O L I V I A
"I found out last night Tucker resigned."
I look up at Kimberly as soon as she mentions his name.
After Anna had dropped me off back at my house, I hadn’t heard very much from any of them. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiObMpugHt
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I knew Alessio was at least alive because he sent me a text this morning saying he loved me but I had no idea what was going on. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxFtsbzRVV
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It had been days and I had nothing. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT63PuNMnvi
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I didn’t mind it too much though because I really needed the time to breathe and think.
"Resigned?" I ask her and focus on the road ahead of us.
"Yeah," She shrugs and pops her gum."Boss man said he left a letter on his desk. I guess he had to move back home immediately to Texas. Super vague."
I nod a little in response.
Did Tucker actually resign or was this something Alessio made up?
I knew he had gone after them but he didn’t say anything about what had happened. I didn’t push on it either because I’m sure the truth would just be too much for me to take in.
"What is going to happen now?" I continue.
"Guess we'll find out later."517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSxLGuz6XU
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She pulls the handles open to the school entrance and I stop in my tracks. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvUlVUOgD7
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Austin’s face is plastered all over the hall. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSpMf3spu8
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Hundreds of flyers and stunned students huddled around the posters. A couple of police officers walk out from the school office and Sierra follows behind them quickly.
"Sierra! What's wrong?" Kimberly hurries to her side.
She wipes at her red, puffy eyes and throws her arms around Kim’s neck before breaking into a mess of sobs.
"Kimberly..."She says through broken words. "Austin is missing...they’ve been looking for him for days. His dad thought he may have ran off with his friends again like last time but...he hasn’t come back.” 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsouVmlc8l9
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Last time? I didn’t know he had a history of disappearing. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgv0zUnNWh
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Maybe this will keep Alessio and his family in the clear.
Kimberly reads over the flyer in her hands and tears start to spill. I stand there awkwardly as they pull each other in for a hug and reach out to bring me close to them.
I can’t help but cry too. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xpJPya4uy
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I knew the truth and I couldn’t tell them. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg7uBeQ99c
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I couldn’t take their pain away from this.
Austin is dead. Fucking dead.
Such a permanent sentence.
"I-I got to g-go.
"Olivia!" Kimberly calls out.
I don't stop though. My feet keep moving and I run straight to my new favorite hang out spot. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJjxuM1HR9
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The girls bathroom to do all of my crying and stress puking.
I rush into the empty stall and curl myself into a ball. My body starts to shake as I break into a hysteric fit. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGwVLpmNAQ
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“I c-can’t d-do t-this!” I cough out and bang my head against the stall.
Alessio and his family expected so much from someone like me. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbhngKWFR1
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I had to face these people every single day. I would have to see his father around the school asking questions and I would be the one to face my best friends. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4nt4D7KaS
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How was I supposed to keep quiet? How can I just act so normal?
My phone starts to buzz in my pocket and I pull it out. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfcYy9EI0m
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Alessio’s name flashes across the screen.
Perfect.
"Hello?” I breathe out in a shaky voice.
“Olivia? What’s going on?” He asks in a rough voice. It sounds like he just woke up.
“I can’t do this, Alessio. They have pictures of him...everywhere.”
“Olivia…”Alessio warns,“I know it’s hard but you have to stay strong.”
“I’m trying but this is not easy. I hate seeing my friends like this.”
"You just need to be strong a little longer. This will pass, I promise."
I close my eyes tight. “How is this so easy for you?”
“It’s not, baby. We’ve taken our precautions."
"Alright," I sigh and hear the restroom door open. “I have to go. Talk soon.”
I hang up the phone and use my phone camera to make sure I don’t look like too much of a mess before hurrying out of the room to English.
The entire school day is just the news of Austin scattering around the school. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3itPsiDgEo
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According to the Westview gossip Austin had disappeared for almost a week when he was fifteen years old to hang out with some older friends of his in another town. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrzWrMVfAb
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He went on an alcohol binge and apparently cocaine. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGKrT9fZRO
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It was almost something new every single period. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEsM425fEq
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People spreading rumors about him being with Sierra and wondering if she’s hiding something. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyViJnpSEW
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People talking about how Austin used to say his dad was violent and an abusive drunk throughout elementary and middle school. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfWMkCO90Y
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The worse of all…was the ones where my name got brought up when he talked to me at the party. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML0yuKEWgy
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They would whisper and look back at me with curious stares. It made me sick to my stomach and I just wished I could get the hell out of there. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM80B8lqKYA
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Sierra and Kimberly hadn’t left one another’s side so I was basically on my own and watching everything play out.
I tried to keep my head low and avoid any questions directed to me from other students since they knew we had all been friends.517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOpABdFdUS
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I would just mutter out, “I really don’t know. We stopped hanging out.” 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfNoNqwtai
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I was just grateful when the final bell rang and I could make my escape to the cafe. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzZ01GwoN0
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Kim had called off for her shift after she found out about the news with Austin so I had the whole afternoon and evening to myself.
"Nice to see you, Olivia!"
