MY UNUSUAL ROMANCE
Chapter 8
Last week, they had their physical activities outside the field. Today, they're doing a physical health assessment inside the gym. Eileen and Olivia naturally became partners to check and score their assessment. While Olivia is busy recording their scores, Eileen keeps yapping on and on about a certain "dreamy" guy.
"What great muscles he has there.." She giggled. "He looks so good in his P.E. uniform!"
"Gross…" The girl with long, black, ponytail hair said with disgust.
"Liv, there must be something wrong with your eyes." Eileen retorted.
Olivia rolled her eyes and said nothing. She continued writing the records of her performance on the physical fitness test. Eventually, she saw Eileen waving at Sean in a friendly manner. Surprisingly, he waved back.
"Omg!! So cool! What would've happened if he was my partner? Heck, I would've long gone crazy!" Eileen exclaimed. Even though she's talking to Olivia, her eyes can't seem to take it off from Sean.
"Does it have to be him?" Eileen heard a cold and stoic voice that made her turn away from the boy. Then, her eyes met with Olivia's. She's just standing there, the physical fitness assessment paper on her hand.
"What?"
"Must it have to be him?"
Eileen was caught off guard. She couldn't decipher what those words meant. She would've never even thought that Olivia would ask her a question such as this. Everytime they hang out, Eileen would always talk about how much she likes Sean. Olivia barely even responded, but now she actually decided to comment?
However, there's a little voice inside her head saying that it doesn't have to be him who she likes the most. It could be someone that is more special to her than any other handsome guy. Someone who's more gentle and refined. A knowledgeable person who likes to read books, that if you're by their side, your world seems to be at peace. Someone like…
"You could've liked someone who's not a player. Sean is a charmer." Olivia said, turning her focus back to the physical fitness test. "He's no good for you."
This further confused Eileen's heart more. "Everybody in this school likes him because of his outgoing personality. It's not because he's just charming."
She heard Olivia sighed. "Forget it, you're too stubborn to persuade." She finally managed to record their scores and left Eileen alone to pass those papers.
She tilted her head as she saw Olivia's figure rushed towards their P.E. teacher to hand in their papers. She felt something inside her that is difficult to describe… It almost felt like a relief. But, why would she feel relief? She could even feel her cheeks getting hotter. Shouldn't she be mad because her friend actually doesn't support her?
A tall, handsome guy suddenly approached her with a charming smile.
"Lin!" Sean rushed towards her and stood in front. "You done working on your physical assessment test?"
Eileen blushed. "Ah, yes... Olivia just turned in our papers."
"Great! You see, I have something to tell you right now. Can you give me some of your time for just a little bit..?" Sean asked.
"Oh… Sure." Eileen barely holds back the urge to smile and giggle.
After asking for the teacher's permission, they went outside the gym where no students were at sight. Eileen faced Sean for a couple of minutes, waiting for him to say what he wanted to say.
"You see… Lin, I have this someone who I liked just recently… I wanted your help to win over this person." Sean finally said.
Her eyes widened in shock. Wow, she didn't expect this development at all. He already has someone he likes…?
"Oh? You need my help…?" Eileen was still stunned.
"Yes… I figured you'd be a great candidate in helping me win this person over." He let out a shy smile.
Well, it's not like Eileen expected Sean to also reciprocate her admiration for him. It's just a surprise that he wants her to help him win this person over…? Also, even though she expected this development would happen, it's not like she won't feel any pain when you found out the guy you've been crushing on has someone he likes!
Although it doesn't hurt as much as she expected… She was also practically okay with him liking someone else other than her. In the end, it's just a simple admiration to a person who you look up to the most. She figured that her feelings for him aren't really as deep as the ocean. Even though it stung a little bit, she can be at least happy for him.
Eileen chuckled. "I don't think I'm the right person for that… Savannah practically knows most of the students here in school. She's a perfect candidate for being your cupid."
"You don't understand… You know this person more than Savannah does." Sean replied.
"Who…" Her words trailed off in the air. Sure, there are many students who she also knew but not as much as Savannah knew them… Except…
Eileen's eyes widened for the second time, realising who this person was.
"I like Olivia, Lin." Sean confessed.
EXTRA
After the sleepover with Eileen, Olivia went home from school. She immediately flopped herself on their sofa and stared at the ceiling for a long time. Then, she picked up her phone and scrolled through an online shopping app to search for bed frames.
She noticed earlier morning the evident lack of sleep in Eileen's eyes. This concerned her, so she decided to buy a bigger bed frame to make Eileen comfortable whenever she plans to visit.
Mrs. Laurier, Olivia's mother, also got home from work. She saw her daughter lazying around instead of doing her chores.
"I'm home." Mrs. Laurier said as she sat down beside Olivia. "What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to find a bigger bed frame than mine." Olivia said.
"A bed frame bigger than yours? Why do you need such a thing?"
"My bed is too small for me and Eileen." She scrolls down for more cheaper bed frames. "If she visits here again, the bed would be big enough for the both of us."
"Do you have any money to buy those… expensive bed frames?"
"...You'll pay, right?"
Mrs. Laurier stared at her helpless daughter for a while and then sighed. "You should buy a bunk bed."
"No thanks, I prefer these metal double beds." Olivia showed her mother a series of bed frames available online. "There's also a wooden type. This looks sturdy." She continued scrolling.
"Dear, those bed frames look expensive. Shouldn't a bunk bed be much nicer? You two can even sleep separately. You sleep on top while Eileen sleeps on the bottom."
"Mom, I want the double bed."
Before Mrs. Laurier could speak, Olivia interrupted her.
"You see, I can still sleep on top even in a double bed."
"...What?"
"Nothing..."
In the end, they decided to buy the wooden double bed.