Always and Forever

Chapter 8

Olivia POV

Breakfast was a little awkward. I was shocked he was at the kitchen at an early hour! And as much as I have wanted to join them in the conversation during the meal, I did not know what to say. So I just kept myself mum and excused myself as soon as I was done eating. My heart broke a little when I found out that his girlfriend will be coming over and stay with him. I actually do not know what to feel, I find it hard to process. I was used to thinking and taking everything upfront. I have been crushing on Michael ever since I stayed with Aunt Becky. At first, I just find him attractive, but it began to progress to something more once I started to get to know him through Aunt Becky’s stories. A few times I would catch glimpses of him when the mother and son would talk over skype. Oh, I just love the mystery surrounding him!

I soon come out of the shower and put on a black set of bra and underwear, a black and white tank top, and skinny jeans. I let my hair down and set the waves. I am not really a make-up person, I only put lipstick and eyeliner.

“Chin up, Olivia! No day but today!” I muttered to myself as I got my bag and proceeded to my car in the garage.

I got to school the same time as usual and went straight to my locker. It was still early, but the few students that I get to pass by stopped what they were doing to congratulate me for the election win. I also stopped from walking to say to say hi and thank them. By the time I got to my locker, Bianca was already there waiting for me.

“Hey, Ms. Popular, did you get a good night sleep?” She said with a smirk. She knew we both needed that after a few weeks of sleepless nights.

“Actually, no. The man of my dreams visited,” I opened my locker and then looked at Bianca sideways. I don’t know if she will get the meaning behind what I said.

“Ugh!” Bianca is so dramatic! She should be in the drama club instead of the council.

“This time it was for real,” I smiled slyly while putting books inside my bag.

“Wait! FOR REAL? What do you mean for real? Olivia Adams, spill!” Bianca’s eyes were now wide. I would have laughed at her, but still feeling a bit heavy from the

“Michael Compton is in the town. He arrived last night just when I was about to sleep,” I said, then began to relay to her what happened last night until this morning without leaving out the details. Yes, I included the small information about the girlfriend.

“Wow! He is definitely here. You have to introduce your best friend, girl!” She exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s talk again during lunch, okay? It’s almost first period. And I need your help, I have to organize a party for Aunt Becky. It will be next weekend already.” We had to split up because I have Advance Calculus and she has English Lit for the first period.

Nothing so much happened in the morning. Just a lot more students had approached me, including some teachers. I am really grateful that many had put their trust in me to put me in the council. Lunch period was spent at the field with Bianca and I brainstorming for Aunt Becky’s event. The older woman loves her garden, so I thought of having a garden-themed party. We searched the internet for nearby garden venues and found three. All of the photos were good, but it was the third one that I like best. We have called the first two of the venues, but they were already booked for next week. We still have our last option, and I was really hoping that they are still available.  But if it is also booked, then I have no other choice but to look for a hotel function hall.

“Hi! This is Olivia Adams. I am currently looking for a garden venue for my aunt’s birthday Saturday next week. I saw your website and actually liked the photos in the gallery. I know it’s a short notice. It’s only for about fifty to seventy guests. By any chance you are free that day?” The lady I was talking to said that they are indeed free and if I would like to book, I would have to make a deposit by tomorrow. I gave Bianca a big smile and a thumbs up.

“That’s awesome! I can go there this afternoon for the deposit, before four.” I said to the lady. A few moments after, I gave Bianca a high-five.

“Yes! She can accommodate me until five today!” I raised my arms and did a little happy dance. “Would you like to go with me?” I asked.

“Yay! That was fast. Sure, I’ll go with you. The website says they have an in-house catering service, so I think you will just have to get them. The place had great reviews, so I don’t think there will be any problem at all. What else do we have to think about? Invitations, cake, souvenirs, program.”

“I don’t have time to scout for someone to do the invitations. I will just make them myself tonight, but I will have to drop by the mall for papers. And cake, Bianca? Really? I would just have to do it myself at the bakery.”

“You may want to do cupcakes for the souvenirs. What do you think?” I nodded my agreement to my best friend’s suggestion. We started to get up to go back to our next class.

