ARE WE END GAME?

(P)retending

OLIVIA

"So, you're really doing it?"

I was grabbing my keys to leave when Darnell stopped me with his question. The girls had left hours earlier, and I had time to sit down with him and explain my reasoning.

It's safe to say that he was not pleased, nor did he agree with the idea.

I knew that he spoke from a place of trauma, for having gone through the same situation weeks prior. When Maï decided to break up with Darnell, she called him one night and just did it. She didn't explain why, nor give him a chance to talk her out of it. She had made a decision, and she wanted to stick to it.

So, I understood that he felt Spencer's pain ahead of time.

"D, it's the best thing to do."

"For whom? Spence keeps accusing you of running away, and what do you decide to do? You do just that!"

"Darnell, count all the things you have already accomplished since Maï broke up with you. You've managed to turn a six-week recovery plan into four weeks. You've been hitting the gym more, taking care of your health, eating at reasonable times, and focusing on football without worrying about hurting anyone else's feelings. She's done that for you, despite how miserable she knew she would be! Can't you see that?"

"She doesn't look that sad, judging from her pictures." He mumbled to himself.

"D, she has to put on a brave face, because she knows that you'll run to her the moment you'll feel that she is hurting. That is how much she loves you." I explained.

I didn't want to tell him everything Maï was going through since their separation, because it would defeat the purpose of what she was trying to do.

"And that's what I am about to do... so please, don't stop me." I pleaded.

Darnell looked up at me, sadness running through his face.

"Then who's going to take care of your broken heart, after you've done it? Have you forgotten how miserable you felt the first time? Think about yourself, Liv. You're allowed to be selfish sometimes, and ask for more than what the world is willing to give you."

"Darnell, I shouldn't have to beg for it. Not for this."

We remained silent as I tried to gather my courage again.

"Do what you must, Olivia... Just be sure that it's what you want, and that you're not just doing it as some sort of chivalrous act."

Just as I was about to walk out the door, my Mother called. I stopped in my tracks to reply, worried that she was reaching out unusually late.

"Hey, is everything okay?"

I listened to the person at the other end of the line, my heart falling out of my chest at every single word she was speaking. It was not my mother, but Coop, telling me that mom had fainted and was on the way to the hospital as we spoke.

"I'll be right there!"

I fidgeted with my car keys, shaking from the excruciating pain of the Déjà vu I was experiencing. I didn't need to lose another parent, so soon, in my life.