A Silent Love

Chapter 6 : Ice cream therapy

Olivia's POV

After successfully dashing away from the guy from my math class - Mark, I think his name is - I jump on the subway and scroll through my Instagram feed, trying to avoid looking at anyone. 

A few minutes later, the sub lurches to a stop and I glance up at the sign and discover it is my stop. 

I leap up quickly and slither through the crowd of people, almost falling on my face when someone steps on the back of my shoes. 

After I finally manage to make it through the throngs of people, I push the metal revolving door and head up the stairs to the city streets. 

When I finally make it to the top, I am greeted by the sun shining in my eyes and the smell of cigarette smoke invading my senses. I attempt to shield my eyes from the blinding light and end up stepping on a freshly chewed piece of gum. 

Lovely.

I try to drag my foot on the ground to remove the gum, but realize that I most likely look like a crazy person in doing so. I suck it up and just walk, feeling the gum suction the bottom of my shoe to the dirty sidewalk with every other step I take. 

I groan inwardly, but continue walking the few blocks it takes for me to arrive at my apartment complex. 

When I finally see the gray building, I pick up the pace and practically sprint up the metal steps. I don't bother trying to be quiet as my feet make each step vibrate with the movement and just try to get into the safety of my house as quickly as I possibly can. 

When I finally arrive on the third landing, I reach into my backpack and pick out the M&M painted key that I had cut when I was seven and slide it into the keyhole. I swiftly open the door and slide in when I feel a hand on my shoulder and I squeal before attempting to slam the heavy wooden door on the stranger's arm. 

However, before I have the chance to unarm the unidentified figure, I recognize the embarrassed smile as Ms. Wright. She was the old lady who lived in the apartment across the hall. Whenever I walked by her door, it smelled of freshly baked cookies, no matter what time of day it was. Because of this, I made her name sign "cookie", but with the handshape "D" for her name, Delaney. 

I sighed in relief, placing my hand on my rapidly beating heart. 

I'm so sorry to have scared you, Ms. Wright signs to me. I saw you walking and just wanted to see how your day was, but you were in your own little world. She tried to hide her laugh at my obliviousness while I just blushed red. 

I'm sorry about that, I replied. I've just had a very long day and was practically begging for some ice cream therapy. 

Ah, I completely understand. Well, you go and relax. Just know that if you ever want to talk, I am right across the hall, she gestures to the door mirroring my own. 

Thank you, Ms. Wright, I will surely come by soon. I smile as I wave goodbye at her and go back into my apartment and shut the door in a slightly better mood. 

I need to remind myself to go over and visit her someday this week. 

Mostly so I can have someone to talk to before my mom gets home, but also for those killer chocolate chip cookies. 

-----

I'm right in the middle of an episode of Riverdale when the lights in my room flicker on and off slowly. 

I glance up and see my mom standing there with a tired smile on her face. 

I pause my show and shut my laptop and look back at her with a grateful smile. Long day at work? 

You can't even imagine, she replies back with an over exaggerated sigh. 

I giggle before asking what we are having for dinner when my stomach vibrates from hunger. 

I'm too tired to whip something up so how about we go to the Italian restaurant down the street?  She asks, trying to hide her grin. 

In a moment, I leap out of my bed and jump out of bed signing, yes, over and over again. I have been begging to go there for days now, but we have always been too busy. Luigi's was my favorite Italian restaurant as a kid and I used to go there at least once or twice a week. I knew almost all of the waiters and waitresses by name and they all signed to me, having learned after the first few times I came in. 

Minutes later, my mom and I were walking down the street without talking. It was hard to sign and walk through these busy streets at the same time. If I wasn't completely focused on the ground in front of me, I would inevitably trip and fall on my face. 

We linked our elbows together so we wouldn't get lost in the crowd and walked to the restaurant that is like a second home to me. 

By the time we arrived, I felt so relieved and I could finally breathe again. 

The host for the night glanced up and immediately, her eyes lit up when she saw me. 

Oh my god, Olivia is that you? She signed rapidly. Abandoning her post, she ran around the small table and hugged me before holding me back by the shoulder and examining me. Look how you've grown! You are so beautiful!

I blushed shyly and smiled a giant smile before thanking her immensely. 

Well, let me get you guys a table. The best in the restaurant! She announced after hugging my mom and me again. 

Leading us to a candle lit table near a back window, she placed the menus down and gave me a kiss on the cheek before scurrying back to the front of the restaurant. 

Luigi's was on a hill so from where we were sitting, we could see all of the city lights. I gasped, forgetting how beautiful the view was from here and sat in awe for a moment. 

I felt at peace for the first time in weeks.