The Reason Is You

Prologue

Olivia sat on Josh's bed while Josh was sitting on the floor strumming nonsense on his guitar and his roommate, Gabe, was drumming on the table to Josh's beat. Finals had just finished that week and Olivia had officially finished her undergrad. It was her last weekend in town before she moved across the country for her first job in the real world.

"You guys should really think about writing some music or having a band or something," Olivia offered.

"Only if you sing," Gabe retorted.

Olivia replied, "No way. I'm a shower singer. It doesn't leave the bathroom."

"Well then, we're bedroom performers. It doesn't leave the bedroom," Gabe answered sarcastically.

Olivia threw the pillow at her head towards Gabe. He was always such a smart aleck.

Olivia lay down and looked up at the ceiling. "Josh can sing."

Josh stopped playing and looked at Olivia.

"What? You can. It's not like I don't hear you when you do it," she said matter-of-factly.

Josh got up, placed his guitar on its stand, and grabbed his towel. "I'm gonna go take a shower."

Gabe glared at Olivia. "Look what you did, Liv!" he scolded.

Olivia was confused. "What?"

Gabe shook his head and threw the pillow back at Olivia. "Liv, you know how sensitive that guy is about singing and shit."

"Well, that's his problem. I'm just stating the facts."

"Yeah, well next time watch what you say."

"Whatever. I don't care."

Gabe looked at his phone as he got up. "Well I gotta go."

Olivia took the pillow Gabe threw back at her and got comfortable on Josh's bed, getting ready to take a nap. "Okay. I'll see you later."

"Aren't you gonna go? You're alone," Gabe asked.

"No, Josh's still here. I'm gonna take a nap"

Gabe gave Olivia a knowing look and raised his eyebrows. "Do you want me to lock the door and put a rubber band or something before I leave...?"

Olivia just rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up Gabe!"

"Okay, well you two have fun," he winked as he walked out the door.

"Gabe wait!" Olivia called out.

"What?" he hollered from the hallway.

"Come here!"

Gabe's head appeared at the doorway. "Okay, what?"

"Don't forget tomorrow."

"What's tomorrow?"

"Gabe!"

"Relax! I'm just kidding. I know, I know. It's your going away party. I still can't believe you graduated a semester early and already found a job."

"What can I say, I'm just awesome I guess," Olivia beamed.

"Of course you are."

"And don't forget to take Josh with you."

Gabe was confused. "Doesn't he know? How could he not know?"

"Of course he knows Gabe, but you know how forgetful Josh can be. Have you noticed anything different with him? He's been more flakey than usual."

"I don't know. Probably just the effect finals had on him. You know how focused he gets."

"That's true. But still, you're responsible for bringing him tomorrow morning."