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October 31
The Valdovinos twins strolled in silence.
Richie attempted to speak, to explain himself, but Olivia disregarded it, so he decided to follow her until she was ready.
She halted in her tracks, catching her breath while deciding what on earth she was going to say or ask; a million different things were running through her head at that moment.
"How long?" She blurted out, turning around to face her brother, "How long has this been going on?"
Richieopenedhis mouth to answer, gathering the right words and preparing to lay it all out.
However, she shook her head dismissively, "You know what? No, don't tell me. I don't wanna know how blind I've been to this."
She turned around furiously but hardly moved an inch before spinning back around, "How long!!?" She demanded.
"Since- since the beginning of September." He blurted out.
Her brows raised, shocked by the audacity, "Almost two whole months?"
"Look," He reasoned, holding out his hands, "Please don't be mad at Amber. She knew you'd be upset, she was protecting you."
"By not telling me!?" She scoffed before crossing her arms, "Were you just going to let me know when she was suddenly 7 months pregnant?"
He shook his head, his eyes narrowed in judgment, "No,
"What you would have done if that happened?" She challenged him, stepping closer, "Mom and Dad would kill you for being so irresponsible. Where would you go then? To Mayor Landry's house? He'd kick you out on sight then finish the job when he found out you touched his daughter! Are you aware of all of that, Richie? Did you think it through that nothing could come out of this relationship!?"
The latter took him by surprise as he pondered on it.
"That's why it was a secret!" He shouted back instead, growing frustrated.
"Do you realize what I'm asking?" She enunciated as tears welled up in her eyes and she spoke sternly, "I want to know if this is real for you. This better be real for you, I mean it. You better not break her heart. She better not be another girl you're going to string along because I cannot choose between you guys, okay? I can't lose her again, do you understand that!?"
"Olivia, listen," He took a deep breath to collect himself, though speaking just as sternly only less emotional, "I never imagined that I had a future. Life after graduation was a big question mark and that terrified me, but now, with Amber, I finally know I have a future."
She gazed at her brother curiously as he smiled despite himself at the mention of the girl.
"She is my future, even if I have to be on the sidelines of her life.." His voice fell into a whisper as he had never been hit with that realization until saying it aloud.
