Olive's P.O.V."A month later, mom left us. She didn't take me with her and she never contacted me again, until last week. Dad raised me from the age of 10 until the second I turned 18. He taught me to fight and he taught me how to be safe, but the man never showed any affection. Not a single hug or a simple I love you. He was cold and for the first few years he was determined to find my mother. I had to take care of myself since he had turned into an alcoholic. Eventually, he realized he wouldn't find her and gave up. Which only dove him deeper into the alcohol." Leo and Lucas were so quiet, they were listening attentively. Leo looked at me with deep concern while Lucas had his hands fisted beside him, looking mad as hell. "My 8th grade year a teacher noticed my giftedness and had me apply for a scholarship to a private high school that had a high rate for getting kids into Ivy League colleges. Dad started to sober up around then, realizing he was failing as a father. He had to dri

Olive's P.O.V. I had a hard time going to bed last night. Lucas' texts had my heart racing with excitement. I had a stupid grin as we texted last night, which I later got onto myself about. I can't let myself get too attached. He doesn't want anything serious, and fooling myself into thinking he does, will end in my heartbreak. This is just sex. "Mom, this is Hailey." I had convinced Hailey to come up during her lunch time to meet mom. She of course accepted, excited to meet my mother. "She's my best friend and current roommate." "It's so nice to meet you!" Hailey smiled sweetly, giving mom an unexpected hug. Hailey has always been very affectionate. She attributes it to her being latina. She tells me Spanish is the language of love, and love involves a lot of affection. "Oh, it's lovely to meet you. Thank you for caring for my Livy." Mom spoke with her eyes still wide in shock. "It's no trouble. I very much enjoy having Liv with me. She's tons of fun, and like a sister to me. S

Lucas' P.O.V. I walked her to the shower, wanting to pamper her as best I could. I want her to see that I can do more than just sex. I need her to know that I can be that guy for her. I can be a guy that takes her on a date like Leo. He told me he was going to go after her, but it's still like a slap to the face to know he actually asked her out. She said yes, which only twisted my stomach further. I need to step up my game if I don't want to lose. I pulled Rose into the stream of the large double headed shower above us. I ran my hand over her face gently, pushing her hair back as it got wet. She was even more beautiful wet. Her ice blue eyes stared deeply into me. I felt like she was looking into my soul, trying to determine if I was good or not. I hope she sees that I can be. I want her to see me, to really know me. I feel like she would be one of the few to truly accept me for me. I ran my fingers through her hair, before grabbing her shampoo, lathering her beautiful red hair. "

Olive's P.O.V. "Clear!" I could hear the doctor's yell from mom's room. They had us wait in the hall right outside her door. All I could see through her room window was her limp hand dangling off the bed. Leo held me close to his chest as I cried, waiting for them to tell me she was okay. I knew her time was coming. I knew it would be before the end of the week, but for some reason it still shocked me to get the call. I watched as the doctor shook his head, calling her time of death. I turned, burying my face in Leo's chest. I couldn't look anymore. It wasn't enough time. This week was not enough. "I'm so sorry, Liv," Leo whispered to me as he rubbed my back soothingly. I couldn't speak, all I could do was silently cry. Even though she has been gone for half of my life, she was still my mom, and getting to know her again, this past week, has only made the pain worse. I wish I had more time with her, but cancer is a scary and unexpected thing. Leo led me away, telling the nurses t

Olive's P.O.V."Hailey!" I yelled at her as she continued to mop, swaying her hips side to side over the blaring salsa music. "Hailey!" I yelled again when she didn't hear me. She was humming along as she helped me clean mom's loft the next day. Eventually, I gave up on yelling, tapping on her shoulder instead. She turned with a smile, grabbing my hands, and trying to make me dance with her. I wasn't in the mood though. There was a lot to get done before the service today. I shook my head at her, making her pout for a moment before she grabbed the stereo remote and muted it. "What's up?" She co.cked her head to the side. "I need to go get the flowers for today and take them to the funeral home as well as sign the release papers for mom's body. Do you want to come with me?" I bit at my cheek, hoping she would say yes. I didn't want to be alone. "Of course!" She nodded, dropping the mop and giving me a big hug. "Let me clean myself off first." Hailey and I ran around town for a whi