Echoes of Us

Chapter 7: The Rift

Amber sat in stunned silence for a few moments after Olivia left, her mind racing. She couldn't believe what had just happened—Olivia, her best friend, was going after Asher. The thought of it made her stomach churn. As the realization hit her, a surge of panic welled up inside.

She quickly got up and followed Olivia, catching up to her just as she reached the bottom of the stairs. Without thinking, Amber grabbed Olivia's arm, spinning her around to face her.

"No, Liv! Please, don't do this," Amber blurted out, her voice filled with desperation. "I want to have a future with Asher."

Olivia froze, the intensity of Amber's words stopping her in her tracks. She looked at Amber, seeing the raw emotion in her eyes—the vulnerability, the fear, and something deeper that Olivia hadn't anticipated.

"Amber, what are you talking about?" Olivia asked, her tone sharp with confusion. "You just told me you didn't even know how you felt about him."

"I know," Amber said, her voice trembling. "I was confused, but now I'm not. I don't want to lose him, Liv. I... I think I really like him. Maybe more than that. I can't let you just go after him like this."

Olivia's expression hardened as she processed Amber's words. The jealousy that had been simmering beneath the surface now flared up, feeding her frustration. "So now you want him?" Olivia shot back, her voice rising. "After you just had your fun with him, you suddenly decide he's worth more? What about me, Amber? Don't I deserve to go after what I want for once?"

Amber shook her head, tears forming in her eyes again. "It's not like that, Liv! I didn't plan any of this, but it happened, and now I realize I want to be with him. I know it's selfish, but I can't just let him go."

"Selfish?" Olivia echoed, her anger bubbling over. "You think you're the only one who feels things, Amber? I've stood by and watched you get everything you've wanted for years. Every guy, every opportunity—always you. And I never said anything because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. But this time, I want something too. I want to take a chance, just like you did."

Amber's heart pounded in her chest, her mind spinning with the implications of what Olivia was saying. This wasn't just about Asher—this was about everything, years of friendship and unspoken resentments coming to the surface in one explosive moment.

"Liv, please," Amber pleaded, her voice cracking. "This isn't the way to fix things between us. Going after Asher won't make any of this better. It'll only make things worse."

Olivia's eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "And what? I'm just supposed to step aside because you suddenly decided you care about him? What about me, Amber? When do I get to put myself first?"

The two friends stood there, caught in a tense standoff, their emotions swirling in the air around them. Amber knew she was at a breaking point—either she would lose Asher, or she would lose Olivia. But the thought of losing both was unbearable.

"Liv, you're my best friend," Amber said, her voice trembling. "We've been through everything together. Please, don't let this come between us. I don't want to fight with you."

Olivia's expression softened, but only slightly. "I don't want to fight either, Amber. But I'm tired of always being the one who steps back. For once, I want to see what happens if I don't."

Amber felt a sob rising in her throat, but she swallowed it down, her eyes pleading with Olivia. "Is Asher really worth losing our friendship over? Are you really willing to risk everything for this?"

Olivia hesitated, her resolve wavering for just a moment. But then she steeled herself, a look of determination crossing her face. "I guess we're about to find out."

Amber's heart sank as she watched Olivia turn and walk away, her figure disappearing into the crowd of lingering guests. She felt utterly powerless, caught in the wake of a decision that could tear apart everything she held dear.