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...
Why did I have to go and almost kiss her? She likes Nick. Not me. I would have been crossing a line there. And another line, because what if we had kissed? I would have just ruined whatever friendship I had with her. And I can't lose her.
How stupid can I be?
That's twice this year where I've made a fool out of myself. At least this time it wasn't in front of the whole school.
My fingers dig into the straps of my bag as they clench into a fist.
I'm so stupid.
The streets blur by me as I make my way home.
It doesn't matter that she looked cute. Or that she was the one inching closer. That she was the one who reached out and held my hand.
We held hands.
I shake my head. I need to stop. I can't keep doing this. Not with Nick still being with Olivia. That would be wrong. I know it would be wrong, but then why do I want to still kiss her? Why do I want to be with her all the time when I know it'll never happen?
I sigh and dig around in my pockets for my keys. When I finally find them I shove them into the door and quickly unlock and open it. I kick my shoes off and shrug my backpack off.
I freeze when I see a lump on the couch.
But it's not just any lump. And it's not just one.
"Dad?" I ask.
He sits up and rubs his eyes as Max groans and redjusts beside him on the couch. "Charlie?"
"What are you doing home?" I ask, dropping my bag beside the door. "Shouldn't you be at work?"
He drops his hands to his lap where Max sits, comfortable once more. "I left early. I- I needed to talk to you."
I groan. But I don't run away like I did yesterday. I rub the back of my neck, the bottom of my hair tickling my hand. "Yeah. We probably should talk."
He pats the couch cushion beside him.
I shake my head and sit on the armchair beside the couch. He frowns but doesn't say anything. We sit in silence for a moment. I have no idea where to start. Or what to say. I don't even really want to talk about this, but I know we have to.
"I'm sure you have questions..." He sighs. "I wanted to explain everything before you saw her. But... she wouldn't let me. And I told her she should leave but she just wouldn't."
"Why did you hide it then?"
He runs a hand through his hair before hanging his head. "She said she'd changed and that she needed to find a job before trying to talk to you. It felt... it felt right to help her and surprise you."
I scoff. "So she was supposed to be a birthday present?"
His eyes widen in horror. "No! Of course not!"
"Wait. So that client you were with that one day. Was it her?"
He nods.
I nod slowly and scoff again. "That makes sense. You were trying to help her find a job then?"
He nods again. "Just like you're doing for Olivia."
I grit my teeth. Anger boils under my skin. "Do not compare her to Olivia."
He sits up straighter as his eyes widen. "Woah. Okay, I won't then."
"Good! Because Olivia is doing this for herself. So that she can find her life's job. She's not doing it to prove to her son that she's doing better! And not trying to fool everyone into thinking she'll stay!"
His eyes soften. "Do you really believe all that?"
I avoid his gaze as I lower my voice. "I don't know what to believe. I don't even know her."
Dad reaches out and places his hand on my knee. "Maybe you should get to know her then? You have a chance right now to get to do that."
"But what if it doesn't go well?" What if she doesn't like me? Or I don't like her? I don't know if I could deal with my own mother not liking me.
He smiles softly. "It may not go well but it won't go badly either. But you won't know until you give her a chance."
I nod. "Thanks, dad." I return his smile. "I think... I think I'll meet with her."
His face lights up. And it pains me to make him drop it, but I need to tell him. "Not yet though. I want to be able to focus on helping Olivia and if mom comes back into my life I know that won't go well."
His smile drops a little. "I understand, bud."
"Thanks, dad. Plus, I still need to get my math grade back up."
He grins. "Yeah? How'd your tutoring session go today?"
"It went well." I don't mention that I spent most of it staring at Olivia. Or that all I thought about was her since she made it hard to stare at her when she was staring at me the whole time. Or that mom was on my mind or- Well, I don't mention that it didn't go well at all.
Wait. Why was she staring at me?
Dad lifts an eyebrow as he eyes me with concern. "You okay there?"
"Dad." My voice comes out a little breathless. "If a girl was staring at me for long periods of time and then... and then..." I'm almost too nervous to say it. "And then almost kissed me... what would that mean?"
He stares at me like I'm joking before breaking out into laughter.
"What's so funny?" My leg starts to bounce.
He wipes his eyes. "Sorry. Sorry. I just didn't realize how dense you can be."
I roll my eyes. "Okay. Yes. I can be dense. But would you please answer my question?"
He nods. "It means she likes you."
My mouth pops open. That can't be right. Because if that's true that would mean that Oliva likes me.
Me. The one who made a fool of himself in front of the whole school. The nerd. The one who can't even do math. The one who might actually like Olivia.
Does that mean we like each other? Does that mean that... that something could happen between us?
I must be dreaming.
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