“You’re brilliant, Bianca! I will have someone at the shop to help me with those.” Bianca grinned at the compliment.

“I know I am brilliant. That’s why we are friends. Great minds think alike.” We laughed at her statement, high-fived and proceeded to our next class.

I had gym for the last class, playing volleyball, and was counting the minutes until the final bell rang. Believe me when I say that gym is one of my favorites this senior year. We have Mr. Wright as our gym teacher, one of the most adorable men I have ever met. Every time I see him, he is always smiling and that makes me smile too. He is tall, dark, and handsome. And in his late twenties. Yeah, you may say that I am into older guys. But, hello?! It’s just a small crush and I am faithful to my one and only. Anyway, I just want to go to the garden venue and tick it off my list.

The final bell rang and we all stopped playing. I was at the other end of the gym and when I started to walk towards the locker rooms, I saw a man approach Mr. Wright, then they bro-hugged. I can clearly see that Mr. Wright was happily surprised with the appearance of the man. I just ignored them and went to change clothes. I texted Bianca to meet me at the parking area. I got out of the locker room and noticed that from the gym the two men got inside of the hallway. I had decided to ignore them when I heard Mr. Wright calling my name. I turned and my jaw almost fell on the floor, if not for the fact that my teacher was there, I would have lost control. Beside him is Michael, wearing black shirt and jeans, showing his muscular body so well.

“Ms. Adams, I didn’t know that you have a body guard.” I can see that Mr. Wright was trying his best not to laugh.

“Oh, hi there, Mr. Wright. Michael. You know each other?” I spoke casually, trying my best not to look so bothered having two gorgeous men with me. I looked at Michael then at Mr. Wright. I really do not know what else to say. I was shocked that he’s here at school!

“I was his biggest nightmare, Ms. Adams!” Now, he’s laughing. “No, just kidding. We were buddies from long time ago, until he left this town and never came back until now.”

“Shut up, Connor.” Michael then faced me. “Mom dropped me an hour ago. I studied high school here, so I thought of visiting. I knew Connor here is teaching gym, but I did not know that you are in his class. I should have warned you to drop the subject.” Michael is now looking at Mr. Wright with a smirk on his face. Mr. Wright giving him a glare back.

“I am done with the visit anyway. I’ll see you Friday night, buddy.” Michael said to Mr. Wright.

“Good to see you again, Mike. I will text you the address later.” Mr. Wright saluted, gave Michael a bro-hug, then he turned to go back to the gym.

There was a brief silence. I was about to say that I will go ahead, when Michael spoke.

“Could I get a ride, Olivia?” Michael asked.

“I am going to this place for Aunt Becky’s party to check it out and to pay the deposit. You are free to come with us though. It will be just me and Bianca, my best friend. If not, perhaps I could drop you off first at home.” I feel like blabbering and just want to shut up. I can’t look at him straight in the eyes.

“No need. I’ll come with you.” I nodded and we walked silently to the parking area. I can feel a few females gawking at Michael

When I saw Bianca, she was frowning. She was waiting for almost fifteen minutes. I hope I can make it up to her by introducing my boyfriend. In my dreams!

When we were near the car, Bianca’s frown turned into a puzzled look. Then her eyes went bigger when she realized who’s walking beside me. I am giving her the behave-yourself-look, hoping that she will not embarrass me.

“Michael, this is my best friend, Bianca. Bianca, this is Michael, Aunt Becky’s son. He will come with us to the party venue,” I said, introducing the two of them.

“Nice to meet you, Bianca. I am sorry to bother your time with Olivia.” Michael said politely, smiling a little.

“Uhm, nice to meet you, too. And no problem at all. You can seat in front, so you can have more leg room.” Great Bianca! Just great! How can I focus on driving now?

The venue is just about a twenty to thirty-minute drive from school. During the ride, Michael said he wants to help with the planning. He doesn’t have anything to do anyways. I do not know if that would be a great idea, since when do men take part in organizing events? But I will think of something he could do. But first, I informed him of my plans for the event, that I chose this venue because his mom’s love for gardens, that I would probably be getting their in-house catering, that I will handle the cake and souvenirs, and that I will be making the invitations. Suddenly, an idea popped in my head.

