As if he could feel Olivia and Sumaya's stares, Oliver looked up. His expression instantly brightened, and a wide grin spread across his face. His eyes, warm and familiar, lit up at the sight of his sister.
Amanda, still tucked securely under his arm, turned her head slightly, her sharp gaze settling on Sumaya.
And then—she smiled. Sweet. Fake. Knowing.
Sumaya's stomach twisted. Her grip on the strap of her bag tightened, but she forced herself to keep her expression blank. She had long learned that any visible reaction only fed Amanda's amusement.
Oliver's grin widened as he lifted a hand and waved. "Hey, baby sis!" His voice was light, affectionate.
Olivia groaned under her breath, just low enough for Sumaya to hear. "Come on," she muttered, tugging her friend forward.
Reluctantly, Sumaya followed.
"Baby sis, where did you ward off to?" Oliver asked as soon as they reached him, his eyes flicking over his twin with amusement.
Olivia rolled her eyes. "We're the same age, idiot."
"Potato, tomato," Oliver said, shrugging. A smirk on his face, clearly unbothered.
Olivia shook her head, clearly exasperated, before her gaze flicked to Amanda and her ever-present followers, Bree and Jenna, standing not far from them. A slow smirk curled her lips. "Anyway, I went to stop a particular clown and some fools from doing something stupid."
Bree and Jenna stiffened slightly, glancing at each othet. Bree's fingers twitched like she was moments away from shoving Olivia, but she didn't dare. Olivia was off-limits.
Amanda's lips parted slightly, her manicured nails tapping against Oliver's chest. "I wonder who these fools and clowns might be," she said, her tone deceptively sweet, though her jaw tightened.
Olivia tilted her head innocently. "Oh, they know themselves perfectly well." Her tone was honeyed, mocking.
Sumaya pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to laugh. It wasn't worth it. The moment Amanda caught her so much as smiling, she'd pay for it later. Instead, she schooled her expression into something neutral, even as her chest shook with suppressed amusement.
Oliver, completely oblivious as always, frowned slightly as he looked between his sister and his girlfriend. "Is there something I don't know about?"
"No," Amanda answered smoothly.
"Yes. A lot," Olivia said at the exact same time.
Oliver let out a heavy sigh, his amusement slipping slightly. "Seriously? Why can't you two just get along?" His frustration was obvious. It was written all over his face, in the slight furrow of his brows, the shift in his posture.
Sumaya could almost hear the unspoken words behind it. He wanted his sister to accept Amanda. He wanted them to at least tolerate each other. But Olivia had made it clear—she never would.
"Ivia, did my babe do anything to provoke you this morning?" Oliver asked, still hopeful.
"Yes," Olivia said without hesitation.
"No," Amanda said at the same time.
Oliver exhaled loudly, rubbing the back of his head. "You two are weirdly in sync today." He turned to Amanda, searching her face. "Babe, what did you do to my sister?"
Amanda pouted and sighed dramatically, pressing herself closer to him. "Nothing, babe," she cooed, trailing her fingers lightly down his arm. "You know how your sister loves to tease me." Then, she turned her attention to Sumaya, her gaze sharp, challenging. "You can even ask Sumaya."
Sumaya stiffened. "Don't bring me into this." She thought bitterly.
Amanda's eyes gleamed with amusement, waiting.
Sumaya refused to play along. "Let's just go to class," she muttered, shifting closer to Olivia.
"Sumaya, stop h—" Olivia started, but Sumaya cut her off.
"Oli, please. Let's go"
Olivia brows creased, something in her friend's voice made her pause.
Her teasing demeanor faded instantly, replaced by something more serious. She studied Sumaya for a moment before letting out a slow breath.
"Fine," she said, her voice quieter now. But then, she turned her sharp gaze back to her brother. "Get yourself and that fake doll off my locker."
Oliver smirked. "Damn, the hatred is real."
Amanda stiffened slightly beside him, but Olivia didn't care. She even moved as if she were about to physically shove them aside.
"Easy, sister." Oliver grinned, stepping away just before she could push him. "You love hating her, don't you?"
Olivia didn't even acknowledge the remark. Instead, she opened her locker, took what she needs and shoved her bag inside with unnecessary force. The metal door clanged loudly as she slammed it shut.
Beside her, Sumaya moved more carefully, taking her books before sliding her backpack inside and closed her locker with barely a sound.
She didn't say a word, didn't look at Oliver. Didn't look at Amanda, she just followed Olivia as they walked off.
Amanda watched them go, her lips curling slightly.
Oliver sighed while rubbing the back of his head, watching his sister go. "What's her problem?"
Amanda latched onto his arm again, her lips curving into a pout. "How would I know?" she said sweetly. "You know how dramatic your sister can be."
Oliver let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, that's my sister alright." He turned, throwing an arm around Amanda's shoulders. "Come on, let's go."
Amanda shot one last glance at Sumaya's retreating figure before smirking.
"Come on, girls," she called, motioning to Bree and Jenna.
→→→→→→→
Olivia stomped down the hallway, her heavy footsteps echoing against the polished floors. Sumaya hurried after her, practically jogging to keep up. The tension clung to the air between them, thick and unspoken.
She knew Olivia was mad—furious, even. And Sumaya knew exactly why.
The moment they reached the threshold of their morning class, Olivia suddenly halted.
Sumaya, caught off guard, collided into her with a soft thud. "Sorry," she muttered, steadying herself.
Olivia barely reacted. Instead, she turned to face her, her dark eyes sharp and demanding. "Maya."
Sumaya swallowed hard.
"What was that back there?" Olivia's voice was low, but there was no mistaking the frustration laced in it. She reached forward, pulling the hood off Sumaya's head in a gesture so familiar yet firm that Sumaya flinched. She let Olivia do it, though, because resisting would only make things worse.
"You know my brother won't tolerate it if he finds out what Amanda's been doing to you," Olivia said, her voice quieter now, but no less intense.
Sumaya dropped her gaze, her fingers curling into the hem of her sweater. "I know," she mumbled.
Olivia exhaled sharply. "Look at me, Maya."
Sumaya hesitated before Olivia gently cupped her chin and lifted her head. Their eyes met, and the concern in Olivia's gaze made something twist in Sumaya's chest.
"What happened to you?" Olivia asked, softer this time. "You can't even look me in the face anymore."
"I'm sorry," Sumaya whispered.
Olivia groaned, releasing her hold. "Will you stop that? Stop apologizing when you did nothing wrong."
"I'm s—" Sumaya caught herself, pressing her lips together.
"Unbelievable," Olivia muttered, shaking her head before sighing heavily. She ran a hand through her hair, visibly trying to calm herself. "I don't know why you're covering for her, Maya. I don't know what's going on in your life anymore. But I wish you'd trust me enough to tell me."
Sumaya stared at her friend, guilt gnawing at her.
"You're my beautiful best friend," Olivia continued, voice firm with conviction. "You always will be."
"No matter what?" Sumaya asked hesitantly.
Olivia's expression softened. "No matter what."
Sumaya's chest tightened at those words. She wanted to believe them. She really did.
But before she could say anything, Olivia's eyes flicked past her, darkening. Sumaya instinctively stiffened.
She didn't have to turn around to know who Olivia had spotted.
"We'll continue this later," Olivia said suddenly, looping her arm through Sumaya's and pulling her into the classroom and Sumaya didn't resist.