Chapter nine: Apologies, makeups, and fights.

O L I V I A

I looked around the club, trying to spot either Sam or Griffin. It took a while but I finally tracked them down at some booth. I quickly waded through the crowd, unsteady on my feet. I slipped in beside Griffin, interrupting their conversation.

"Hey," I greeted.

They looked at each other uncertainly.

"I don-" I stopped myself. "I won't bite," I corrected, laughing.

That earned me surprised and curious looks. I beamed at them.

"How much did you drink?" Sam questioned me with a frown.

"Not much," I giggled.

"She's drunk," she stated, looking at Griffin. He looked amused.

I smiled. "I'm not."

"Your gaze is slightly unfocused and you are smiling. That's not right. You wanted to kill us both a few hours ago," she analyzed. "You are drunk."

"I'm not swaying and I just walked in a straight line," I countered.

"Well, then you're tipsy," Sam said. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm sober enough," I replied. "Let's do shots? Tequila?"

"No," they denied in sync.

"I'm taking you home," Griffin declared.

"But home is miles away," I whined.

"Then we'll make do with the resort," he retorted. "Let's go."

I pouted. "No."

"Olive." He groaned.

"Let her be, Griffin," Sam smirked. "Maybe this will work in our favor."

"What favor?" I asked at the same time Griffin said, "She's drunk, not stupid."

"Let's test that theory," Sam said. Her eyes twinkled with an evil promise.

"Ohhh." I blinked, nodding in realization. "You're late, bitch." I gave her a lopsided grin.

Sam and Griffin exchanged another look. I rolled my eyes indiscreetly.

"What are you talking about?" Griffin asked stiffly.

"You know what I'm talking about," I said, moving to take his drink. He quickly put it out of my reach with a reproachful look. I sulked.

"I don't." He kept on track. "Or I hope I don't. Please tell me you didn't talk to Kaison."

"Ooo, but I did." I tittered. I shot Sam a puppy dog look and she slid me her drink with a smug simper. Griffin frowned at her but I drank happily. It tasted like Vodka. I saw her mouth 'trust me' at him. He allowed reluctantly.

"What did you guys talk about?" Sam asked me sweetly.

"Same old, same old," I answered willingly. "Break-up, I hate you, I'm sorry, fuck off, etc."

"Did you kiss and make up?" She asked, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"Nope," I popped the 'p'. Then I sighed wistfully. "I wish we did though."

Sam laughed. "I fucking knew it."

I beamed at her while Griffin facepalmed.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered. I grabbed his arm and leaned my head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "Don't be mad at me."

"I'm not mad," he grumbled.

"I'm sorry," I sang again.

"We need to get you to sober up," he said, uncapping a water bottle. "Drink."

"Didn't you want me to talk it all out this evening?" I questioned, drinking obediently even though I was full. I scrunched up my nose when I was done. "This doesn't taste good. I want tequila."

"I said that only to get you to talk to her." He jabbed a finger in Sam's direction, blatantly ignoring my complaints. She was busy texting away on her phone with an excited smile on her face. "That cheater doesn't deserve to get a chance to talk to you."

"But I love him," I mumbled.

"Olive!" He groaned. "God, I wish George was here."

"He's cute," I remarked.

"I know," Griffin stated smugly. "And he's mine."

"Mine too," I complained.

He narrowed his eyes down at me. "No."

"But-"

"Cut it out, you guys," Sam interrupted. "Let's have some fun. We can finally get Liv to dance with us. Let's take advantage of this opportunity."

"But-" Griff began.

"No buts, let's go!" She deftly grabbed our hands and dragged us out towards the dance floor.

The night consisted of us dancing, taking shots, getting wasted, and letting loose.

* * * * *

I winced at the sharp pain that woke me up. I squinted at the light that danced on my eyelids and cowered away from it, trying to find some respite. No such luck.