“I got the job for you. Can you go around town, probably Friday, to deliver the invitations? I will make sure to finish them tonight. I already have the design in mind. But we still have to ask your mom for the list of guests and the addresses.” I said to Michael as we parked the car.

“I’ll do it.” Michael said. Without his mom and friend with us, he becomes so stiff. I don’t know if he is not comfortable with me. It’s weird.

We reached the office and met Cherry, the girl who I talked to earlier. I got good vibes from Cherry. She’s actually nice, showing us around the venue and informing us of what to expect from them. The garden was beautiful, just like in the website. It was perched on a cliff overlooking the town. The guests will be welcomed by olive trees, making a natural archway. It feels so romantic in here, imagining the fairy lights that will be hanging all around the venue.

Cherry mentioned that we were lucky that the slot opened for us. It was booked until the organizer called them yesterday, cancelling the event because of some reason. Bianca got busy taking photos of the garden, while I did all the asking. Michael was just observing and listening to us. We all liked the set-up and have decided to make the deposit already. We went back to the office to finalize the details. The package will include the venue, the buffet catering, the mobile bar, the photographer and videographer, a band, and a photobooth. It costs us about Thirty Thousand Dollars, so we have to at least pay half of it upfront. I was quite surprised with the cost, but I think it is only fair enough since we started the planning late and everything is luxurious. I put my debit card on the table the same time Michael held out his credit card to Cherry. The lady is now confused on which card to take, while I saw Bianca and Michael shocked on what I did. Bianca knew I have money, but she was not expecting me to have that much funds to pay for the party. If it was only Bianca with me, I would have told her that Aunt Becky transferred funds to my account to pay for the party expenses. But since Michael is here, I could not say that as he can confirm it to his mom later. I did not tell Aunt Becky my plans, since I wanted it to be a surprise. Her only concern is to give names for the invitees. For all she knows, I will just be booking a restaurant. So, what to do now? Cherry and Bianca were looking at the two of us.

I looked at Michael and said, “I have been saving up for Aunt Becky’s party. Perhaps we can split the cost? I pay now, then you pay the other half?”

“Cherry, take my card please.” He called on Cherry, but he did not avert his gaze from me. His voice was cold that Cherry could do nothing but get the card and process the payment. I took my card back and thanked Cherry for accommodating us.

A few moments later, we were finally back in my car. The drive home was uneventful, with Bianca and I just talking about school. When we were near her house, she suddenly told me that we forgot to get the papers for the invitations. I froze then just said that I’ll get them. I also reminded her, and that includes Michael even if he’s not talking to me, not to say anything to Aunt Becky about the party. We said our goodbyes, with her saying bye also to Michael, to which Michael answered with only a wave of his hand.

It was now only me and Michael. I turned the radio on, not caring what song is being played. I just want something on the background to ease the tension between us. I can feel he was bothered when I offered to pay earlier.

I cleared my throat and almost said in a whisper, “I will be going to the mall for a while. I can drop you home first.” He just nodded.

It was almost midnight when I have completed printing the invitations and was done with my homework. I bought packs of semi-glossed white paper and green parchment paper, brown ribbons, and glossy envelopes. I have designed the invitation through an app, so it made everything else easy. I liked how they turned out.

Tomorrow is another day. I felt uneasy knowing that I will be seeing Michael again tomorrow. I saw him at dinner earlier, but only for a few minutes. I hurried eating as I had many things to do. Not once did he look at me.

I was already in my bed, thinking about him. His face is already imprinted in my mind. Now that he is here, so now what? As if he would take notice of me as a woman. I am twelve years his junior. He still knew me as the fourteen-year-old girl that his mother took for foster care. And Aunt Becky will not approve of us to be together. And last but not the least, he already has a girlfriend! Probably, Bianca is right. I should not waste my time on Michael. I would just have to avoid him too. Starting tomorrow.