Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 39: Why Her?

POV:OLIVIA

I stepped away from the field lights and the noise, my heartbeat tapping too hard against my ribs. The air felt heavier than it should. I kept scanning the crowd for her—Enid’s curls, her eyes, anything—but all I saw were strangers and shadows.

Where is she?

I dragged a breath in, held it, let it tremble out. My chest was tight, like someone had looped invisible fingers around it.

I just needed to see her face. Just once. Just to know she was okay.

Callie said she’d check somewhere else, so I was left alone, weaving through people I didn’t want to be near. Every voice sounded sharp, every laugh too loud.

Then I stiffened.

My friends walked in.

A swarm of confidence and noise and unspoken expectations. And the moment they spotted me, their attention landed on me like a weight I didn’t ask for.

I looked away immediately.

I couldn’t. Not tonight. Not with everything still raw from Maxine and I's mess. Not with their eyes burning with questions I had no energy to answer.

So I kept walking.
Faster.

I could feel their eyes on my back but none of them called out. Maybe they sensed it—how close I was to breaking open.

I turned down a quieter corridor behind the stadium. Empty. Finally.

My breath stuttered.

It hit me at once—this hollow ache sitting right in the middle of my chest. The fear, the confusion, the stupid hope that she’d be waiting somewhere with that small, shy smile.

But she wasn’t.

I pressed my back to the wall and let myself sink down a little, fingers tugging at the hem of my jersey.

Why does it hurt like this?

Why her?

I squeezed my eyes shut. My throat burned. No tears fell, but the pressure behind my eyes… unbearable.

I stayed there until I could breathe without my voice shaking.

When I finally walked back toward the noise, I didn’t expect to see her.

But I did.

Enid.

Standing with her friends. She had a drink in her hand, and there was a small smile on her lips. Not big. Not the one she gives Hamida. But soft. Real.

She looked… okay.

Better than okay.

I froze, hidden behind a group of students walking past. My breath caught in my chest—relief and something sharp twisting together.

At least she’s fine.
At least she’s laughing.
At least she’s not hurting like I am.

Something in me loosened, just a little.

I shouldn’t bother her tonight. She looks happy. Or… at least calmer now.

Maybe I’ll text her later.
Or call.
When I’m not shaking like this.

I turned away before she could see me staring.

And that’s when the Golden Four finally closed in.

"Liv," Risa called from behind, sounding cautious, like she already knew something was off.

I straightened my shoulders, swallowed everything down, and faced them with the fakest smile I could pull together.

"Hey guys."

My voice didn’t crack.

Small victory.

Inside, though?

I felt like I was still sitting on that cold wall—searching the crowd for the only girl who made everything stop hurting.

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~D