Twisted Strings [MONSTER EDITING - Read at your own risk]

Three Minutes

"His uncle was dating my Mom. He was responsible for breaking the relationship. Long story short, he got shipped out of his Uncle's house where he was living and now, he hates my Mom."

Rhodes looked at me like I was crazy, he turned his head sideways, "That's...messed up. And very, very weird. And just because it's strange doesn't mean you are forgiven." I could tell he was still trying to wrap his head around everything. And I felt guilty for hiding the kiss.

But Oliver said it was a mistake and it didn't matter right? So, what was the point of telling Rhodes about it? He was my best friend and I knew he would never, ever hide something like this. I should had done the same. But...I was scared. Rhodes didn't like Oliver; he was the rival team member. The kiss had a potential to create rift between our team.

Maybe after the competition, I told my myself, I will definitely tell him everything.

"Look, whatever Oliver's shit is, I don't care. What I care about is you and Uncle Max. So, promise me, you will never keep important stuff from me! How would you feel if my Mom gets sick and I never tell you?"

"You had pressure as a team leader, the last thing I wanted was to distract you."

Rhodes looked hurt, "Its not distraction Violet, its family. You know, that right?"

I punched his shoulder, "Stop being so cheesy, or I am gonna start crying."

"I mean it, every word."

I sighed, "I will never hide anything like this again. Are we cool now?"

"Only because you did well today."

"Asshole," I muttered with a smile, "we all did well today."

"Here comes Lana." Rhodes pushed away from the wall. Lana skidded towards us; a fat grin stretched on her face.

"What happened?!" Rhodes demanded. She didn't answer right away and just enveloped us into a hug. She was probably going to regret this later; I thought as her arms crushed me and Rhodes together.

"We got second place!"

"We what!?" Rhodes demanded, a little too loudly, disbelief written on his face. But I believed Lana. We worked hard and we poured everything into our performance. This time, I grabbed both of them and pulled them in a hug, all three of us squealed in happiness as we jumped up and down.

Well, before a nurse came to scold us and threw us out of the corridor.

**

Later that night, I forced Lana and Rhodes to go home. They complained but I told them they needed to change out of the fancy outfits. I told Rhodes to check on Elliot and the twins and bring me some fresh clothes. Dad was still sleeping heavily, and I was sat in the cafeteria, eating a ridiculously expensive fruit bowl.

"Hey, care for some sandwiches." It was Oliver. Like me, he too was dressed in his stage outfit. He dumped cling wrapped sandwiches on the table and sat opposite me. They smelled amazing, so I immediately abandoned my fruit bowl, promising to finish it later.

"Thank you, it's chicken and mayo, right?"

"I see some basil too." He started to unwrap his own and took a huge bite.

"Congrats, I heard you guys got second place." He said after a few awkward seconds of silence.

"Thanks," I replied between mouthfuls, "we totally destroyed our competition."

Oliver laughed, a hearty sound that was like music to my ears. I couldn't help it, I started to laugh as well.

"Fly-Hi was amazing too," I told him, while wiping my mouth, "I really liked your performance."

He smiled in response, his gazing staying on me a little longer than needed. I made a ball out of the plastic wrap and placed it on the table, ready to devour the second sandwich. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until now.

"Thanks for the compliment. I heard the folks at Allgery won. Their lead singer is quite popular in the indie music scene. Weirdly, I don't remember his name."

"Monty Khan, Stella told me before our performance. He is good."

"You are good too."

"How do you know? You didn't even see our performance."

"You got second place; I am sure the judges saw something. But don't worry, we will defeat you next time." He said with an edge in his voice, although his smile remained intact. We ate in silence, until he placed a pack of medication on the table.

"Almost forgot these."

"Thank you"

"Don't worry about it, the pharmacy is really close."

"No, I am not talking about that," I looked him in the eyes as I said, "for helping me tonight. I am very grateful. You forced me to go on. If it weren't for you, I would have not gone up the stage." I didn't know if it was the false alarm, the worry about Dad's health, my thoughts on Mom or the fatigue, but my eyes started to tear up.

"Hey, it's okay," Oliver said gently, "I did what a friend would."

"You did...and I think I was being too hard on you, but you know what? I think you were right, being friends is not a bad idea at all."

He looked at me for a long moment and then the side of his lips turned up a little.

"Since we are now cool, I think I should tell you that there's mayo on your chin." And he started to laugh again.

**

Its been long, hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. I need to explain that it is not Oliver's Dad that Violet Mom dated, but his Uncle. I have made changes in the previous chapter. But once I finish editing, I will make sure everything is consistent. 

Next chapter will be back soon, meanwhile you guys can click on continue to answer a poll.