Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 46: Standing Still

POV: OLIVIA

It's been four days.

Four days since Enid asked for space.
Four days since I stopped myself from reaching out.

Four days since I stopped reaching for my phone every five minutes.
Four days of silence that feels louder than any argument we never had.

Four days of pretending that discipline doesn't feel exactly like grief.

I'm lying on my back, eyes wide open, staring at my ceiling like it might rearrange itself into answers if I stare long enough.

It doesn't.

My body feels wrong. Heavy in places it shouldn't. My chest aches constantly, not sharp enough to panic over, not dull enough to ignore. And sleep hasn't helped. Food hasn't helped either. Even distraction hasn't helped - because everything loops back to her.

The date.
Her smile.
The way her fingers shook when she touched mine.

The way she kissed me like she was afraid and brave at the same time.

And then the distance.

I roll onto my side and press my face into my pillow, breathing slowly, counting like that might keep my thoughts from spiraling.

Did I rush her?
Did I misread her again?
Did I say the wrong thing?
Did I make her feel like she had to choose?

The worst part is not knowing what I did wrong - or if I even did anything wrong at all.

At school, we don't talk.
No texts.
No calls.
No accidental lingering.

Just brief eye contact across hallways. And it always happens the same way, I look first. I always do. Like some stupid reflex I can't train out of myself. Sometimes she looks back. Sometimes she doesn't. Because it feels like we have this quiet agreement to look away before it hurts too much.

It's Friday now.

That somehow makes it worse.

A soft knock taps against my door.
I don't answer.

The door opens anyway.

"Lily" my mom voice is gentle, careful.

I hear mama behind her - the familiar click of heels against the mable floor. They're already back from work. Which means they noticed.

Of course they did. I skipped school today without even pretending I was sick.

They step into my room like they're entering something fragile.

"Hey, Mom," I murmur.

Mom crosses the room immediately, sitting on the edge of my bed. Mama stays standing for a moment, arms crossed loosely, eyes scanning me the way she does when she's quietly worried.

"You didn't go to school," mama says softly.

"I know."
My mom tilts her head. "Have you eaten?"

I hesitate.

That's all it takes.

Mom's mouth tightens slightly, and she reaches out, brushing my hair back from my face. "Olivia."

"I wasn't hungry," I lie weakly.
Mama sighs and sits down on my other side. "That usually means you're not okay."

I turn onto my side, going closer to my mom, and without really thinking about it, I rest my head in her lap. She immediately starts running her fingers through my hair, slow and soothing.