All American Prediction Series: Season 3

Episode 13: Bigger

"I want to be on your podcast," Laura offered. It had been two weeks since the footage was released and Laura's job was still on the line. Things were in limbo and she wasn't sure what would happen. 

"I think you should lay low for a while, mom. Let things settle down first," Olivia suggested. Ever since the leak, they were trying to get back on better terms. Laura was educating herself and talking to her colleagues about what their office could do better in the fight for justice and racial equality. 

"Things won't be settled for a while, Liv," Laura debated. "You think I'm going to embarrass you, huh?"

"Thankfully it's a podcast and not a vlog. Your dance skills need work," Olivia joked. "But seriously, you need to lay low. I'm just trying to protect my mother since I did such a terrible job doing that the first time." 

"Okay, fine. I won't force you to put me on your podcast. Whenever you're ready, I'm open to joining you one day." 

"That's great, mom. I appreciate that. We can brainstorm later tonight if you want and when I feel comfortable, we'll get on there and break the internet," Olivia replied, wrapping her arms around Laura's mid-section. "I love you." 

"Aww, sweetie, I love you too. Hey," Laura pulled back and looked directly into Olivia's eyes. "Don't ever think that I'm not proud of you. What you did hurt me to my core but I realize it was never about me. I've always taught you to stand up for what you believe in and I'm proud of your bravery and selflessness. As your mom, I'm always going to have your back no matter what."

"Thank you. I will apologize for the rest of my life if I have to and I have your back too. I learned from the best," Olivia hugged her mother one more time before grabbing her purse. 

"Tell Grace and Spencer I said hi and make sure you're back here by 10pm or I'll have to re-think semi ungrounding you," Laura warned. Slowly, Olivia was getting back into the swing of life before the video release. Everything seemed to be falling into place when it came to her sobriety and her relationship with her family. The biggest elephant in the room was her unofficial relationship with Spencer. After her relapse, they had not discussed what happened that night or in Vegas. Things were at a standstill and Olivia couldn't ignore how their encounters fluctuated between awkward and normal. As much as she wanted to know where they stood, she was afraid of rejection. Spencer had seen her at her worst and that probably scared him away. Olivia shook the confidence she thought she had developed to talk to Spencer once she arrived at his house. That talk would have to be tabled for another day. 

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When Olivia arrived at the James' residence, Dillon answered the door before she could even reach the porch. 

"Hi Liv," he sang, his bright eyes squinting. 

"Hi Dillon," Olivia laughed, pulling him into a hug before entering the house. "Hi, Miss Grace."

"Hi sweetie, how are you," Grace dried her hands on a dishtowel and met Olivia in the living room for a hug. 

"I'm better and you," Olivia asked, returning the tight squeeze Grace gave her.

"I'm good. I know things have been a bit crazy but I'm glad you're doing better. Spencer should be back soon. He went to fill up my car," she added, turning back to the kitchen. "Dillon don't bug Olivia too much."

"I didn't even do anything, ma," the pre-teen whined, winking at Olivia before returning to the couch. The front door opened, putting a stop to whatever snarky statement Dillon was about to make.