A Guide to Love's Farewell

Monday Evening

A/N: If you're reading this, congrats you made it this far. Hopefully, you enjoyed this story so far and its updates in the future. Without further ado, continue reading. :)

Shivers ran up my spine. At first, I thought fortune-telling was a hoax, but now, I'm not so sure. I really hope no one finds out it is I who is keeping the secret...

We all walk out of the booth in silence. Everyone is glancing at each other like we are suspicious of one another.

Edann calls an Uber and it arrives five minutes later. The car ride was silent. No one said a word, so I talked to myself in my head.

"What if they find out?" One side of my head says.

"No, they won't," I argue defensively.

"But what if they do?"

"They won't. And if they do, I'll deny it."

Then it dawns on me. Nobody knows who is concealing the secret. If Edann and Olivia are already doubting each other, I could potentially shape a reality in which Edann believes Olivia is lying to him or, even worse, using him.

I nearly smile, but I keep a straight face for the rest of the ride home.

By the time we get home, it's 7:00 pm. We decide to order some chicken pot pie and sit by the fireplace while playing board games.

"What game shall we play?" Nathan asks. "I have Monopoly Empire, Sorry, Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly Cheaters Edition, and Jenga.

 In my mind, I'm thinking Monopoly Cheaters Edition, but I feel that after what happened today, it's a little overkill.

"Let's play Monopoly Empire," I say.

 "Yeah, I was thinking about that too!" Tiffany says pointing at me.

"There's a Monopoly Empire? I didn't know that was a thing! How did I not know?" Olivia says dubiously.

"Of course, there is such thing as Monopoly Empire. It's becuase you're a minion," Edann jokes to Olivia.

"That's not nice... why'd you say that Edann?" asks Olivia.

"It was a joke! I didn't mean to upset you! Take it easy Olivia," says Edann in a tone of panic.

Olvia sighs, "Okay, it's fine. We can play Monopoly Empire I guess."

We teach Olivia how to play and set up the game board. We put the pieces in, set up the cards, and pick our playing figures.

Nathan asks, "Who wants to be the banker?"

Nobody says a thing.

Edann breaks the silence and says, "Oh, Hana should be the banker because she was in ESL! Once is ESL, always in ESL."

Then everyone mimics him, "Once in ESL, always in ESL."

I sigh, "I guess I will be the banker."

The game goes on as we talk about random topics.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to use the bathroom real quick," Olivia says.

Now is the chance to make my next move.

"Hey Edann, you feeling okay? You look a little off," I say glancing at Edann. 

"Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just- well- never mind," he replies looking down. 

"Hey, it's going to be okay. Do you want to tell me what's wrong? Is anyone neglecting your feelings?" I ask hoping he'll think of Olivia when I asked this question.

"Well, remember what happened at the fortune-telling booth? Or when I saw Olivia eyeing me when it looked as if she wanted me to purchase that album for her? I can't help but wonder..." 

"if Olivia is hiding something?" I finish the sentence for him.

"Yeah."

I reply, "I haven't really paid attention, but it's like what I said earlier at lunch today. I'm not accusing Olivia but I feel like something isn't adding up. I'm not going to force you, but Edann, I think you should follow your gut."

Edann sighs and says, "Thank you, Hana... I really needed that-"

"What are you guys talking about?" Olivia asks as she walks to us.

"Shit. I really hope she didn't hear that," I hear Edann say.

"Hear what?" Olivia asks.

"Nothing, Olivia. I-I was just t-talking to Hana on s-something we might do for T-Thanksgiving," Edann says quickly.

"Oh. Um. Okay," Olivia says concerned. "You know, I'm tired. I'll be in the bedroom if you need me."

"Okay, I'll come meet you in there soon. Goodnight, Olivia."

Olivia walks away as Edann and I stare at each other, but then quickly look away.

"I'm probably just being paranoid," Edann said. "We should probably clean up."

We all clean up and say goodnight to each other.

Nathan and Tiffany go to their room and Edann trudges to his and Olivia's.

I also get ready for bed and lay on the couch. I forgot to ask Nathan for a blanket so I figure I should just ask him now. I slowly walk to Nathan's room and knock. I hear no answer so I decide to open it. Then, I see something I can never forget...

I see Nathan kiss Tiffany's cheek.

I stood there in silence. Speechless.

"Uh... G-guys... I m-mean N-Nathan... I was gonna ask -you, but may I h-have a blanket-t, " I say still in shock.

"You okay Hana? Sure I'll get you a blanket but why are you being too dramatic? It's just a peck on the cheek...nothing special," Nathan says casually.

Nathan gives me a blanket and I leave without another word.

I sit down on the couch and think about what I just saw. Damn, I never thought Tiffany and Nathan were THAT deep. I don't know what I would do if I saw Edann and Olivia doing the same.

I lay down on the couch and open Wattpad to start a new book, "Harry Potter x Draco Malfoy." I read for an hour before I fall asleep with the app open... again.

I slowly drift into a deep, deep sleep and fall into a wonderful dream...

I dreamed of me and Edann together on a field. We laughed together, we danced together, and we drank mocktails together. Once Edann and I were done in the grassy field we went to Starbucks and shared our drinks. We both had the best day imaginable.

Suddenly, right before I hugged Edann, the dream stopped and my mind went black. I saw the fortune telling lady with her globe amidst a purple smoke snarling, "In the hidden chambers of your soul, a chilling secret lurks, entwined with ominous repercussions. Heed the spectral warning that shrouds your actions, for the unseen forces of consequence await your every step with an eerie anticipation. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!"

The fortune-teller disappeared in a crack, and I awoke in a cold sweat. I hear rain tapping on the window and thunder striking across the sky. This is going to be another long night.