All American Senior Year: Volume Two

Chapter One: All Roads Must Come To An End

He could still hear the sounds of his footsteps rushing through the hospital. The pounding of his heart, the fears that filled his worried mind, and the cries of his mother still haunt him to this day. Echoing in his head like a nightmare replaying on repeat. He'd be lying if he said the last few weeks hadn't been hell. The countless nights he laid awake praying that Coop would wake up from the induced coma she'd been in. The doctors couldn't tell the extent of her injuries until she would wake which only heightened his fear that she'd been paralyzed or lost her memory. With the bullet knicking her lungs, it came with its own set of problems. That life would never be the same.

He knew the struggles that would await for her when she woke, which only made his crippling mind fear the worst-case scenarios. Knowing whatever the outcome it would lead to, either way, he had lost his best friend that late December evening. That she would never be the same Coop he knew and loved. And as much as he tried to deny it, he knew from his own experience that life would be different and that she would be too.

The sounds of children playing off into the distance brought him out of his thoughts as he sat in a nearby park reflecting on the last month. It'd been torturous, to say the least. With barely getting any sleep, and taking care of himself. Spencer could feel how much this past month had taken a toll on his body. Resting his elbows on his knees he looked out to the peaceful park feeling a sense of calm and comfort. For the first time in weeks, he felt the weight that was weighing heavy on his chest lift with every breath he took. Allowing him to breathe. Taking in the smell of nature, a small gust of wind, brought his jacket to hug him a little tighter than before.

Shuffling the envelope in his hand, Spencer looked down bringing a smile to his lips. "You know-" he started off. His voice was a bit raspier than usual. Clearing his throat his eyes were fixated on the words that were written in the middle of the wrinkled envelope that read: Toledo State University. Taking in a deep sigh Spencer looked up towards a certain stone that was placed just a few feet before him. Leaving the smile that appeared to quickly disappear. A frown formed on his lips, replacing the smile that was once there seconds before.

Filling his mind with all the memories they shared and all the memories they wouldn't be able to. Taken from him far too soon, Spencer couldn't help but think of the deep ache in his heart and the bit of emptiness he had felt. Something that although has settled, hadn't fully disappeared. Even though it had been bitter-sweet, it somehow still brought him comfort to come to the place he felt he would be heard the best. Hoping that they would still be listening even if they weren't physically there with him.

Taking a shaky breath in before exhaling, Spencer rested his back against the bench, looking up to hear the birds softly chirping in the distance bringing the smile he lost minutes before back to his lips. The sound of a car door slam, brought him back turning to see the only person that could ease his worried mind. The girl that lightened up his world even through the darkest of days, she'd been his anchor. Meeting his eyes, a bright smile spread on her lips making her way over to him. With two coffees in her hand, she slowed to a stop.

"Your mom told me where I could find you. Thought you might need some caffeine and some company,". Her infectious smile spread on his, as he scooted making room for her. "From you? Always,". Olivia sat down placing a tender kiss on his lips, she handed him his coffee. Spencer pulled her in, leaving a trail of kisses on her cheek. Olivia softly giggled loving the feeling of the warmth and comfort Spencer brought her.

"I see someone's missed me," Olivia teased. Causing a smile to linger as he kissed her a few more times. "That would be an understatement,". Olivia pouted her lips tilting her head to the side. "I missed you too,". She wrapped her arms around his, as she now left a trail of kisses down his shoulder. The both of them fell to a comfortable silence, taking in the eerie peacefulness around them.

"Thank you for coming," Spencer softly spoke. Kissing the top of her head. Olivia snuggled deeper into his shoulder, squeezing his arm tighter. "There is nowhere else I'd rather be,". Olivia lifted her head leaning her chin against his shoulder. Placing a kiss on his lips, she reached over when she felt an envelope in his hands. Breaking the kiss, Olivia took the envelope from his hands to see that Spencer still hadn't sent his scholarship.

"Baby you haven't sent it yet? You do know the deadline to send it is tomorrow right?". Spencer guided his hands into hers, squeezing her to grab her attention. "I know. I just needed a bit more time. I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision. If I don't get another opportunity, By next fall I'll be moving to Ohio, Liv. You know how far that is?" he asked. "It's...2,407 miles-" Spencer trailed the second Olivia repeated his words. "I know Spence. Trust me...I know-" Olivia trailed taking a breather before continuing. "We talked about it remember?" she asked, half smiling. Spencer nodded, kissing her cheek. "We did. But it wasn't set in stone and now that it is-" Spencer trailed. Olivia shook her head disagreeing.

"Spence, nothing is set in stone yet. You will get other opportunities. But a full ride? This is what you worked so damn hard for and I'll be damned to sit on the sidelines and watch you throw it all away! If anything it's a plan B, heck even Z. But at least you have something just in case plan A through Y fall through. You can't let Toledo go, just so you don't have to be away from me. I know you love me but I didn't know you loved me that much," Olivia teased causing the tension to grow lighter. Spencer burst into laughter. Grabbing her head, he lightly shook it.

"I see it's getting to your head. You know that's not the only reason Liv. I still got my moms and Dillon. Crenshaw will always be home," Spencer looked around sighing deeply. Olivia smiled sadly hearing the shakiness in her boyfriend's words as the reality of their situation sunk in. Rubbing her hand up and down his arm.

"And nothing is going to change that baby. Crenshaw will always be your home no matter how far you leave. Your mom and Dillon will be okay. They have my parents, they have friends, and you'll come back to visit so often I'm sure it'll feel like you never even left. As for me...I mean...I am still very undecided on where I'm attending next fall. Maybe I'll even join you. Ohio's not that bad, right? Best of all, we get seasons,". Olivia winked causing the tension to grow even lighter. Resting her head on his shoulder, her eyes caught a silver headstone that sat just a few feet away from them engraved with Spencer's father's name. Her smile slowly faded, thinking of Corey. "What would your dad say?" Olivia asked.

Spencer smiled looking up to the sky, taking a sharp breath in, he inhaled. "He'd say that I'd be a fool to not take the opportunity, but he'd understand if I didn't end up taking it. We didn't get to spend much time together before he passed. But he'd want me to follow my heart. I keep replaying the quote he told me. We were sitting on the dock back at the cabin. It was only the two of us and he was teaching me how to fish. Something he was never able to teach Dillon and I since he was never around growing up. But he would say: Fishing ain't about fishing Spence. It's about taking your time to just be realigning yourself with nature. Practicing patience. It's a chance to center your thoughts,".

Spencer looked towards his father's gravestone remembering back to the last night he spent with him. His eyes fell to the overgrown grass, clearing his throat, he held back the tears that threatened to fall. Olivia ran the back of her hand on the side of his face, gently rubbing his cheek as he reminisced of the distant memories. "Maybe your right Liv, maybe I shouldn't waste this opportunity. Nothing is set in stone right?" he asked looking at her eyes for reassurance. Giving him a warm smile, she nodded.

"Nothing is set in stone baby. Want to head out of here? It's getting colder by the second," Olivia rubbed her arms to capture the warmth. "And nothing sounds better than cuddling on the couch and watching a movie with you,". Spencer smiled pulling him up with her. "I second that. You think we can drop this off on the way?". He asked holding up the envelope. Olivia interlaced her hand in his, guiding him towards her car. "Of course but before we do that. We need to make a pit stop,". Spencer scrunched his eyebrows when Olivia smiled tilting her head to the side. "it's good I promise,". Spencer sighed knowing he had no other choice but to tagalong. "Fine, but I'm picking the movie tonight,". Olivia agreed. "Deal,".