End Game

Fragile

"How did this happen? He was supposed to spend a year behind bars, and it's barely been six months! How is this normal procedure?!"

Laura was on a phone call with the district's attorney in charge of Olivia's case against Christopher, rightfully furious over whatever happened that allowed him to get out early, but most of all for not getting any heads up from anybody.

"I don't want to understand why it happened, I want to know how we're going to fix it! This is my daughter's safety we're talking about!"

She spoke with conviction, tired of having to explain why this situation was so messed up in the first place.

Olivia sat there looking at an empty space, not having the force to even utter a sigh. After Spencer found her and exchanged some violent words with Christopher, alarming all the party's attendees and drawing them to the scene, he simply left with a cocky smirk on his face. Nothing about the encounter felt normal nor reassuring, and Olivia knew that better than anyone.

Spencer paced around the living room uncontrollably, trying to calm his nerves. Laura's exchange felt like it was going on forever and he needed answers and fast. As soon as she hung up he went to her.

"So?" He asked.

"Christopher got released early for exemplary behavior and in need of medical attention for a chronic illness, or at least that's the GP justification. What I smell here is extremely rich and influential parents doing what they do best, which is tweak the system to their advantage. Christopher has been assigned to finish his time at home back in Ohio, so he'll be leaving town first thing in the morning." She explained.

"But that doesn't explain nor justify why he came to school to intimidate her!" Spencer exclaimed.

"And how did he even know she was there? It means that he's been following her or us for days!" Jordan added.

"I know. I'm trying to figure out why we were not informed and how to better protect Olivia, legally." Laura insisted on the last word as she looked pointedly at Jordan, Spencer and Darnell.

"And I strongly second that!" Grace added, looking directly at her son.

Spencer looked away in apparent annoyance.

"How will we know that he left town?" Darnell asked.

"They'll provide a secure transportation convoy for him and his aunt will notify the judge's office as soon as he gets home." Mrs Baker continued.

Despite her own fear for her daughter, she knew that she had to reassure this room filled of worried and frustrated twenty one year olds.

During all of this, Olivia did not say a word and just stood up instead to go upstairs. Following her, Laura sat on her bedroom's floor, next to her.

"How are you holding up?" She asked her daughter.

"I'm sorry it ruined your birthday, Mom."

"Liv! I don't care about that. All I care about is keeping you safe!"

"I know... I just feel like my life just keeps getting messier."

"It's not! You have a beautiful life to look forward to. A supportive and protective family who will stay by your side, no matter what!" Laura reaffirmed.

Olivia nodded her head and faintly smiled at her mother. She couldn't say what she was truly feeling at the moment, because Laura would be completely alarmed. After hugging her for a few minutes, she let Spencer take over for her.

He had joined them about five minutes after they went upstairs, wanting to be close to Olivia as much as he could.

"Come here."