Olivia

It's a slow day today. Normally I'd be able to distract myself from it by doing homework, but today's the one day where I'm actually done everything. Another way I'd be able to distract myself would be by talking with Nick, but he's off today. I'm kind of thankful for that too since the kiss. We talked about it but it still feels awkward to be near him and to be talking to him. I knew everything between us wouldn't go back to the way it was before but part of me had hoped that it would.

I can't even bug Charlie today.

I have Naomi to blame for that. I glance over at where they sit. Which is still the spot Charlie picks everyday he comes in. The table closest to the counter. He and Naomi sit hunched over their math books. Why did Naomi have to tutor him today? There isn't even any cleaning I can do since mom did all of that earlier.

But as I watch them I can't shake the feeling that Charlie isn't really paying attention. His knee bounces up and down, every few minutes he looks up and around the cafe, or he even peeks at his phone. When he does attempt to do a problem it takes him ten minutes and Naomi has to keep urging him on. So I can't help but think that something is bugging him. But I can't just go up and ask if something is bugging him.

Unless...

I get up from my chair and grab some napkins, then I go to the display case and open it to grab Naomi's favorite fudge and then mine. I then walk over to their table. When I approach they both look up. Naomi gives me a smug I know what you're up look, which I ignore. Charlie crocks his head to the side like a curious dog.

"Hey," I say. "I thought I'd bring you guys some studying boosters." I hold the fudge up before setting one in front of each of them.

Naomi tries to hide a smile.

Charlie's eyes light up as he looks between me and the fudge. "Thanks!" he says before picking it up and devouring it.

I nod and hum. "So, how's the math going?" I lean against one of the chairs across from them. My arms propped up on the back of it and my head resting in my hands.

"It's going well," Naomi answers. "But it would go better if we didn't have a distraction."

I grin innocently. "I don't know what-"

"Sorry," Charlie mumbles. He reaches up and rubs the back of his neck. "It's just that something, or more like someone showed up in my life again last night and I just, I don't know how to deal with it."

Both mine and Naomi's eyes widen in shock.

"I was referring to Olivia," she says, a little shock coating her words.

Charlie chuckles and ducks his head. "Oh."

"You know, because you and her are like-" Her hands fly around her as she tries to explain the joke while also trying to excuse herself for making things uncomfortable. "Because you and Olivia have been flirting non-stop and-"

"Okay!" I interrupt her, my voice a little louder than is probably necessary. "We get it."

Charlie looks up at me. His eyes are wide as his mouth pops open into a little o.

I ignore it and pull out the chair beside him. As much as I want to strangle Naomi right now for exposing me I need to comfort Charlie more. "What happened?" I reach out and cover his hand with my own.

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. I let him take the time to calm himself and gather his strength.

Naomi peeks around him and raises a brow at me. Concern lines her face.

I shrug. We just have to wait for Charlie to tell us. That's all we can do. And I'll wait. I'll wait until he's ready. Especially because he's been there for me.

"My mom wants to come back into my life," he says. He looks down at the table as he speaks. "At least, I think she does. I didn't really talk to her last night when she was in my house."

I squeeze his hand. "Do you not want her back in your life?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. I've had this idea in my head where she was never going to come back. I didn't like it but I accepted it. But now that she's back I don't know what to do. Or what I want."

I look at Naomi, unsure of what I should say.

She shrugs.

"That sounds tough," I say.

He nods. "I just... Part of me wishes she hadn't shown up. Because then I wouldn't be stuck trying to decide what I want to do about it."

"Do you..." I shake my head. "No. Nevermind."

Charlie looks up at me. "Do I what?"

"I don't think my question will help with anything."

He juts his lip out.

I sigh. "I was just going to ask if seeing if she's planning to stay or not will help with your decision."

"Why wouldn't that be a helpful question?" Naomi asks, raising an eyebrow.

I shrug. Maybe because that hadn't been my original question.

"I guess that wouldn't hurt."

I smile softly. "Great. Do you know when you'll see her next?"

He shrugs. "I think I'd have to talk to my dad first to get the answer to that." He leans back against his chair and lets his head fall backwards. "I guess I should head out and go find him for that."

"I should be going too." Naomi stands up as she shoves her stuff into her bag. "When do you want to get together again?" she asks Charlie with a side glance at me.

He shrugs. "I'll um... text you tonight about that."

"Alright then." She turns to me. "See ya tomorrow."

I hold my hand up in a little wave. "See ya," I say as she leaves the store.

Which leaves just me and Charlie. Alone in the bakery. This isn't the first time but... something feels different about it. I watch him as he sits there just staring at the ceiling.

"I should be going," he says, shifting in the seat so he sits up straight.

"Are you sure?" I ask. Disappointment settles on my shoulders.

He starts to shove his stuff in his bag. "I'm sure. I have to talk to my dad now and... and maybe my mom."

I reach out and grab his hand, stopping him from dropping his pencil into his backpack. "You know I'll always be here for you. Right?"

He looks up at me, causing me to realize that our noses are almost touching. When did we get so close?

At that moment I realize how bright his green eyes are. They're like an open meadow. A place where I can sit and be at peace. Where I'm able to find my way easily. Where butterflies fly around in excitement. Just like they're doing in my stomach right now.

"Olivia." My name tickles my face.

Is this it? Is this where we kiss? Where I finally admit that I like Charlie?

His gaze stays steady on mine. It's like I could stare into his eyes forever.

"I think..." I start to say.

"What do you think?" His voice comes out low.

I look away. I'm not ready. I can't do it. I cough into my arm. "I think it's time for me to close the shop up."

"Oh." Something flickers across his face, but I'm too busy standing up and acting like nothing just happened to notice what it was.

As he finishes shoving his stuff into his bag, I put chairs onto their tables. His chair scraps along the ground. I don't turn to look at him. Even as my whole body tells me to. It tells me to run over and kiss him. To tell him how I feel.

But I can't.

I'm not ready. I need to find my future career and focus on that. I can't focus on these gushy feelings and what they mean.

It's not like it would last anyways.

"I guess I'll see you later?"

I finally turn around to see him standing at the door. His hand rests on the knob.

I nod and gulp. "Yeah. I'll see you later."

He smiles sadly. "I'll text you with the appointment for the last job?"

I nod. "That sounds great." I try my best not to fiddle with the end of my shirt.

He nods. It's a moment before either of us move. But before I can blink the bell chimes as the door swings closed. No more Charlie in sight.

I slump against the table behind me and sigh.

I can't believe I missed my chance.