I looked up to see our boss Edgar walking out from the kitchen. He’s an older man in his 60’s with thick silver hair and a crazy scar through his lower lip.
It had been awhile since he was around often since he left Tucker to manage but it was nice having him here. He always had a way of keeping the day fun and light.
"Hi, Edgar! How are you?"
"I'm doing well." He nods. "I assume Kimberly told you Tucker resigned."
"She did earlier today."
"Well, I wanted to know how you felt about a potential promotion?"
I stare at him in shock, not sure if I heard him right.
"A promotion? M-me?" I stammer out.
"Yes, ma'am." He grins showing his yellowing teeth. "Kimberly declined the offer and you've really grown here. She even recommended that I ask you about it."
I just continued to stare at him in disbelief. I’ve never been the manager of anything.
"What do you think?"
“U-uh, yeah! Why not. Thank you so much!” 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDG2DaGbAd
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He smiles warmly and tosses me a set of store keys.
"We'll be doing some training together this week. There isn't much you need to worry about but we are going to be hiring someone to help out in the kitchen so you don't have to learn that and two more baristas." He hands me a stapled guide.
"Thank you, Edgar! I won't let you down."
"I know you won't, Olivia."
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“Olivia Elizabeth Moore! I’m so freaking proud of you.” Mom exclaims at the news.
As soon as I got home I erupted with the news from the cafe. She was so over the moon but of course it was short lived when she had to break to me that the school had sent out a call in regards to Austin.517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvidC2FSV2A
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I kept the conversation short like I had earlier in the day and tried my best to keep my heartbroken and confused expression plastered to my face. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFcE2Hn0lQ
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She reached out and wrapped her arms around me tightly. I squeeze her back and smiled. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FDztawZxT
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“Thank you, mom.”
"Now," She starts up and walks over to the oven. "Your aunt called me this morning."
"Macy?"
"Yes, apparently she is having surgery this weekend and is going to need help."
"So...are you going to New York?"
She pulls out the casserole. "I am just for the weekend and until Thursday morning. I wanted to let you know in case you wanted to try to get some time off to visit your school."
"That's a good idea, I'd also love to catch up with Amy."
It had been months now since I had been to New York and with graduation literally around the corner I was more than excited to see my friends again, especially Amy. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWiRKeuDl3
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Our little chats here and there wasn’t cutting it out anymore. Plus, Aunt Macy is always a blast and full of surprises.
“I’m sure she’d love that,” Mom grins at me. “I’ll let her know tonight.”
The next hour seems to move slowly as we wait for my father to arrive home from work. Over the past week he had been showing up almost two hours later than his normal time and just didn’t seem like himself. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheAbhLzsuW
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So when the door finally opened we stopped mid sentence and waited for him to walk into the kitchen.
"How was work?" Mom asks and stands behind his chair. “I made your favorite.”
"Long," He groans and sits down. “Lot’s of changes.”
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"Like what?” I ask. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ800hW9BC1N
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“Just changes, Olivia,” He says dismissively and pushes his food with his fork.
Mom looks up at me apologetically. “Do...do you want to talk about it later, Daniel?”
"No, Susan. I really don't. Please!" He shouts and slams his fist down. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vOS0XVd5z
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She jumps at his reaction and backs away towards the sink to clean up. I watch silently as he fetches his whiskey from the top kitchen cabinet and heads back down the stairs towards the basement. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iHkG9WUB9
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He had spent a lot of time down there trying to make it into some kind of man hangout/office space. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODZfZgbRDi
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Usually it just seemed like he was drinking and watching football. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke5zqFk22p
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“I’m sorry mom.”
She nods and pours herself a glass of wine. "He's just stressed out, baby."
"I didn’t know it was getting this bad.”
"The past week he has seemed pretty...closed off." Mom smiles sadly. “Try not to worry too much, Liv. He’ll be okay.”
"I understand."
"I'm going to finish up here and try to settle him down." She turns away and starts wiping down the counter.
Even through her smile I know she’s so heartbroken. They’ve always been so close and best friends. I can’t even imagine how this has been for her.
I hurry from the kitchen up to my room and pull a duffel bag out from the closet. I might as well pick out a few outfits for New York otherwise I’ll do it last minute and probably end up with outfits that don’t match at all.
Just as I reach back in the closet to grab my favorite black dress there’s a weird sound against my window. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZzPMpXZE4
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“What the f-”
*clack*
I walk over to the window and slide it open to find Alessio standing in the yard with a handful of rocks.
“Cell Phones exist and I’d appreciate you not breaking my window.” I tease.
He laughs a bit and smiles up at me. He’s so beautiful it just blows me away every time he’s around. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUDTA8q03W
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The fact he even exists is just amazing to me.
"I missed you." He says with a whine.
"Well, I'm glad you decided to come see me then," I smirk at him. "You didn't have to go all Romeo and Juliet on me though."
"I'm a romantic."
"Very romantic," I laugh and shake my head. "Next thing you know you'll be scaling the house."
He goes silent for a minute and looks over towards the front porch."One second."
"Alessio!" I hiss at his retreating back as he’s swallowed by the darkness. "What are you doing??"
No response.
