End Game

Where It All Began

OLIVIA

"Are you sure it's a good idea, Patience? At this point I don't think parties are recommended for us." I told my party-obsessed best friend.

"We can't let Simone leave town without throwing her a get-together, Liv!" She defended herself.

"I'm with Olivia on this one. Simone is here for a few days still, so I don't know if that's really necessary." Coop said.

Simone laughed at our banter without giving her opinion.

"What does the guest say?" I asked her.

"Girl, don't drag me into this! You're ready to go?"

We were meant to meet with Spencer at the mall for some shopping. I didn't have anything to buy in particular, neither did Simone but she insisted that we went with him. I didn't push too much because I loved having her around, no matter what we were doing.

"What do you want as a gift for tonight?" Spencer asked.

We were walking between the alleys of Walmart, looking for a gift for Simone, with Simone.

"Spencer, you could have just called Liv if you wanted to get me a present. What about the effect of surprise?" Simone stated.

"Where's the fun in that?" He replied, grinning at us.

I let them bicker like siblings while I looked around for something to get my best friend as well. She had been such a positive light in my life and she deserved her flowers from at least one Baker Twin.

That night at Slauson Café was mortifying, to say the least. After Spencer and I had our little breakthrough conversation we went back to the table to find the same glacial tension we had left them into. We didn't even have time to encourage an exchange between them, because Jordan just stood up and told me to join him at our table when I'd be done.

I had to leave my best friend and go sit with him at the back of the restaurant.

The saddest part about Jordan and Simone's relationship is that no matter how many talks they had, they could never really be friends again. The history, the distance, the new partners, and the baggage was too heavy to go back to the basics.

They were not even upset at each other anymore. The pain was just way too close to their hearts still.

"I think I should get one for Jordan too." I said out loud but to myself.

"I think that's a great idea."

I spun around to see the owner of the voice standing behind me. Spencer grinned as he walked over to me.

"Where have you ditched the girl?" I asked him, referring to Simone.

"She said she had to buy something secret. Didn't have to tell me twice."

I laughed, finding the situation to be funny. It was supposed to be Spencer's mall outing, but somehow it turned into Simone high jacking it for a secret shopping spree. We looked around at some cool gifts that I could buy for my brother until I fell on one in particular.

It was a two parts bracelet that could be worn as a whole or divided for two people to share. The inscription behind said: Soulmates until worlds beyond.

It described mine and Jordan's relationship perfectly. He really was my day one in this life and was probably going to be the only real constant in it for as long as it lasted.

"It's the perfect gift for the two of you." Spencer said.

He was leaning close to me, checking the bracelet from over my shoulder.