Stella’s faces instantly twisted with worry. They knew what singing meant for her.
“Come on, Olivia,” Jenna crooned. “You returned after three years. Don’t disappoint your teachers and friends. It’s just one song. No one will laugh… much.”
Oh great. Teachers were here too. Even the principal. And Drake. Just what she needed. An audience old enough to judge.
Principal Rodrick and Drake exchanged looks, encouraging ones. The principal’s eyes were filled with hope. Drake silently begged her to try, to let herself breathe again after four long, suffocating years.
Her heart pounded as she took shaky steps toward the stage. Mason and Sia gave her a thumbs-up, clueless to the war raging inside her. Even Caleb offered an encouraging smile that tightened something warm and fragile in her chest.
He had no idea how terrified she was. He thought the worst that could happen was that she might sing off-key. But Olivia knew better. She knew exactly what Jenna was trying to trigger.
She looked back once more. Stella and Zack watched her with wide, protective eyes. They, of all people, understood.
Jenna handed her a guitar with a smirk sharp enough to cut. Olivia adjusted the strap, stepped up to the microphone, and closed her eyes.
Deep breath. Inhale courage. Exhale fear.
She began to play.
Only if Jenna knew the storm she had just unleashed.
YOU ARE READING
Only if you know (Book 1)
Teen FictionOlivia 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...
