Wait No More

Part Eighteen

The sun streamed through the windows of the van, illuminating the soft smiles on Olivia and Ethan's faces as they made their way back to Job Corps. The weekend had been a whirlwind of laughter, passion, and new beginnings, and they both felt the afterglow of their shared experiences—a mixture of excitement and contentment that lingered in their hearts.

"I can't believe it's Monday already," Olivia said, glancing at Ethan with playful disbelief. "We should still be on a beach somewhere, sipping coconut water and soaking up the sun."

Ethan chuckled, his fingers brushing against hers. "Well, we might not be on a beach, but we can create our own paradise here, right? Besides, I think we have some work to do."

She groaned dramatically, rolling her eyes playfully. "You mean like job training and classes? Ugh, the reality check is real."

"Hey, it's not all bad," he replied, squeezing her hand. "We've got each other, and we're in this together. Plus, think of all the stories we can tell about our amazing birthday weekend."

Olivia's cheeks flushed at the memory of their time together, the connection they had forged over shared moments. "Yeah, I guess that makes it a little more bearable," she admitted, smiling. "And I can't wait to see everyone's reactions when we tell them about the surprise."

As they pulled into the parking lot, the familiar sights of Job Corps greeted them—students milling about, some heading to the cafeteria, others chatting in groups. It felt both comforting and strange to return from their weekend getaway, the routine of daily life suddenly feeling mundane in comparison to the adventures they had just shared.

"Ready to face the world?" Ethan asked, his gaze steady on hers.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Olivia replied, taking a deep breath. They stepped out of the van, hand in hand, and walked toward the entrance, the warmth of their shared bliss still radiating between them.

Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with life. Friends greeted them with smiles and laughter, curious glances darting their way. Olivia felt a flutter of excitement and nervousness as they approached the common area, where a group of her friends were gathered.

"Look who's back!" Mia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Did you guys have fun on your little birthday adventure?"

Ethan exchanged a knowing glance with Olivia, a grin spreading across his face as he leaned slightly closer to her. "You could say that," he replied, trying to keep his tone light while his heart raced at the thought of sharing their weekend experiences.

"Oh, come on! Spill the details!" another friend, Jake, chimed in, leaning forward eagerly. "We want to know everything! Was it romantic? Did you guys do anything crazy?"

Olivia felt her cheeks heat up as she glanced at Ethan, who seemed to be enjoying the moment just as much as she was. "Well," she began, trying to maintain her composure, "we went to this beautiful beach, and we saw the sunset. It was magical."

"Magical, huh?" Mia teased, her eyebrows wiggling suggestively. "And what else? You can't just leave us hanging like that!"

Ethan chuckled, clearly amused by the teasing. "You'll just have to wait for the full story over lunch," he said, glancing at Olivia with a glimmer in his eyes. "But let's just say it was definitely a weekend to remember."

As they settled into their usual spot at the cafeteria, the chatter continued, and Olivia found herself relaxing. The familiar sounds of laughter and clattering trays wrapped around her like a warm blanket. It felt good to be back among friends, even if the reality of their responsibilities was looming.

"So, what's on the agenda for this week?" Jake asked, digging into his lunch. "Back to reality, right?"

Olivia nodded, taking a sip of her drink. "Yeah, we have that big project coming up for our trade skills class. I think we're all supposed to finalize our plans this week."