Wait No More

Part Thirty-One

As Olivia stepped through the front door of her childhood home, a rush of nostalgia washed over her. The familiar creak of the wooden floorboards, the scent of her mother's lavender candles wafting through the air, and the sight of the living room filled with family photos—all of it pulled her back to a time before Job Corps, before Ethan, before her heart had begun to expand and contract in ways she never knew possible.

"Welcome home, kiddo," her dad said, a warm smile on his face as he set down her bags. "You'll have to show me how to work that new phone of yours later."

She managed a small smile in return, but it didn't reach her eyes. Instead, her gaze drifted to the staircase leading up to her old room. The walls were still adorned with her childhood drawings, remnants of a simpler time when her biggest worries revolved around schoolwork and friendships that seemed so uncomplicated. But now, everything felt different—heavier, somehow.

"I'll get your bags settled," her dad said, sensing her need for a moment to herself. He moved toward the stairs, leaving her standing in the living room, feeling like a ghost in her own life.

As Olivia walked into her room, the sight of her twin bed with its faded comforter and the desk piled high with old books greeted her. It felt oddly foreign, as if she were stepping into someone else's life. She placed her bag on the floor and took a deep breath, fighting back the wave of emotions that threatened to crash over her.

Looking around, she noticed the small changes that had been made in her absence—new curtains hung in the window, her mother had rearranged the furniture slightly, and there was a new plant on her desk. But the essence of her room remained the same, frozen in time, just as she had left it.

Sinking onto the bed, she let the silence envelop her. The stillness felt deafening, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere she had just left behind. With every passing moment, she felt the distance between herself and Ethan stretching further, like a rubber band ready to snap.

She reached for her phone, hoping to see a message from him, but the screen remained unlit. She sighed, knowing that it would take time for her to adjust to this new reality. The excitement of her new adventure had been overshadowed by the ache of leaving someone she cared for deeply.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her hand, and her heart raced as she saw Ethan's name flash across the screen. She quickly unlocked her phone, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.

**Ethan:** *Hey, just wanted to check in. How was the drive?*

Olivia felt a mix of relief and longing wash over her. She could almost hear his voice as she read the message, his casual tone somehow managing to soothe her frayed nerves.

**Olivia:** *It was good. Just got home. It feels so... different. I miss you already.*

She hit send, her heart pounding as she waited for his reply. The silence in her room felt heavy, amplifying her anxiety. She glanced around, her eyes landing on the posters of her favorite bands and the photos of her friends from high school. Those memories seemed so distant now, as if they belonged to another lifetime.

Her phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts.

**Ethan:** *I miss you too. But remember what we talked about? This is just a chapter, not the whole story. We'll make it work.*

Olivia smiled at his words, feeling a flicker of hope ignite within her. She typed back quickly.

**Olivia:** *You're right. I just wish I could fast-forward to when we're together again.*

She hesitated for a moment, staring at the screen. How could she convey the depth of her feelings? The longing, the uncertainty, the excitement of what lay ahead? She settled on something simple.