Chapter 20 - Burning Jealousy ♡︎

The night air outside the dance was cool and smelled faintly of pine and rain, the moonlight glimmering off the dewy grass that spread across the courtyard. The music from inside echoed softly through the open doors, mixing with the sound of laughter and chatter from students who were spilling out to catch their breath or take pictures under the twinkle lights. Olive spotted Dylan standing alone by one of the tall oak trees, his hands tucked into his pockets as he gazed up at the sky. The stars reflected faintly in his eyes, and for a brief moment, he looked peaceful—untouchable.

Olive's heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to walk toward him, her hands nervously gripping the sides of her dress. She still felt shaky from her argument with Cole. Her throat was tight, her mind scattered, but she didn't want Dylan to think she was just some scared girl who couldn't speak for herself.

When she finally reached him, her voice came out quiet and shy. "Dylan?"

He turned, his face softening when he saw her. "Hey, Olive." He gave a small smile. "You okay? That thing with Cole looked... intense."

Olive bit her lip, her cheeks flushed pink in the moonlight. "I'm sorry about that," she said quickly. "He... he can be really overprotective sometimes. But I just wanted to say—" she paused, her voice catching for a second, then she took a breath and looked up at him with nervous determination—"I wanted to say yes. To your question."

Dylan blinked, a little surprised, and then his expression broke into an easy, warm grin. "Yeah?" he said, stepping closer. "You mean you'll actually go out with me?"

Olive nodded shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah. I mean—if you still want to."

"Of course I do," Dylan said, his voice rich with excitement. "I think you're amazing, Olive. And I promise, it'll just be a chill date. No pressure, nothing crazy." He chuckled lightly, his confidence smoothing out her nerves just a little. "I'm really glad you said yes."

Olive blushed, her stomach fluttering in a strange, uncertain way. For the first time that night, she felt a small spark of happiness—like maybe she really could make her own choices without Cole stepping in every time. But that feeling didn't last long.

From behind her, she heard the heavy sound of footsteps crunching against the grass, followed by a voice that instantly made her freeze.

"She's not going on a date with you."

Olive turned around, startled, to find Cole storming toward them, his jaw tight, his green eyes blazing with fury. His suit jacket was still crisp, but his expression was anything but composed. The moonlight made his features sharper, his anger more visible. He grabbed Olive's wrist, gently but firmly, pulling her slightly behind him as he glared at Dylan.

"Cole," Olive whispered, tugging her hand back, but he didn't let go. "Stop, please. You don't need to—"

"Yes, I do," Cole snapped, his voice low but forceful. He turned his full attention on Dylan, his eyes burning. "You heard me. Stay away from her."

Dylan raised an eyebrow, incredulous, his voice calm but cutting. "You can't just show up and tell her who she can and can't see, dude."

Cole took a step closer, his shoulders tense. "She doesn't know what she's agreeing to. She's never been on a date before."

Dylan scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You think she's some fragile little doll who can't think for herself? Maybe that's why she said yes to me and not you."

That did it.

Cole's jaw locked, and before anyone could react, he shoved Dylan back a step. Dylan stumbled slightly but came right back, shoving him in return, harder. "You don't own her, Cole!" Dylan spat, his voice rising. "She's not yours!"

"Yeah?" Cole snapped, his voice breaking into a low growl.

Olive's eyes widened, panic flooding her chest as the argument escalated. "Stop it! Please!" she cried, her voice trembling, but neither of them listened.

The tension finally snapped—Cole swung first, his fist connecting with Dylan's jaw in a sharp, cracking sound. Dylan staggered back, touching his lip, and then lunged forward, tackling Cole into the grass.

"Stop!" Olive screamed, tears pricking her eyes. She ran forward, trying to pull at Cole's arm, but both boys were too caught up in their anger. They hit the ground, rolling, fists flying, grunts and curses filling the air. The sounds of the party faded as people nearby started to notice, forming a loose circle around the fight.

"Cole! Dylan! Please!" Olive's voice broke, but they didn't stop. Cole's knuckles were raw, Dylan's nose was bleeding, and the fight only got uglier. Olive's heart raced—she needed help.

Without another thought, she turned and ran back inside the hall, bursting through the doors. "Jackie!" she gasped, searching the crowd frantically. "Jackie! Cole and Dylan—they're fighting!"

Jackie's eyes went wide as soon as she heard it. "What?!"

Alex, who'd been standing nearby, looked up sharply. "Where?"

"Outside—by the courtyard!" Olive cried.

Within seconds, Jackie, Alex, Grace, Skylar, Nathan, Danny, and Isaac rushed outside. The sight that greeted them made Jackie's stomach drop—Cole and Dylan were on the ground, punching and shoving, both of them covered in dirt and blood.

"Cole! Stop!" Jackie shouted, running over with Alex right behind her. Alex grabbed Cole from behind, pulling him off Dylan while Danny and Isaac rushed to hold Dylan back. Cole fought against Alex's grip for a moment, his chest heaving, his eyes still wild with anger.

"Let me go!" he growled, trying to push forward again, but Alex tightened his hold.

"Enough, Cole!" Alex barked. "You're done. Both of you!"

Dylan spat blood into the grass, glaring. "He's insane, man!"

"Say that again," Cole snapped, trying to lunge forward, but Alex shoved him back hard.

