Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 43: Skateboards & Heartbeats (Bookie And Ollie)

POV: OLIVIA

The house feels wrong the second I step inside.

Not quiet in a peaceful, end-of-the-day way. Quiet like something's missing. Like a sound that should be there but isn't. The door clicks shut behind me and the echo feels louder than it should, bouncing off walls.

I drop my keys on the counter. They clatter, sharp and careless, and I wince like I've broken something fragile.

The lights are still off. The air smells faintly like detergent-clean, citrusy-but it doesn't feel fresh. It feels untouched. Unlived-in.

My mom's went on a business trip, so it's just me and the maids home.

I miss them.

I toe off my shoes and leave them wherever they land.

My phone is already in my hand before I consciously decide to grab it.

Enid.

Her name sits there, familiar and heavy all at once. I stare at it longer than necessary, like if I look hard enough I'll be able to tell how she's feeling just from the letters. My thumb hovers over the screen.
Don't overthink it, I tell myself.

I still do.

I type, erase, type again.

Olivia:
Did you get home safe?

The message sends, and immediately I regret it-like I've revealed too much, like I've admitted I care in a way I haven't figured out how to hide yet. I toss my phone onto the counter like I don't care, then pace away, then turn right back and grab it again.

I run a hand through my hair, exhale slowly, stare at the wall.
The screen lights up.

Enid♡
Yeah. I'm home.

Something in my chest loosens. It's subtle but undeniable, like my lungs finally remember they're allowed to work. I lean back against the counter, the cool surface grounding me as I breathe out.

Olivia:
Good.

I pause, chewing on my bottom lip. My reflection in the dark microwave door looks tired. Older. Like today took something out of me I don't know how to replace.

I type again.

Olivia:
Today was... a lot.

The three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again.

Enid♡
It was.
But I'm okay.

I close my eyes, forehead resting against the cabinet.

The pause this time stretches just long enough for my thoughts to spiral-her walking away, the crowd, the phones, the way everything always seems louder when she's involved.
Then-

Enid♡:
Yeah. I promise.

That word settles deep in my chest. Not scary. Just real.
I don't fight the small smile that curves my lips.

Olivia:
I'm glad.
I was worried about you.

A beat passes.

Enid♡:
How are you?

I let out a quiet laugh and move toward the window, pressing my free hand to the glass as I look out into the dark.