Great, he's going to do something dumb and scare the shit out of my parents.
I look back to make sure nobody has ran up here to check out the commotion and back out towards the edge of the roof.
"Alessio!"
His face appears in front of me. "Quiet down."517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4KHMSTNJR
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I jump and grasp at my chest. He gently guides me backwards and steps through the window with ease.
I mold myself into his long and solid body and feel at home. Just being in his arms makes me feel so safe.
"I'm glad you do dumb things." I mutter happily.
"Anything for you."
"How have things been...back at home?" I ask and steer him towards the bed.
"Things are okay, baby. Just lot's of business."
I nod a little and think back to the conversation I had with Anna.
“I talked to Anna.”
"About?"
“Well...us,”I frown a little. “She doesn’t seem thrilled.”
"What did you tell her?" He pushes back.
I look up at his face and search his expression. " I told her you said you wanted to marry me, Alessio. I didn't know this was a secret between us."
He sighs, “It isn’t, Olivia, but I’d prefer to keep some intimate moments between us to ourselves. I know Anna has some good advice sometimes but let’s keep this to us for now.”
"I didn't mean to cause any trouble between you two.”
"You didn't," He reaches out and cradles my face." She mentioned what you told her and I explained myself. I don't regret what I said and I still stand by it."
I tilt into his palm a little more and sigh happily. His thumb strokes my cheek as he speaks. “What’s on your mind now?”
"Everything actually..."
"Care to share?"
“The Austin situation has been taking a huge toll on me.”
“We’ll handle it, Olivia, I know this is something you’ll never understand or accept in my life,”He says softly and brushes his fingers against my lower lip. “I’m not asking you to forgive me for it, but I had to do it. If I didn’t, I don’t know what would happen.”
"I won't say a word.” I promise him. “It’s hard but they won’t get anything from me.” 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4RpxYIgYd
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He smiles a little and kisses my cheek. “Now tell me something positive.”
"I got a promotion.”
"A promotion?" He muses and looks down at me. "I imagine Tucker's absence is part of that."
"He left a letter of resignation. Did you do that?"
"We needed it to look normal," He shrugs his shoulders. "He has family back in Texas. By the time they report him missing, his corpse will be completely disposed of."
I stiffen at the word he chooses. Corpse.
"They'll never have closure then?”
“Let’s focus on you right now,” He shakes his head. “Tell me something else.”
"I'm going to New York for a week," I smile up at him. "My aunt is having surgery so mom is going to help her out while I visit friends and see my art school."
I wait for some kind of excited response but he just stiffens and looks out towards the bedroom window.
"What?" I snap. His reaction pisses me off.
He stands up from the bed and turns towards me, running his fingers through his messy locks.
"Alessio?What the fuck?" I grab at his arm in frustration.
"Olivia, I don't want you going to New York right now."
I stare at him confused.
"What do you mean?"
“There’s so much going on, Olivia. I just want to make sure you are safe.” He says softly.
My head is reeling and before I even have time to think about my next response. I feel my attitude start to rear its head. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfbW6WEQVi
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Maybe it’s from the stress and everything else but I know it’s coming. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5nUQaIUqO
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“I don’t need a babysitter, Alessio! I’m eighteen years old, I can handle myself for a week.”
He glares down at me. “I told you I’d keep you safe. Right now a lot is going on and you could still be a target.”
"Alessio!" I toss my hands above me. "I didn't ask for protection! I didn't ask for you to watch me every moment of the day! I sure as fuck didn't ask for you to boss me around."
He stares at me for a moment and before I have time to realize what is going on he pushes me down to the bed. Our mouths meet instantly and I feel his hands exploring all over my body. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6tbpUsS9u
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My heart picks up as he kisses down my neck and my insides squirm with his heated kisses. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KnbWusCh7
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“Wait! Stop.” I demand and push him back.
He pulls back a little and stares down at me with an unreadable expression.
"Please just let me talk," I beg and move out from underneath him.. "Obviously we need to talk about this."
He sits there for a minute and reaches over to hold my hand. “Please stay for me, Olivia.”517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yjm7AEXRN
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"Alessio, I want to see the school and I need to see my friends."
"Can't I take you later?" He sighs and rubs at the stubble on his chin.
"Don't you trust me?" I argue.
"I do, Olivia. I just want to make sure you are safe. Why are you making it so damn difficult?"
“I’ll be with my mom and friends!” I squeeze his hand a little. “It’s only a week and I’d be more safe there, right?”
He stares down at me with pleading eyes and seems to be battling some kind of invisible argument in his head. 517Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHvUCvL4vt
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I know he means well and this is part of who he is but I know I can handle myself the same way I did before he came into my life.
“Fine,” He says after a few minutes. “Mateo will be in the area though watching. I’ll have a team on standby but you won’t see them.”
"Ales-" I start to protest but am cut off by another greedy kiss.
"Please..."He begs softly. "I promise he will be a shadow."
I roll my eyes at the thought of Mateo ever being a shadow. The Romano family sticks out like a sore thumb.
"Fine."
"You're the best." He smiles widely and kisses me again.
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