Olivia works at her families fudge bakery. Who want her to eventually take over the business, but that's not what Olivia wants to do. The problem? She has no idea what she does want to do instead.
Charlie just got rejected from his five-year crush...
The drive is silent, the only sounds are the low hum of the radio and the few times I open my mouth to tell Charlie where to turn.
I know my outburst might have been unnecessary but it feels childish to admit that. Plus, everything I said is true. There's a weight sitting on my chest and a voice in my head that won't go away. Both have the underlying fear of never finding a job for me. What if I'm stuck at the bakery forever? Or what if I leave and I never find my purpose or drive for life?
"Right here." I pull myself out of my self depicting thoughts as Naomi's house comes into view.
Charlie pulls over. His mouth is set in a grim line and his eyes stay focused on the road. I caused this. If I hadn't snapped we'd still be having a great time. He'd be looking at me like I'm the only thing in the world.
I find myself missing it. I can't put my finger on the reason why though.
I sigh. "Thank you," I say as I unbuckle. "For the whole day."
He nods. Short and stiff. "Sure. Um, I guess I'll see you around?"
I nod. "Maybe we can try some other jobs?" I don't want this to end. Not yet.
"I'll look into some more for you."
"That would be great." I open the door and hop out. I hesitate before closing the door. Would now be a good time to say something? To apologize? But the longer I stand there the faster the window of opportunity closes to me. So with a sigh I softly close the door and head up to Naomi's house.
She opens the door before I have the chance. She takes one look at my face, puffers her lips as her gaze flicks behind me, grabs my arm and pulls me into her house. I yelp as her nails dig into my skin. She slams the door shut, releasing my arm and spins on me. "What did he do?" she asks.
"Nothing," I tell her as I rub my sore arm where her nails dug into me.
"He must have done something to make you look so upset." She crosses her arms. Her eyes narrow as she stares me down.
"He didn't do anything. If anything he's been one of the only things helping me and making my life not suck. And he's being the brightest point for awhile"
Naomi raises an eyebrow like she doesn't believe me. "Then why such a sour face? Especially if he's a bright point"
I sigh and rub my eyes, trying to hopefully make sense of everything. "Because everything is so confusing and stressful lately."
Her gaze softens. "Do you want to talk about it?"
I nod. "That is why I asked if I could come over."
She grabs my hand. Her fingers brushing smoothly over them. "You head up to my room and I'll get us some drinks and snacks, okay?" she asks like she's a caring mother.
I nod.
She drops my hand and brushes past me. I follow until I reach the stairs and head up to her bedroom. Her room is simple, light blue walls, a desk off to one side with her laptop and homework sitting on it. Her bag sits beside it, almost like it was discarded and forgotten there. I make my way onto her bed and flop down on it. Somehow hers is more comfy than mine.
I wait for her to come up. I just stare at the ceiling not wanting to take a glance at my phone and seeing who knows what on it. Sasha said she would cover for me and tell mom I'm at Naomi's studying. Which is now only a half-lie. But Sasha isn't the best liar. So how much longer can I be out for?
"Here ya are."
I sit up as a shadow falls over me. I didn't even hear her enter. I take the purple mug from her and hug the warm mug with my hands. "Thanks," I say.
Hot chocolate has been our comfort drink for forever. I can't remember a time when one of us had been upset and it wasn't there with us.
Naomi sits down. The mattress shifts under her weight. "So... You want to talk about what happened?"
I shake my head as I take a drink. "I'd rather talk about everything that led up to it." And everything that makes me feel guilty about my outburst.
"Then go on." Her gaze is filled with concern, and gentleness.
I wiggle under her gaze, suddenly uncomfortable and not up for sharing anymore. But I sigh and start from the beginning with mom being overbearing. Then talk about how none of the careers are working for me and how I don't think I'll ever find one. But the more I talk the more I start to talk about Charlie. "I feel so bad for blowing up on him. He didn't deserve it. Not after how helpfully he's been. Or how caring. He's just," I stare down into my drink and hope it's just the drink making me warm. "He's really great."
When I look up Naomi has the biggest grin on her face.
"What?" I ask. I hope she won't say what I think she will. Because if she does then I won't stop thinking about it.
"You like Charlie."
"As a friend." I don't know if I say it to convince her or me.
She snorts. "Yeah, okay if you say so."
"It's true!" I exclaim. "I'm crushing on Nick, remember?"
She shakes her head, a smug smile on her face. "Sure you are."
"I am!"
She turns to me. The grin wiped off her face and a seriousness in her eyes. I almost jumped at the rapid change. "If you like Nick then tell me why."
"Well- He's cute and he's kind and- um" I stutter.
"Now, in theory, let's say you like Charlie."
"Which I don't," I say, glaring.
She hums. "Okay sure. But why would you like Charlie?"
I stop and take her question seriously. If I like Charlie... "I'd like him because he puts others before himself. When he gets excited he's really cute. He doesn't care what other people think of him. He's always a gentleman, even when he's goofy and- oh." My eyes widen as it dawns on me. "Do I like Charlie?" I ask quietly.
Naomi stares at me smugly.
I shake my head. My hands are shaking.
Naomi's eyes widen.
"I can't like Charlie!"
Naomi reaches out and grabs my mug from me. "Why not? He seems perfect for you."
"Because if I like Charlie then my mom will know that I disobeyed her!"
She raises a brow. "Not necessarily. You could have started liking him in school."
I... I can't argue with that. "What if he's like Jack?" I ask.
Naomi sighs. "Girl. If you think that Charlie will be like Jack then you're hopeless."
I flop back onto her bed and cover my eyes. "I'm just not ready."
I hear her sigh. The mattress shifts as she stands up. "I can't force you into anything or push you any way but you and Charlie would work. I've seen how he looks at you. So why are you so scared?"
Why am I scared? Is it because I think he'll turn out like my ex? Is it because I've been crushing on Nick for so long that it would feel wrong to like someone else? "I don't know," I whisper.
Naomi plops down before me. "That's okay. I just hope you'll be able to figure it out."
"Me too," I whisper.
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