CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

PERFECT NOW — LOUIS TOMLINSON
If you knew what you were to me
You would never try to hide away

NOVEMBER, 1994.
EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE.

SENIOR YEAR WAS the year of many lasts. Last first day, last school dance, last week of high school exams. It was the benchmark for a lot of people, especially those who never thought they'd make it that far. It was filled with nostalgia for what was and anxiety for what will be.

In the sea of bittersweet excitement, both Olivia and Christa found theirselves wishing that they had more time with each other. It wasn't right that they only found out they were related this year. The three years they spent butting heads could've been spent getting to know each other better.

In the past two months since senior year started, the two girls had formed some semblance of a relationship. It started out on the first day when Olivia brought Christa a muffin her mom had packed her for the boys. It came as a shock to the rest of the student body when Christa let out an amused huff and took it with a small smile. They were far from having a sister bond, but they were on good terms and if they were being generous, they might even call each other friends.

The sisters stood at Olivia's locker just before lunch. The hallway was busy, full of a charged energy since one of their sports team had a game later that night. Olivia was putting her books away while Christa leaned against the locker next to hers with her arms crossed over her chest.

"So," Christa started, her eyes following Olivia as she bent down for a book, "are you going to the assembly?"

A faint memory of a poster in the girls bathroom flashed in her mind. She knew exactly what assembly her half-sister was talking about. The guidance counsellors were having an informational presentation on applying to colleges. Everything from how to apply, to deadlines, to guest speakers from local colleges.

Even though it felt like betraying her band and all of their dreams and ambitions, Olivia had thought about going over a dozen times. For the past year, her music was her future, but lately, she had been feeling quite discouraged. Sunset Curve kept booking shows, but little came from them. They didn't even have a manager yet. She needed options and college just might be one of them.

"What assembly?" Olivia kept her eyes locked on the inside of her locker, not wanting to face Christa's knowing look.

"The one for post secondary applications," Christa reminded. Her tone was mildly condescending, but old habits die hard. Besides, it's not the first time they spoke about this.

"Oh, right." She sounded like she had a million other thoughts on her mind. "That's today?"

Christa nodded her head. "Mhm," she mused, checking her watch. "It starts in five minutes, so if you're done pretending that you haven't been agonizing over it for a month, can we leave before we're late?"

And there it is. Olivia shut her locker and leaned against it. "Do you actually want to go?" She hoped the answer was no so she actually had a valid excuse to skip it.

Christa shrugged carelessly. "Well, yeah," she said as if it were the most obvious thing, "the band is split up so I've got nothing better to do with my future."

How could Olivia forget the infamous break up of Harmony Lane?

After the truth came out about Olivia and Christa's father and it was revealed that Jason knew all along, things were never the same for the once golden group of Los Feliz High School. He and Christa never made up, causing a surge of tension that wedged itself between the band. They tried to ignore it, but eventually, Harmony Lane called it quits. They couldn't function properly when half their band couldn't even be in the same room together.

It was a momentous occasion that Sunset Curve celebrated with a bottle of whiskey stolen from Bobby's dad's liquor cabinet.

Upon seeing her sister's torn expression, Christa sighed. "Olivia, quit worrying. You're gonna get wrinkles. Just come and check it out, you don't have to go to college if you don't want to."

Contemplating her respond, Olivia took some time before tilting her head from shoulder to shoulder. "Yeah, I'll come."

The assembly was boring, filled with tedious instruction and a sprinkle of motivational speaking.

When Olivia walked into that dim auditorium, she wasn't sure what she was expecting to gain, but when she walked out, she was suddenly in possession of a handful of college brochures that would definitely cause more problems than they solved.

SYLVIA'S SWEETS WAS a place the band of Sunset Curve frequently visited. Like their studio and the Montez's house, the quaint bakery located in West Hollywood had a warm atmosphere that felt like home. Its light blue walls and white accents made them feel like they were sitting in a cloud and the pastries always tasted heavenly. They were also allowed to have one free menu item, curtesy of Sylvia loving the boys like they were her own.

The band of five sat at their usual table by the counter. Bobby called a band meeting, claiming that he needed the comfort of sugar and lemonade. He and Allie had been fighting all week and he would never admit it out loud, but beside sugar, he needed his friends to make him feel better.

Alex rested his arm on the circular table and scratched his chin, staring at Bobby with furrowed brows. "How many times have you broken up this past month?"

