Study Cases

23

OLIVIA POV

Four days have passed since that  night when Tommy stormed into my room, his accusations piercing the air like arrows.

His words hurting me more than I would though, I knew he was gonna freak out but nothing like this.

Since then, it feels like I've been navigating a minefield of silence, each attempt to reach out to him met with an impenetrable wall of indifference.

I went to their house and Toby told me he was sleeping at Zoe's. He also told me that Tommy broke Alex door because he punched it.

Of course, Alex didn't told me anything , he doesn't want me to worry or guilty for messing up their friendship.

It's frustrating, disheartening, and utterly bewildering. I rack my brain, trying to decipher his reaction.

It's not the end of the world, it's not like Alex is a serial killer.

He slept around...a lot but now? He changed, I know he did.

Unlike Tommy said, Alex isn't Pete... he's so much more

Desperate for some semblance of understanding, I turn to my mom, hoping she can offer some insight into Tommy's inexplicable silence, maybe he called her.

"Hey honey" the sweets voice of hers it's enough to make me miss her even more

"I miss you"

"You just need to ask. I'm close to both of you" she says "both of my babies ignoring me"

"Tommy hasn't spoke with you?"

"Why are you two fighting?"

"There's this boy... Alex. He's one of Tommy best friend and well... we're dating"

"Let me guess. Your brother is mad"

"Furious. He even said he was disappointed in me" my eyes getting teary but ignore it "

"I can't believe Tommy would act this way," she murmurs, her voice tinged with sadness. "Forget that, he was always super protective of you. But even then he shouldn't said those things. What me to speak with him?"

"NO. He may take it the wrong way and he even madder at me. I'll solve this"

"Just don't give in and do what he wants. I want you both happy and if that boy makes you happy just keep it going"

I nod, my throat tight with emotion. "He makes me extremely happy" I reply, blinking back tears. "But this situation with Tommy is killing me. He won't even look at me, let alone talk."

My mom sighed "Sometimes, people need time to process things," she says gently. "Maybe Tommy just needs some space to come to terms with what happened. You know he loves you more than life"

Her words offer a sliver of hope in the darkness that threatens to consume me. Maybe there's a chance Tommy will come around.

But for now, I'm left grappling with the absence of the brother who was once my closest confidant.

As I make my way to class, the familiar hustle and bustle of the school hallways surround me.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely notice the world around me until suddenly, I feel strong arms enveloping me from behind. Startled, I turn around to find Alex standing there, a playful grin on his face.

"Hey, you," he greets, his voice warm as he pulls me into a tight embrace and kisses me

I can't help but smile at his unexpected affection. "Hey yourself," I reply, leaning into his embrace. "What's all this about?"

Alex shrugs nonchalantly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just felt like giving my favorite girl a kiss" he says, his grin widening.

"Well your favorite girl appreciates" I kiss him back and he grins like a kid who got to eat sweets "what?"

"It's so good not to hide" he says still wrapping me with his arms " now everyone can see I have the most beautiful girl in campus"

I chuckle at his antics, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me at his words. Despite the turmoil of recent days, Alex has a way of making everything feel a little lighter, a little brighter.

As we walk together, his arm draped casually around my shoulders, I feel a sense of calm wash over me.

For a moment, all the worries and uncertainties that have been weighing me down seem to fade into the background, replaced by the simple pleasure of being with him.

"So, how are things at home?" I ask, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

Will he lie?

He hesitate but I hope he would say the truth.

"Not great," he admitted, his voice tinged with sadness. "Tommy's still not speaking to me. He's been crashing at Zoe's place for the past few days."

My expression softens, I can feel he's upset "I'm sorry to hear that, babe. He'll come around"

Alex squeezes my hand reassuringly, his touch grounding me in the midst of my uncertainty. "We'll  figure it out," he says, his tone filled with confidence

As Alex and I walk together, lost in our own conversation, a familiar figure catches my eye. It's Tommy, walking briskly in the opposite direction. My heart leaps in my chest at the sight of him, hope flickering to life within me.

"Tommy!" I call out, my voice ringing through the hallway.

But before I can say anything more, Tommy turns away, his expression stony and unreadable. My words hang in the air, unanswered, as he disappears into the crowd.

A pang of disappointment courses through me, mingling with the ache of rejection.

I had hoped that maybe, just maybe, this would be the moment when Tommy would finally acknowledge me and we could talk.

I glance up at Alex, searching for some semblance of understanding in his eyes. He meets my gaze with a look of sympathy, his hand reaching out to squeeze mine in silent solidarity.

"It's okay, Olive" he says softly, his voice a reassuring presence in the midst of my disappointment.

I nod, drawing strength from his words. Despite the setback, I refuse to give up hope. Tommy may have turned away from me today, but I won't stop trying to reach him.

He needs to understand that I'm happy and Alex is here to stay.