Forever

VII

Aside from the song he was contemplating on, Austin's thoughts were flying everywhere. Barely three weeks to go they are flying to New York, and there is no assurance of when they are coming back to Texas. The thought made him grumpy and worried because in that course of time, he will not be able to be with Olivia, and he was never sure when he will be back just to be with her.

Everyday it's getting harder for Austin to read the brown-eyed girl. It's like she was raising her walls more than usual. She was not like that before, and he also noticed that all of her sassiness was fading away, and all he can see is an unreadable girl he almost didn't know.

It hurt him, that all of those were taking place when he was about to leave and be away from her for he doesn't know how long. And it seemed odd to him that Olivia was losing the drive to pursue her dream—and that is to be a writer. He remembered when they were in middle school; Olivia is the enthusiastic girl full of drive, energy, and passion. From the start she had always been clear of what she wanted to be, and Austin witnessed all of those. But at the moment, it was like he was seeing a different person, and he could not point out why she was being like that.

*

Olivia and Lauren were walking in the cafeteria, each of them holding a tray of food, finding an empty table so that they can eat comfortably. They spotted one on the far side corner, taking a seat on the chair, making their own selves at ease. Olivia looked at Lauren who was sitting across her, only to find the girl gaping at something over her shoulder.

Or someone.

Olivia turned her head only to see Martin walking towards them, his face seemed to be radiating, his crescent-shaped eyes beaming. Olivia chuckled to herself, remembering what Austin told her about Lauren.

Martin stood in front of the table of the two girls, grabbing a chair from nearby to sit on and placed a paper bag on top of the table.

"Hey there, Olivia," he greeted to which Olivia smiled at as she stole a look from Lauren who was blushing furiously, right in time when Martin greeted her. "Hi, Lauren."

"Hi, Martin," she replied, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Olivia chuckled almost loudly to which Lauren eyed her as if a warning. Olivia gestured as if zipping her mouth.

"What are you girls up to after lunch?" Martin asked as he opened his paper bag taking out a sandwich.

"I'm gonna go to the library to finish some research," Olivia answered and then looked at Lauren, raising her brows playfully. "I don't know to Lauren."

"Uh, I— I'm heading home. I just accompanied Olivia for lunch 'cos she doesn't talk to anybody," Lauren answered to which Olivia nodded at. Martin brought the sandwich to his mouth, taking a bite out of it.

"I'm also heading out the university, do you mind if I give you a ride?" He offered to Lauren, making Olivia choke on her own drink, although she immediately controlled herself by placing her hand on top of her mouth. Lauren's cheeks were burning pink.

"S-sure, let's just finish lunch," Lauren stuttered, grabbing her fork and spoon. Olivia was containing her laughter through all of it.

There was a moment of silence among the three of them as they started eating their own meals. Martin finished his sandwich first, crumpling the tissue paper and putting it inside the paper bag. "Oh, Olivia, have Austin mentioned to you that he was having a struggle writing the song for our NY competition?" He asked.

Olivia shook her head slightly, shoving a strip of chicken to her mouth. "No, he hasn't told me anything," she answered as she chewed. Martin leaned his back on the chair, placing both of his hands of the back of his head.

"Hmm, we're actually worried. We still don't have lyrics to the song, he's struggling writing nowadays," he paused, and looked at Lauren. "Is there also called writer's block when it comes to song writing?" Martin questioned out, to which Lauren chuckled at. Olivia rested her right elbow on the table, placing her chin on the back of her hand, musing as she contemplated on what Martin had said, as her two companies continued chattering.

*

Take these roses off of me

Let me live, let me be

For a little while

Let my eyes, see everything

And nothing in their time

I do not mind.

Olivia stopped scribbling on her notebook just as when she felt something tightening in her chest once again, making her silently wince in pain. She leaned back on the bench, closing her eyes and resting her weight on it as the 4 pm sun shone above her. The pain subsided slowly, just as when she felt the rays of the sun burning her skin seemingly being covered. She cracked an eye open, only to see Austin standing in front of her.

"Are you trying to get tan?" Austin asked her jokingly as she scooted over to make room for him, closing her eyes once again. Austin sat beside her, crossing his arms on his chest.

"No, as if I am going to get tan at this time of the day," she retorted, making Austin chuckled as he looked far ahead in the view in front of them. The lake shone beautifully, the water seemingly sparkling as the rays of sun hit its surface. Nearby it can be heard the continuous laughter of children running around the place, everything felt so alive.

Olivia massaged her upper left chest slowly, letting the pain from awhile ago fully subside. Austin noticed this.

"Are you okay?" He asked, and Olivia just gave a faint nod. He also noticed the notepad sitting on her lap. "What are you writing?"

And that's when Olivia shot her eyes open, her hands immediately closing the notepad and hugging it. Austin furrowed his brows at her.

"Uh, it's nothing," she responded, earning a weird look from Austin. Olivia shifted on her seat uneasily, looking at him. "What are you doing here, by the way?"

"Uh, it's nothing," he echoed the answer she first gave him, earning a slap on the arm from Olivia. Austin laughed and then once again focused his gaze on the view sitting in front of them. Olivia did the same, leaning back on the bench.

It was silent for quite awhile, Olivia stealing glances to the boy on her side while still hugging the notepad she was writing on. Austin spoke after a minute or so had passed, breaking the silence. "Do you remember when we were in middle school, the first time we actually talk to each other?" He asked out of nowhere, making Olivia look at him curiously. Austin had a small smile gracing on his lips as he tried to remember the moment. "It was the time when I was playing the piano and singing alone in the auditorium and then you suddenly entered like a boss, catching me off guard."

Olivia tried to remember the memory, and when she did, she let out a chuckle. "You were such an introvert back then," she said, and as if on cue, they were thinking of the same thing.