Bobby, who was sitting with his forehead pressed to the table, groaned miserably. He couldn't comprehend how something that started out so great grew into something so tiring. "Three."

Alex nodded thoughtfully. "And how many times have you gotten back together?"

"Three."

Across from the guitarist, Reggie pointed a finger. "See, that's not healthy."

Bobby lifted his head quickly and sent the boy a sharp glare. "You think I don't know that?"

"Why are you getting defensive?" Reggie practically laughed, unaffected by his bad mood. "You're the one who asked for our opinions."

"Shitty opinions," Bobby muttered bitterly.

"Honest opinions," Olivia corrected with a pointed look, "from people who care about you."

Luke watched as she finished her drink and leaned forward. "Babe, you want a refill?" He asked quietly as Reggie and Bobby started to bicker.

Olivia looked up with surprise written over her face. She still wasn't used to being in a relationship with someone so considerate. "It's okay, I can get it," she replied with a small smile.

"S'alright, Livy." Luke placed a kiss on her cheek before sliding his own cup of lemonade over to her. He took the empty cup and stood, gaining the attention of the others.

"Oh, yeah." Bobby nodded with narrowed eyes. "Rub it in that you're in a happy relationship. It's not like your best friend suffering or anything."

"I'm sorry," Luke replied, sarcasm dripping off his tongue. He started walking away. "Do you want a refill too, baby?"

Bobby rolled his eyes. "Fuck you, Patterson."

"Not for free, Bobby," the guitarist called over his shoulder.

As Luke approached the front counter, Sylvia was ringing up an old couple. He walked behind her with Olivia's cup to where the drinks were, but was stopped by her mom.

"That'll be $6.58." She looked over her shoulder at him then nodded at the back door. "Oh, Luke, there's a fresh pitcher in the back."

"Alright." He nodded, heading through the door to the kitchen. "Thanks, Miss Sylvia."

The first thing he saw when he entered was the door to the storage room wide open. His eyebrows furrowed in curiosity and he slowly made his way over. To his surprise, Mikey was wobbling on a step stool, trying to reach something on the top shelf.

"Hey, Mike. You need help?"

The thirteen year old turned around and let out a sigh of relief. "Yeah, I can't reach the napkins in the back."

Luke chuckled and placed what he was holding on a nearby counter. Mikey moved aside as he entered the room and stepped onto the stool. He grabbed the package of unopened napkins and handed it to the boy.

"Thanks," Mikey said, mildly distracted.

The pair walked out of the storage room and Luke paused when he saw the look on Mikey's face. "What are you thinking about?"

Mikey was shaken out of his thoughts and he looked up. "How did you know I was thinking about something?"

"Olivia scrunches her eyebrows and purses her lips when she's thinking and you look exactly like her right now," he explained, walking over to the fridge where the lemonade was kept. "What's up?"

Mikey let out a sigh and leaned against the big table in the middle of the room. "How did you know that Livy liked you?"

Luke shrugged as he placed a pitcher on the table. "She told me."

"No, I mean before that."

"I don't know," the older boy said honestly, pouring his girlfriend's drink. "I sort of just knew."

"You just knew?" Mikey scoffed. "You're no help."

"Well—Okay." Luke put the pitcher down and racked his brain. "She was always around when the others weren't. And we'd have all these moments that were too friendly to be... well, friendly. And she laughed at all my jokes, even the bad ones. Why are you even asking?"

Mikey let out a dramatic sigh, reminding Luke of how Olivia acted when someone asked her to do something she didn't want to do. It was weird to see how alike the two were. "I want to ask Kat to be my girlfriend, but I don't know if she feels the same way about me as I do about her and it's... confusing."

Luke chuckled and placed the pitcher back in the fridge. "I thought you were already dating."

"Really?" Mikey questioned, probably a little too eager. "So you think she likes me like that?"

"Oh, definitely." Luke nodded. The pair started to walk towards the door that led to the front of the bakery. "But you should probably mention all of this to Alex. It turns out he's kind of protective."

Mikey's face blanched and he looked over to where the rest of Sunset Curve were sitting. "You and Livy will back me up, right?"

Luke shrugged with a teasing smile as he walked back to his friends, leaving Mikey in all his worries.

"Luke," the thirteen year old called. "Luke! Right?!"

RAE SPEAKS !
Ahh... the calm before the storm...