Chapter 3

OLIVIA

AFTER TWO YEARS...

"One more time!" exclaimed our cheer captain, Piper, as she asked us to perform our final routine. "Come on, guys, one more time, we just need to nail it," she added.

Piper, a senior and the cheerleading squad's current captain, was a stickler for detail. We know she wants us to win the cheerleading competition next week, but I thought we did well earlier. And I was utterly exhausted.

I can see that my squad mates are also exhausted. The last routine was incredibly taxing. Everything seemed too good to be true. And I'm convinced that this is only the beginning of my new happily ever after.

Miss Peyton butted in, "Piper, that's all right." She serves as our cheerleading team's adviser and coach. She works as a teacher at Clover High School.

"But, Miss."

"No buts," she interrupted Piper before she could finish her thought. When our coach said the following sentences, I saw everyone's faces light up. "You may now go home and rest, and I will see you tomorrow."

Before our captain could say anything, we took off. When we were leaving the field, our captain simply shook her head.

"Thank God Miss Peyton was there," one of my cheerleading teammates exclaimed.

I simply smiled. I took a quick shower and was about to leave when I noticed someone being bullied again at the school's entrance.

I pretended not to notice them because the three female bullies were my cheerleaders squad mates and also my sophomore classmates.

"You're back, nerd," one of the bullies exclaimed. They formed a circle around the nerd, who was taller than them.

"You're stalking someone here, aren't you?" said the other, pushing the nerd on her shoulder.

Because the nerd was so frail, she was quickly pushed away. The nerd was simply looking down while the bullies attacked her.

"Why aren't you responding? You're asking to be beaten, aren't you?" said the more petite bully.

I simply walked past them, but the other bully motioned for me to join them. I simply reasoned that I was tired and that they should go home to rest. But they simply retorted that they would lose steam on the nerd. I just shrugged and walked away.

I looked at the nerd again, but she looked down and allowed the bullies to attack her. I continued walking back home, taking shortcuts so no one would know where I lived.

I was at home, and no one was there, as usual. Uncle Zaldy and mom were both away on business. I went straight to my room, changed my clothes, and began preparing dinner.

It's been more than ten minutes since I returned home, and I'm beginning to worry. I keep checking my phone, but I'm not sure if I should make a phone call.

She hadn't arrived after twenty minutes. I was about to dial her number when I heard the front door open. I was in the living room, pretending to watch TV so that I could see the front door quickly. When I realized it was her and saw that she had locked the door behind her, I dashed over to meet her and give her a bear hug.

"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" I asked, letting go of her hug as I examined her face and arms.

"No, I'm fine. You know the bullies can't hurt me," Zoey said, smiling reassuringly. "But yeah, thanks to Piper. She saved me again," she sheepishly added, scratching the back of her neck as she made her usual gesture.

I felt guilty after hearing that. Again.

"I'm sorry, Zoey; I'm a coward," I said, looking down. I can't stand in front of her because I'm ashamed of what I did to her. I deserted her. Again. "Please don't wait for me any longer; just go home right after class so that those bullies can't pick on you."

"Hey," said Zoey. "Look at me, Vi," she said, and I locked my gaze on her brown eyes. Zoey and I were the same height two years ago, but she has grown taller over the years. Me? Let's not get into it. "I promised Dad and Mom that I would protect you no matter what happened, especially when they weren't around, so don't worry, I can take care of myself."

They knew me as a tough girl in school, but they had no idea that I was a cry baby, especially when it came to my family.

"I'm sorry for being selfish. I'm sorry, Zoey. I'm sorry I can't protect you from them. I'm sorry I'm a coward. I'm sorry." I know I keep saying it, but I genuinely mean it.

If you're not sure what I'm talking about. It was the earlier incident involving the bullies and the nerd. Zoey was the nerd, and I just let those girls pick on her. Why? Because I am a conceited, famewhore bitch. My reputation at school is more important than being known to be in a relationship with Zoey.

It's never easy to be bullied. That is something I am aware of from my previous school. When I was in elementary school, It was a harrowing experience, and I vowed that I would never live like that again.

But on the first day of my first year at Clover High, I discovered that Zoey had become the bully's prey. It was too much for me to bear because I had also been traumatized due to my grade school experiences. My mother was unaware that I had been bullied because I was very good at hiding it from her.

I didn't want her to be concerned about me, so I kept it hidden from her.

I was upset to see Zoey being bullied, but I was too afraid to stand up for her. Being the sweetheart that she is, Zoey chose to understand me rather than be remorseful. She had previously told me that I might have a reason for doing what I did. I gradually revealed why I was so afraid to interfere with her bullies. Zoey chose to comprehend my situation once more. Zoey was indeed one-of-a-kind.

Despite her young age, I believe Zoey has mature thinking and a better understanding of what is going on around her. I thought I was a strong girl, but I was pale compared to Zoey.

"That's okay. Don't worry about it. Nothing happened to me. I came back whole," Zoey said, jolting me out of my reverie. Even if everyone around her is cruel, Zoey can still smile.

"I hope you can wait for me until the day I can stand up for you; I hope you never get tired of understanding; I hope you never change," I told her as I hugged her again.

"I'm here, Vi, and I'm not leaving," she said, kissing my forehead softly.

Zoey was not only my step-sister but also a close friend of mine. Possibly.