Lovesick

16

"Eric, what's this?"

Olivia was over at Eric's place. He claimed to be too busy to go next door, so she offered to drop by instead.

Or as she stated, "I'll grace your house with my esteemed presence."

It's nearly an hour since then and Olivia was bored out of her mind. So after asking Eric, she decided to have a look at his bookshelves.

He had an impressive collection. Though that didn't hold her attention for long. There were few photo albums, she decided to get back to them later.

Hopefully when he's free to point out who's who and such.

The book that caught her attention was a neat looking one. It looked more like a comic. One she couldn't place.

Curious, she called out to Eric, but got no response. So, she sat and read.

"Olivia, you still here? I'm really sorry, I...oh. You found a book."

Hearing him, she looked up and closed the comic. Seeing him point towards it, she smiled. "It's lovely!"

Something must have shown on his face for she immediately got up and spoke, "Was I not supposed to read it? I swear I didn't know! It's just, it looked nice and I started to read it...it was different!"

Eric sat down and patted beside him. She followed and sat. "I'm really sorry."

"What for? I told you to read whatever catches your attention. It's my fault for leaving it out there. But...nevermind."

"Alright. Though..." she paused, looking at him, unsure if she ought to voice it out or not. Eric had an idea where this conversation was headed so he spoke:

"Go on."

"Well, I didn't finish the whole thing but...did you, I mean, did you make this?"

"Yes."

It was said softly. It pulled at him but made her smile. "The protagonist, he is you, isn't he?"

Eric gave a sardonic grin at that, "What I used to be. Why?"

"Nothing." Her gaze turns wistful. "You seemed happier in these pages."

"Back then things were simpler."

"Back then you an Olivia who reached put for you."

He hadn't realized that they had gotten closer until he felt her breath on his lips. Licking his lips, he turned away.

"She was well...she was everything. I never understood what she saw in me but..."

"But she loved you anyway and so did you."

He closed his eyes and nodded.

"What happened?"

"She...she...I dont know." Olivia frowned at that but didn't comment.

"Can I hug you?" She asked instead.

Eric looked at her, baffled, "You've never bothered to ask me before."

Taking that as a yes, she wrapped her arms around him, resting her chin on his shoulder, she whispered, "This seemed different."

"I'm sorry." She repeated as he made a noise and hugged her back. "Why are you simply apologising? That was a long time ago."

"Still. It seems like it still matters to you."

Just like that. As though it were so simple.

Eric was surprised when he realized that he was comfortable like this, that she was able to read him so well.

"You know, if you want you can take it."

"What? Are you sure?"

Eric smiled as he let go of her, "Yeah. Though I would like to have it back later. Where were you at?"

"Oh! Well..." he chuckled as she blushed, "I was curious so I skipped to see if they get together. It looked like she would be the one who'd take the plunge."

As though reading his mind, she turned back and asked him, "Maybe instead of lunch, we can have dinner tomorrow?"

"Dinner? Sure, I guess."

"Great! It'll be a date! Look sharp!"

And with that she walked off, leaving him in a daze.

"This is really adorable. I still can't picture you as him but at the same time, it's obvious. I swear, I'll return it as soon as I finish reading it."

"Or...maybe after you go on a date with me."

Eric didn't know why he blurted that out.

"What?"

Shaking his head, he spoke out, louder this time, "I think I just asked you out on a date, Olivia."

She smiled back, "I'd like that. Though its more of a bribery at this point isn't it."