Texting Olivia Large ((On Pause))

7

"So, how've you been?" I ask a few seconds into driving. My eyes are on the road in front of me but my mind is far from it.

I expect her to tell me to 'shut up and drive' but surprisengly, she just mumbles a low 'fine' before leaning into the car seat.

I take a second to glance at her. It's obvious she's not happy being here but it's not like she has any other option. Her pink lips are twisted in a frown and her eyes settle on the window.

Light pours in through the window, giving her hair a golden glow, and a silver twinkle. The hairpin.

She turned and her eyes caught mine before widening at the road. "Look out!"

Just in time, I faced forward, heart kicking up when I notice I'm about slam into a pole. "Holy shit!"

I quickly swerved to the side, jerking Olivia and me sideways before driving normally again, my heart pounding in my ears.

"What the hell, Adam?!" I hear Olivia scream.

I don't look at her for obvious reasons,  but I can tell she's terrified.

"Sorry, I'm usually a good driver. I swear" I smile nervously.

A groan erupts from her lips, the feet stomping. "I should have just taken an Uber..."

"I said, I was sorry."

"What if I died?" She leaned against the window, more cautious this time. "There are so many things I haven't done yet!"

I raise a brow. "Like what."

She's silent for a while like she's considering telling me, then she says, "Like none of your business."

She crosses her arms. "I'd like to get me and my friend home in one piece!"

I suddenly remember Amanda in the back seat, probably sleeping if she's this quiet.

I bit my cheek as my mind drifts to another memory, the one where Olivia's mom calls frantically, saying she wanted to take Aiden out of karate class.

"Olivia?"

She growls. "What?"

"Why did your mom pull Aiden out of karate class?"

She's silent for a while, weighing her options to ignore me or answer. I'm pleasantly surprised by what she chooses. "It's not in her budget..."

I don't have to look at her to know she's distressed, the way her voice wavers is telling.

She continues. "But, I think I'll just call the sensei and ask if I can pay the fees later..."

"How are you going to do that?"

From the corner of my eye, I see her shrug. "I'll get a job, do some favors..." Her eyes fall a bit and she yawns, a sloppy smirk growing on her lips. "Maybe even start a strip."

My eyes widen and I slam on the breaks. We jerk forward.

I turn to her so quickly I was afraid my neck would snap in two. "What?!"

"What the hell, dude?! I was just joking!" Her eyes are as wide as saucers, drowsiness long gone.

I start the car, my body settling into relief that she's not about to start a strip club. I also note the fact she was actually joking with me, a nice change from snarky comments and glares.

After a few seconds of driving, I spoke up. "There's really no need to start a strip-"

"I was joking"

"He can learn for free if you want," I say casually, watching the expression on her face shift from annoyed to slightly hopefully but, that expression was gone as soon as it came.

"Would his sensei allow that?"

"I am his sensei," I explain. "His sensei passed away a few weeks ago. He gave me his dojo to train for a few extra bucks. It pays well, so I don't really need your money."

Her voice is cautious. "Why would you do that?"

"Because we're friends." The familiar words taste like sandpaper in my mouth, and suddenly we're drenched in tension.

"Why would we do that?"

"Because we're friends...?"

"Ew."

Her voice becomes hollow. "We're not friends. I don't want your favors, I'll pay it back myself."

I exhale and shrug, knowing there's no point arguing about it. "Alright."

We finally pull up at her house, and she pulls Amanda out of the back seat, pulling an arm over her shoulder to keep her up. She mumbles incoherently and slumps on Olivia again.

Olivia uses her free hand to thrust her phone forward.

I furrow my brows. "What for?"

"Give me your number, I'll call you when I have things paid for."

Sweat forms on my brow. My throat suddenly feeling tight. "There's no need for that, just give it to me whenever you like," I say, hoping I sound natural.

"I don't want favors, Lynch. Just give me your number."

I trip over my words for a bit, fear creeping into my chest, my hair slick with sweat. If she finds out I'm the anonymous texte4, she'll never talk to me again.

She raises a brow. "I'm not flirting with you."

"I know, it's just that, um... Well..." Out of frantic eternal panic, I blurt the first thing that comes to mind. "I don't have a phone!"

Her eyes narrow at me then drift to my phone, sitting on the dashboard.

Crap.

She rolls her eyes and slams the door. "Whatever, asshole." Her tone is laced with venom and a bit of hurt.

Shit.

Long after she's gone, I wait in her driveway. Cursing myself, for not thinking up a better excuse.

"I'm so stupid..." I growl into my palms.

How am I supposed to make her like me, when I keep giving her reasons to hate me?

~•~•~•~
This one took a while, though it's a bit short.

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