Gone for Grief

~Chapter 5~

     Over the course of the next few days, Olivia had found that her brother was 17 years old, though his features suggested otherwise, and she continued to insert a contentment to her newly correspondent attitude, that hadn't been present before. As the morning dew began to drip, Olivia sat up abruptly, suddenly gaining her new found affiliation. Her sorrow was replaced with her kinship, a bond associated between her and her brother. Their relationship , immediately formed over a span of a few minutes, a commerce, formed over kind and curious emotions being expressed. Together, she felt strong, more powerful, with her brother, denying her self doubt with the support of him. Together, entwined, a link so deep, so harmonized, they are unstoppable. Reunited with her selfless brother, hardened instincts told her that days over yonder, would be as long as she remained by his side she would remain impenetrable. She could sense her inner emotions threatening to erupt from the embrace her head was providing, she stumbled down the stairs, light headed with elation. Her aunt's gaze slipped upon Olivia, and for once she seemed to emit a source of compassion, that formerly, there was no trace of. Though her aunt still shoved her breakfast into her arms as if giving Olivia cereal proclaimed a reason to refrain from suppressing strength,even with these standards, Olivia noticed the enthusiasm rolling off of her aunt's shoulders. " Why are you so ecstatic today?"Olivia questioned ignorantly.

     "Why, your going off to school, of course" Her aunt replied, implying a teasing smile.

     Olivia rolled her eyes as she stuffed her school supplies carelessly into her bag, entitling her initials which she promoted with an abundance of pride. She flung her backpack over her shoulder, meanwhile perfecting a determined smile, laced with determination. Matthew stumbled down the stairs with bloodshot eyes as Olivia nudged him she teased, " Not a morning person, huh?".

     " Very funny..." Matthew replied as he started placing contents into the deep reaches of his bag.

     " Come on, you have GOT to be the slowest person I know, hustle up" Olivia said gleaming with persistent features. Aunt Charlotte squeezed in between them before Olivia could grab his arm and shove him through the door.

     " Now, now, Olivia is right, go get yourselves on that bus before you stress me out"

     " It's not like you already are" Matthew put in, a knowing smile forming a crease on his lips. Olivia and Matthew walked through the front door and cautiously attempted to climb on to the school bus. Immediately Olivia turned as still as stone, there were so many kids, too many. Matthew slipped a soothing arm around her shoulder and guided her to a seat that featured a row of houses resting symmetrically outside the glossy texture of the window.

     "This is going to be a long day,.... Isn't it?" Olivia added, boredom creeping onto the edge of her tongue. Her brother's head turned emitting a giddy smile that portrayed his gullible personality to lead right into the arms of school. After he didn't reply she smirked.

     "Yep, it will be".

     Matthew let a miniscule drop of remorse slip from his blinding smile as he attempted to rid Olivia of her nervous anticipation. "You'll be fine Liv" He said trying to comfort her, " you'll love it, I guarantee". Olivia's head swelled with negative perspectives of school and a dire excruciating need to escape from the enfolds of school. Even with this urgent necessity to inform her sibling, she paused and held her news, ensuring his positive approval of school. As the bus came to an abrupt stop at the curb of the school, her insides attempted to extract themselves from the hold of her stomach to establish her embarrassing classification at the school. She glanced around, determining who she could trust, and who held the hierarchy in the midst of the campus. To her surprise, she was confronted by a group of girls who appeared to be enthusiastic with her mere existence. She began to walk over to greet them, but just as soon as they had waved at her they had flocked off, resembling a group of birds flying south for the winter. Olivia's gaze traveled to the logo laid beneath her feet. It symbolized freedom and companionship she was pretty sure, but was it really? Matthew tugged on her arm, practically shrieking, " Did you not hear the bell?! You must be deaf!". He dragged by her arm desperately as she wondered, if the girls had retreated due to the beginning of class...did she still have a chance?