glitched | ✔️

e i g h t

Chelsie POV

Theo managed to find a way to sit next to me on the bus the following day.

"Hey Gracie! I'm throwing a party tomorrow, its gonna be super fun, promise. Wanna come? You can bring a friend."
He popped a piece of candied ginger in his mouth.

When he said friend I thought instantly of Amara. Than remembering that I couldn't see her anymore my mind flicked to Olivia.
Of course!

"Sure, I'd like to bring Olivia, because, well, she's like my only friend."

What the actual frick Chelsie- why did you say that?

Theo's expression flickered.
Pity? Sympathy? Scorn?
The look was gone in an instant, replaced with his usual charming grin.

"I've seen her about, she's fun. Party starts at six, ends at eleven." He winked, "Don't worry, it's clean. Parents will be there."

I laughed a little.

Not that Yulia would care, she just wanted me to get my butt out the door and socialize.

At lunch I snuck out to the library again and sure enough Olivia found me there.
To say she was happy when I told her about the party would be an understatement.

"Theo?! THE Theo!? Gurlllll, you're in deep!"

I snorted, smacking her on the arm.
"Shut up, I don't want him. He's all yours, girl! This is your chance!"

Olivia chuckled.
"Trust me, Gracie, there's other guys out there for me. I think I'd rather sit back and watch the magic— Thacie? Geo?"

I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever. Hey... I just realized I don't have your number..."

~

"You look amazing, hon." Yulia smiled as I came down the stairs in full party attire: a simple white dress with black shoes and a black jacket.
I was wearing sharp eyeliner and a dark lipstick with my hair painstakingly straightened and pulled into a high ponytail.

"Mmhmm," I mumbled awkwardly.
Yulia laughed and jangled the keys.
"C'mon, lets go pick up that friend of yours."

I hopped in the car and Yulia slid into the driver's seat, plugging Olivia's address into her phone.

~

Olivia's house was freaking huge.

It was practically- no it was a mansion.
It looked like something out of Ancient Greece with intricate white pillars and fantastic gardens.
Yulia's eyebrows raised, impressed, and I echoed the expression.

When Olivia hopped in the car I whistled jokingly.
She did look good though, in a sleek party dress with her hair down and straightened.
Olivia smiled and stuck out her tongue.

"You look a little young to be Chelsie's mom," Olivia blurted, a few minutes into the drive.

Yulia laughed.
"I'm twenty-two. I'm her aunt."

Oh yeah. The fake backstory.

"It's a special case," I added.

Olivia nodded in understanding.
"I have a sister who is adopted. I never really felt distant from her in any way though. She's moved out, now."
She wrinkled her nose and looked out the window.

"You miss her?"
Olivia nodded slightly.
I smiled sadly.
"Yeah I know how you feel."

Yulia gave me a warning glance.
Don't worry, Yulia, I've got the fake backstory down by now.