Chapter 4

I'm with you – Avril Lavigne

The ensuing weeks were quite busy for Felicity and the Computer Science Club. The software program they had presented at the competition organized by the city council IT department, had gained them the first price, and the participation at a national competition at the MIT.

The first week of April, just after Spring Break, they were supposed to fly to Boston and spend a long weekend at the MIT. The level of excitement of the class amused Oliver. He tried to maintain a straight face while listening to them talking, especially when it was Felicity. On the other hand he was truly glad for Felicity. First of all because she was going to visit that prestigious University. The MIT was the last place he could have been admitted in, but for Felicity it could be a real chance. And then because he had seen how hard and diligently she had worked on the project. He couldn't be more different. He always studied the minimum required and was keen on any chance to have a good time.

Spring Break came and went. The competition was getting close. Felicity and the other guys were leaving on Thursday and Mr. Norrington had the brilliant idea of making a test on the Wednesday before the departure. Not that it was a problem for Felicity, but she had so much to do before.

The weather had been so warm lately that students were having their lunch break in the yard just outside the school cafeteria. That Wednesday Felicity was sitting alone at the table, since Jeb and Emily were gone for the day with the school band. She was writing down her notebook what items she wanted to take with her to Boston. She had barely written down anything, she was so excited for the trip that her mind flipped from one thing to another.

Felicity raised her head from the notebook and saw three girls walking beside her. They noticed her and gave each other an assertive look. One of them, a ginger called Brianna, rested her hand on the table and said:

"So you are Felicity Smoak, aren't you?"

"I am. What can I do for you?" She answered cautiously.

The ginger laughed "Nothing" She glanced amused at her friends.

"We've seen you talking to Oliver Queen and we were wondering what's so interesting in you that he would do that"

Yeah because if Oliver Queen doesn't talk to you you're not worth of any kind of attention. Felicity raised an eyebrow thinking of what to say. It's always difficult to answer stupid questions.

"We…we attend the same class"

"There's got to be more than that darling!"

"Why don't you ask him?" That question sounded a bit offensive.

"I might. But I wanted to see myself. Geeks like you are usually so boring. No offence!" She said giving her the fakest smile.

Oliver was having lunch with Tommy and Laurel, not far from Felicity's table.

"Ollie, I need to go to the school library to drop this book" Laurel said kissing his forehead. He nodded and smiled. She waved at Tommy and left.

"Ollie?" Tommy called him.

"Yes?"

"Does Felicity know Brianna?"

"I don't think so, why?"

Tommy pointed his finger in front of him and Oliver turned around. He saw Brianna, a junior he unfortunately knew too well. The look on Felicity's face was a bit uncomfortable. He got up the bench and collected his school text.

"What are you doing?" Tommy asked. Oliver stared at him as if it wasn't obvious.

"Finding out if Felicity knows Brianna…" he said quietly.

Oliver approached Felicity's table and heard Brianna say "…like you are usually so boring. No offence!" Well, of course she was being sneaky.

"Hello Felicity! Am I interrupting something?" He said giving a sharp look to Brianna.

"Ehm…hi Oliver. No, just talking"

"I didn't know you were acquainted with them"

"We aren't…" She babbled.

"Good, you're smarter than that" He said without taking his eyes off Felicity. "I forgot to ask you this morning, are we still doing the revision for tomorrow's test?" He winked at her.

"Ehm…oh...yes of course. Sorry, I've been distracted with the trip to Boston, you know"

"Don't apologize for this. In your shoes I would be the same" He wouldn't, but he was playing the game.

Brianna sighted and said annoyed "I've got to go, see you around Oliver"

Oliver didn't watch Brianna walking away but looked at Felicity and said "Later ok? Same place same hour"

Tommy, who had assisted at the scene from afar, run to him.

"Oliver we really need to talk. NOW!" He muttered.

"Ok, what's bothering you?" Oliver asked while they were walking back to the school building.

"Did you realize you just made yourself look like a fool? Were you trying to be the knight in shining armor trying to save the damsel in distress?"

Oliver moaned and shook his head.

"Felicity didn't need to be saved. But you know Brianna…"

"Bitch is her second name" Tommy nodded.

"Well she was being her usual self, so I'm glad I stopped by"

Tommy put his hands on his hips and made a half smile.

"You did give an impression. You've never cared about other students being bullied"

Oliver became shifty "What are you trying to say?"

"Oliver I've known you all of my life. What's going on with that kid?"

"Nothing!" he said slightly surprised.

"The thing is…how much does it take for a naïve girl like Felicity to fall for you? In these past two months I've seen how she looks at you. And I've seen how you look at her and how you act around her" He paused. "Oliver, don't play with her, she doesn't deserve it"

"I am not playing with her Tommy! I genuinely like….her" Oliver looked down at his feet and smiled. He liked her. "I've no intention to hurt her!" He seemed alarmed.

"If I were you, I would think about the situation. And about your feelings"

"Tommy, you seem to forget about Laurel!"

"You're not a saint" he said.

"Even if there wasn't Laurel…the idea of me and Felicity is silly. She is too good for someone like me" he admitted.

"You'd need to be another kind of Oliver"

Oliver was hitting the ball in the baseball practice field, when he saw the school bus driving in front of the school. A small group of students gathered near it. Teacher Norrington, Felicity and the 4 other student of the Computer Science Club. They were leaving for the airport to catch their flight for Boston.

Much to his teacher and classmates surprise, that morning during the C.S. lesson Oliver had wished them good luck for the competition. He suddenly felt there was something missing.

He dropped his bat and went to his coach.

"Coach, may I leave for a few minutes?" He added. "A family matter"

His coach was puzzled "You may. But I want you back in 15 minutes because we are starting a practice game"

"Promised!" Then Oliver asked for a piece of paper and a pen and sat down on the bench to write something. He folded the paper, put it in his pocket and left the field running.

Felicity was helping the driver to place his hand-luggage in the trunk.

She heard Mr. Norrington say:

"Queen what are doing here? Does your coach know you left the practice?"

"He knows sir. May I speak to Felicity for a second?"

"No need to ask. But we are leaving in a few minutes, so hurry up!"

Oliver went to Felicity, who was astonished.

He took the piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her.

"Hey don't open it yet" he said "Only if you win the competition, ok?"

"Ok…but what it is?"

"Only if you win the competition" He repeated with a wide smile.

Felicity said nothing and put the note in her bag. Nor Jeb or Emily, or even her own mother, had shown such a real interest in this competition thing. Oliver had left the practice to give her that paper. She didn't even care now what was written in there, it was the gesture, so unexpected and so sweet from Oliver. She so wanted to hug him but she didn't have the courage to do so, and then he had rushed back to the baseball field.

Boston was wonderful. The MIT was the most awesome place. Felicity was so excited that she didn't know if she should scream or cry. University was still 3 years ahead but MIT was definitely the place she wanted to go. During that long weekend she decided that she would have done EVERYTHING to get admitted.

They won the competition and the prize was a month summer course at MIT.

July couldn't come soon enough, Felicity thought. That night in her hotel room, Felicity sat in the bed her legs crossed, and took out of the bag the note Oliver had given her. She opened it and started to read his elegant handwriting.

I knew you were going to open this message, and not out of curiosity. Congratulations! You are a remarkable person Felicity; I'm very happy and also proud of you.

Unfortunately I'm not going to learn about your victory until Monday, that's why I ask you to do me a favor. Text me! This is my number…

Oliver had asked to text him about the victory! Felicity pressed the paper on her chest and let a long sigh out. You're making it really difficult not to care about you, Oliver. She took her cell phone and started typing.