All American Prediction Series: Season 3

Interlude I: Summer Lovin'

Author's Note: A very short interlude until Monday's episode and episode 13 preview. I'm excited about episode 13 because Spelivia is planning Grace's graduation party. That will be fun to write! I could possibly have another interlude posted over the weekend but I won't make any promises. 

"I'll be back after two-a-days," Spencer said, throwing the last of his football uniform in his duffle bag.

"Did you get your Gatorade out the freezer? I put them all in there to get good and cold. It's supposed to be hot today," Olivia asked, squeezing past Spencer and putting an icepack in his lunch. "Oh, and there's some pickle juice in here in case you cramp up. So please don't let that fall over in your bag." 

Spencer chuckled at Olivia's seriousness during his football camps. He was traveling back and forth to Crenshaw during the week for their summer training program. Even if he didn't admit it, he made the decision to remain in the Baker household for the summer to spend time with Olivia. Since the end of the school year, they had been spending most of their free time with each other. Their favorite hobby was watching the most ridiculous movies and television shows and reciting their favorite, cringy parts for the rest of the day. They would usually both end up in tears from laughing so hard and Jordan was growing tired of their inside jokes. 

"Thanks mom," Spencer joked, grabbing his lunch bag, duffle bag and hugging Olivia's shoulders. "I appreciate it." 

"That's the lunch for a champion.  Your favorite and my dad's, so make sure Coach doesn't try to steal it," she added, kissing Spencer's cheek. It was Olivia's signature but lately, it was feeling a little more domestic. 

"Got it. I'm outta here. See you later?"  

"I'll be here. I have a podcast episode to record, so I'll be up in my room by time you get back. Remember we have to start Flava of Love tonight. Don't be too long," Olivia warned, backing up towards the stairs. 

"You're the boss," Spencer winked, closing the door behind him. 

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Spencer could barely stay awake on the bus ride back to Beverly that evening. His body was heavy and he knew the next day would be hell. Even after his ice bath, the soreness was already setting in his muscles. Coach Baker had made them a promise to get them to State if they did what he asked and focused on the end goal. Like before, Spencer believed in what Coach Baker would bring to Crenshaw and he planned to give him his all while making sure his teammates did the same. 

When he got back to Beverly, Olivia was already downstairs in front of the TV. "Now I know you didn't start something without me," Spencer teased, putting his bag at the base of the steps. 

"Nope! I was finishing the last episode of that show we were watching last week. Since I fell asleep on it." 

"Like you always do." 

"Spencer, shut up! No, I don't ," Olivia replied, placing a hand on her chest in fake defense. "Hurry up and shower so we can start this show. I'm dying to see why all these women loved Flava Flav." 

"Aight, give me a few and I'll be back down. Don't sit down here and fall asleep though because I'll be disappointed in you," Spencer disappeared up the stairs to his room.

After an hour, he joined Olivia on the couch with snacks to start the beloved reality tv show that was popular in the mid-2000s. Olivia's laugh filled the living room. She had already named New York as her favorite one, while Spencer was just enjoying the time he could spend with his friend. He couldn't name what it was, but he felt something different about their relationship.  When he returned to Beverly to check on her at the beginning of summer, he felt it and it had gotten stronger since. He had to always be around her and the thought of them going to separate schools had suddenly been a hard pill to swallow for him. They had grown closer over the summer and were almost inseparable. 

Olivia was grateful for Spencer's company. Several times, he turned his friends in Crenshaw down to stay back in Beverly with her, even though he didn't know she knew that. Her feelings for Spencer had grown since that very first time they met in Chemistry.  Suppressing them for the past year was hard, but thinking Spencer didn't feel the same way about her made it easier --until now. She had felt the shift too, which made those feelings more difficult to hide as they spent more time with each other.  They were enjoying this time in their own world until it was time to go back to reality. Spencer told Layla he would wait on her and Asher would be back from Mexico in a few weeks. Olivia leaned into Spencer's side as his arm rested on the back of the sofa.  Her head fell to his shoulder when her eyes felt heavy. 

"Really, Liv," Spencer mumbled under his breath, letting the weight of Olivia's body fall on his. She was already half-sleep and didn't respond. Without thinking, Spencer pressed a kiss to her forehead and continued the reality tv binge by himself.