Olivia's POV

We're sitting in silence.

It's been long enough now that we should at least have something on the blank canvas glaring disapprovingly at us from the corner of the room.

We don’t.

Freddie and I haven’t said a word to each other in the hour we’ve been in the workroom. It feels like I’ve built an invisible wall, cutting off any communication between us since I told him about my past. Looking back, I regret it. We’re not even close, what was I thinking?

I wouldn’t be surprised if he spread it around the entire school; that’s just the kind of person he is. I sigh quietly, frustrated by the lack of inspiration in my planning folder. My pounding head sinks into my hands. I have nothing.

“Olivia?”

I glance up to see Freddie standing halfway across the room, staring at my painting of the house on the hill.

“Y… yes?”

“Did you paint this?” His tone is casual, but I can hear a faint trace of disbelief.

His question instantly puts me on the defensive. “Yes. Is there a problem with it?”

“No. God, no!” His enthusiasm catches me off guard, and even he seems surprised by it. Clearing his throat, he reins himself in. “It’s good. There’s real emotion behind it, I can tell. I’m guessing it holds some kind of significance?”

I nod hesitantly. “Tom McKenzie took the photo when we went camping a few years ago. It’s all thanks to him.”

“I’m so fucking jealous of McKenzie,” Freddie says suddenly, shaking his head. “He’s an all-rounder, good at everything. He could have any girl he wants with the snap of a finger, but he’s just… not interested. All the girls like me too, obviously,” he adds with a smirk, “and I’m a much better choice, but I have to work that tiny bit harder.”

I blink, not sure how to respond.

“You two are close?”

I nod again, surprised we’re actually having a conversation.

“Interesting.” He shrugs, his casual demeanor returning. “Anyway, I’m heading out. Safe to say I’ve served my time in this shit hole of a school.”

With that, he saunters out of the room, and moments later, I hear the unmistakable roar of his sleek, black motorbike engine. He’s gone.

Left alone, I return to my easel, staring at the uninspired ideas scattered across my planning folder. I’ve jotted notes about pieces inspired by Monet, Salvador Dalí, and more but none of them seem to stick.

I decide to postpone my progress for another day and start packing away the paints, brushes, and watercolors strewn across the table. The repetitive motion is oddly calming—

“Alicia, she’s in here.” Hallie Ross’s shrill, overly sweet voice cuts through the quiet.

I try to ignore them and continue tidying up, but cold, claw-like fingers wrap around my wrist, yanking me upright. Suddenly, I’m face-to-face with Alicia James. Her towering height, thanks to six-inch knee-high boots, forces me to look up at her.

“You snake,” she jeers, her warm breath making the hairs on my neck stand on end. “You just want it all, don’t you?”

“I… I don’t understand what you mean.” I’m genuinely confused, having only encountered her a handful of times, most notably yesterday.

Scoffing incredulously, she leans down to my level. “You know exactly what I mean, you sly little bitch.”

She spits the last word like venom, her tone transforming from patronizing to menacing.

“First, you latch onto Tom McKenzie. I’ve told you before, you’re punching way above your weight if you think you stand a chance with someone like him. What would he want with you? Oh, I know. He probably just feels sorry for you because you have no friends of your own. Am I right?”

Her words hit me like a punch to the chest. I feel winded, like she’s sucked the air out of my lungs. Tears sting the corners of my eyes, but I can tell she’s not finished.

“And now,” she sneers, “you’re trying to worm your way into Freddie Hutchinson’s good graces.” She gives Hallie a smug, knowing glance before continuing.

“It was a nice little act you pulled yesterday, I’ll give you that. Clever, even. But let me warn you now, Olivia: stay away from Freddie and stay away from me. Cross me, and I swear you’ll regret it.”

Her voice oozes false sweetness, but her words drip with malice. I shrink into myself under her gaze until something she says catches my attention.

“What act?”

“Oh, don’t play dumb, Olivia,” she snaps. “What I mean is the little stunt you pulled to make Freddie come to your rescue. Lucky for you, I was across the street yesterday and saw the whole thing.”

My mouth falls open in shock as the pieces start to fall into place. The stares, the whispers, it all makes sense now.

“You mean Freddie helped me yesterday?”

“Don’t act so innocent,” she snarls. “You’re not worth it. Come on, Hallie.”

The two of them strut out of the room, laughing as they go, but their cruel words leave a bitter sting. My temper flares as their laughter fades.

Without thinking, I storm out of the workroom, determined to find out where Freddie lives.

Let’s see what he has to say for himself.

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Author's Note: This is a side of Olivia we haven’t seen yet, and I can’t wait to show you what happens next! Don’t forget to vote, comment, and follow for more. I love reading all your thoughts!