Always There • Enolive [discontinued]

5. Olive

Life in the loop went on without Abe. Enoch took his place in helping Emma with her chore, but Olive could see that the girl lighter than air much preferred Abe around. Somehow, that thought made Olive happy.

But she felt bad for Emma. Olive could see how much she liked -- maybe even loved -- Abe. But it was over now. Abe was gone, and there was nothing they could do about it.

They were in their usual morning stroll around Cairnholm, with Olive walking side by side with Enoch and Victor. She was deep in thought about leaving the loop. Not that she wanted to leave the loop. She just wondered, what if any of her other friends decide to leave? She couldn't bare the thought. Once someone goes, she may never see them again.

"What're you thinking about?" Enoch asked from beside her, snapping her from her train of thoughts.

"Nothing. It's just that... What if any other one of us leave the loop?"

Enoch turned his head at her.

"Just like Abe?" He said with a hint of anger. Olive could tell that he wasn't very happy with Abe's departure. He had left Emma crying, after all.

They passed by a group of other residences in the island, and they greeted them with good mornings.

"If anyone of us decides to follow his footsteps, Cairnholm won't be the only thing they'll leave behind." Enoch stated.

From the corner of her eye, Olive saw Victor cover his mouth with his fist and clear his throat slightly.

"Well...you know, Abe did explain why he left. It was for a good cause," Victor defended. "Besides, even if we're not in the loop anymore, we could always exchange letters."

Olive took note of how he said "we" as if he was implying that one of the three of them were going. Olive hoped that time would never happen.

"See how well that went with Abe," Enoch said bitterly.

Victor coughed uneasily. He looked...guilty. Because of what? Olive didn't know why. But she had a feeling that she didn't want to know.

---

Olive was playing with Claire and Bronwyn by the lawn. She was making sure that they didn't fall off the seesaw they were on. She was keeping an eye on the twins as well, never letting them run off where she couldn't see them. She was always the one watching the younger ones, and although sometimes it could be a tiring job that no one told her to do, watching over them put a smile on her face.

Her eyes suddenly traveled to Enoch and Emma who stood in a nearby tree, where Emma did her chore. She tied the rope around herself, took out her metal shoes, and flew up as Enoch secured her in the ground.

He looked happy, gazing at Emma as she flew higher and higher, a small squirrel on her palm. Her blonde hair was blown by the wind, as she settled the small creature back in its nest. Enoch pulled her back down, and he said something to her which made them laugh. Olive looked away.

She resumed on watching over the young ones, when she saw Victor walking to the house all alone. His hands were in his pockets, his eyes on the ground, and his face scrunched up in a frown.

"Victor!" Olive called, and the boy turned to her with wide eyes, probably surprise from her sudden call. His expression softened when he saw that it was only her. As he walked up to her, she couldn't help but think of what could be caused the frown on his face.

"Hello, Olive," he greeted glumly.

"Are you alright?" Olive asked in concern. Something was really bothering him, and Olive wanted to help her friend as much as she could. But Victor simply let out a smile, though Olive could see that it was forced.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" He said.

Just then, Olive heard another set of footsteps on the grass. She turned and saw that it was only Enoch.

"Are we still up for chess?" He asked Victor, and the other boy gave away a slight smile.

"Sure."

Then Enoch turned to Olive. "Want to join us?"

"Alright," Olive replied.

The other kids started to go inside the house, so Olive, Victor and Enoch went as well.

They found themselves in the living room several minutes later. They were sitting on a small table, a chessboard laid out before them. Olive would watch the two boys play, and sometimes she would even replace the loser, but usually she was fine just watching.

As Olive scanned their game intensely, she couldn't help but get distracted by Victor. He was acting odd, his eyebrows always furrowed.

"Checkmate," Enoch smirked triumphantly. Victor's face scrunched up in a frown.

"Whatever," Victor said said rather angrily.

Enoch noticed the anger in his friends voice. Olive caught his eye, and they stared at each other, handing over a silent message. There was something wrong with Victor.

Victor stood up and started to walk away.

"I'm heading off to bed. I'm not feeling very well," he excused himself and he disappeared in the hallway.

"What was that?" Olive said.

Enoch simply shrugged, picking up after the chess pieces on the table. Olive helped him out, and they cleaned the board game in silence.

"Why do you think he's acting all...weird?" Enoch wondered.

Olive didn't know the real answer, but she had a slight suspicion on what was on Victor's mind. She just hoped that she was wrong.

"I...I don't know," she said worriedly, picking up the last of the chess pieces on the table.

"Guess we'll have to find out, huh?" Enoch said.

Olive nodded, but in truth, she didn't want to find out.

A/N hey y'all! So I'm sorry if it took me a while to update! And thank you so so so much for the 1k+ reads!!! Also I think u guys already know what's up with Victor lol.