April

Day 28

Liv woke up, got dressed, brushed her teeth, fixed her hair, and left her room.

It was way sunnier than the day before. The thought reminded Liv of Carson.

"Hey, Liv!"

Liv turned to face Rene'. "Hi."

"Why is your face so red?"

"What-? It is?" Liv touched her face. "I don't know."

Rene' giggled. "How are you?"

"I'm good, you?"

"I'm amazing. Oh-I see Poppie. Bye!" Rene' took off down the hall.

Liv slowly followed her to the elevator. Luckily, Poppie and Rene' didn't get in the elevator yet, so they didn't have to stand in awkward silence.

Once Liv got to the first floor, she headed to the kitchen to get some breakfast.

Liv entered the large pantry just to see Carson. "Oh, hi."

"Liv." Carson looked genuinely happy to see her for a second. "Ahem, hi."

"Funny how we keep bumping into each other," Liv said. She totally forgot what she had been going into the pantry for.

"Yeah, maybe it's a sign." Carson turned to face her completely.

"What does it mean-...?" Liv found her voice faltered before she could finish her sentence. Why was she leaning towards Carson?!

"Liv!"

The two jumped apart as the pantry door swung open wider, and Maddi walked inside.

"Liv-! Oh, Carson. Get out of here, jerk!"

Carson did as she demanded.

Liv felt her face burning up.

"Liv," Maddi started. "I can't take Rene' and Poppie anymore! It hurts too much, and I don't even have space to get over her."

Liv nodded slowly. "Yeah...no space..."

"Are you feeling better?" Kimberly asked.

"I was never feeling bad." Rylen said.

"Really? He kicked you below the belt. That has to hurt."

"It's been days," Rylen rolled his eyes. "I was pretty sure that was out of bounds but apparently not."

"You probably scared him."

Rylen smirked. "I hope so."

"I still can't believe you were fighting over me."

"It was worth it." Rylen put his arm around Kimberly's shoulders.

Kimberly giggled. "Have you seen Omie? He looks pretty beat up."

"Yeah, he's right there," Rylen waved.

Omie gave him a subtle two finger salute.

"What are you like best pals now?" Kimberly asked.

Rylen laughed. "I guess so."

After a moment the two arrived in the living room and sat on the couch.

"I can't believe this month is almost over." Kimberly said.

"Oh right, we have two more days."

"More like one."

"At least we still have May."

Kimberly nodded.

Joy stood silent in the elevator.