I Know Places / b.s.

Douze

It took me a moment to adjust to my sore body bad the hard ground below me. There was a small, soft blanket sprawled over my naked body, but there was no one beside me. My heart ached a little as last night replayed in my head. I'm in his house, how can he not be here.

I sit up, trying to calm myself down before I get too overwhelmed or upset. Chances are he went to the bathroom... or something. I wait at least ten minutes but the house seems silent and I'm officially annoyed. Last night we were so intimate and now I'm waking up alone, left in a fort I made for us.

I climbed out of the fort, wrapping the blanket around my naked body because I suddenly feel ashamed. The feeling takes control and I'm on the brink of exploding. Piece by piece I tug on my clothes; bra, underwear and then my dress.

When I turn I get a glance of myself in the mirror that is hung on the wall by the dresser. I cringe almost, seeing my knotty dark hair wrecked from sex and sleep. I take the hair-tie around my wrist and pull my hair back into a pony tail.

My feet move swiftly across the cold hardwood floors, out of the room and down the hall to the staircase. I hear the faint sound of dishes clashing and water running. As I walk down the steps, I pray that it's not Jeremy or Kira, for the sake of me not being embarrassed.

In the kitchen, Brad is standing by the stove, making something that I can now smell. It smells like pancakes and I remember that I'm hungry. He is only in boxers and his back muscles tense as he works in front of him. My annoyance fades mostly, but I still wish he would have woken me up when he woke up.

"Good morning," I break the silence.

Brad turns his head and looks at me, a sweet smile on his face. I can't be mad at him, I swear it's impossible. My heart lurches towards him.

"Morning," he replies. "Did you sleep okay? I thought you looked a little uncomfortable this morning - I almost put you on the bed..." his voice trailed off as he looked back at the food cooking in the stove. When he looked back he was clearly waiting for a response.

I swallowed hard. "I slept okay, you?"

"Better than usual," he grinned. "You were on top of me all night, I can't complain though since it was actually comfortable."

"Ah," I giggled a little. "I'm sorry, you should have shoved me off or something."

"And why would I do that, Livy?" He shook his head but he had a playful smile on. If I didn't know better, I'd rip my clothes off right now.

I walked over to him, leaning my hip against the counter. Brad turned off the stove and put the last golden pancake on the stack. He put the spatula down and turned to face me.

"Hungry?" he asked.

I nodded. "I am."

"Good, because I was feeling pancakes this morning. Plus, I was starving when I woke up. I would have laid with you longer but I thought my stomach would crumble," he chuckled.

"It's okay," I said, moving closer. I put my hands to his chest, watching his eyes soften and his smirk fade to a sweet, gentle smile. My arms slipped around his waist and I felt so comfortable.

"Feeling okay?" he asked.

"I am... thanks for asking," I replied.

He brushed his fingers across my cheek until I rested my head on his chest. I closed my eyes and tried to hear his heartbeat. His chest rose and fell against me and I realized that I might fall asleep again.

"After we eat we can lay down." It was like he read my mind - how ironic. Maybe that was the beauty of love, being able to tell each other's feelings from small gestures or expressions. A long time ago he told me he was falling in love with me - were we progressing or did we digress in a way I couldn't fathom?

Brad didn't pull away, but I did, moving to the kitchen island where I sat up on the stood. He sat beside me and we started to eat, talking about random things and occasionally he would crack a bad joke.

-

The October chill was nipping at my nose. The downside of being upstage at this time of the year was dealing with the quick temperature change. As I walk through Sally's I feel my heart beat quickly, excitement filling my veins as I remember what tonight will bring.

A week ago Brad and I had our fort adventure but now he was taking me out - on a real date. At least, that's what I assumed it would be considering he asked and he told me wherever we go will be a surprise.

Sally's at the register like usual, giving me a caring look as I walk towards her, holding the items Beth asked me to pick up.

"Hello, darling. How are you?" Sally asked.

"I'm okay," I replied. "How are you? How's Logan, I haven't seen him in a while."

Sally chuckled. "Oh, you know those boys, they are never home when they don't have to be. Logan's at school and Josh went on a road trip with his friends. They're coming back in a few weeks for the annual Brighton Lake fall festival."

"I forgot about that." My eyes widened. It was always one of the best festivals; caramel apples, golden orange and red leaves on the trees and ground, pumpkins everywhere - fall here was beautiful. "Well, I guess I'll see you there."

"Olivia," Sally blurted. Her face more serious now, and her eyes narrowing. "What's with you and that boy - Brad, isn't it?"

"Uh, nothing," I tried to laugh it off. "We're just friends, Sal. You know, he's been helping me through these last few months-"

She interjected, "you love him."

I was at a loss of words and shocked. My brows were furrowing enough that if I continued to do this I'd probably have a headache. I took a sharp breath and regain my courage, shaking my head. "I don't love him, Sally."

"Of course you do," she smiled, "and I want you to be careful - you deserve a lot, honey, I just don't think you can take any more losses."

My expression softened a little and something inside of my head was actually agree with her. All this time I had been too blind to see that maybe, after all, this would go down in flames.

"I'll be okay," I insisted. "I'll see you soon."

"Oh! Olivia, I still have a few of Charlie's things in my garage from a few years ago - remember when he spent the summer with Logan? If you ever want to come over and check it out, feel free to anytime."

I nodded slowly. "Thanks."

-

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