Victoria's POV
I couldn't deny the nervousness that I felt because this was my first time to join a party like this, and I have been invited by the boys every time they come to the beach, but I always say no, and in the end, they felt tired of asking me. I wanted to keep my reputation as the Queen of our school.
I usually attend social gatherings held at five-star hotels and other impressive places, not some cheap place like this where I can tell it is so public, and anyone can get inside and out. Even if I know Zenith City is safe, there are still cases in our neighboring cities with some violence, and crime is high.
"Are you ready to join them?" Tim asked after he parked his car, and I could feel the pounding of my heart.
"Yes, I am ready," I replied, and he beamed at me.
"What are you waiting for, Victory? You should remove your cover-up and show everyone what you've got." He said, and I know before I left the house, I was excited to show them my swimsuit, but right now, I could tell, I chicken out.
"No, thanks, I am good, Tim, maybe later. I am not comfortable showing off my body." I replied.
"Even if you don't reveal your body to us, Victory, everyone knew you are hiding a gorgeous body of a Goddess, and that is why everyone was excited when they saw your post because they were expecting you would come and show them your glorious body." He said, and I suddenly felt worried as I realized I came here only to piss Oliver.
If I want to have his attention, I think the best way to do it is to show him what I am hiding beneath my coverup dress, but I am not going to let them think I was someone who is craving for their attention. Besides, I know Oliver is now so busy with his girlfriend.
Tim opened my door, and I took his hand as I climbed out of his car. And we were holding hands as we joined our classmates sitting on the sand while they were chatting and drinking sodas; they formed a big circle, and I think they had some games, and my eyes were scanning the entire loop as I was searching for Oliver and Keisha. I could feel the pain in my heart as I looked at them being so intimate with each other, and I could see he draped his arm around her smooth shoulders, and Keisha was wearing a yellow bikini that revealed her total asset. And she was laughing at what Oliver was whispering in her ear.
When Oliver raised his head and met my gaze, his eyes darkened right away, and when he looked at my hand intertwined with Tim, his eyes became darker. I needed to look away from him because I didn't want Oliver to see the pain in my eyes, and I didn't want him to know I was hurt because I saw how sweet they were with each other.
"Are you okay?" Tim asked the moment he noticed the expression on my face.
"Yeah, I am fine, Tim," I said, and he brought me closer to the group, and all eyes were on us. And I suddenly felt uneasy, and this was the first time I felt this way. I usually like the attention I get from my classmates because every time I see them look at me with admiration on their faces, it makes me feel euphoric knowing they adore me. They greeted me except Keisha and her friends, and I could tell right away they wanted me to disappear at once.
"You can't join us within the circle unless your date is wearing a bikini, Tim, and since we know Victory always wear a one-piece swimsuit, we regret to inform you, you are not welcome here" Keisha said. Her friends agreed with her, and everyone followed suit, and I could tell this was the first time they didn't welcome me, or they only wanted to see me in my bikini.
"Come on, guys, Victoria can join; this is her first time." Tim defended me.
"You should have told your date what is the rule, Tim, before you bring her here," Jean said, and I know she was one of Keisha's close friends. I can feel my face turn bright red because this was the first time I felt like I was not welcome at all. I wouldn't say I like Oliver Prize for ruining my reputation, and I know why they are treating me this way because he kissed me in front of them, and I could tell them I don't deserve their attention anymore.
"It is okay, Tim, I think we can walk on the shore, and we don't need to join them anyway," I said in more than a whisper.
"Why, Victoria? You are afraid we will know what you are hiding in your stomach? Come on, stop acting like you are perfect because we know you are not flawless, and you are hiding something from us that is why you can't wear a bikini." Keisha said, and they all laughed at me, and I was trying my best to keep my tears at bay, and this was the first time I was humiliated by her in front of a large crowd, and I knew it was because the hottest guy on campus was sitting so close beside her, and it gives Keisha the boost to mock me.
"I am not hiding anything from anyone, Keisha," I said as I tried to pull Tim with me so we could stay away from them, and as I turned around, my steps faltered when I heard a familiar voice that can always make me have butterflies on my chest. I hate to think why Oliver needs to have a beautiful voice and why I can't find a single flaw in his physical appearance?
"I thought you said you are always a winner, Victoria, and why are you walking away from us? I thought you always win, and now you have to show us what you've got unless you are hiding something like what Keisha claimed." Oliver declared, and my anger flared up, and I could feel my limbs are shaking, and I needed to control myself not to make a scene, and even if my mind was screaming no, I couldn't stop my heart from feeling so hurt.
"You don't need to listen to him, Victory, we can leave here if you want, and I am sorry if I brought you here. I could have brought you to someplace safe and away from our classmates." Tim declared, and I looked at him sideways and smiled at him.
"It is okay, Tim, just promise me, after I took off my cover-up, and show them I am wearing my two-piece do something that will blow their minds," I said.
I winked at Tim, and I turned around and faced them all, and without saying anything to Oliver, I removed my dress with one fluid motion. I could see different reactions, and I smiled at Keisha, who looked so stunned, and I knew she didn't expect I was wearing a bikini underneath my dress. She didn't think I was wearing this swimsuit for her boyfriend to see, but I didn't expect they would challenge me, especially Oliver.
I can see how the boys looked at me with desires, and I can see Oliver was clenching his fists. I don't understand why he felt so angry with me, and maybe because he lost, and I felt so triumphant, and before I could move toward the circle, I felt strong hands spin me around, and Tim kissed me on the lips, and I wanted to push him away, but I realized I asked him to do something.
I think this is the best show I can give to my classmates and to let them know, I have kissed the hot quarterback in our school, and this time I am sure Oliver can no longer claim he was the only boy who got the chance to kiss me. I kissed Tim back long enough that made our fellow students hollered.
And then I felt someone grab my hand that made me stop kissing Tim. And I was shocked to find Oliver dragging me from the crowd.
"Don't ever try to follow us, Tim." He said in a loud voice, and I wondered what was wrong with him.
"What are you doing, Prize?" I hissed as I could feel the anger boiling inside me, and he threw my cover-up at me. I am just glad I could catch it, and he didn't stop yanking me no matter how I tried to pull my arm away from him, and he never answered me; instead, he kept walking without releasing my wrist. And he only freed me from his hold when we reached his car, and he opened the car door for me.
"Get in, Victoria, before I push you inside." He ordered, and I put my arms over my chest, and I could feel the cold breeze that brushed my skin that made me shiver, and Oliver picked up his jacket from his car and gave it to me.
"If you will not put on your cover-up, you can wear my jacket." He said, and I could tell it would be enough to cover my swimsuit, but I didn't want him to think it would be okay for me that he would boss me around.
"What are you doing, Oliver?" I asked again, and this time, I was looking daggers at him.
"I am just doing my job, Victoria." He said in a low voice, and I wondered what happened to him. It feels like I no longer know Oliver. I was shouting at him, but he answered me in a low tone, and I am not some freak who will continue to yell when my opponent is backing down. Did he realize he lost tonight?