Playing Games

Chapter 3

LOGAN POV

I splash my face with the cold water, and it wakes me right up and sends a brief chill down my spine. I instantly feel refreshed, and I dry my face off before looking into the mirror. My quiff isn't usually spiked like it usually is, so I just use my fingers to do it.

The door opens, and I see my girlfriend Olivia. We've been dating for two and a half years now, but it seems like she's losing interest in me. There isn't that spark anymore like when we first met. 

When I first laid eyes on her, I knew that I wanted her to be mine. But now that we're together, it seems like she pushes as much passion out of our relationship as possible. It's extremely dull being with her now. There's nothing more that I want than to just be free from this relationship, because it clearly isn't going anywhere.

"I'll miss you while you're gone." I say, lying through my teeth.

"Me too." Olivia replies with a lopsided grin, and she wraps her arms around me.

The hug isn't even warm and inviting, it feels like the complete opposite. It just feels mechanical and forced, and it makes me tired. We're obviously forcing each other to be affectionate towards each other so that we remind each other of what we have, although we don't have much.

Why do we even bother?

"Tell your grandparents that I said hello, and that I wish that I could be there."

Olivia is leaving California to visit her grandparents Fredrick and Genevieve, who live all the way up in Alaska. To be completely honest, I'm glad that she'll be there for three weeks, and I wish she would extend her time there. 

Ouch, that hurt just thinking it.

I shouldn't think like that, especially when it comes to my girlfriend, but it's just become so monotonous and bland with her. It isn't the same anymore. I shouldn't prefer her absence over her presence, but I do. 

"I'll call you once my flight lands, okay?"

"Okay." I reply, forcing a smile.

She stands on her tip toes even though we don't have much difference in height, and she plants a small kiss on my lips.

Dull.

I know that I may seem like a giant asshole, but I swear that I'm not.

I've just been drained because I've had to force myself to love someone that doesn't truly love me. 

Olivia will sometimes make threats to keep me in check and so that I don't leave her. I don't think that she realizes that our relationship wouldn't be as deadpan and inhospitable as it is if she didn't make remarks like that.

She leaves the bathroom, and I can hear her saying goodbye to me before collecting her bags and heading out of the door. My phone begins to ring, and my close friend Anthony is the one who's calling.

"Hey!" I exclaim, and I can picture his enthusiastic smile.

"What's up, man?" Anthony asks cheerfully, and I sigh.

"Nothing much man, you?" I ask, completely dodging the question because nothing exciting really happened with me.

"I still need an answer as to what's happening tonight, man. Netflix has a shitty selection, and I haven't had a night of drinking in a while." Anthony answered.