Last Summer: Vegas Baby

(11) Epilogue I

Two Years Later - Sophomore Year, Second Semester, USC

"I'm just saying, if someone was talking smack about my significant other on national television, I would've done the same thing" Alex Davis, one of Olivia's students from her teen recovery group placed his opinion on the Grammy awards Will Smith incident from the night before. Him and an few of the other classmates had been debating the topic for about ten minutes in the absence of their teacher's physical presence.

"So you mean to tell me, it's okay for people to put their hands on you unprovoked?"

"Hold up lil mama, I never said all of that, but homeboy had it coming" Alex shrugs while Camille rolls her eyes at the sight of the friend beside him dapping him up in agreement. In the back office, Olivia was having an debate of her own.

" I'm not going"

"It's one party, one" Her old roommate Shay chimed in, tag teaming with Kia.

"Right, besides, this is the only time the three of us will be in the same place at the same time, and you know Simone's gonna pout if she doesn't get to see you tonight" Olivia heaved out an sigh as she listened to her friend Kia try to talk her into going out.

"You two do realize that your best friends with an recovering addict right?"

"Yes, an recovering addict who's been clean for almost three years, an honors student with her own radio show on campus annnndd teen group, one party isn't gonna change any of that"

"I know bu-" Kia cut her off as her friend went in to protest.

"Spencer's gonna be there" Olivia swallowed hard at the mention of her estranged baby father and ex-boyfriend. Aside from making arrangements for when to watch and spend time with their daughter, they don't communicate much. They've always managed to keep it cordial since their split freshman year and can sit through classes they have together but the dynamic between them has shifted.

"Good, I hope he has fun with ya'll" Kia groaned as her friend's answer flew from her mouth.

"Yeah and he'll have an lot more fun if he sees you there too. You never know, it might give you two an chance to talk things out"

"There's nothing to talk about, were just co-parenting and doing our own thing separately, it's better this way"

"Those his words or yours?" Olivia sighed loudly as the timer on her desk sounded through the room.

"Uh well look at the time, breaks over I gotta get back to group, ladies, talk to you later" She hung up quickly not giving them an chance to respond. Her fingers formed circles around her temple as she exhaled, standing up from her chair. She walked back into the classroom, catching the heat of her groups debate.

"I don't care how famous you are, who your spouse is, it is never okay for you to put your hands on me"

"Did I ever say that it was okay?" Alex asked Camille, witnessing the visibility of her facial expression of discomfort.

"Alright everyone, let's take an moment and refocus" Olivia's tone alerted her students as they turned their attention to her. She placed herself in her seat in the middle of the circle, pen and clipboard in hand.

"I understand you all are in an state of anxiety right now, I'm going to ask you to channel that right now, and breathe into it for ten seconds" Olivia coached them. Her eyes wandered around the room seeing the calm wash over their young, innocent faces.

"Good. Now, before break, we were sharing our interpretations of "what is your story?", Camille, you're up love" Camille looked to Olivia as she nodded in her direction silently, giving her the space to sit in the middle of the circle. Olivia placed her pen and clipboard to the side of her, pressing her elbows to her knees leaning in.