OLIVIAEver imagined the sensation of a massive brick wall falling on your head or the impact of a truck hitting you, sending you flying over the road with your head colliding against a hard concrete wall? That's precisely what I feel right now. It's like the brick is repeatedly crashing onto my head, and the little guy in my head, meant to catch the brick, is preoccupied trying to piece together everything that happened last night.The only thing the little guy can recall is Tyler exchanging words with Denny while Emma and I continued drinking. Isabella disappeared to God knows where, and that's about it. I remember who brought us home because Dante told me, and even if he didn't, I'd figure it out from the chaos unfolding at the moment.Two pairs of eyes scrutinized the five of us, each dealing with a severe hangover. Well, mine was less severe since I took painkillers earlier when I woke up."This is seriously unnecessary," Isabella muttered as she maintained eye contact with both
OLIVIAThanksgiving arrived swiftly, the days leading up to it blending into a blur of moments. I opted not to go home for Thanksgiving, but fortunately, I'm not spending it alone in my dorm. Matteo and Isabella insisted I join them, and though I initially thought it might be awkward, I eventually caved in. Emma had already left for Miami on Sunday, and things have felt different without her. Tyler seems pretty miserable, or so I heard from Matteo.I already called my dad earlier this morning , and now I'm getting dressed with Izzy to go to her parent's house. Opting for a maxi gown and cropped sweater paired with a black purse, I spent most of the night contemplating what would be appropriate to wear, especially since Isabella informed me last minute that I'd be accompanying her.I would be meeting Matteo's parents as his girlfriend for the first time, it has me on edge, and saying I'm nervous would be an understatement. The anticipation is heightened, particularly with the wary glan
OLIVIALaughter echoed in the air as the car rounded a familiar bend."...And then Emma spilled her cereal on the table, then attempted to clean it up with paper towels, creating an even bigger mess, breakfast was pure chaos," I shared with my mum, the excitement evident in my voice."Typical Emma," my mother's laughter filled the car."And then Dallas walked in, all angry. You know how his angry face looks, so hilarious," I chuckled.Excitement bubbled within us as my mum drove the car. Suddenly, headlights appeared from nowhere, glaring brightly into the dark car."Mum, look out!" I cried, a knot tightening in my stomach.My eyes snapped open, and I jolted awake, heart pounding with a chilling unease. Sweat clung to my forehead, and my stomach tightened into knots as I recalled the vivid dream. While I've had nightmares about my mum dying or almost dying, they never involved me being in the car with her. In reality, I wasn't there, and I didn't even get to see her after she died. My
OLIVIAThe air crackled with tension as finals week descended upon us. Our living room had transformed into a makeshift study hub, scattered with textbooks, notes, sticky notes, and empty coffee cups.Izzy, Emma, and I huddled together for a last-minute study session. Today marked the fourth day, and we'd barely gotten enough sleep since finals began. We had just wrapped up with Business Ethics and Microeconomics and were now in our rooms preparing for tomorrow's exams.In the midst of our study session, Izzy, wielding a colorful stack of highlighters, meticulously flipped through textbook pages, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. Emma was surrounded by an organized array of sticky notes.. As for me, armed with a pen, I frantically scribbled short notes in my notebook.Tomorrow's exam was no walk in the park. We were gearing up for Statistics and Accounting. Now, I won't say it's difficult, but it's the kind of subject that demands intense focus and thorough preparation if we i
OLIVIAThe delightful fragrance of freshly baked cookies intertwined with the sweet aroma of cinnamon rolls filled our cozy apartment. Christmas lights cast a warm and festive glow, creating a magical dance of light on the walls.In the heart of our living room, proudly stood a beautifully adorned Christmas tree, a joint effort of Izzy and me. According to Izzy, "What's Christmas without a tree?"Beneath the twinkling lights, a collection of wrapped presents patiently waited, adorned with elegant cursive name tags – my personal touch. Izzy had decided to host a Christmas gathering, extending invitations not only to us but also to the guys. Tyler and Matteo were on the list, and I personally sent an invite to Lucas, since Izzy 'forgot' to.A sudden squeal disrupted the tranquil scene, causing me to drop the ornament I was holding and nearly lose my balance on the stool.What the–?"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Izzy's frustrated yell echoed through the apartment, startling me.Carefully, I d
OLIVIA "... It's like this lingering emptiness, you know? A heavy cloud that just won't dissipate," I confessed, my voice wavering as I fidgeted with my fingers.Leaning forward, Dr. Bennett's expression softened. "I can imagine. What's been on your mind today?"I sighed, struggling to find the right words to explain the messy situation I'm in. "I tried to stick to my usual routine, hanging out with friends, spending time with my boyfriend, but it feels like I'm carrying this invisible weight, and then the guilt sets in, as if I should be stronger, but I'm not at all."She nodded in understanding, "It's okay not to be okay, Olivia. Can you tell me what the guilt is about?""I don't know, maybe it stems from the fact that everyone expects me to be okay, to move on or act like it's just another day, but it's not. It's the day my mum died, and I can't shake that off," I confessed."Expectations, whether from others or ourselves, can be difficult. What do you feel when you think about he
OLIVIAIf you had asked me two years ago whether I'd find myself with a boyfriend, two amazing friends, and a semblance of a normal life, I would've likely laughed in your face. I might have even considered dumping iced coffee on you for suggesting such a wild scenario. Well, maybe not the coffee part, but you catch my drift.Back then, high school felt like a pit of despair, and the thought of turning 18 was more of a burden than a celebration. But hey, time works in mysterious ways, amirite? Now I'm at UCLA, with my best friend by my side, I'm dating a great guy, I met Izzy and of course Lucas and Tyler. Oh, and let's not forget my ongoing love affair with fries – it has only intensified. Just yesterday, Matteo surprised me with a batch for the dorm, and, well, let's say he received some well-deserved appreciation. I'm now trading sex for fries? God, Olivia!On the therapy front, things are progressing well, I'm making efforts to move forward, and academic success is on my side. S
UNKNOWN NARRATOR.The sun descended toward the horizon, painting the sandy shore with a warm glow. I discovered a tranquil spot on the beach, nestled against the gentle curve of the dunes. The rhythmic lull of the waves and the distant calls of seagulls crafted a serene ambiance, enveloping me in relaxation. These are the moments that define life's splendor.As I embraced the calming sea breeze, my focus shifted to a couple not far away. They appeared lost in their own world, exchanging laughter and heartfelt conversation. Their gestures spoke volumes of a love that echoed loudly. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.Observing closely, the man leaned in, delicately tucking her hair behind her ears, his words carried away by the wind. "Our love is like the tide, impossible to ignore."Those words stirred something within me – a familiar echo of similar words once uttered in another time, another place.I recalled a similar evening, a shared moment under a different sunset. "Our l