Chapter 7: Damn Barry and his manners.
Olicity is one of my all-time favourite OTPs.
Warning: This chapter is rated M for adult-themed suggestions and cursing.
The story takes place in High School so both Oliver and Felicity will be teenagers.
Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow or any of its characters.
I hope you like it.
Walking through the glass doors the mouth-watering smell immediately assaulted her senses. Mmmm, this is what heaven must smell like.
Felicity had never heard of Big Belly Burger.
Right then standing in the small, cosy dinner she wished she had.
This place was cute. Like really cute. She glanced around, taking in the red leather booths and the dim lights giving off a soft glow, creating the cosy atmosphere.
It was Friday evening and that meant her and Barry's weekly dinner. Usually, they would have stayed in at one of their houses, but Barry had heard about this place and wanted to check it out. So here they were walking up to the counter to look at the menu.
You could never go wrong with a cheeseburger and a big portion of French fries. They ordered and as they were waiting for their food, a laugh made her turn around, searching for the source.
A familiar laugh. She knew that laugh for sure.
Oliver.
He was sitting in one of the big booths in the back, surrounded by people. She recognised Tommy, but not the two girls, nor the third boy.
They were chatting and laughing, surrounded by big piles of food. It looked fun.
"Barry, who told you about this place?" Felicity whispered in a slightly panicked voice.
He frowned. "Tommy did. Why are you whispering?"
She threw up her hands in frustration, "why didn't you tell me that?" Then realised she didn't want to draw attention to herself at put them back down.
"We have to get out here, now." She pulled on him impatiently.
"But we already paid, and we haven't gotten our food yet. What is going on with you?"
Felicity hadn't told him what had happened between her and Oliver the day before yesterday. She couldn't get the words out to explain, and she just wanted to forget about it. Ha, good luck with that. Just the memory of it made her heart speed up and her breath catch. Like it was doing now.
She seriously needed to get a grip.
She pulls the hood from her light summer-sweater over her head and ducks down. Trying to make herself invisible. She´s pretty sure all she managed to do was make herself look ridicules.
Shocker.
"City. What are you doing?"
She was saved from answering his question when the food arrived.
Finally.
Barry grabbed the food and she quickly turned around to get the hell out of there before Oliver saw her. But in her haste, the hood covering her eyes, she didn't look where she was going and ran smack into to one of the waitresses, knocking her tray over.
Luckily nothing was on it, it just made a big noise.
So much for not drawing any attention to herself.
She quickly apologised to the waitress and picked up the tray, handing it back to her.
Hoping Oliver didn't hear the crash she grabbed Barry by the arm and started pulling him towards the door. A voice stopped them. Just not the voice she was fearing. No, it´s Tommy's.
He called out both their names across the diner, making Barry turn around in surprise and Felicity squeeze her eyes shut.
FRACK.
"City, look who´s here."
"I think we should just go" she whispered to him and it earns her a questioning look.
"But it would be rude not to say hi."
Barry started walking towards the others and seeing no other choice, she slowly trailed after him.
Damn Barry and his manners.
Felicity learned that the blonde girl was Sara Lance and the brunette was her older sister Laurel Lance. Gorgeous Laurel.
God, life was really unfair, how could one person be that perfect?
She also happened to be Oliver's ex-girlfriend. Was she still an Ex? They seemed pretty friendly.
The third boy was called John Diggle, but he asked her to call him Dig. He seemed kind and he had the biggest arms she had ever seen.
Seriously they were like freaking tree trunks.
The booth had two benches opposite each other. On one side it was Laurel, Oliver, Sara, and Dig.
On the other, it was Tommy, Felicity, and Barry.
Oliver was sitting opposite her, a fact she was trying not to make a big deal out of.
He looked really yummy in a dark green Henley. It was a nice colour on him.
Tommy and she were having an interesting discussion on Mr. Geffrey's 8 Sweaters. It seemed she wasn't the only one to have noticed the lack of versatility in his wardrobe.
"We should get him a new sweater" Felicity mused to Tommy.
"And we should make it a pink one" he laughed and then grabbed her arm excitedly. "Let's go shopping tomorrow."
