Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 21: Photographs And Feelings

POV: ENID

The room felt colder when I woke up.

For a moment, I thought it was just the morning chill, the air conditioning still running. But as I stretched and turned over, I noticed it—

The empty space.

My stomach dropped.

Olivia was gone.

I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I glanced around.

No extra blanket tossed over the chair.

No pillow out of place.

It was like Olivia had never been there at all.

I recall how she walked out after the conversation, and how my thoughts kept me awake till midnight–when my mid finally decided to give up.

Slowly, I swung my legs off the bed, my chest feeling heavier with each passing second.

Maybe she had gone to annoy the others before I woke up. Maybe—

But even as the excuses ran through my mind, I knew.

Olivia left.

Pressing her fingers against her temple, I let out a small breath.

I should be relieved.

This is what I wanted, wasn’t it? For Olivia to leave me alone?

For whatever was happening between us to just stop before it spiraled into something I didn’t know how to deal with?

So why did my chest ache?

A soft knock at the door made me snap out of it. Before I could answer, Fatima pushed it open, leaning against the frame with a knowing look.

"She’s gone."

I swallowed, keeping my expression blank. "I know."

Tima sighed, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "She left early. Told Mia she had somewhere to be."

I didn’t respond.

My best friend carefully  sat beside me on the bed, studying me closely. "You okay?" she asked.

I forced a small, tight smile. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

Tima scoffed. "Please. I’ve known you too long for that act to work on me."

My fingers curled into the sheets. "It’s not an act." I say, trying to get Tima to believe.

Tima didn’t call me out, she didn't push. She just sighed again and stood up. "Come eat. Mida’s been asking for you." she's decided to say instead, standing on her feet to leave.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

I waited until Fatima left before I exhaled, pressing my hand against my chest.

It was fine.

This is fine.

I am not affected.

I shouldn’t be.
   
So why did it feel like something was missing?

✿⁠ 

Breakfast was a quiet affair.

Mida, cheerful as ever, chatted away, completely unbothered by the blonde’s absence since Olivia had already said goodbye to her–Mida told everyone how Olivia went to her room just as she came out of the attached bathroom in her room, and told her she was leaving early because she has some emergency.