Regrets For Ages

A Redemption Queen

The apartment door opened to Melina, proud, confident, energetic, Melina. Her platinum hair was in a long braid running down her back.

I stood up anxiously and pulled Oliver up with me. "NaNa, I didn't know when you would get home." She was my foster mom, but NaNa sounded better than Melina or Mom because Mom didn't sound right coming out of my mouth anymore.

"Is this the foreign kid I brought over here? This better not be him. I asked for a girl."  NaNa said, grudgingly. "You're not rooming with a boy for over 3 years." She said the word "boy" with such disgust, I looked away, shamefully. I didn't get the option of living with her, she chose me. 

I looked over at Oliver. His face was so full of shock, his gentlemanly nature had hidden in his back pocket to die a slow, painful death. He leaned over to my ear and whispered in my ear. "This is your mother? It can't be... right?" 

I whispered back, "She's only my foster mom, I had no choice. This is the fourth year and counting." I turned back to NaNa and said, "This is Oliver Griffiths, he speaks fluent Welsh and is indeed the 'foreign kid' you sent over here. He's attending Claflin University." I clenched my teeth before saying this next part. "He is also getting a part-time job tomorrow and will be providing us with the smallest bit of extra income until summer." I elbowed Oliver in the ribs as a sign to speak up. 

"Yes, ma'am. I'm planning on going into town tomorrow morning after Ms. Rose heads to school. Now, may I see myself out, I need to grab my luggage from my driver downstairs." 

A goofy grin plastered on to his face. By the time he reached the door, he motioned me towards him. I snickered and came towards him. 

"You are trouble, Mr. Oliver!" I shoved him from the door so I could open it. 

We grabbed his luggage and laughed about everything on the way up. 

"What did Ms. Melina mean by, and I quote, 'the foreign kid I brought over here'"? Oliver looked at me, a troubled frown breaking through his grin. 

"She forged my signature on the form. She couldn't make out your name on this sheet, she thought it said Olive or Olivia or something like that." I admitted. "Thankfully, I'll be able to get an apartment soon. My mom left me enough money for a home when I turned 18. And that'll be soon enough." 

"You really should get out of there sooner, and I'll make sure of it." Oliver looked at me, serious. "I am an adult, after all." 

"No, you don't have to do that. I'm not worth your money. I love NaNa and I'm getting by. It's not like I want to be on my own just yet." 

"You won't be on your own, because you'll have me." My face flushed, and so did his in response. 

I rolled my eyes and dropped his stuff on the ground. I turned over and pulled him towards me. I squeezed him, tightly. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Olli."

"Olli?" He giggled and picked his stuff back up. "It's cute, I like it."

"T-thanks!" He took the stuff I was carrying and he continued his way up the stairs.

I tried to keep up after him, and with this, I knew he was the best thing to ever happen to me or the world on general. I want him to keep with me, to love him. I want him to love me. 

I want him for me, and my future. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm gonna do...