MY UNUSUAL ROMANCE
Chapter 3
The sound of the bustling streets permeates the store. The hot scorching sun shines from above, causing the individuals to take out their umbrellas. It is the first day of August, yet it feels like it's still summer. Eileen hastily finished her chocolate ice cream while sitting on a little bench provided by the store. Beside her, Olivia takes her time eating her cookies 'n cream.
Eileen believes that today is the best time to eat a cold dessert under the hot weather. She especially forces Olivia to accompany her to buy an ice cream at a nearby store from their school. This has been their routine every sunny day. Meanwhile, if the weather is cold, they would buy cup noodles and eat together. Today is just like any other day. Eating with your best friend while talking about your crush, Eileen couldn't ask for more than this.
Eileen isn't one of the popular kids in her class. She has never been close to her classmates. There are times that she interacts if she needs to. Well, not that her classmates would also want to interact with her. The only person who associates with her is Olivia, since their classmates don't really pay attention to them. This situation is considered problematic for Eileen. If Olivia keeps hanging out with a loner like her, she won't be able to discover new friends!
Suddenly, a group of girls from her class approached Eileen where she's sitting on a bench.
"Liiiinnn!" One of the girls waved at her.
…Don't get her wrong, she really isn't that popular. She's a loner and doesn't interact with others at all.
"Oh, hey!!!" Eileen stands up from her seat to hug the girl who called her, leaving Olivia still eating her melting ice cream.
"I didn't know this is where you usually hang out every break time." Says the other girl.
Eileen only laughs and makes small talks with the girls.
"By the way, we're planning to go to the field for cheerleading try-outs. We wanna invite you to the team. Join us, Lin! It's going to be fun with you there." One of the girls invited her.
"I would like to join… But, I don't think I can do those daredevil stunts. I might get injured or worse, get hospitalized. I appreciate the offer, but I can't join." Eileen awkwardly rubs the back of her head.
"Aww.. What a pity. Savannah also wants you to join the team. She even recommends you to be her Co-captain." Says the same girl.
Eileen's eyes bulge. "No way… Savannah Lewis? She's the Cheer Captain?"
The girls nodded.
"No way..! She's like- the most popular girl in our class! We barely even talked!"
One of the girls said. "Don't be so modest, Eileen. You and Savannah literally talk every now and then!"
"Ah, nah.. That's just for school purposes. We aren't that close…" She chuckled awkwardly. "Hey, why don't you invite Olivia on the team?"
Olivia flinches from her seat.
The girls looked at each other. "Oh, her? Uh… We're not sure…"
"Aw, c'mon… Having Olivia on the team is worth it! She's flexible and fearless. She's more suited for the job than me." Eileen took the chance to get Olivia more exposed to the public. This will be a perfect opportunity to see the world how outstanding Olivia really is in extracurriculars other than in academics. It would be a shame if these superb skills are hidden away!
"It will be a great help for Savannah and her cheerleading team." She insisted.
"Lin, you see–"
Before the girls could finish their sentences, Olivia stood up from her seat and interrupted them in a cold and firm manner. "Eileen." She approached Eileen, facing in front of her. "I don't want to join any clubs or teams, it distracts me from my studies. If possible, I don't want you recommending people that I'm fit for the job. That would be a huge help for me."
"Liv…" Eileen helplessly sighed and faced the group of girls. "I'm sorry, we're just not interested in cheerleading. Maybe find another person who's willing to join?"
The girls nodded and bid their farewell.
After Olivia's outburst in front of the girls, the two of them went back inside their classroom awkwardly. Eileen can't focus on the teacher's discussion as usual. Not because she didn't want to listen, but because of Olivia's unwillingness to mingle with her peers. Eileen finds it hard to reconcile with the angry Olivia. All she wanted to do was to prove to people that Olivia can be so much more than being a smart student. She saw the girls' reaction when she mentioned Olivia's name. She can see how reluctant they were to let Olivia join the team. Thinking about it makes her heart wrench, believing that her friend is destined to be alone whenever she's not there.
However, there seems to be a voice in her head, a seemingly ridiculous thought. She thought she should be the only one to accompany Olivia for a lifetime. Eileen never really harbors any of these thoughts, but lately, she sees Olivia as something more.
"Eileen." Amidst the lively chattering of the students around the halls, a stern tone in this person's voice lies a soft and gentle calling, pulling her attention to this person.
"Yes?" Eileen replied immediately.
Olivia took a few moments of silence before she spoke. "You're a sociable and interactable kind of person. Don't waste your time sticking around with the likes of me."
When Eileen paused, that's when she realized that they were walking towards their locker. They must have planned to go straight home after class. She was too preoccupied with her thoughts that she actually forgot what they were just doing earlier. She was caught off guard when she heard Olivia suddenly telling her to stop hanging out with her.
"...Pfft- What are you suddenly saying? I stick with whoever I want to stick with." Eileen slowly catches up with Olivia until they're walking side by side. "Besides, I like sticking with you the most."
Olivia glances at her way, but immediately looks away. "...Suit yourself."
She heard Eileen giggled as they picked up their things and went home.