I sat up with another groan, hiding my face in my palms to get my bearings. What the fuck was happening? My memory had a lot of clefts. I had a lot of questions to ask, the first one being: how did I get back to my room?

I peeked down from between my fingers to see that I was in the same dress.

At least I don't have to worry about who saw me naked.

I pushed my body to stand up and pulled the curtains close. My head was throbbing. I trudged to the washroom and did a double-take at my appearance. It took me a moment to realize that although my hair resembled a bird's nest, my face was almost completely free of make-up.

The fuck?

I shook myself and fished out the medical kit and searched for an Advil only to discern that my genius brain had given the entire pack to Carter the morning after our bonfire. I groaned and rang the room service, ordering myself a strong coffee along with the pills before I began working on cleaning up, showering, and getting into a fresh set of clothes.

Half an hour later I was sitting in the shade of the small patio attached to my room, sipping my drink. They had told me when I had called for room service that there was no breakfast banquet that day. Everyone was hungover. Lunch was scheduled at the usual time.

A tentative knock sounded at the door.

I got up, opening to see my best friends at the door. They came in without invitation, both of them holding their drinks in their hands.

"Wassup?" I asked, walking back to the patio.

They followed me so I sat down on the floor, against the wall since there were only two chairs. Griffin put his drink down on the table, took mine, and did the same before he picked me up and sat me down on one of the chairs. Sam laughed, seating herself on the other.

"I could've done this myself," I told him.

"But you wouldn't have. I just saved us five minutes of pointless arguments." He shrugged, sitting down himself. He took his cup and drank his coffee.

"Meh." I picked up my cup, folding my ankles under my hip. "How did I get back to my room?"

"I don't know," Griffin said sheepishly.

Hun. I had thought maybe it was him.

"Same," Sam answered, deliberately avoiding my eye. I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously.

"Liar," I called her out. I would've believed her had she not avoided eye contact and agreed with Griffin unnecessarily.

"I'm not lying," she defended, her voice going up an octave.

Oh, she was definitely lying.

I groaned as I felt my mind gearing up to cook possible, highly embarrassing scenarios of how the night might've gone. 

"Sam, just tell me."

She mumbled incoherently behind her cup.

"What?" Griffin frowned.

"You heard me!" She protested, her cheeks reddening.

"No, we didn't," I said, mirroring Griff's frown. She looked at me, almost begging me not to press her. That made my stomach churn and my need to know grow. "Tell me."

"Kaison," she grumbled louder in defeat.

Why was I not surprised? Griffin cursed outrightly.

"How do you even know?" I inquired over him. "Didn't we get wasted together?"

"What's the last thing you remember?" She asked, not looking at Griffin at all.

"Taking shots you guys and then dancing with everyone," I answered. "After that, it's a blur."

She grinned. "So you remember before that?"

I sighed, turning my face to the beach. "I do," I said reluctantly.

"Oh, Liv!" She rejoiced. I gave her a dry look and she curbed her excitement.

"So, you guys sorted it all?" She asked.

"One can say that," I said hesitantly.

"Do you still love him? Really? Did you tell him?"

I sat quietly, letting the ocean fill our silence.

"What is going on with you, Samantha?" Griffin asked stiffly. I froze. I knew that tone.

"What?" She questioned innocently. She knew it, too.

"From the longest time, you've been Team Kaison. What's up with that?"

I'd like to know the answer to this, too.

She scoffed. It was borderline defensive. "What? Don't be ridiculous."

"You have been pushing Liv to talk to Kaison for months. I saw you talking to him yesterday. Your telegram has a lock now. You are too chummy with Joshua. What the fuck is going on?" He asked her sharply. I looked at her curiously. I didn't know the half of it myself.

Um, she has a Telegram?

"You're delusional," she stated, keeping her calm. She was too calm, which ignited my curiosity even more.

"Why?" Griffin pressed.

"It's nothing," she denied.

"Why?" He asked again, more assertively.

