Red's Revenge || n.h.

18. Olivia {Lady}

18. Olivia {Lady}

►► “Trust” by Neon Trees

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Sheila has the worst mood swings, ever since Lance has been judged not guilty three days ago. Zayn said she barely even talks — even when she watches television, because Zayn says Sheila criticizes a ton of television shows — and has been spending more time on the phone, being on constant arguments on whoever was on the other line. It probably was the judge of the hearing.

Franz wasn’t so moody, but she wasn’t exactly that cheerful either. At least she could keep a conversation without having to snap so much when the talk eventually drifts to the topic of Lance, the court hearing and his game.

Me? I’ve been trying hard not to freak out so much, and I think the effort’s paying off. I know that they’re expecting the worst reaction from me and I know they’re still in disbelief that I’m taking it so well on the outside. I guess my acting’s a lot better than before. But there’s no way that I’m OK with the news of Lance being free.

According to Franz — since Sheila was in too much of a bad mood to tell the story —, there was definitely something off with the jury. And the judge looked both nervous and confident, a bad combination that would crack under pressure but he didn’t, and Lance was relatively calm the whole session. She said it was like it was something straight out of a scene of Sherlock, especially when Lance didn’t bring any defendant for his side. Everything seemed scripted, even if there were witnesses on our side, and Lance still won. Apparently, according to the judge — the evidence weren’t too reliable since they were mostly words and a few of the witnesses have turned mad.

It’s just probably because of what Father did, that’s why they became like that. But no, they — the jury — didn’t accept it and wanted something solid and reliable. Sheila had called them in every swear word she has probably known, even throwing in a few German insults that I didn’t understand.

And maybe it’s a bad idea that Franz proposed we had a girls’ hanging-out-night in her flat (which was no problem for me and Franz). Well, it’s not a really bad idea since I’ve just been cooped inside with only Franz as a companion and constant visits from Sheila, but the conversation would always be about my brother and his game; Sheila has been partly ignoring Zayn and everybody else so she could prevent herself from accidentally snapping at them; and Franz has a day off.

Maybe the girls’ hanging-out-night just seemed like a bad idea because there are better things to do, like plan a hundred possible ways to attack Lance without him suspecting. And also, because Olivia — Liam’s new girlfriend, he recently told us a week ago — has joined in with us.

It’s not that Olivia is unpleasant company — she’s actually very likeable, with her personality and winning smile — it’s just that she seems a bit . . . suspecting in the most inconspicuous way.

As usual, Sheila barely tries to make any effort to talk with any of us and was in the kitchen, cooking and baking stuff we ask her to make as long as the ingredients could be found in Franz’ fridge. The rest of us were huddled around Franz as she recounted the memories where it mostly included Sheila being humiliated. There are only few of them but they were very funny, and I guess that’s why Sheila didn’t stay around to listen to us.