Felicity burst out laughing at the excited look on his face, completely missing the way Oliver was eying Tommy´s hand on her arm. Tommy was actually cute when he was being sincere, and he was funny.
Since the moment Barry and she had sat down at the table, he had been making her laugh. Which was a nice reprieve from the awkwardness she had been fearing.
"You want to go shopping with me? For a sweater for Mr. Geffrey? Seriously?" she doubted, raising her eyebrows at him.
"Absolutely. We will make a day of it. Shopping, eating, laughing at all the hideous sweaters we find"
She couldn't believe she was actually considering it, but she was. Tommy made it sound like so much fun. Felicity knew what it could be misinterpreted as, but she also knew, deep down that he didn't mean it as a date. She didn't get that vibe from him and she was glad. She wanted to be his friend. It surprised her, but she wanted that.
She was opening her mouth to answer him when Oliver interrupted their planning.
"I thought we were working on our English assignment tomorrow?" He was looking at her earnestly.
"We have to finish reading the book before we can start on the paper" she answered him. Shocked that he had been so voluntary to give up his Saturday. It didn't seem like him.
"I already finished it" he stated.
Felicity gaped at him.
What?
Had he already finished? But they only started the book like 48 hours ago. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who was shocked. Everyone else's conversation at the table had stopped, and they were all looking at him. Each with their own level of disbelief mirrored on their faces.
Except for Tommy. He was just smirking at Oliver like he knew something the rest of them didn't.
"You finished it?"
He nodded.
"That was fast I´m only half way." Felicity smiled at him, impressed.
Was he taking their assignment seriously?
She hadn't dared hope, it´s not like he took their tutoring seriously.
Oliver was beaming happily at her. Almost like he was pleased she was impressed. But it couldn't be that. Oliver didn't care about her opinion of him.
Tommy interrupted their little smiling contest, assuring Oliver "you guys can just work on it Sunday and that gives City here" Tommy nudges her playfully "the time to finish the book." Tommy puts his arm around her and pulls her lightly to him, squeezing her shoulder. "Tomorrow City is mine."
Oliver didn't argue with that logic and neither did she.
Was she about to agree to this?
Yes, yes, she was.
"Okay, let's do it" her eyes widening when she realised how that could have sounded. "And by it, I mean, I mean to go shopping not it as in that. I don't want to do it with you, not that you´re not attractive. You are very attractive, and that's not me making a pass at you. I'm just stating an observation." Dropping her head in her heads she groans "you know what I mean."
Laughter rang out across the booth, though it wasn't derogatory like she was used to, every time someone witnessed one of her epic babbles.
It´s good-natured.
When Felicity looked back up she wasn't met with pitying looks, also like she was used to but with kind and amused smiles. Though none as amused as Oliver's she notes.
"Do you always talk this much?" Sara asked.
Feeling a bit self-conscious she confessed with a laugh "No. Today is a good day."
The night progressed with many more conversations and banter.
Felicity learned quite a bit about the people surrounding her.
Sara was cool and kind of a badass. She was Felicity's age (16) and though she was a Junior she was in Felicity's AP Biology class this year. Felicity hadn't noticed her because as Sara pointed out, she liked to sit in the back. The opposite of Felicity. They made plans for Sara to sit with Felicity and Barry next time.
Dig was on the lacrosse team with Oliver and Tommy. He wanted to join the army, when he finished high school, and so did his girlfriend, Lyla Michael. He was crazy in love with his girlfriend. It was obvious in the way he spoke of her.
Laurel was indeed perfect. She looked flawless. She wanted to be a lawyer and fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves. She was popular – that part was obvious as Felicity had heard all the stories of Oliver and Laurel, the power couple.
As much as it pained Felicity to admit to herself – why did it pain her? – She could totally see Laurel and Oliver as a couple. A great couple in fact.
It kind of hurt, but she fought that feeling and pushed it down. Just like she had promised herself she would, with any feelings concerning Oliver.
She learned that despite his devil-may-care reputation, Oliver really cared about his friends. He was different with them. Not different bad, different good. More relaxed and comfortable. His trademark mask, nowhere to be seen.
It was refreshing.
It was the same guy that had been kind to her and driven her home Wednesday, despite the tension.
The tension she had refused to define.
