Breaking Barriers - S.R.

32

Sometime during the early hours of the morning, I did manage to doze off. It was short lived though, as images and flashbacks of my kidnapping whirled around in my head every time I closed my eyes. Eventually, I rolled out of bed and sauntered to the door. Just before I reached for the doorknob, I could hear my friends talking again, but something in particular made me pause to listen.

"Not right now, she's finally asleep." I could hear Dean's voice as it sounded like he was loosing patience.

"I'll wait." I recognized Spencer's voice almost immediately, but I stopped myself from walking out so I could eavesdrop.

"Dude, come on. Don't you think she's been through enough?" Dean replied.

"She may not be in a good place to see you right now." Miles chimed in.

"Maybe we should let her make her own decision." At least Sophia was siding with me. "But I do think we should wait for her to wake up. She has to be exhausted."

Just as I was finally about to open the door of my bedroom, Dean's next words hit me like a freight train.

"Look, I'm glad you listened to me the first time and let her go, but you can't just waltz back into her life after almost getting her killed and--"

"That's why I'm here, Dean. I need to talk to her!" Spencer shot back.

"What do you mean he 'listened to you the first time'?" I asked, emerging from my bedroom.

Every head turned to look at me, slightly stunned as I waited for a response.

"Olivia." Spencer said softly.

"Well, what did you mean?" I asked again, my gaze fixed on Dean.

His eyes darted towards Spencer, who was also waiting to hear his response.

"Don't look at him." I stated. "Answer the question."

Dean ran a hand over his face in frustration. "I...I advised Spencer to let you live your life without having to worry about him in prison."

"So...you told him to break up with me?" I asked, my tone a little harsher this time.

"Advised." He repeated.

"When did this even happen?" I questioned.

"He came to see me in prison." Spencer interjected, causing me to look at him for the first time before turning my attention back to Dean.

I stormed over to him and shoved him back. "You had no right!"

"Liv-" He started.

"No!" I cut him off. "How dare you!"

"Olivia." Spencer said softly, stepping forward and placing a hand on my arm. "Dean was right. I was dragging you down."

"He doesn't get to make my decisions!" I shrieked, tears springing to my eyes.

"He didn't. I made the decision to do it myself." Spencer replied. "I didn't want to lose you, but it was best for both of us at the time."

I stared at him angrily, my lip quivering as I tried not to cry. The room was silent.

"I only did it because I could see how it was affecting you every day. It wasn't healthy." Dean said softly.

I kept my eyes focused on Spencer. I wasn't even sure who I was more angry at right now. "You should've talked to me, not Dean. It wasn't either of your decision to make without me!"

"It's what was best for you at the--" Spencer started, but I cut him off.

"Stop." I spat. "Just stop."