Loveless

Chapter Twelve

I woke up this morning before Oliver, to nobody's surprise. When I look at the clock, it reads 8am, and I roll over wanting to go back to sleep. My eyes feel heavy, and the sunlight makes them burn.

Oli's mom comes in, placing a note and two water bottles on his table. I don't think she knows I'm awake, and I contemplate notifying her.

"Have a good day at work." I mumble quietly, and she jumps at the sound of my voice.

"Oh thank you, doll. There are muffins in the kitchen, make sure you eat." She says, walking to the side of the bed I'm sleeping on. "Have a good day." She says, leaning down and placing a kiss on my forehead. I close my eyes again, and she walks out quietly. After a few minutes, I hear her car pull out of the driveway and I know she's left for the day.

I stay in the warmth of the bed, curled closely to Oliver's side for another thirty minutes. I finally muster up the energy to get up, and I stand up stretching. Oliver rolls over, but doesn't wake. I admire how beautiful he looks for a moment, then quietly slip out of the room.

The house is quiet other than the sound of birds outside, and I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I recall everything from the party, and laugh to myself about the situation in the restroom with Lilith. Then I fast forward to when we were in Oliver's bed, and remember saying we love each other for the first time since the day we started dating.

It was real this time; not just a loose phrase. He meant it, at least I think he did. Last night was the best night in a while; I love him so much. I wanna hear him say it again, over and over, until it feels real.

I decide to sit in the living room so I don't wake him, because it's early and we went to bed late. I take out my phone, hoping Evie is awake.

"Hey Toby! You're up early!" She says, ridiculously cheerful. I can't help but smile.

"Hey Evie, I miss you! I have something to tell you." I say excitedly.

"Go on then, spit it out." She says, and I listen to make sure Oliver's still asleep.

"Oliver said he loves me last night." I say, quietly. "We were both drunk, but it still counts."

"Of course it counts! That's amazing, I'm so happy for you!" She responds. "Will you guys be busy today? I'd love to hang out, maybe you two can come by to watch a movie?" She asks, and I think about it.

"We aren't busy, no, but won't mom get angry if I'm there?" I ask wearily.

"No, I don't think so. She won't even be here until around 9. She's at Grandma's helping her with some cleaning." She responds.

"Sure, yeah I guess we can come by. How about around 6? He'll probably sleep in until after noon." I respond with a laugh. "Tell dad too, I want to see him." I say.

"Of course! He'll be excited to see you both. I'll invite Paige too, so you guys won't feel awkward." She says.

"Wait... You told dad about you and Paige?" I ask, happily.

"Yeah! I haven't told mom yet, but I wanted dad to know. It felt nice to tell him." She says, her voice soft and genuine.

"I'm so happy for you!" I say, and a silence falls upon us. "Well, I'd better go, I wanna make pancakes for Oli." I say, making my way to the kitchen.

"Cooking for him again? You really are in love." She says teasing me.

"Shut up. You're just jealous I cook for him without him having to beg." I say, laughing.

"You're right, I could just cry." She says dramatically. "Ser you later, I love you."

"I love you too." I say, and hang up. I take a monster out of his fridge, needing caffeine before I pass out, and sit at the table.