CHAD'S POV
I watched Courtney walk to Jeremy's doorstep alone. And all I could say is that was a brave decision. She looked determined and committed, as if she was ready to take on whatever challenge awaited her. She put herself out there that could end in one of two ways - success or failure.
And I admire her courage in taking a risk and going for it.
Actually, I wasn't that surprise when she made this decision. Being with her for the past months and watching her reveal her real self to me, I have come to admire her strength and determination. She has always been determined to reach her goals, no matter the obstacles. She is brave.
I am proud to have been by her side and witness her transformation. I know she is too.
Just when I was watching her, my phone suddenly rang and I saw Olivia's name flashing on the screen. I stepped out of the car and answered it--but my eyes were still fixed on Courtney in case she needed anything.
"Hey," Olivia said the moment I picked it up. Her voice was sad and I could tell something was wrong.
"Is everything okay?"
There was a bit of hesitation from her, but I patiently waited for her response. "Chad, I don't know where to start." Her sigh was heavy, and I could tell she was in distress.
When Olivia came to our house, shock was an understatement. I really didn't expect her to come over, let alone stay for a week. I didn't even know she was in the cheerleading competition.
And whenever I recall that day, I feel guilty for looking past Courtney and not even acknowledging her presence. My mind was too focused on Livi, and keeping my emotions in check--in a different way. I had forgiven her, yes. But when I saw her, I couldn't help but remember what she had done. But still, I tried to be civil and keep my cool.
It's in the past now. I reminded myself.
Livi and I didn't talk about the past. It's either she avoided it, or we just didn't want to recall it. In my case, it was the latter. I just didn't want to dwell on it so I let her talk about her plans and the present. I listened to her as her friend, trying to be the kind of friend we used to be.
Because I felt that that's what she needed.
"Did something happen?" I asked when she didn't talk for a while.
"Something happened today." She started. "Something I didn't expect will change everything." I heard a faint chuckle in her voice as she said this.
"I thought avoiding the past or talking about it would be enough. I thought acting as if nothing had happened would erase it, but that was never the case." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I tried to get us back together, Chad. I would do anything again for that to happen. But someone pointed out that I didn't deserve you. What a total bitch I was and still am. I'm still that selfish snake that ruined you, us, and everything I had. I still do horrible things just to get what I want. I never changed at all."
Then she told me what had happened and what she had done to Courtney.
She felt she was a threat to us. She did everything in her power to put Courtney in a bad light. She blamed her for pushing her into the pool when she didn't. She confronted her this morning and told her off. She even made threats to keep Courtney away from me.
"I'm not proud of what I did. You may not know it, but she wrote you a letter. She said everything there, why she had to lie to you and about her secret. The secret I tried to use against her, to threaten her. But it didn't work. Instead, she took accountability for her mistakes, and in order to keep you out of it, she confessed to the principal and dropped out. Because she knows you will be tied up to her secret and it can ruin you."
Olivia dropped many things in one go. I was trying to process one after another, I wasn't sure where to react first. But there is one thing that stands out the most to me.
The letter.
She wrote me a letter.
It makes sense now.
When Courtney asked me if I had received it. She meant the letter, not just the jacket. She really tried to explain everything to me.
"To be honest, I thought she was stupid, selfish, and conceited. But, after what happened this morning, I realized how brave and fearless she really is. Something that I lack."
I could hear deep remorse in her voice as she spoke.
"I hate to admit it but Courtney was the first person who made me realize the most important thing--taking responsibility for my actions. Something I had avoided for so long. But I think now is the right time. Well, if she can do it, I think I can too." Olivia paused, like she was gathering her thoughts to continue her words.
"Let me start by saying, I'm so sorry for everything, Chad. I'm so sorry for hurting you, for sacrificing our friendship and relationship for the petty life I thought I needed. For using you and taking advantage of your kindness and for not listening to you when you tried to tell me what was right. I regret trading what we had for things I thought would make me happy. I regret not cherishing the love and care you had for me."
"Livi," I couldn't help but interject, hoping to ease her mind as much as I could. "We all make mistakes, and having regret is understandable. But it's never too late to learn from our mistakes. We should focus on the present and the future, rather than dwelling on the past."
"I want to make things right. When I had everything, the cheer captain spot, the popularity, I realized it wasn't worth it without you. I want it all back to how it used to be, Chad." Her voice was full of sadness and regret.
