Chapter 2

Hastings?

Olivia was the model of a young, charming, diplomatic debutante not fifteen minutes prior, but now the ladies around her were visibly concerned and exchanging glances. The girl was too distracted, however, to notice. After she had returned from the restroom flanked by Monique Valentine and Viola Hastings- notorious for all things unladylike and unsavory- her affect had changed dramatically. This was the result of confusion washing over her, and it was not flattering. "Viola Hastings, why is it that I always find you in the middle of a tussle?" She had heard as she smoothed out her dress. Did she just say Hastings? The girl who replaced me at the kissing booth and had just come to my rescue in that embarrassing scene in the restrooms moments ago was… Sebastian's sister? I mean how could I miss it? They had to be twins, she thought, but why hadn't she said anything while we were talking? She let me get all the way to professing plans for a passionate kiss- though by that point they were entirely interrupted by that awful witch of a girl, Sebastian's ex- but before that, Viola offered me advice, never mentioning her shared DNA.

One of the young fellow debs next to her gave her a discreet nudge and a stern look to encourage her back into the present, knowing how Olivia cared about the opinions of the surrounding members. Olivia subtly shook off the thoughts and returned her glance with gratitude before smiling gracefully at the rest of the table and trying as hard as she could to return to normal, making gentle conversation and trying to look engaged in the present banter again. The rest of the table seemed to accept that and move on, considering god only knows what happened while the three girls' screams could be heard throughout the building only moments before, which they of course would never ask her about openly, only gossip about later. Olivia knew, and resolved to save her puzzle-piecing thoughts for later.

Viola had just sat down across the room with a sigh of relief as her scolding had finally come to an end, the angry woman walking away now in a huff. She had followed her, all the way from the restroom back to her seat explaining for the eight-hundredth time how all she had to do was try a little harder, think of her mother, just put in some effort, blah blah blah. Her eyelids had hung lazily over her eyes during the walk as she hummed responses at different tones to feign interest, and occasionally made mocking faces that she wished someone had caught. Unlike Olivia, she had no interest in impressing anyone in that room, and was essentially oblivious to them all as she stared across the tables once more at the girl in the seafoam dress, who was practically glittering though she wore no jewelry. This time she looked at her differently though and her heart rate went up slightly when recounting the conversation they just had but not quite finished. Her eyes began to widen and she looked away uncomfortably. What in the world did I start and what am I going to do about this kiss? Crap. As the thought passed through her mind, her heart raced again, but the feelings of fear were laced with something else, and she almost noticed and deciphered the feeling, but it was quickly lost in a mix of worry and confusion and a tapping on her shoulder to come line up for the group photo.

. . . . . .

Viola stared out the window as her mother drove down the slick and glistening road on the way to the debutante ball. She wore a tired blanket of relief knowing she had nothing to hide anymore, and her team had stuck by her through one of the craziest moments of her life. She didn't regret what she did, when she did it, or even how she did it, other than one little detail- if only she hadn't gone about it by professing her love to Duke. Maybe we could have started out with 'a CRUSH' VIOLIA?! Maybe get through at least one date where he knows your actual name, before we fire up the big guns?! But it was just as likely the whole reveal itself would have scared him off even without the L-word coming out of his then-male roommate's mouth. She was praying the whole way that the giant wheel of cheese would do the trick and she'd see her arachnophobic prince soon. She tried to focus on the positives though. At least she got to play her game, everyone came out supportive, they won, she joined Duke in the Bring Justin to Tears club, and she had serendipitously avoided that looming Olivia kiss. Her stomach dropped. She felt a little angry with her brother for allowing that to happen. It was dishonest to Olivia...obviously he didn't do it on purpose, but it seemed the justification of feeling mad at him, being protective of her friend. They had become friends, after all. She really did mean what she said about feeling comfortable with her. It wasn't just because she had been constantly surrounded by dudes that whole time either, there was definitely an ease with her blonde lab partner. It was a similar familiarity and friendship to what she felt with Kia and Yvonne. Maybe not as close, but warmer. Even, softer. She was glad she'd be there tonight… tonight.. Duke. She sighed and turned up the music, ignoring her mother's complaints.

. . . .

Olivia sat in the backseat occasionally glancing at both parents in front of her, as if to make sure they couldn't hear her thoughts. She had a pleasant relationship with them and they tended to mostly stay out of her business, but had the ability to scrutinize the hell out of anything that might suggest she could possibly vear from the road of 'perfect debutante daughter' and metaphorically beat it out of her through shame and constant, crushing criticism. They had put her through the ringer when they heard about the restroom wrestling match. Far too unladylike for any Lennox to be caught in. Regardless, she took the risk and from the backseat, recounted her conclusions of everything that had unfolded. The real Sebastian was cute, and those were his lyrics, which were what attracted her to Sebastian so much in the first place. ..Right? She did feel slightly disappointed about his lack of athleticism, but was that really something she would have felt before the fake Sebastian? How much would she have actually cared about soccer- or even gone to a game - if she hadn't been so enamored with her lab partner and gotten used to hearing about practices and watching him (her?) glide effortlessly around the field? She assured herself this really didn't matter.

She was more concerned with what kind of school gossip Monday would bring. When all was said and done, the cross-dressing soccer player had fooled everyone, not just her, and not everyone knew about her own gigantic crush, so maybe she wouldn't be the focus of much attention. That had also led her to consider the struggle Viola might face, who would indeed be the center of attention, and she was genuinely worried for her. Although, she did seem the type to enjoy attention and not have all that much shame to spare anyways. But this then led her to wonder, would she even stay at Illyria after this? Olivia noted the feeling that washed over her next, and it was something like panic. She didn't want her to leave. After all that had happened, Viola was the only person that was in this with her, and her lab partner who she had connected with so much.. the connection couldn't have all been totally faked, could it? Should I be mad at her for lying? Of course I should be mad. But for how long? Could we still be friends now? Do I want that? Does she? Olivia was dying to find out. Tonight.