All American Prediction Series: Season 3

Interlude II: Scared of Lonely

Another summer flashback before tomorrow's episode! 

Spencer had visited the site of the shooting multiple times since that life-changing night. Each time was hard and it didn't seem to get easier. The bullet hole in the wall opposite the ballroom building still haunted Spencer and he couldn't help but think what life would have been like if the second one hit him or hit Olivia. It was triggering every time but he found himself at the location more often. 

One day, Olivia decided it was time for her to visit the site. She was still struggling with sleepless nights and constant thoughts about that night and Spencer almost losing his life. When his arm had gone numb earlier that summer, guilt began to eat at her. What if Spencer's football career was never the same? Would it had been better for her to take the bullet? Would Spencer resent her if his arm continued going numb throughout football season? It was time to face the event that had changed her life forever. 

"You sure about this, Liv? You don't have to do this if it's too much," Spencer asked, grabbing Olivia's hand as they rounded the corner. Olivia tightened her grip on his hand and took a deep breath.  "Liv?"

"Yea, I need to do this," she replied, freezing in the spot of the shooting. That night replayed as if it was happening right in front of her. The sounds of the gun and the bullets falling around them echoed in her ears. She didn't even realize she was crying and taking shallow breaths until Spencer put an arm around her shoulders. Until now, life after the shooting had been focused on Spencer's recovery and whether he could play football again. Olivia's recovery had taken the back burner because she wasn't physically injured. During their midnight hangouts, Spencer noticed how much the shooting had actually affected Olivia, which is why he checked in on her often and continued their midnight sessions in case she needed him. 

"I'm here," he told  Olivia as she leaned into his side. "And I'm not going anywhere." 

That night, Olivia had another nightmare that shook her right out of her sleep. Some nights she couldn't sleep at all, others were great then there were the nights she had vivid nightmares about the shooting. Every time, Spencer would push her out of the way while the bullet tore through his shoulder. She jumped out of her bed and headed downstairs to the living room, hoping to see Spencer down there. When she saw the room was dark, she headed back up the steps and peeked her head into Spencer's room. He was a light sleeper and the creaking of his door woke him up. 

"Liv," he sat up and pulled the covers back. "You okay?" 

"No," she whispered and even in the dark, Spencer could tell she was shaken up. "Had a bad dream and hoped you were still up for a midnight hang." 

"Of course I am," Spencer patted the bed, prompting Olivia to join him while he grabbed the remote to his TV. "A Different World or Living Single?" 

"A Different World. Dwayne Wayne is a cutie," Olivia said, pulling the covers up over her body. 

"Figured," Spencer chuckled. 

For the next two hours, they stayed up until Olivia felt comfortable enough to fall asleep. Being in Spencer's presence made her feel safer than she had felt in a long time. Spencer didn't even budge when she laced her fingers through his. She was his safe place too.