"God! No." She huffed. "You wouldn't understand even if I told you!"

"Try me," he challenged.

She glared fiercely. "No."

I rubbed my head tiredly. My headache which had been subsiding was returning, sponging off the tension around us.

"Breakfast?" I offered in an attempt to cork the squabble.

I wasn't lying yesterday. I was tired of fighting. It was making me too drained. It just wasn't me. I had always been more of a forgive-and-forget kind of person. Holding grudges wasn't my forte and neither was enduring conflicts.

Their glowers shifted to me and I squirmed.

"Geez, chill," I mumbled. "I'm sorry. I won't interrupt. Go ahead."

"Hey!"

What the-

"Kai," I cursed.

"Hi," Sam sang. My eyes snapped to her. She was smiling and waving at him.

"What the fuck?" Griffin voiced my thoughts.

"Griff," I cautioned reluctantly. He looked ready to kill. He gave me a displeased look and I shrank back, meekly sipping my coffee.

Kai neared further, oblivious to the tension surrounding us. "Good morning!"

Isn't he hungover?

"Good morning!" Sam chirped back.

Seriously, what's wrong with her?

"Good morning, Griffin, Livvy." He grinned.

"'Morning," I mumbled while Griffin just ignored him. It didn't deter Kai. He proceeded to sit down on the steps of the patio.

"Killer party last night, hun?" He smiled.

"Tell me about it! It was just like high school, only better!" Sam gushed.

I looked at her in betrayal. How could she? Was she blind? Could she not see? Had she lost her ability to read her room or was she just ignoring all the red flags and flying stag? I watched her for another minute, making animated conversation with Kaison before I couldn't take it anymore.

"Excuse me," I muttered, walking into the room.

Fuck being polite. They should be glad I didn't close the fucking window, too.

Griffin followed not a moment later.

"Get o-"

"Something is fishy," he murmured.

Oh. I decided not to kick him out.

"I know, right?" I agreed, plopping down on the bed. He sat down beside me and we faced the patio. My gaze landed on Kai but he was already looking at me. I looked away, feeling my face burning.

Griffin noticed.

"Did you mean it? When you said that you still love him?" He asked gently.

Straight to the uncomfortable questions, I see.

"I was drunk," I brushed him off.

"Olive," he sighed, "Your cheeks are red. All he had to do was look at you."

I cringed, finishing my coffee and depositing the empty cup on the bedside table.

"Okay, maybe I do," I hedged.

"I wish you didn't," he exhaled. "It's toxic for you."

I gulped, hyperaware of that fact.

"I know," I whispered. "But I can't help it. I feel so stupid."

"Don't." He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him. I buried my head in his shoulder to hide the few tears that escaped. "Do you want me to kick him out?"

"No," I sniffled. I debated whether to say more or not.

"Say it," he coaxed. "Holding it in is just going to hurt you even more."

"I still want him," I confessed with a small sob. "Why do I still want him, Griff?"

"Because you love him," he said softly, rubbing my back comfortingly.

"But I don't want to," I cried. "I'm tired of being this person. I don't like how he controls me so much when he doesn't even give a fuck about me."

"It'll be alright," he soothed.

"I told him I'll give him another chance, last night. I don't know if I have it in me."

"It's okay. You don't have to do anything you don't want."

"But he's Kai. That's exactly what I'm afraid of doing. I'll end up doing anything for him, go to any lengths. My love for him cripples me."

"Shh," he kissed the top of my head, "They're coming."

"What's going on?" I heard Kai ask. I pulled back, discreetly wiping my cheeks. I was thankful for Griffin's black shirt that hid all the evidence of the few tears I had shed. Well, at least till the shirt was still wet.

"Nothing," Griffin told them.

"Why's she crying, then?"

"I'm not crying," I denied, trying not to react to the way my voice sounded heavy.

"Tell that to your red eyes and hoarse voice," he chided.

"It's just a headache." I sighed, only half lying.