The food was long gone, and it was time for dessert.
Oliver ordered French fries and milkshakes.
What the frack was up with that?
She wanted to ask him about him but chose not to.
She still had trouble facing him, because, despite the easy atmosphere of the diner, she couldn't get their little "moment" in the library out of her head.
Oliver seemed intent on gaining her attention, because he threw a French fry at her. It landed in her lap and she threw it back at him, but he caught it.
Damn, he had quick reflexes.
He smirked at her, knowing it was impressive. "I want to let you in on a tradition" he stated and slid a glass of strawberry milkshake and a plate of fries in between them, on the table.
Felicity watched as he picked up a fry, dipped it in the milkshake and ate it. A tiny drop of the strawberry liquid dripped from the fry and landed on the corner of his mouth. Her eyes widened, and her breath caught as she watched his tongue slip out to catch the drop, licking his lips.
Hot.
Suddenly Felicity felt very hot.
Her skin was tingling again and this time it was from just a look.
A freaking look.
He wasn't even touching her, and he managed to set her skin on fire.
For a second, she almost let herself believe she saw desire in his eyes.
Almost.
The sound of the others cheering as Barry tried their traditional dessert, broke their spontaneous staring contest. She ripped her eyes away from Oliver's to ask Barry, how it tasted.
Now it was her turn and all eyes turned on her.
Okay, time to try one of the weirdest combinations of food she had ever seen. She dipped a fry in the milkshake and placed it in her mouth, apprehensively.
It was salty, sweet and….good.
It tasted good.
This time her eyes widened comically as she realised she actually liked this weird dessert tradition.
"This is good" she exclaimed.
Cheers rang out from everyone and clapping started.
Felicity laughed because the whole situation was too hilarious, and by liking their tradition, she felt like she was a part of something special.
Was that crazy?
As the banter started up again she missed Oliver's pleased smile, at her fitting in so perfectly, with the important people in his life.
When Felicity left with Barry, way later than they'd planned, everybody having lost track of time, she was smiling. She had started out wanting to leave so badly and then she had relaxed. Chatted with a group of fun and nice people. People she wouldn't mind talking to again and she hoped they felt the same about her. She had a good time with someone other than Barry or her mum, and that was something new.
Something new and…exciting…dare she say.
But the big smile on her face was for one particular thought.
She might have made some friends tonight.
Maybe Barry's manners didn't suck after all.
There were people everywhere.
Friends, families, boyfriends, and girlfriends walking amongst each other. Some were in big groups others were in small and some were alone. People in every style you could imagine and every age.
And there were hundreds of them, just bustling about, doing their thing.
It was one a clock on the following Saturday. It was time for her shopping trip with Tommy, and she was a bit nervous.
Not nervous in the bite your nails and breathe into a bag nervous, but in the God, I hope I don't screw up today, nervous.
Tommy was sweet and a really cool guy, despite her firsts thoughts of him. She was nervous because she wanted to be his friend, and she wanted him to like her.
She had never had many friends or friends as in more than one. The only true friend she had ever had was Barry, and don't get her wrong, she was incredibly grateful for him. She couldn't imagine how she would have survived the last 7 years without him. But, Barry and she had always bonded over having the same interests, and Felicity wanted friends that would broaden her horizons. Someone who might push her to try new things.
New things like dipping a fry in a strawberry milkshake.
No.
Don't go there.
Today you will have fun with Tommy and Oliver will never enter your thoughts. Not even once.
"Which shop do you want to check out first?" Tommy asked jarring Felicity out of her thoughts.
She turned to him, eyes wide, eyebrows raised, mouth open. "How big is this place? You could fit the entire internet in here. Not that you would, because that would be stupid. It has to be hidden in a top-secret location, otherwise, someone could melt it. I don't want someone to melt the internet, I love the internet." She pouted at the thought.
Tommy just smiled at her and Felicity couldn't help but compare the way Tommy´s reacted to her babbles, with Oliver´s.
Whilst Tommy just smiled freely, slightly amused. Oliver always looks at her like he was trying hard not to laugh and was only succeeding, because he was torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to do…something.
Something Felicity has yet to identify.
It was frustrating…and she´s thinking about Oliver again.
Oh, who was she kidding she never stopped anymore.
