“Didn’t know he was in drama,” Michael looked at the photo in the yearbook Vivi gave him. It was from 2003 and showed photos of Oliver and Vivi, though it was gray and slightly blurry; he could tell it was Quick by the smile and nose, Vivi was also in the photo. They were both dressed in medieval clothing and were looking at each other, Oliver was on one knee and had her hand in his as he kissed it.
Vivi was sitting on her bed and shrugged as she looked at another yearbook.
“He did it for about two years before stopping before sophomore year, shame cause he was good at it.” She moved the yearbook back into the box she had kept them in, keeping out the one that Michael was reading.
“So you were his friend?”
“Not really, we talked at school and occasionally he’d come over to my house to rehearse for plays but besides that? Sorta a lone wolf.” Michael glanced back at Vivi who offered a small smile, as she moved to sit at her desk. Michael glanced to where she sat and noticed her hair was now tied up with a hair elastic. It made her features look more prominent, delicate…pretty.
“What was he like in school then, was he an ass kisser back then?” He knew that she’d probably be confused by the venom in his tone but he didn’t care, a gnawing feeling that he wanted to know.
“Quiet, but he’d always lie about the smallest things: Once he lied about sleeping with a cheerleader at some party, she said that they only kissed. He lied about stealing someone’s lunch, or lie that his mum worked at a known company.”
“So he’s always been a liar then?” Vivi tilted her head curiously as he said that, as if the anger in his voice was slightly confusing for him.
“He never was mean, just quiet and a liar.”
And a fucking ass licker.
His blood started slightly boiling at the thought of his ex friend; were they close? No but they were still friends and Michael thought he could trust Oliver. He clenched his fist and unclenched.
Vivi seemed to notice that, getting up from the chair and making it to where he sat. Taking the yearbook out of his hands and closing it before putting it under her bed.
“What happened between you and Oliver to make you think he’s the devil or something worse?” Michael hesitantly stood and licked his lips, the question made him feel slightly uncomfortable.
Personal questions made him feel uncomfortable, like his mother asking if he had a girlfriend yet. He’d always preferred his father asking about how he was doing in school. He did tell his cousin about Oliver though his cousin simply said that what he did was good.
“Long story…but I guess short one being that he was an arse of a friend and ignored me most time in favor of looking at Catton.” Looking back the memory of him leaving to sit with Felix and his friends still stung slightly, with Oliver not even bothering when Michael waved back. He felt like he was in fucking middle school waving to a girl he fancied.
Vivi put a comforting hand on his shoulder and Michael felt a small feeling of comfort in the gesture, even if the person was a slight stranger. He looked at the bed where she put the book and thought of the photo again; Oliver kissing Vivi’s hand as if they were in love, a small bubble of jealousy formed in his stomach and he didn’t know why.
“Sorry…that does sound oddly like Oliver, he never really stuck to a group of friends. I offered so many times to be his friend yet he always seemed not interested, did make friend with one of the cheerleaders…she was the one he lied about.”
Michael looked at her and offered a small smile her, he didn’t know why but when she looked at him. He felt slightly more warm, as if a small cozy fire had been lit inside of him. Her hand was still on his shoulder which she probably noticed because she quickly let go of his shoulder, he could’ve sworn her face became a bit pink before she quickly turned away.
“You should probably get back to your dorm, getting a bit late.” He looked at the door and back at her, or rather the back of her head.
“Probably right…thanks for letting me know some stuff about the bootlicker.” At that, she seemed to smile a bit at that.
“Bootlicker?” Michael shrugged and smiled slightly more, raising a brow as she started laughing a bit.
“I do, just makes me laugh whenever someone says it, mum used to say that whenever John was a flatterer.” He raised a brow.
“Friend of yours?” She shook her head and pointed to a photo of her and what looked to be her family, her fathers face seemed slightly more stern while Vivi and a boy (who was probably John) were smiling like nothing could bring them down.
“Brother, he was the one who brought me to here. He means well, even though he rummaged through dad’s liquor cabinet.” She smiled a bit and looked out of the window.
“Christ it’s getting dark, here.” She hesitated to go to the door and so Michael went to it, he looked back at the photo. It was taken outside in what looked to be October. He wondered what happened to her that caused her to end up with agoraphobia.
“See you in French?” Michael was brought out of his thoughts when he heard her voice, he nodded and was near it.
“Oui, mademoiselle.” He cringed when he said it, before she could say a word.
He made it to his dorm, wishing he could sew his mouth closed, he made his way to his bed. Pulling a pair of sweats out of his drawer as he took off his sweater and shirt, getting comfortable for bed and preparing to rise early for class the next day.
Thinking back to Vivi and her small smile, made him feel slightly warm again. Maybe he made a new friend, though he decided not to get his hopes up as he went to bed.
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Probably short chapter but idk🤷♀️
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