"For the best-graduating medical student, Olivia Williams!"
She heard her name, but her legs wouldn't move, or maybe they could move, but her anxiety wouldn't let her stand in front of a crowd to give an acceptance speech. She knew days before the ceremony that she made the best-graduating students list with a GPA of 4.92. Why wouldn't she? When she stuck her head in her books all these years, all to make her parents proud.
"Well deserved, I guess,"
She muttered under her breath, adjusting the pink flowery gown her mother had sent from home, designed by who she called "New York's most talented". The gown has a lengthy slit at the front, showing off her tall legs. It has a corset which makes her waist smaller and her hips rounder.
Her parents couldn't make it to her graduation ceremony,
"We are deeply sorry Love, you know your father has plans to contest for the upcoming Mayoral elections, there's so much to do, the party hasn't decided yet, so we have to keep our ears to the ground, we can't just leave New York." Her mother told her on the phone.
She wasn't surprised. It had always been like that, they were barely around, and they barely showed up even though she was the only child. She did all she could to impress them. Maybe if there was something worth showing up for, they would. Since her early school days, Olivia swept all her school awards. When she got to the university, it had already become a habit to regularly go home with a prize. And now this, the first black best graduating medical student from the University of Oxford. She felt the tears coming, but Stacy, her roommate, would kill her if she ruined the hours of work she put on her face.
She had never felt loved, in all her life. The hall for the ceremony had a separate sitting section for family members and well-wishers. She could see parents beaming with smiles and pride for their children who made it this far, best-graduating student or not, even Stacy's parents showed up. This is love, this has to be what love is, and she's not getting any. Her best friend David couldn't make it because he just got a new job, and taking a leave so soon didn't seem like the wise thing to do. Even though the Alfredos invited her over for a celebratory dinner, it still didn't feel right, that's Stacy's celebratory dinner, not hers. It felt like they pitied her.
When she was in her first year at a private university in Los Angeles, she met Caleb, an engineering student in his final, sweet charming Caleb, Caleb she swore was going to be the one to take her virginity. Caleb showered her with words of affirmation, leaving cute notes on her desk before class and sending her his songs playlist that made him think of her. It made her feel beautiful, sexy and wanted. Even though Olivia had never lacked in beauty and body, she never felt enough, but Caleb made her feel enough, although that's what it looked like.
She was sure he was the one until he started asking her for cash. There was always a fee to pay, a book to buy, a project to write. Considering how he didn't come from a well-to-do home, she repeatedly came through for him, demanding from her parents, who didn't bother about what she needed the money for. This went on for an entire year, after his graduation, he stopped texting her and replying to her texts, not until she got a text from a strange number warning her to leave her man alone. How could she still be so naïve to not realize Caleb only used her?
The podium where the award was to be presented suddenly looked far, or her legs weren't fast enough. She just wanted to get there, pick the award, say a thing or two and go hide in her room, not like there were pictures to take after.
Olivia swore she would not get involved in any intimate relationship with anyone again. She was most grateful for not having slept with him. It then dawned on her, he never pressured her for sex. He wasn't even interested, he never desired her. She met Peter one day during night class. She had a tough test the following day. Peter was in her class, but they never interacted.
"You need guidance with that?" Peter pushed back the seat close to her and sat on it.
"Who? Me?" Olivia replied, surprised.
"Yes, you, Olive, need help?"
She liked he called her Olive
"Uh, yes, I need help, this calculation just isn't entering."
"Let me see,"
And that was how it started. They went to class together, left class together, read together, and made out during night class and sometimes in the library. Now she felt desired. There was never a day he didn't leave kisses on her neck or cupped her breast in longing. The first time his fingers went in her was the best day ever. No one had ever done that. She felt the heat between her legs and how wet she was. He went in slowly, taking it in and bringing it out. She couldn't control her moans, Peter had to cover her mouth with his hands, so they wouldn't get caught. She felt like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, her senses awakening to a new world of desire.
On the day it was expected to happen, it was the last day of the semester. They were all supposed to travel back home that day. They had planned to lodge in a hotel and spend the night before going to their homes the following day. When they got to the hotel, Peter didn't book a suite like she assumed he would. He asked the receptionist to make a call to 23B that he was downstairs. Olivia didn't get what was happening but stayed quiet. Could be there was a mix-up somewhere and Peter was all smiles, so it didn't look like there was any problem. Maybe he had to see an acquaintance before paying for their room, she told herself. When they got to the room, Vivian, a coursemate of theirs, opened the door.
"Welcome Olivia" Perhaps Vivian is the friend, she said to herself and when they finish talking, she will leave.
"Have you informed her?" Vivian looked in Peter's direction.
"Informed me what?" Olivia asked, now tense.
"That we are all here for a threesome," Vivian answered, giggling.
"Uhm Olive" Peter walked up to her and took her hands
"I like you, I admire you a lot. You are so beautiful with a banging body and I have had a crush on you for a long time and so has my girlfriend Vivian."
"Your girlfriend, Vivian? I don't understand". She held the table close to her for support because she could already feel herself breaking down, her hands were trembling.
"Okay, see" Vivian cut Peter short
"Peter and I have been dating since our first year. I'm bisexual, but he's straight and we both liked you and wanted you. We knew we couldn't approach you together, and you didn't act gay or bisexual for me to meet you myself, so Peter approached you instead and here we are, the end!" Vivian said, with no hint of remorse.
Olivia looked at Peter and could not find the exact words to say, even if she knew she had a lot to say, she picked up her box and walked away, thankful that none of them tried to stop
her.
On the podium, she noticed her palms had become sweaty and her heart racing so fast it could burst out of her chest, but she needed to give this speech,
"I owe this award to myself for never giving up, to my parents for always being by my side, for their support and encouragement. To every black student out there, you all can set and break records. Lastly, all thanks to God almighty who made this possible. Thank you."