"Olivia, what happened in the past doesn't matter now. I forgive you for that, and I'll always be here for you, you know that." I tried to console her, but I could feel she was still broken.
"But not on the same page as I want to, right?" Her voice was hopeful, and it pains me to hear her like this, knowing I can't do more to help her.
"I want to be honest with you, Livi. I don't really intend to fall in love again. That was the least of my priorities, and I hadn't even invested any energy in another relationship. I don't want to waste my time and I don't wish to get hurt again."
"But you did it... for her."
"She changed my perception of love. She is the exception." I paused and looked in Courtney's direction. Just in time, she turned. I waved at her and she smiled, waving back. "Courtney made me feel again." I finished with a smile.
"She is lucky to have you, Chad."
"If anything, I consider myself more lucky to have her. She may not know it, but she also made a huge impact on my life."
"The funny thing is, before I called you, I kind of expected to hear all this. The rejection and hearing your true feelings for her. Well, I don't blame you. Courtney really is something. When I sacrificed you for everything, she is willing to sacrifice everything for you. I'm sorry that you didn't get the chance to read her letter. It was moving and full of love."
Olivia's tone was sad, but there was also the tone of acceptance in her voice.
"I didn't need to read it to realize that. That's the thing about her, you know. She didn't have to tell me anything. Her actions speak volumes. I knew her feelings for me before she could even say them. It's because she's a person of her actions, not just words. One of the many reasons I fell for her."
"I'm happy that you never gave up on love. What I did was horrible. I'm glad you opened up with someone again. I apologize again for hurting you. Also, I just want you to know that I'm leaving now. I won't participate in that competition anymore."
I didn't expect to hear this from her. I knew how much she wanted this. I didn't want her to give up this dream of hers to show how much she regret what she has done.
"Livi, you don't have to do that just to prove that you're taking responsibility for your mistakes. A simple sorry is more than enough. It really makes a huge difference when you show that you are genuinely sorry for your mistakes. You don't have to--"
"This competition and being the cheer captain is only a reminder of my cruelty in the past. And honestly, I never really liked it." She laughed, probably the most genuine one I heard from her after a long time. "Coming here, meeting you again and Courtney, made me want to stop pretending and be myself again. The old Livi." She chirped the last three words.
"She is a keeper, Chad. She kept saying she didn't deserve someone so kind and forgiving like you. But I guess she didn't know the powerful qualities she has too. She unknowingly became a way to heal us both. She made me want to be like her, and I think she made you open up to the idea of being loved again."
Courtney was walking to my direction, with a beautiful smile on her face. She didn't say anything, but she has this content look and I couldn't stop myself from admiring her.
I smiled and responded to Olivia, "You are absolutely right. I couldn't agree more."
* * * * * *
COURTNEY'S POV
Chad was smiling at me, with a twinkle in his eyes. Whoever he was talking to must have said something incredible for him to react like this with such joy and admiration.
He dropped the phone when I was nearing him, and his face lit up with delight as he stepped closer to hug me tight.
My heart stopped for a moment as I felt his warmth and the feeling was indescribable! After everything that had happened, I didn't expect I would have another chance to be with him and feel his embrace again. I was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn't believe this was even real!
He hugged me tighter as if he never wanted to let go, and I did the same, not wanting to break the moment.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" Chad whispered in my ear, and my heart beat wildly in response.
He broke the embrace to look at me. His eyes were filled with emotion, and I just gaped at him, not able to find the words to express how I felt in that moment. But one thing is for sure, I felt like I was the luckiest girl in the world!
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and smiled, that breathtaking smile that could be the death of me. He had a way of looking at me that made my knees weak and my stomach flutter. He kept on surprising me every second, I wasn't sure if my heart could handle more!
"But if my words are not enough, then let me show you through my actions how much I love you."
Before I could even react, Chad captured my lips with a kiss that melted my heart and filled me with an overwhelming sense of love and happiness.
I kissed him back, to show him how much I love him too.
-END OF CHAPTER 65-
A/N: Ohh. This Chapter is inspired by the song Come What May. I hope you all liked it!
Like what I said, this is a stand alone book. There wont be any sequel to it. There will be a special and exclusive chapter only available in Patreon. Also, this book will be published as well. Hope you will like it!
SEE YOU AT THE FINAL CHAPTER NEXT WEEK >.<