Chapter 94: When Gema Met Olivia

ORACLE HIGH SCHOOL, 2047 (Several months earlier)

It was lunchtime, and Gema was in charge of recruiting members for chess club. Trouble was, she didn’t want anyone in chess club. It was a dumb idea that the school board had come up with; clubs required more than one member for them to be legitimised. F***k that, thought Gema. She wanted the best chess club ever, and since everyone in school was stupid, the only way chess club could be the best, was if she and only she was in it.

‘If you can’t beat me in a chess game, you can’t join chess club. It’s that simple,’ she yelled at yet another failed hopeful, who had approached thinking chess club would be a fun extracurricular activity.

Boy, was she wrong.

‘You’re gonna end up with no club, if you…’ Sniff. Sniff. ‘Keep rejecting all potential candidates,’ the student said, as walked away.

What a baby, thought Gema. And she hated babies.

‘It’s not my fault this school’s full of losers,’ she grumbled. ‘Next!’

With two minutes until the bell, Gema realised if she didn’t find a worthy opponent, there would be no chess club. No club, no status as Chess Queen – self proclaimed, of course – but given she was Princess of Simsland, she had the authority to give herself that title. And, anyway, she had authority because she said so. But she needed a club.

Gema eyed her next opponent. There was something about her – perhaps it was the way she walked towards her, confidently, but understated. You wouldn’t notice her walk in, but if you were to cast an eye her way, her presence demanded respect.

How could a person slip in unnoticed and demand respect at the same time?

It bugged her.

‘You better not be a Goodie Two Shoes,’ Gema griped. It was a flippant remark, not meant for a serious response. But she got one anyway.

‘How could I be a Goodie Two Shoes? I’m not seventeen yet. Give me a few years,’ said the girl.

‘Wait, how old are you?’ Gema asked. She could have sworn this girl was older than she was by at least a few years. And Gema was fourteen.

Yet again, she did not expect the response she got.

‘I’m in your year, you dimwit. How old do you think I am?’ she said.

‘You look seventeen.’ Gema shrugged. It was true. And Gema liked to tell the truth, especially when it was awkward.

‘And you look twelve,’ said the girl, a smirk creeping up the edges of her smile.

Whatever, thought Gema. She’d heard that one before.

Papa Alex said she had inherited abuela Gemma’s whippet build and he’d promised she’d fill out when she got older.

Well…she was waiting.

‘I’m Olivia, by the way; Olivia Younis,’ said the girl. Younis – the name rang a bell, but she couldn’t place it. She made a mental note to ask Papa about it later. ‘Check!’ declared Olivia.

What?

Interesting, thought Gema. She hadn’t even noticed the gameplay. Very interesting.

‘Are we in, er, any classes together?’ Gema wasn’t sure why she had felt the urge to ask. Well, actually she was sure…very sure. Olivia might be the only student in this school that held Gema’s attention for more than a minute.

Make it two minutes…

Three minutes…

‘Oh, did you say something? Sorry, was focusing on my next move,’ said Olivia.

‘I asked if we’re in any classes together.’ Gema didn’t bother to hide the irritation in her tone. There was another pause, as Olivia stared at the chessboard. Gema hated how the chessboard stole the attention from her. But she didn’t know why.

‘Yeah, we’re in a few; English, physics, Spanish,’ said Olivia. ‘Funny how you hadn’t noticed. But I’m usually seven minutes early and sitting somewhere in the middle, while you’re always ten minutes late and sitting at the back.’

Gema didn’t know how to file that information, so she elected to scowl instead.

‘Check again,’ said Olivia.

Gema was usually very competitive when it came to chess, but somehow right now, she wasn’t feeling it. She was content to let Olivia win – that’s what she told herself. Because of course, no one played chess better than Gema did.

‘Checkmate!’ said Olivia.

It was this moment; this chess game that unravelled the first thread in Grim’s carefully woven plan for the Cruz’s ultimate demise.

Because Miss Olivia Younis was going to become Gema’s friend. And unbeknownst to Olivia and Gema, their friendship was preordained.

Chapter 93: Grief

Chapter 95: A New Angle