Olive's P.O.V.
My eyes felt heavy as I began to stir. My hands rubbed against the silky material of the softest sheets I'd ever felt. This was not my bed, that much I knew for sure, but I could not remember where I was before I went to bed. The smell of his cologne wafted into my mind as a strong reminder of where I was and what had taken place. I was in Lucas' bed alone. I found my phone on the nightstand, checking the time to see it was 1 o'clock in the morning already. I grabbed the sides of my head as I sat up, feeling it pound. I had a terrible headache, and my arms felt so sore. Lucas quickly appeared at my side.
"I'm so sorry Rose, I went too far." He bit his lip anxiously, looking me over. "Here, take this, and drink the whole glass."
He handed me some painkillers with a tall glass of water. I took it, chugging the refreshingly cool liquid after.
"What happened?" I asked him hoarsely.
"Your blood pressure plummeted after the high I brought you. I am sorry, Rose, I got carried away." He looked so riddled with guilt as he watched me.
"Are you kidding? That was amazing." I smirked at him.
I didn't want him to feel bad because of my inexperience. Honestly, what he did was incredible and I wouldn't mind doing that again. Some of the worry faded from his face as he chuckled. His intense eyes softened on me for a moment.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Fine, aside from a headache." I shrugged looking around the room for my clothes. When I couldn't find it, I looked at Lucas again. "Where are my clothes? I need to get going."
"Rose, no. It's late and you need to rest before you move." He said sternly.
"It's fine. Hailey can come get me, and she'll watch over me." I assured him.
It would be better for me to stay here, but I know that will only muddy the waters again. I have to remember that this is only for sex. Sleeping here won't help me keep focus of that. Lucas looked sad, but with the blink of an eye it was gone, making me wonder if I had imagined it.
"Fine, but I'll drive you home and make sure you make it inside." He told me sternly.
I nodded my head, mainly because I didn't want to bother Hailey this late. Even if this whole thing was her idea. He disappeared for a moment coming back with my clothes. I got dressed with him watching the entire time. He pulled a shirt over his sweatpants, looking comfortable and yet still so sexy. I will keep a mental picture of him in sweats and store it next to the mental image of him in his suit yesterday. Lucas held his hand out for me to take, but I shook my head. Holding hands seems too intimate.
When I didn't grab his hand, he placed his arm around my waist, grabbing my hip on the opposite side. He held me firmly, making me realize he wasn't wanting to hold my hand earlier, he was trying to give me something to hold in case I felt faint again. I bit my lip feeling a bit guilty as he walked us out of his apartment. We made it to his car with no trouble. I still felt a little light headed, but it was small.
The car ride was silent and uncomfortable. I felt like I should say something, but I wasn't sure what. I could tell Lucas was feeling the same way. I think he still felt guilty as he bit at the back of his finger on the arm that rested on his door. He looked so handsome even when he was worried. His face was serious as he drove. I could tell he was trying to think of something to say too. We reached the apartment building without either of us being able to exchange any words.
Lucas opened my door, helping me out. This time I took his hand when he offered it. He gave it a squeeze when I did. He appreciated that I accepted it this time. We walked in silence to the elevator, but by then I couldn't take it anymore. I had to say something or I would lose my mind in this quiet. It seemed I wasn't the only one feeling this way as we both spoke at the same time.
"I'm sorry I-" He started.
"I really enjoyed-"
We both laughed at each other.
"Don't feel guilty, Lucas, and please don't apologize. I really enjoyed myself and I would hate to have it ruined with a memory of you feeling guilty over it." I told him, not able to look him in the eyes as I did.
He grabbed my chin, gently lifting it up until I met those intense chocolate eyes. He leaned down kissing me so tenderly. It wasn't like the kisses we share when we have se.x. It was sweet and gentle and had my feelings mixing up again.
"Thank you, Rose. I'll do better next time." He whispered to me as the elevator doors opened.
He walked me to the penthouse door, watching me unlock the door and enter.
"Goodnight, Olive." I heard him say as I closed the door.
I leaned against the door for a moment, before I turned and looked through the peephole. I saw him in the elevator leaning back against the gold rail. He looked downcasted as the elevator doors closed. I sighed trying to shake the feeling of needing to comfort him.
It's just sex.
-----
"Have you made an appointment yet?" Mom asked me as I sat on her bed, eating the jello she told me she couldn't stomach.
"It's the weekend mom. Doctor's office isn't open." I reminded her.
"Promise me you'll call first thing tomorrow." She looked so concerned as she met my eyes.
