15
Something Wicked This Way Comes
‘Olive, my love! You did splendidly!’ Michael squeezed Olive’s shoulders so hard her back cracked in at least three places. The after-show party was being held in the front of house bar which, when overcrowded, was…
‘Hotter than satan’sarsehole in here!’ said Howard, joining them. ‘Where’s the bar?’
‘Over there, Howard.’ Michael pointed the way whilst watching the beads of sweat drip down Howard’s cheek.
‘Is it free?’ Howard whispered to Olive out the side of his mouth.
‘As a bird!’ she laughed.
‘See ya!’
‘Honestly, Olive. You really shone!’ Michael said, taking her hands.
‘Wow.’ Olivefelt like her smile might burst through her cheeks. ‘Thank you, Michael. Can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow!’
‘And another six times after that!’ Oscar said, as he appeared behind her, placing his palm on the small of her back instinctively. When she didn’t pull away and instead looked up at him with a smile, he didn’t move it, and even went as far as rubbing his thumb in circles onthe skin of her bare back.
‘That dress looks amazing on you,’ he whispered.
‘Tamara not with you?’ Olive asked, taking a glass of champagne from a full tray as it passed her.
‘Please don’t do that,’ Oscar replied, taking a glass for himself.
‘I need to. Just for a little while,’ Olive took a large sip of her drink which half emptied the glass.
‘Need to what?Make me feel bad?’
‘Be angry. I need to be angry for a little while longer before I can… be anything else.’
‘I’m just —’
‘I know, I know you’re sorry.’ She rolled her eyes.
‘No, it’s not that.’ She raised her eyebrow at him as she waited for him to continue. ‘I mean Iamsorry, it’s just… I’m mainly tired of us being against each other.’ Oscar looked away from her andtook a large gulp of his own drink. ‘I don’t know how much more I can take of feeling like you hate me. Well… like everyone hates me.’ Olive tried hard to squash down the urge to wrap her arms around him.
‘No one hates you, Oscar. In fact, the few people I’ve spoken to about this whole mess seem to understand you better than I do.’
‘What does that mean?’ he said, guiding her gentlyaway from the doorway as more people arrived. Everyone was suddenly too close for comfort as the conversation erupted and people roared their congratulations. Olive pointed to a little a space in the corner by the bar and when her hand found his, Oscar let out a shaky breath and Olive couldn’t help but squeeze his fingers.
‘Everyone’s rooting for us,’ Olive said as she put her empty glasson the bar. ‘Ever since that fan tweeted that picture of us online, everyone’s been rooting for us. Look at us right now! Huddled in a corner, holding hands and if you get any closer to me our faces will be touching,’ she said, brushing the tip of her nose against his and revelling in the fact he didn’t pull away.
‘Yeah, I guess, even before the picture, we weren’t as subtle as we thought.’He smiled, stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers.
‘Of course we haven’t. And even if nothing was going on between us, people like to talk anyway.’ They both took a moment to glance about the room at their fellow cast mates and although no one was directly watching them, they both got the sense that everyone had noticed them, but had purposely decided to leave them alone. ‘Theyall want us to figure things out. They think we’re good together.’
‘We’re not together, though…’ Oscar said and finally he pulled away like Olive had been anticipating.
‘Oh, Jesus Christ, will you take a day off?’ she snapped. ‘I know we’re not together, and I’m okay with that, but do you have to keep reminding me?’ She reached for another glass of champagne from the cluster of filledglasses behind her on the bar. ‘I meant “together” in as much as we’re together now. In the same vicinity. Spending time with each other. We make a good team, is all that I meant.’ She looked away from him, her cheeks burning with the rush of annoyance and alcohol mixing in her blood.
‘For someone who says they’re okay with it, you don’t seem too okay with it,’ Oscar said, brushing herarm with his thumb, trying not to lose contact with her.
‘It’s just… difficult. Being with someone but not actually “being with them” takes its toll on your mind. Especially when it’s their choice and you’d love it to be different.’
‘Oh,’ Oscar said, rubbing his temples. ‘But you know I can’t —’
