You Distract Me - S01 E70

Story 4 months ago

You Distract Me - S01 E70

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 70

Olivia

"My exams are a nightmare, Noel."

"Oh please, you're just like your father, pretending you're not kicking ass when you're doing exactly that. You aced your previous exams like they were nothing."

My bi-weekly lunches with my paternal grandmother were among the few things I looked forward to, even though it had taken almost a year for me to agree to them.

"I promise you, whatever I'm kicking, it most definitely is not ass. Oran probably kicks ass with a blindfold while dangling on a string of thread. I still don't believe half the stories you've told me this past year."

"You'll ask him yourself when you see him next week. I'm really glad you finally agreed to meet him," she said softly over the quiet buzz of the busy restaurant.

"He's waited long enough."

"He really has. He'll be happy to see you." Her smile wavered. "How are your parents?"

I sat back in my seat, shrugging slightly. "For a couple that just finalized their divorce a month ago, they're doing pretty well. And to be honest, I feel like they're better off this way. My dad's traveling the world with his buddies, while mom's Iooking after Loretta."

"How is she? Your half sister." She smiled at the waiter that brought our food. "Thank you, it looks delicious."

I took a bite of my sauced salmon before speaking. "Loretta is doing incredibly well. Her moving in with my mom has really shown it's upsides, she's getting better by the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the last dinner I had at their house."

Noel grinned, a sparkle in her eyes. "Oh that's lovely. And forgive me for being frank, but I think getting away from your mother has done everyone some good."

"I completely agree with you actually. Loretta's constant setbacks in her recovery was most certainly caused by the lack of my mother's full attention. And if anything, my relationship with both of them has never been stronger."

"Everything works out well, doesn't it?"

I bit my lip, a sudden thought crossing my mind. "Yup," I said quietly, forking up my salad.

Noel could read me like a book. "You know, they're about five pairs of eyes that have been on you since you stepped in. I'm sure one of them could stand a chance, no?"

I laughed, genuinely amused. "As if my exams could survive a honeymoon romance right now. I don't have time for that now and certainly not right after. I'll be flying back to California for my internship next week."

"You haven't given anyone a chance ever since you started college. The first two years aren't all about your academics, you know? It's about making memories and falling in love."

"I'm studying fashion and design with three minors under Law School at Yale University. Making memories I can do, but that's just about where my credits can take the hits."

"Could you at least try? You can't keep waiting for her, darling."

I stopped chewing mid-way and swallowed hard. An eager drink of water saved me from the brief chock. "I'm not waiting for anyone. That would be dumb," I said, clearing my throat and avoiding her gaze.

"Dumb? Not at all. You were in love with each other. It's normal for the heart to hold out hope. But I also don't want to see you missing out on so much because what you really want is no where within reach."

"I don't want Shayne. She chose to leave me and didn't say goodbye. She's never even let me see her." My voice came out sharper than I intended. "She's the last person I'd want right now," I said more softly, my vision getting blurred with unshed tears.