Olive's P.O.V.
This stomach bug, won't seem to leave me. I guess I should be grateful that it isn't making me throw up all day long. My eyes were still sticky with sleep. I was exhausted, having stayed up late talking with Ian. We spoke in person till the sun set and then we texted almost all night.
Lucas and I texted all night too. He didn't get much sleep. He said he needs me in his arms to get any semblance of sleep. I let him know how things went with Ian and he said he was happy for me. I don't know how true those words are though. I think it bothers him a little that we're friends again. I'm not sure, but I hope not.
#1 Best Friend: Good morning, sleepy Red. If you're anything like teenage Red, then you're still asleep. In which case, I hope this wakes you 3:)
Olive: Jokes on you, I am already awake :p
I texted him back, feeling happy to have my first best friend back in my life. I feel somehow whole again.
Olive: Good morning, my Knight. I hope you were able to get some sleep. I miss you terribly. Also this stomach bug, won't leave me alone. I'm still throwing up :(
Olive: I demand you make it stop.
My Knight: I wish I could. I miss you my Rose. Think mom and Lisa would notice if I fly back to you today?
His text made me grin so widely.
Olive: They would definitely notice. Your presence is very much noted when it's gone. I wish you could though. I need to be wrapped around you again. These next few days can't pass by fast enough.
My Knight: I need you, Olive. I need you desperately.
I was in the middle of typing my reply to Lucas when my phone buzzed with a text from Ian.
Olive: I need you too.
I sent it to Lucas before opening Ian's text.
#1 Best Friend: *gasp* she wakes before 10 now?
I laughed at his message. I used to be quite the sleepy head when I was younger.
Olive: She's grown now.
I sent back.
My Knight: Have fun today, and be careful with your dad. I love you my Rose.
Olive: I love you too, my Knight. Tell Lisa and your mom that I say hi.
I got myself dressed for the day, ignoring the buzzing of my phone while I got ready. With my hair braided, and a thick turtleneck, sweater dress and ankle boots on, I headed out.
#1 Best Friend: Look what I found.
It was a picture of a stuffed animal I had won for him at a fair the summer after freshman year.
#1 Best Friend: He's a little worn and torn, but still kicking it.
Olive: Oh my gosh! Poor little fella. He's had to deal with you for all these years xD
#1 Best Friend: Harsh.
#1 Best Friend: Come to the house at 2 today. Dad will be here then and mom's making dinner. She said she can't wait to see you again.
Mrs. Daniels was the absolute sweetest woman on this planet. She was joy and warmth bottled into a person. I missed her too, when Ian left.
Olive: I can't wait to see her, too.
I snuck by the book store again, watching dad's new girlfriend. She seemed kind, and it only made me worry for her more. Kind people don't usually stand up for themselves. I hope I'm wrong though. I decided to take a gamble and interact with her. I grabbed a book that seemed interesting and went to check out.
"Did you find everything okay?" She asked me with a smile.
"Sure did." I nodded, smiling back.
She rang me up, rubbing her stomach after she placed the book in a big.
"How far along are you?" I asked her.
"Oh, you can tell? I'm only about 15 weeks." She blushed as she answered.
"I just assumed since you kept rubbing it. You don't look big or anything." I tried to retract my rude ass question. I knew she was pregnant, but that didn't mean she actually looked it.
"Oh, yeah. I've seemed to form a habit of doing that now." She smiled down at her little bump as she rubbed it. "It just helps me remember he's there."
"He? So you're having a boy?" My chest tightened at the news. Dad had always wanted a son, someone to take his place in the ring. Someone he thought would actually win.
"Yeah, we did the early blood test. I couldn't wait any longer." She giggled as she told me. She seemed so in love with the bump. It was sweet to see.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
I finished checking out, grabbing my things. I should have paid more attention again. My head must be in the clouds, because in came dad. His eyes landed on me instantly, but I didn't shy away. In fact, I decided to use this public setting to have words. I marched towards him, seeing him look past me at Daisy. He seemed worried.
She must not know about me.
"How could you keep Ian's letters from me?" I started right off the bat.
He opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water for a few seconds. I seemed to have caught him off guard. I guess he thought I would be asking him about the baby or his too-young-for-him girlfriend.
"What's that matter? It was years ago. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I won't answer, until you do." I crossed my arms. "Better hurry before Daisy wonders who I am. It seems you haven't told her about me. Trying to keep your past a secret, and start over? Make sure you don't repeat the same mistakes." I could tell I was angering him, but I couldn't help myself. I felt so bitter right now.. bitter and mean.
"You didn't need to be wrapped up in a boy. It was desperate. He moved to a different country and you needed to let him go."
"You had no fight to decide that! I'm in town visiting old friends, and learning all sorts of new things about you. Good luck with the new kid. I'll be keeping a watch. If I see so much as a bruise on either of them, you can kiss your happy new future goodbye." I walked past him, and out into the fresh air, leaving behind the smell of books and coffee, and maybe a little piece of myself.
I really hope he can give you a better life than me, my little brother.
I am going to have a brother soon. I wonder if he will know about me. Will I be mentioned or just forgotten...a shameful piece of his past. I guess we'll see. I made my way to Joe's shop knowing exactly what I want and where. I slammed the tattoo shop door open, letting the cold breeze enter with me. Vicky's eyes widened as she watched me march straight up to Joe, and just hop on his table.
"Purple ribbon beside the pink one. And a red envelope over the semicolon." I told him, not waiting a second.
"Start talking," he said as he got his instruments ready.
I told him about Ian and the envelopes. I told him that dad kept them from me with a sad ass excuse. I told him about the way I was feeling. How bitter I felt at him starting a new family and acting like I don't exist in this new CHAPTER. I spiraled from there, talking all kinds of shit about him. I was furious and deeply hurt all at the same time. It didn't take Joe long to finish since it was two simple things.
The purple ribbon sat beside the pink one. He wrote forever stronger than you inside it. I liked that part a lot. The red envelope swallowed the black semicolon, as if it was coming out the envelope itself. He wrote Life goes on inside it. He knew why I got the semicolon. It was the only time he gave me exactly what I had asked for.
"Thanks for the therapy session, Joe. What do I owe you?"
"Go see Vicky. She'll check you out." Joe seemed upset as I got up. I think he was mad over everything I'd just spilled about my dad.
I checked out with Vicky, getting a nice Joe discount. The site stung a bit, but I liked the feeling. It distracted me from my other pain. My phone rang in my pocket, making me stop walking to fish it out. I love dresses with pockets, but these are a bit hard to get into. Lucas' name flashed across my screen, making me smile.
"Hello?"
"We need to talk." He immediately answered, sounding pissed for some reason.
What happened?