"And I woke up in my childhood bed
Wishin' I was someone else"-Funeral: Phoebe Bridgers

It's one of those mornings where the emptiness of the house swallows me and my dad.

Though we present smiles on our faces, it's obvious we're having a low day. Maybe it's the lack of sun and the replacement by the rain and wind, but something triggered a melancholic atmosphere in our house.

"Dad, are you alright?" I ask as I bite into my toast, but I see his eyes hover toward the portrait of him and Mom.

Mom had a youthful face, though she was past her thirties. Her eyes were angelic and soft, painted a Celeste blue. Her lips were full and had a tint of pink, but under that smile was a thunderous cry for help.

She was so strong, and I aspire to be the soldier she was in a world that did her so wrong.

"I'm okay, just feeling nostalgic," he mutters. I nod in response.

I talk a lot and ramble way too much, but when it comes to Mom, my mind becomes clouds.

"I miss her too, Dad," I whisper back as I twirl a piece of my hair.

A habit I need to grow out of since I look like a loser.

"Come here." I run up to my dad and hug him. His softness envelops me. We both exhale and smile at one another, a form of reassurance that we will be okay.

My dad and I both head out, him driving to work while I walk to school.

Why don't I drive? Short story: when I was learning, I sneezed in my instructor's face. It was an accident, and to this day, the fear has never left me that I'll attack someone like that again.

I eventually get into the building and meet Bria, who has her hair slicked back with a bun, letting her curls loose. Two strands are down.

I don't know how she looks so perfect in school. I am so jealous of Bria's ability to be so perfect.

"Bria!" I squeal. She runs up and hugs me.

"Look what Jonathan got me!" She shows me a gift card.

Now, you see, we are teenagers. I don't expect the men in our school to be billionaires like the romance books I read.

However, a gift card won't cut it.

"What about flowers? Chocolates? Or even love letters!" I respond.

"This isn't a romance book," Bria replies.

"No, it's reality, which means he needs to put in the effort, especially for a girl like you." I nudge and wink, and she laughs at me.

"Come on, I was reading this romance book, and the man bought her a whole load of gifts all because she was ignoring him, and then proceeded to beg her to speak to him. Is that not husband material?" I exclaim.

"And I can't even get a text back at times." Bria laughs, and I frown.

"Did I mention I hate Jonathan? Because I do. He sucks, and I wish I had learned how to drive so I could grab my car and just run him over." I declare proudly.

"You're too much, Liv." She laughs.

Bria doesn't like nicknames, and she only uses them when she's truly happy, so it's nice knowing I have that effect on her.

I like making her happy, especially when I know that she doesn't want to tell me about the grey days in her life.

We start walking to class as I continue rambling about the fictional man I've fallen in love with.

"And then he built her a house because he wanted her," I squeal.

"Who's building who a house?" I hear suddenly behind me as I head into class.

Nico and Xavier are behind us.

Bria looks absolutely confused and leans in beside me.

"Why are they talking to us?" she whispers.

"Long story, I'll explain later," I answer.

"Wait, what's the big deal?" I suddenly ask.

"The fact that they're the most annoying guys in school, and two hold the most parties," she answers.

"We're still here, you know?" Xavier says.

"Oh, we know," I reply back with sass.

What has gotten into me?

Nico laughs.

"I love this girl! Olivia, how are you? I missed you so much yesterday, and I was dreaming of you. In my dreams, you were like an angel."

"Shut the fuck up, Nico," Xavier harshly says.

"Someone's jealous," Bria whispers, as I raise my eyebrows in response.

"And who's this gorgeous girl?" Nico tries to grab Bria's hand, and she gives the foulest look.

"I'm married, sorry," she states.

"We can have an affair just between us," Nico winks.

"Where are your damn morals?" She groans.

"Deep in your heart, baby, only if you'd let me in." She snorts in response and walks into class.

"Nico, she's in a relationship. Please don't make her uncomfortable; she's my best friend." I smile.

And, my only friend but he doesn't need to know that.

"You're so sweet, so of course, anything for you, my Olivia." He winks, and I hug him.

"You're perfect, Nico." I look to see Xavier frowning.

"Hi, Xavier, how are you?" I ask.

"Fine." And he rushes off. He doesn't even look at me. Nico follows, and I head into my lesson.

After a full day of lessons, I yawn and lean on Bria's shoulder as we eat lunch together.

While, she's eating lunch. I learn i'm a certified loser and left my lunch at home.

Could I walk all the way back home? Yes. But will I? No.

Laziness is a disease I have; people should stay away from me.

As she eats, I explain how I met Nico, Xavier, and Krystian.

"I am a gazillion percent sure that Xavier likes me now!" I smile proudly.

"Well, from what the rumors say, he's the grumpiest and most aggressive of the group. Nico is, well, Nico, and Krystian is the smart one of the group," she explains.