Except when she was buried in her codes. Then her mind got its much-needed rest, and she could focus. She never had a problem with being able to focus before, but now, thanks to him, she did.
Stupid boy. Stupid gorgeous boy. Stupid gorgeous, kind-eyed boy, that you´re still thinking about.
STOP IT.
Felicity grabbed Tommy´s arm and started dragging him toward a men's clothing store.
"Let´s so this."
Two hours and much perusing later, they had finally found the right sweater.
It was made of wool, dark blue with the words "Worlds Greatest Teacher" in bold pink letters. To sum it up, the sweater was perfect.
They had also spent hours getting to know it each other better. They had talked about interests, hobbies, future plans, and family. They didn't stay on the family topic for long, but Felicity did learn that his mother was dead, and his father was "a grade A asshole." Tommy´s words, not hers. She told him that her father had abandoned them when she was 7. They bonded over their lack of a father figure.
It was easy being relaxed around Tommy, because he didn't make her heart spike. When she was around Oliver she was nervous but at the same time, she was comfortable. It was a weird mix of sensations.
They had both decided to get a cup of coffee in a little bakery in the corner of the mall. Felicity ordered a strawberry cake and Tommy got a chocolate muffin. He gave her a weird look when she ordered a "Tall, Non-Fat Latte with Caramel Drizzle and two extra shots."
She was used to that look. He just ordered a regular coffee.
Pffff amateur.
They sat at a table by a window that overlooked the street, and when their coffees were half empty the much-dreaded topic came up.
"So, you and Oliver. How´s that going?" Tommy asked, a small smirk on his face.
FRACK.
"The English assignment is going fine. I´m on the last chapters and I will be ready to analyse it with him tomorrow" she answered, hoping he would change the subject.
No such luck.
"I´m not asking about the assignment, I´m asking about what´s going on between you two?"
Felicity was confused, and a small frown appeared between her brows "What do you mean, between us two? Outside of the assignment, we don't really have any reason to talk."
Tommy raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "Really? No reason at all. No feelings, no butterflies, no nothing?"
Oh, double frack, how did he know? Did he know, she felt something towards Oliver? But he asked between them, as in not one-sided.
Now she was really confused. What was he talking about? She asked him just that.
"I´m talking about the fact that you barely looked at him at dinner last night and when you finally did, you had intense eye sex." His damn smirk grew.
Felicity gaped at him. She hadn't thought anybody noticed her attempt at avoiding talking to Oliver yesterday and especially not that someone noticed their look. She had managed to convince herself she had imagined the desire she saw in his eyes. Chalked it up to wishful thinking.
Did he mean that Oliver might…like her? No, that was impossible. Not just impossible, it was unthinkable.
"I´m not sure what you mean?" Felicity doubted, outing a big piece of strawberry cake in her mouth, effectively stopping her from saying anything stupid.
As usual.
"I mean he likes you" and when she tried to argue he cuts her off. "And you like him, it is as simple as that."
She scoffs and rolls her eyes at him. "Oliver doesn't like me, that´s absurd, and even if he did – which he doesn't – it would be far from simple."
Tommy looked at her, the question why in on his face. She clarifies. "He is Oliver Queen, the billionaire playboy. He can literally get any girl he wants without lifting a finger, and I´m just….me. There is no way he would ever be interested in me like that." She swallows thickly, the words harder to get out than she thought they would be.
They stung.
"And besides, we´ve only been acquainted for less than a week, that's not enough time to develop feelings."
Liar her thoughts screamed, but she ignored them.
"Felicity, all it takes is one special moment, to create feelings for someone" he insisted, leaning over the table and looking her straight in the eye. He needed her to believe him.
"You sound like you speak from experience?" she questioned.
He sighed and gave her a slight shrug. She could tell he didn't want to talk about it. Another time she would remember to ask about it. He seemed bothered and she didn't like seeing him bothered, but the next second the smirk was back.
"I think you two would be good for each other. You could be exactly what he needs. What he doesn't know he wants."
"I don´t believe you" she refused.
"You may not now but one day, I think you will." He gives her a sincere smile and for a moment she lets herself imagine it could be true.
But only for a moment, her was doubt to strong.