"Headache?" He repeated skeptically.

"Yes, Kai. A headache. You know that thing when your-" I was interrupted by his phone ringing. I froze when I heard the ringtone. He quickly flipped it out and canceled the call.

"I know what a headache is." He frowned, turning it around in his hand. "I knew I shouldn't have let you drink so much last night."

I shouldn't have. 

What did that mean? And what made him think that he could 'let' me do anything? My head pounded harder.

"Whatever. I'll be fine after I sleep my hangover off. Bye." I waved deliberately.

"Did you take your medicine?" He asked me, ignoring my blatant attempt at ejecting him out of the room.

Why did he have to make it more difficult than it already was?

Because he cares, some part of my brain helpfully supplied.

The fuck. I don't need you now. Shoo!

"Yes, Kaison. Now can I sleep?" I croaked.

"I-" His phone rang again and he swore.

"Take it," I told him. "Go."

He looked around the room once and then exhaled in defeat.

"Take care of her," he muttered as he walked backwards, stepping out into the patio.

"We will and have been for the last six years," Griffin snapped. "We don't need you telling us that."

Kaison paused, nodded, turned around, and left. I sagged in relief as the tension in my body ebbed away. I tried not to think of the growing hole in my heart again.

"How long do you plan on pushing him away?" Sam asked disapprovingly.

"How long do you plan on playing his advocate?" Griffin bit out. "Have you forgotten what he did?"

"Of course, not!" She protested. "But he's changed, she's changed and we've changed. Things are different now. That happened six years ago, Griffin."

He shook his head. "He cheated, Samantha."

"And he's suffered the consequences. It's obvious that he still loves her," she argued. "And it's clear as day that she returns his sentiments. She even admitted it."

"I was drunk!" I defended. After seeing her buddy up to Kaison I didn't want to tell her anything about how I was feeling, let alone the fact that I was still in love with her client.

"And I know for a fact that when you're drunk, the only thing that comes out of that pretty little mouth of yours is the truth."

True. That's why I hadn't gotten drunk in years. A wise man once said 'drunk talks are sober thoughts'.

"What do you fucking want, Samantha?!" I burst on her, hating how she was attacking me. "Why the fuck do you want to push me so much?"

"I just want you to have c-"

"Closure?" I completed. "I had it. Last night."

"And now you-"

"Oh, my God," I put my head in my hands. "And to think I was going to thank you. Never mind."

She sighed. "Liv."

"No," I said decisively.

"I have my reasons for being this way," she placated.

"What reasons?" Griffin demanded.

She bit her lip. " . . . I can't tell you guys that." 

"Right." I scoffed. "Just leave."

"Just trust me," she pleaded.

"I'm sorry," I pulled the comforter around me, "I think you guys should leave now."

"Are you sure, Olive?" Griffin asked, his concern evident.

No.

"Yes." I forced a smile. He nodded, convinced. They got up and left. I stood up after they went and locked the door. I faceplanted on the bed. My phone pinged and I pulled it close to me, reading the notification on the lock screen.

Unknown
ik u haven't saved my number but do it soon
stop overthinking everything and sleep
take care livvy

Urrgghhh. Butterflies danced in my belly. I couldn't hate him even when I wanted to. He was so much like the Kai I fell in love with all those years back. My phone pinged again.

Unknown
i love u

I clenched my eyes shut and pulled the covers over my head. I was too lazy to get up again and close the curtains and I had to sleep. My hangover had to go. Warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners with an unspoken delight fleeted in front of my lids and I groaned.

Kill me now.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A/N: TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE THINKING!!!

. . . pwease? lol

But no, seriously. I would love to know your thoughts.

What's Sam hiding?? Do you really believe she's Team Kaison? Are there even two teams or is it all a farce? lol.

QOTD: What's your ship name for Kaison and Olivia?

Take care. See you guys tomorrow!

All my love,
xoxo.