31 letters to Olivia

You should read them.

-3-

                “Olivia!” She about jumped out of her skin at the sudden shout. Olivia quickly shoved the letter she had just read under her pillow just as her mother entered her room. “Yes mother?” She sat up trying not to look suspicious but failing. Her mother raised an eyebrow at her. “Dinner will be ready soon.” She replied looking around the room seeing if anything was out of order. But much to Olivia’s dismay everything was in a perfectly neat order. She probably lived in the neatest house in all of South Carolina. Heck maybe even all of America.  And America was great. It really was but it wasn’t London. And the house was beautiful but it wasn’t cozy like her flat had been and it didn’t feel like home like his flat had. “Olivia pay attention.” Her mother snapped a finger in front of her face. Had she been talking?

                “I’m sorry mother.” She said shyly. That wasn’t like her. She felt so small here. She felt like she was a little kid not the nineteen year old she was. She was an adult. Why was she letting her mother control her life? “Because you’re all I’ve got left Olivia.” Her mother had cried on her shoulder.  Every time she thought of leaving that thought would echo through her mind. She didn’t have her father anymore. They were all they had left. She had Niall though. But Mother didn’t like him. “Olivia if you keep spacing off like that people are going to think you’re weird.” Her mother spoke breaking her thoughts once again. “Sorry. You were saying?” She apologized once again. “ As I was saying. Put a dress on. Make your hair look nice. We have quests coming shortly.” Olivia nodded letting her mother know she wasn’t having wandering thoughts this time. It was regular to have guests for dinner. For a woman who rarely left the house Carrie Woodine had a lot of friends. If they were real friends or just people who like her money didn’t matter to the woman. She was rich and enjoyed showing off her rich house and her beautiful daughter. Hence why a usually attractive son would come to visit along with each of these “friends”.

                Olivia wouldn’t deny that most of the young men that came over for dinner were attractive because they were. And most of them were nice guys but none of them had that certain quality she craved. That quality being Niall. None of them were him. Carrie left the room leaving her daughter to get ready. She didn’t right away though. Olivia sat staring at her feet for the longest time before sighing. She felt drained and tired of this routine that had started. But instead of rebelling much like the real Olivia inside of her wanted to she stood up walking to the much too big closet to pick out a dress for the evening. She hadn’t even realized it but she had put on a yellow one. The color Niall enjoyed most on her. It must have just been because of all the sudden thoughts about him.

                After doing a simple curled high ponytail style Olivia made her way down the stairs.  She must have been right on time because as she made her way down the stairs she caught glimpse of the guests. A gasp left her mouth at the sight of the mother and son in front of her. “Harry?” She said his name with a laugh. The young lad looked up the stairs a wide grin spreading across his lips. “Olivia!” His voice had come out much louder than intended catching the attention of their mothers. Olivia practically ran down the stairs bringing the much taller curly haired lad into a hug. “You two know each other?” Olivia’s mother spoke a smile on her face. A smile that suggested something neither of them would ever want. “Olivia. How good to see you.” Anne Cox smiled hugging the girl. “Olivia used to date one of Harry’s best friends.” Harry’s mother explained quickly.  Carrie’s smug smile wiped off her face at the mention of Niall.

                “I see.” She replied. “I’ll leave you two to catch up then. Come along Anne. I'll show you the dining room. We just renovated it.” As soon as the two women were out of site Olivia was scooped up into another hug. “It’s so good to see you.” Harry spoke bringing his friend out to an arms distance. He stood with his hands on her shoulders. “What have you been up to? This is a fancy house. “He asked looking around. “ I haven’t been up to much.” She shrugged looking at her feet. Harry raised an eyebrow or well to the best of his ability. “Olivia Woodine not being up to much is the biggest lie I’ve ever heard. You’re always up to something. What’s America life been like?” Harry asked hoping for a more interesting answer. “Honestly Harry. I haven’t done anything. I’ve been cooped up in this stupid house. I miss London.”

                “We miss you too.” He replied with a frown. “Why don’t you just come back with us if you’ve been so cooped up? Everyone would love to see you. Niall would love to see you.” Harry pushed. “I can’t just up and leave Harry. I can’t leave my mom alone.  She already lost my dad. She can’t lose me too.”  He sighed. “She wouldn’t be losing you. You can still call, face time, visit, and write letters.” He said letters differently. As if he was hinting to the box up in her room. “Do you...” She started to ask only to be cut off by him nodding “Have you read them?” He asked curious. “I’ve read two.”

                “He really misses you.” Olivia looked away from her curly haired friend. “I miss him too. Let him know that ok. I really do.” She sighed staring back down at her white shoes. “We leave in two weeks. I think you should try and read all those letters before then.” Harry told her lifting her chin up. “Olivia! Harry! Diner’s ready!” Carrie shouted from the dining room. “Let’s go.” She sighed leading him to the dining room.