Disguised As A Boy To Attend Belmont High School
Chapter 150: A Bittersweet Birthday.

Chapter 150: A Bittersweet Birthday.

"Alright! We shouldn’t keep the boys waiting any longer," Lara said with a playful smile. Olive nodded, and they both made their way to the door, ready for the party to begin.

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As Olive and Lara stepped back into the grand hall, the room fell into silence. All eyes fell on Olive.

Lucas’s gaze locked onto her, his expression softening. He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but nothing came out. It was as though his tongue had tied itself into knots, leaving him mute.

Mark, standing beside him soon broke the silence with a loud whistle "Wow, Olive! You look breathtaking," he exclaimed, unable to contain his amazement.

Olive chuckled softly, her eyes crinkling with warmth. "Thanks, Mark," she replied.

Mark then walked over to the girls and, without hesitation, took Lara’s hand. "Come on, let’s hit the dance floor babe," he murmured, with a wink making Lara blush before leading her away.

Only then did Lucas step forward, his feet moving as though pulled by an invisible force. His wide eyes remained fixed on Olive, awe still lingering in his expression. "You look... so beautiful," he finally managed to say, his voice a touch breathless.

A blush crept up Olive’s cheeks, but she smiled warmly, feeling like a true princess on her birthday. "Thank you, Lucas. And you... you look very handsome in that suit," she said, her eyes traveling over his tailored black Chanel suit.

Lucas, caught off guard by the compliment, turned slightly around and instinctively touched his jacket. "Oh, this old thing?" he said, trying to downplay it, but a shy smile tugged at his lips causing Olive to laugh.

As the soft hum of music continued in the background, Mark and Lara were already swaying together, lost in their own world. Lucas, not wanting to miss the moment, gave a slight bow, offering his arm to Olive. "Shall we dance my lady?"

"Sure! Olive replied and placed her hand gently on his arm, allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor. As they moved together, the room around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their own world.

Mark and Lara had also stopped dancing, leaving the dance floor to Olive and Lucas.

"Thank you for the amazing surprise," Olive whispered, barely audible over the music.

Lucas beamed, his eyes shining. "I’m really glad you love it."

Olive’s heart fluttered as Lucas’s hand tightened around hers. "You did make me feel special. I mean... besides the fact that you didn’t tell me you knew Mark was aware I’m a girl." She gave a small laugh, attempting to lighten the moment.

Lucas chuckled too, nodding. "I only found out recently myself. But your secret is safe with Mark."

"Yeah, I know." Olive replied with a soft laugh.

The music shifted to a slower melody, and Lucas pulled her a little closer making her heart skip a beat. They continue to sway gently, their faces now mere inches apart, both feeling each other’s breath in their face.

After dancing for several minutes, it was finally time for the cake. As Olive stood before it, she blew out the candles to the cheers and applause of her friends.

"Happy birthday to you both!" Mark and Lara chorused, clapping their hands together, sending a wave of surprise down Olive’s spine.

"Wait... both of us?" Olive’s brow furrowed in confusion, her eyes flicking between the pair.

Lara grinned. "Yes! Today’s Lucas’s birthday too. You both share the same month and date."

Olive’s eyes widened. "Oh my goodness, happy birthday Lucas! You could have told me! I didn’t prepare anything for you, but I’ll make it up to you when we get back to school." She then cut the chocolate cake and fed Lucas while Lucas fed her.

Lucas smiled softly, his gaze meeting hers. "There’s really no need for gifts, Olive. But... there is one thing you can give me right now. It would mean the world to me."

Olive tilted her head, intrigued. "Really? What is it? I’ll give you whatever I can."

The music shifted once more, this time to a romantic, slow melody. To Olive’s shock, Lucas got down on one knee in front of her, his face earnest and filled with emotion.

"What are you doing?" Olive exclaimed, her heart racing. "Please, get up. You don’t have to do this."

Lucas looked up at her, his eyes unwavering. "No, Olive. Let me ask for what I want like this. In front of everyone, in front of Mark and Lara."

With that, he pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a delicate silver chain with a heart-shaped locket. "Olive... will you be my girlfriend?"

Olive was rendered speechless, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Tears stung her eyes, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe.

"Lucas, I... I.." she stammered, struggling to find the right words.

"Please," Lucas interrupted, his voice laced with desperation. "Don’t turn me down again. I’m serious, Olive. I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time, and I want you."

Olive’s chest tightened, her emotions swirling in a whirlwind. "I can’t, Lucas," she finally said, her voice barely audible. "I just... can’t."

The words hit Lucas like a punch to the gut. His face fell, but he didn’t move from his position on the floor. "Is it because you’re scared? Scared that if our relationship is revealed, you might lose your scholarship? That the school might expel you if your secret gets out?"

Tears welled up in Olive’s eyes, but she bit her lip, trying to keep her emotions in check. "It’s not just that, Lucas. There’s more to it. I don’t want to get into any romantic relationship. I’m sorry."

Lucas’s expression darkened, but his voice softened. "I’d protect you, Olive. I’d protect you from the world if it came to that."

Mark and Lara exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the tension in the air.

"Lucas, please, just get up," Olive begged, pulling gently on his arm. "We can talk about this later."

But Lucas remained firm, still kneeling. "Tell me, Olive," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Do you feel anything for me at all? Am I the only one who feels this way? I love you, Olive. More than anything."

Olive’s heart shattered at the look in his eyes. She cared about him, she did. But this... this wasn’t what she wanted. "Lucas, I care about you deeply," she began, her voice quivering. "But not in the way you want me to. I just want to be friends. I’m sorry. I don’t love you, Lucas."

The words hung in the air like a blade, cutting through the silence. Mark and Lara’s eyes widened in disbelief. She had thought Olive was going to accept Lucas this time.

Lucas’s face crumpled, and slowly, he rose to his feet. His knees wobbled slightly, but he steadied himself, his expression a mixture of pain and defeat. "You’re lying, Olive," he said quietly. "I know you are as I can see it in your eyes. But I understand."

Mark stepped forward, trying to ease the tension. "Hey, why don’t we take a break, guys?"

Lucas shook his head. "No, it’s fine." He turned toward the bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey, downing it in one go before grabbing the entire bottle and a cup. Without another word, he stormed out of the hall without looking back.

Lara rushed to Olive’s side, noticing the tear sliding down her cheek. "Olive, why wouldn’t you give him a chance?"

Olive wiped her tears, her voice breaking. "You don’t understand. I don’t want to get into something I know is doomed to fail. I just... I can’t," Olive stammered, unable to form coherent words. "I need to get out of here."

She then moved towards the bar and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and a cup, even though she despised alcohol. She was ready to bury herself in it and hope it would ease her from the pain she was feeling in her heart. She then hurried out of the hall.

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The moon shown brightly in the night sky. Even Olive didn’t know it was already late. Tears streamed down her face as she wandered around the grounds of the hall. Eventually, she spotted Lucas by the pool, his legs dipped into the water, a bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand as he continues to drink from it.

She moved closer and across from him, prompting him to glance up. He watched as Olive poured herself a drink, her face contorting in distaste as she drank it.

"I thought you didn’t like alcohol?" Lucas said with a dry chuckle. "Why are you torturing yourself?"

Olive turned to him, her expression somber. "I’m sorry, Lucas. I know I’m being selfish," she said before taking another sip, wincing at the taste.

"There’s nothing to be sorry for," Lucas replied, chuckling bitterly. "I was just dumb enough to think you’d ever want me."

He then stood up, but Olive’s heart clenched at his words. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched him walk away, her vision blurring with the alcohol. Moments later, she lost her balance and tumbled into the pool.

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