Road trip

34- The way it needs to be

We decided against our usual Saturday exploration tradition when we got up, instead opting to lounge in bed doing some more personal exploration, mainly of each other.

When we finally untangled from the bed at four in the afternoon we curled into the couch, neither of us in any rush to be around other people.

There was a knock on the door and I looked at Austin questioningly. I hadn't given anyone but our parents our address which meant that Austin must have.

He shrugged and got up, opening the door and letting whoever it was inside.

"Nice apartment." Olivias voice rang out as I climbed off the couch.

"Olivia? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I wanted to apologize for last night." She sounded genuine. "Savannah can be a lot and while most of us are used to her, I know she's a little much for most people."

"That's an understatement." Austin muttered as he walked past. "I'll be on the couch." He kissed my cheek before heading back in the living room.

"How did you know where we lived?" I asked ignoring her comment on Savannah. I didn't need her to smooth things over. We would probably never like each other and I was fine with that.

"Oh, erm. I may have messaged your mom on Facebook. I'm sorry. I just, I didn't want you to shut us all out because of her." She explained and even though it was a little strange, I appreciated the effort.

"Look, I like you Olivia and I know you can't help how she is. I just think that I'm going to skip the parties for a while. It's been me and Austin for the last few years and it's taken us a lot to get where we are. I'm not going to sacrifice that for anything." I explained as she smiled at me.

"I understand. I just wanted to apologize. I know my brother seems a little ignorant sometimes, but he really is a good guy at heart. Maybe one day we can all get together without Savannah around."

"Maybe." I shrugged. "For now this is just the way it needs to be." I explained as Austin got up and walked over to us.

"I'm sorry. I hope we can still be friends." She looked down and I felt bad. It wasn't her fault her brother was a smart ass with slutty friends.

"You are welcome here any time Olivia." Austin smiled lacing our fingers. "But Anna is right, it's not worth it to mess up our relationship over some childish drama and partying." He smiled down at me.

"I understand, and thanks for offering to let me come here. I really do like you both, it's been a while since I had my own friends, but I should get going."

She turned to grab the door handle as Austin squeezed my hand, a silent message to be a good person and make this whole thing less awkward.

"Olivia." I blurted as she turned around, "next week, after Austin's practice, you should come over and eat pizza with us. You can bring Marcus too I guess." I smiled hoping I wouldn't regret it.

....

When Thursday rolled around I spent all of Austin's practice talking to Olivia in the stands. Apparently none of her group had any classes with Austin and would have likely never even crossed paths if we hadn't gone out that night. She followed us with Marcus back to the house where we ate pizza and listened to music.

The boys disappeared into the kitchen for a while as I sat on the couch with her. "So what's going on with you and Marcus?" I asked. "Don't lie to me."

"I don't know. Sometimes it's like we are friends, we argue like siblings, and yet not even my brother makes me feel as happy or safe as he does. I just, I don't want to mess things up." She explained and thankfully it was an issue I was familiar with.

"Can I offer you some advice?" I asked as she nodded. "Live in the moment. If you want it to be more you have to make the move. Me and Austin were in the same dilemma until a few months ago, and honestly he pushed for me to take a chance. The only regret I have is not doing it sooner."

"He really loves you. I can see it every time he looks at you." She stated.

"I know. I think Marcus love you too. Maybe you just need to be the Austin of your story and make the first move. I mean it can't be easy for him, especially since he's friends with Cole."

"We will see." She smiled as the guys returned.

"You ready livvy?" Marcus asked as I internally softened at the nickname.

"Yeah, thanks for inviting us." she gave me a hug before turning to Austin who gave her a hug too.

"You're welcome any time." Austin added as I hugged Marcus and we walked them to the door.

"I just wished they could come to the party." I overheard her tell Marcus as they walked down the hallway.

"I know, but this is just the way it needs to be. Better to have friends in small doses rather than push them into something that will ruin it." Marcus responded.

"I know, what would I do without you?"

"No clue." He laughed as the stepped into the elevator and disappeared.

"Well that was fun." Austin grinned.

"It was." I replied.

"So why haven't I met your friends from school yet?" He asked.

"Wait I was supposed to make friends?" I teased. "They are all living off campus on the other side of town and either have kids or spouses and jobs."

"Fair enough." He smirked "I guess I'll just be your only friend."

"You're the only one I'll ever need." I replied as I leaned up to kiss him.

I was being truthful too. If this summer had taught me anything it was that Austin was the one person I could trust with my life, the person who made everything in my life better than it was.

I had been afraid to fall for him, scared of what kind of person it made me to get involved with my dead best friends boyfriend, and yet I felt secure in the hope that she was smiling down on us.

She had brought us together and because of her I had found the most important person in my life.

All because of her and the need to fulfill her dreams with nothing other than a single summer road trip.