End Game

Give It A Little Time

OLIVIA

Chaos.

Complete chaos was the only way I could describe what was happening in my mind these days.

Between my life falling apart and my career taking a turn I had not expected, I was having the hardest time of my adult life, next to my addiction battle.

I lost everything... my everything.

You know what the worst part was? Everybody, me included, seemed to think that I was so bad and wrong for him. That I kept purposely breaking his heart, when in fact it was my heart that was shattered to pieces.

Him? He seemed to be doing okay.... More than okay, as the weeks went by.

At first he tried to spare my feelings from seeing him with her around town, but lately he had been a little less shy about parading her around our group.

It hurt, to be honest. It just made me feel so stupid for telling him our separation was not the end of us, when it just looked like it now. Or for falling for him again that night when we were both feeling vulnerable.

Trying to brush away the negative thoughts threatening to engulf me, I grabbed my phone, only to see one missed call from my mother. I called her back while packing my stuff for school.

"Hey, mom... Sorry, I didn't hear my phone ringing."

"It's okay, baby. What have you got planned for lunch break today?" She asked.

"Same as everyday, which is nothing"

Now that my bomb article was finished and published under another name, I could finally go back to living my quiet life, far from the stress. I had asked my job to give me different types of assignments to 'widen my range', but I believe we all knew why I wanted to stay away from sports' scandals after what it cost me.

"Why?" I asked mom, grabbing my car keys and leaving the house.

"I'll treat you out. Meet me at the café in front of your university at 1 p.m?"

"How do you know I don't have class then?"

"I've got my own sources. See you later, baby! Love you"

"Love you too" I replied after a second of silence.

I had a hard time being around my friends and family lately, simply because I always felt judged. Judged for my and his choices.

After what felt like an eternity, my classes finally finished and I hurried out of campus so that I didn't have to bump into any of my friends. I found my mom sitting at a table outside of the café, enjoying the sun.

I smiled at the view, admiring her ability to always enjoy the little things in life.

"Hi, my baby!"

She hugged me tight as I happily returned the gesture. There really was nothing quite as reassuring than a mother's embrace.

"Have you ordered already?"

I asked after sitting down and while skimming through the menu.

"We're waiting for someone." She simply replied.