In the end, it's only us - Kate Martin

13. Promises

April 6th, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa

Narrative + iMessage + Instagram

Chapter 13.

3rd POV;

Olivia's stare remains on her screen, staring at a message from the person she had expected to never even talk to again.

Her fingers hover over the keyboard, trying to figure what she should text back. Or should she even text back?

Elizabeth

Hey Livvy

What do you want?

I just wanna say
happy birthday
I'm sorry for everything
and I promise to you that I'll
spend my whole life trying to make
it up for you
I love you Olivia.

Is that all?

Yes, Liv
Sleep well
I love you

Night and thanks
Delivered

Olivia shuts off her phone, not wanting to text further in case she was going to say things she was going to regret. Even after everything, that was her sister. But she hasn't forgiven her, she doesn't even think it's possible to be able to forgive something like that.

She plugs in her phone, setting it on the nightstand as she gets under her blanket. Sugar cuddled up next to her. Once her head falls onto the pillow she closes her eyes, sleep overcoming her.

Occasionally she shifts in bed from time to time, causing Sugar to just stay at her feet.

Her alarm rings, opening her eyes as they squint slightly as she gets adjusted to the bright light shining directly in her face. She takes off the covers and stands up, yawning as she gets up.

Looking over at the clock it's barely 6:21 AM but her first class is at 8. She grabs some clothes to get changed but not before Drew comes in tackling her in a hug.

"Happy birthday, bitch!" He tells her as he hugs her tightly, Olivia chuckles against his shoulder as she hugs him back.

"Thank you, Drewy." Liv says back before they pull away from the hug. Drew hands her a gift bag as Liv just looks at him.

"I told you I was fine with nothing." She says, feeling a bit bad that Drew went out his way to buy her something.

"Girl, I literally have money it's fine. But open it after you shower because yea." Liv looks at him with a skeptical look before she agrees with him.

He leaves the room as she grabs her stuff to head to the restroom. Feeling for the handle, she moved it to the temperature she wants it as water starts falling from the shower head.

Stripping from her clothes she enters the shower, the first drops cold but turns warm. Steam fills the room, her body relaxing under the water.

The warm water gives her time to think about what her sister said, but she cannot let her get in her head.

Despite the events she remains cheerful, it is her birthday after all. Putting up a performance in the shower around 40 or so minutes pass, not wanting to waste anymore water she turns off the water.