Jackie immediately stepped between them, her eyes flashing with anger. "Cole, what is wrong with you?" she demanded, her voice sharp and furious. "You can't just pick fights all the time, I thought you were better than that!"

Cole glared past her at Dylan, his chest still rising and falling with heavy breaths. "He doesn't deserve her," he muttered darkly.

Olive stood frozen nearby, tears glistening in her eyes. She didn't know whether to be angry or scared or heartbroken—maybe all three. The night that was supposed to be magical had turned into chaos.

Jackie turned toward Olive, softening slightly. "Hey, it's okay," she said gently, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "You're safe, all right? It's over."

But Olive didn't look convinced. Her gaze lingered on Cole—his bruised jaw, his knuckles bleeding, his eyes still burning with that same stubborn fire. And as their eyes met, she realized something terrifying.

Cole wasn't just being protective anymore. He was jealous.____

"That's it," Jackie said sharply, her voice louder than the distant thrum of music still pouring from venue. "Cole, you're done for the night. We're leaving." Her tone carried that no-nonsense edge—the same tone she used when the Walter boys started roughhousing in the house—but this time it was laced with disappointment, the kind that made even Cole look like he'd been punched harder by her words than by Dylan.

Cole didn't argue right away. His jaw tightened, and his green eyes flicked toward Olive for just a second, like he was silently pleading his case. But Jackie didn't give him the chance. "You've caused enough trouble already," she said, crossing her arms. "I don't know what's gotten into you tonight, but I'm not cleaning up another one of your messes."

Alex stepped up beside her, his expression serious, his hands shoved into his pockets. "She's right," he said in a firm, low tone. "You're done. You're coming home with us before things get worse." He turned to the others—Danny, Isaac, Nathan, Skylar, and Grace—who all stood nearby, a mix of concern and awkward silence hanging over them. "You guys can stay," Alex continued. "We'll take Cole back."

Grace nodded quickly, clearly still buzzing from the chaos. "Yeah, yeah, we'll stay. Things were just starting to get good before all... that," she said, waving vaguely between Cole and Dylan.

"Grace," Skylar said under her breath, elbowing her.

"What? I'm just saying."

Nathan sighed but smiled faintly at Skylar, who gave him a look that said boys will be boys. Isaac scratched the back of his neck, muttering, "We'll keep things calm here."

"Good," Alex said, his tone clipped. Then he turned toward Cole again. "Go wait by the car."

Cole's jaw clenched, but he obeyed. Without a word, he started walking toward the parking lot, the tension practically radiating off him. Jackie exhaled deeply, her shoulders dropping once he was gone. She turned to Olive, her expression softening immediately.

Olive looked small under the string lights, her hands clasped in front of her as if trying to disappear. Her dress shimmered faintly under the moonlight, but her face was pale and uncertain. She could still hear the echo of raised voices, and her chest ached from all the emotions—fear, guilt, confusion, maybe even a touch of sadness.

Jackie stepped closer, speaking gently. "Hey," she said, tucking a strand of Olive's hair behind her ear. "You okay?"

Olive nodded quickly, though her voice betrayed her. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a little overwhelmed."

Jackie frowned slightly, searching her eyes. "I can imagine. That got out of hand fast." She hesitated, then added carefully, "We're heading home now. Alex, me, and Cole. You can come with us if you want, or you can stay and finish the night with our friends. It's totally up to you."

Olive looked past Jackie toward the gym, where the music had picked back up and the lights were still glowing. Inside, people were laughing and dancing again, as if the fight outside had been just a quick storm that passed. Grace waved from the doorway, motioning for Olive to come back in. Olive hesitated, her heart tugging in two directions—part of her wanted to crawl under a blanket and never think about tonight again, but another part wanted to stay, to feel normal again after all that chaos.

"I..." she began softly, glancing back toward where Cole had disappeared into the shadows of the parking lot. Her stomach twisted at the memory of his expression—hurt, angry, protective, and something else she couldn't name. Then she looked at Jackie, who was waiting patiently, worry etched in her features. "I think..." Olive took a deep breath. "I think I'll stay. I'll come home later. I don't want to ruin your night any more than it already is."

Jackie blinked in surprise for a moment, then smiled faintly, though there was a trace of hesitation in her eyes. "You sure, Ollie?"

Olive nodded, a small, shy smile forming. "Yeah. I'll stay with Grace and Skylar. I'll be okay, promise."

Jackie studied her for another moment before finally sighing and nodding. "Okay. But if anything happens—anything—you call me right away. Got it?"

"I will," Olive said quietly.

Jackie reached forward and squeezed her shoulder gently. "Alright. Be careful, okay? And try to have fun."

Olive nodded again, and Jackie gave her one last smile before turning to walk toward Alex, who was waiting by the car, keys in hand. Olive watched them leave—Jackie, strong and steady; Alex, calm and serious; and Cole, leaning against the car with his arms crossed, eyes flickering once toward Olive as she caught his gaze.

For a fleeting moment, their eyes met across the parking lot—his expression unreadable but heavy with something that made her heart skip. Then Jackie said something to him, and Cole turned away, getting into the car. The engine started, and Olive watched as the headlights disappeared down the campus road, leaving her standing under the string lights and soft music, feeling like the night had suddenly grown quieter.

Grace appeared beside her, linking their arms with a grin. "Come on, Olive. Let's go have fun. You deserve to dance after all that drama."

Olive smiled weakly but let Grace pull her back toward the laughter and lights of the dance.