Hard to Love

IV

Olive's pov

I woke up a little earlier this morning so I could cover my bruise with makeup. I never wear makeup so wish me luck. I sit in front of the mirror and struggle to correct the bruise.

Put on concealer.

Wipe.

Put on concealer.

Wipe.

"Ughhh!" I groan as deep chuckle comes from behind me. I jump as I turn around to find River standing in the doorway to the bathroom laughing at my failure.

"Can I help you?" I say annoyed. "Actually, I was wondering if I could help you."

I scoff.

As if he would ever want to help me. "What? Do you not trust me or something?" I shrug my shoulders slightly. He walks towards me and takes the makeup sponge out of my hand. "Sit." He commands me and I hop onto the counter.

He begins to apply the makeup. "How do you know how to do this?" I ask curiously.
"Don't laugh but I used to have to do this to myself to hide my bruises from my mom and girlfriend." I have to bite my lower lip to keep my laugher from coming out.

"Why did you have bruises and why did you have to hide them?" "I got into fights a lot in high school, I mean I still do but I box and my mom would kill me if she knew about it and as for Emery, my girlfriend, she doesn't like the idea either, she doesn't want me to do it." "You box?" He hums in response.

"That's actually really cool and is Emery the girl you've had here?" He just nods.
"How long have you to been together?" "Since 10th grade." Wow. "Do you love boxing?" "Yea, it's a way for me to let off steam." "Sorry if I cross a line here but c-can I say something?"

"Sure, I guess." River says as he finishes my makeup. "If you love boxing and if she truly loves you, she shouldn't have a problem with you doing it. I understand that she might be worried about you getting hurt, but still she should support you and encourage you." I say shyly.

He stares at my face for a bit before he answers. "I honestly don't want to be with her anymore. I'm just not happy." "If you're not happy then you shouldn't be with her even if she's familiar. If something or someone doesn't make you happy... stop doing it or get out of the relationship." I choke at my own hypocritical words.

"Are you doing what you love?"

"No." I answer honestly.

"What do you love?"

"Art. I want to study it."

"Why don't you?"

"My dad. He wouldn't let me."

"Stand up to him. Quit being a pussy." I'm a little taken back by his chose of words.

"You don't understand, I can't."

"Why not?"

"Okay this is getting a little too personal for my liking." I jump off the counter and head for the door.

"I want to be a doctor." His words make me stop. "But I wasn't accepted into medical school. That's why I'm here, to get a higher education."

"Why do you want to be a doctor?"

"That's a personal question."

"Not really."

"Well to me it is, so answer my question first."

I sigh and debate on if I really want to tell this complete stranger everything or walk away. "I-I... If I don't study business my dad will stop paying for my moms medical bills and her treatments will stop." I say looking at my feet. He stays silent.

"I want to become a doctor because my older sister died from leukemia when I was nine." I looked up at him and he walked to me. "I'm sorry I made you tell me." He says sincerely. "It's okay. I'm sorry about your sister."

He then walked past me and back to his bedroom.

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Word Count: 675

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