"Why do you dislike Nico?" I ask curiously.

"I don't dislike him; he just doesn't get boundaries," she states firmly. I nod in acknowledgment.

"Also, what's it with your curiosity about Xavier? Do you have a crush?" she asks.

"No!" I shout too fast.

Is Xavier built like the embodiment of masculinity? Yes
Does he have the prettiest eyes and is super cool? Yes. But does that mean I have a crush? No.

I've accepted defeat. No man will be interested in me. I supposedly talk too much.

I don't plan on changing myself for any man, though.

"Why are you shouting so loud?" Xavier asks.

I flinch at his voice. How much did he hear?

"Sorry, I'm just very passionate about the subject at hand. Did you know a crocodile cannot stick its tongue out?" I ramble.

"Right. Where's your food?" he asks.

Why does he care? This man is so wacko. One second he's interested in me, the next he's like a ghost.

"Oh, I forgot it at home." I explain.

Suddenly, he throws a lunch box at me.

"Eat this," he states.

"Where are your manners?" I grumble.

"In your tummy, which is crying for food. Please eat," he answers.

I smile softly and open the box to see grilled chicken, sweet corn, cucumbers, and, on the side, a fruit salad.

"That looks amazing!" I grin.

"Thanks." He sits beside me, and confusion flusters my face.

"Jonathan is calling; I have to go!" Bria winks at me and runs off before I can even say anything.

"Bria!" I whisper-shout, but she's gone before she can even hear.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I question as I twirl a strand of my hair.

"Don't complain about something I'm willing to only give you," he answers.

"I must be so interesting huh? Wait what if you get bored of me?" I exclaim

"Doesn't seem likely for a girl who likes to talk so much." He grabs the fork and raises an eyebrow.

I put my hands up in defeat and start eating the most amazing food ever.

"Dad never lets me cook," I say between bites. "He says I suck, but it's okay because I'll find the one person who will like my cooking. You should come over, and I'll cook for you!" I state.

"I don't think your dad will be happy with me being over," he answers.

He didn't decline. He so likes me.

"My dad has work, silly. When he's not coaching you three, there are other people. Also, how's my dad like as a coach? He seems pretty scary."

"He's fine. Without him, I wouldn't be where I am now. I have a competition this weekend, and he's been a great help," he answers.

"Why do you talk like that?" I ask.

"Talk like what?"

"You know..." I stray away, frightened I'll offend him.

"Like what?"

"A grandpa and a robot all in one. Where's the spice in your words?"

"I speak fine, thanks."

"You can speak better," I argue.

"Do you always talk this much?"

"Depends," I answer.

"On?"

"Depends on who I'm with. For example, with Bria, I talk a lot. What I've learned now is that with Nico, it's a lot, but he likes the attention, so I speak slightly less. You're more of a listener, so I do most of the talking," I explain.

"What about Krystian?" he questions.

"I'm not sure. We've not had a proper conversation yet, but I'd love to get to know him. He seems like he gives great hugs."

"He's not good. I think I'm better," Xavier grumbles.

"Awh, someone's jealous."

"I am not jealous," he frowns.

"Sure!" I nudge him, and he laughs softly.

"Was that a laugh?" I ask with delight.

"Maybe."

I squeal and side-hug him. "I've never heard you laugh, and you have such a pretty laugh. You should never hide it from the world."

He looks down, a tint of pink covering his face.

"Stop being so nice," he argues.

"The world is filled with enough hatred. I don't want to be a part of that, so shush," I reply. He shakes his head and smiles.

"Why do you walk to school?" he asks.

Someone's a stalker. Eo eo, someone call the police.

"I sneezed at my instructor. I'm never learning ever again," I conclude.

"Poor man," he sighs.

"Hey!"

He flicks my nose, and I look at the outfit he's wearing. He wears a lot of black. He's inspiring me to be emo. I really wish I could pull off that aesthetic, but I'm scared to dye my hair. The fear of killing my hair is one of my many fears.

I'm also scared of clowns. Stupid feral creatures.

Suddenly, my phone vibrates with a reminder.

"Shoot, I have work after school. You can come to my house, sure, but I won't be there, so it'll probably be pretty boring."

"Where do you work?" he asks.

"You know that one cafe near school that everyone goes to? Yeah, I work there, but only an hour after school ends because I do not like the weird glares I used to get when working straight after school," I explain.

"If anyone bothers you, you will tell me." It was meant to be a question, but it sounded more like a command.

"Sure," I mutter.

A/N: it was so much fun writing the conversation between Xavier and Olivia hes so down bad and she's so oblivious it's cute! I hope ur excited for the new chapter soooooooooon!
I'm craving chocolate so bad but it makes my acne so bad. I really wish I had a phat ass. I'm to flat "do squats" "do squats" No i'm lazy.

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