"I promise. Don't worry, mom, I'll get it done."
She nodded her head, closing her eyes again. She looked really tired today, but any time I would offer to leave, to let her rest, she'd wake herself back up. She didn't want me to leave, and I didn't want her to wake up and not find me here.
"I'll be right back mom. I'm going down to the cafeteria to get something else to snack on. Keep resting." I kissed her forehead before leaving.
It took me a good minute to find the cafeteria, getting lost in the hospital about a million times. Why are hospitals so hard for me to navigate? I pushed open the doors, finding a couple things that looked rather good. I paid, but as I was about to leave I heard a familiar voice call my name.
"Olive?" I turned to see Leo sitting at a table by himself near the doors. I furrowed my brow at him, not expecting to see him here.
"Leo?" I co.cked my head to the side.
"What are you doing here?" He asked me as I walked towards him.
"Visiting my mom. What about you?"
"Visiting my dad." He looked down for a moment.
"Is he okay?" I asked, feeling something was wrong.
"We're pulling the plug on him today." He explained crushing my heart.
I placed my things down on the table, grabbing his arms and making him stand. He furrowed his brow at me for a moment, but I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. I felt him melt into the embrace as he wrapped his arms back around me. I held him close for a while, knowing he needs more than this, but it was the only thing I had to offer.
"I am so sorry Leo. I had no idea." I whispered with my head resting against his chest.
"It's okay. Thank you, Olive." He sighed. "He's been on life support for a year now, but there's no improvement. Mom finally decided it was time." He explained.
"I am so sorry." I said again, sounding like a broken record, but what else is there to say? He squeezed me for a moment, before letting me go. I let him go too, but neither of us stepped back, keeping the space between us small.
"Is your mom okay?" He asked, and I wasn't sure how to answer that. I didn't want to tell him she had cancer. He has his own problems to worry about today.
"Leo, it's time." I heard a familiar voice call from the silver double doors. I turned to see Lucas in the doorway, looking at his phone.
"I'm coming." Leo told him, making Lucas look up. Confusion, worry, and guilt crossed his features quickly.
"Rose, are you okay? Are you still dizzy?" He took a step towards me, stopping himself as he saw Leo.
"I'm fine. I'm not here for me, don't worry." I assured him, turning my attention back on Leo.
"I'm really sorry, Leo. I'm here if you need to talk."
He nodded with a sad smile. He wrapped his arms around me again, hugging me one last time before leaving. Lucas hung at the door for a second longer, watching me for a moment before he followed Leo. I picked my things up, heading back up to mom. Leo stayed on my mind. I'll be in his shoes soon. Mom doesn't have much time left. When I arrived they told me her condition was declining, and we would be lucky if she made it through the week.
I'll be spending every free moment I have here with her. I will only leave her side to go to class. I may even skip a couple this week. Like my English class and perhaps the easier math class I have. I sighed, wondering how anyone deals with losing a parent. I'll have to make sure to check in on Leo tomorrow. I am glad that he had Lucas there for him. It's important to have people around you when you're going through something major.
---
"Ew, mom, no!" I laughed as she tried to tell me the story of my conception. "No child ever needs to hear how they were made."
She laughed with me, causing her to cough hard. I poured her a glass of water, and she took it with shaky hands. I went to my morning classes today, but my mind had stayed on mom, and every now and then on Leo. Honestly, I was so distracted that it was like I hadn't attended class at all. I decided to email my professors and let them know what was going on. They were all very understanding and compassionate, giving me my assignments ahead of time. I was working on one as mom and I spoke.
"What about you, sweetheart? Do you have a special boy in your life?" She raised a brow.
"Not exactly." I blushed thinking of Lucas. How would I describe him to mom?
"Oh? Who did you just think of?"
"His name is Lucas." I admitted. "But he isn't interested in a relationship, at least not a serious one."
"Are you? Wanting a serious relationship?" She asked, curiously. I just nodded my head.
"Yeah, I do, but not yet."
Mom and I spoke for a while, where I told her all about Julius and what had happened. We spoke about how he took my virginity all the way up to me catching him cheating on me. Mom joined me in trash talking him until we were laughing again. She coughed every time we laughed. It was breaking my heart to see her this way.
She rested her eyes after our talk, feeling exhausted. I hated seeing cancer eat away at her body. I finally got her back to only get maybe a week with her. There's too much to talk about to try and fit it all into one week.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, snapping me from my depressing thoughts. The name flashing on my screen made my chest hurt.