Only if you know (Book 1)

Chapter 10

Olivia stood in front of the mirror, staring at the girl reflected back at her. A girl with tired green eyes and pale skin. It took her a moment to recognize herself.

      Everything had changed dramatically in the past four years. 

      Livy—the name her parents once used so lovingly had been a happy-go-lucky girl once. Her eyes used to shine like emeralds, her skin glowed with warmth, and her laughter could fill an entire room. But that brightness had faded long ago. The girl in the mirror now looked like a ghost of who she used to be.

      She sighed deeply. She misses her old life and wishes she could relive all of the happiness and good times. She wishes to reclaim her happy family. But not all dreams come true.

      “May I come in, honey?” Eliana’s voice broke through her thoughts.

      “Of course,” Olivia says. She smiled at her with a tight grin.

      Eliana stepped in, her expression gentle. “How are you feeling now?”

      “All right, thank you.”

      “That’s good.” Eliana hesitated for a moment before brightening. “I was thinking, how about we go shopping before school starts tomorrow?”

      “Olivia shook her head softly. “No, thank you, Eliana. I already have what I need. I went shopping with Mom about a month ago.” Her eyes dropped to the floor as her voice faltered.

      Despite everything, she still misses her mother. Olivia vividly recalls the day she went shopping with both of her parents. That was the day her parents spoke to her and apologized for their behaviour towards her. As compensation, they both took her shopping. After three years, she finally had a family moment with them. For the next two weeks, everything went swimmingly. Her parents were even seeing a therapist to deal with their grief and problems, and Olivia was on the verge of forgiving them when something snapped. Things began to deteriorate once more, and the next thing she knew, her parents were no longer in her life.

      Eliana moved closer and wrapped her arms around her. Olivia recalls how her mother used to hug her. She misses her warmth. 

      “All right,” Eliana said, smiling as she pulled back. “Then how about a fresh look?”

      She opened her mouth to protest, but Eliana’s tone made it clear there was no arguing.

      “Olivia,” she said firmly, “I’m not taking no for an answer. Trust me. A new hairstyle will make you feel better.”

      “Okay,” she sighs, defeated.

      An hour later, the two of them sat in a salon, surrounded by the scent of shampoo and the hum of hair dryers. Eliana discussed options with the stylist while Olivia sat quietly, letting the woman’s gentle hands work through her hair. In the end, they chose soft layers with delicate baby-pink highlights framing her face.

      Olivia's mom always told her when she was a child. 'A good hairstyle always boosts your confidence.' 

      When she finally looked in the mirror again, she barely recognized herself, but in a good way. She was more or less the same, but her new look gave her the confidence to face everyone at school the next day. People in this place only have one piece of the puzzle, which is her past. So, she was bound to get some strange and knowing looks the next day at school, that is, if they even remembered her.       

      She also needs to strengthen herself to face her two best friends, with whom she hasn't spoken in three years. They texted her every now and then, but she couldn't muster the courage to respond. She missed them and wished she could talk to them, but she couldn't. She couldn't tell them what she had been through in the previous three years. And, given her blatant disregard for them, there's a good chance they won't want to see her again.

      Olivia's brave self must return from tomorrow to face the person she despises the most. Because once she returns to school, she would undoubtedly try to make her life a living hell. Now that she doesn't even have his support, she needs to make herself ten times stronger.

      It doesn't take a genius to predict that Olivia Brown will have an eventful day tomorrow.