I watched TV until I finished my coffee. I barely even finished watching the lame sitcom that had been on when I plopped down on the sofa. I chugged down my coffee; feeling like I needed the hot jolt of caffeine like my life depended on it. I clicked off the television and sighed, pushing myself to my feet. I put my empty coffee cup on the counter and turned off any lights that had been left on. I left one lamp on so I could see what I was doing.
In the darkness, I yanked off my clothes, and climbed into bed. I didn’t feel the need to put heavy pajamas on; the apartment was hot and the last thing I wanted was to spend the night sweating under the blankets. Going to bed in my underwear seemed like the logical situation.
I carefully removed the sofa cushions and stacked them neatly against the wall. I was getting better at pulling the bed out; now I no longer needed to fight with it.
I grabbed the pillows off the chair in the corner and stacked them neatly on the bed. I sighed, clicking out the lamp and plunging the room into full darkness. I climbed into bed and folded the blankets down around my waist with a heavy sigh. I tucked both arms behind my head.
I was wide awake in thought, and all I could think about was the money burning a hole in my pocket. I decided then that I would spend every cent of that money on Olivia. She was the reason I’d been cleared of all charges. She deserved a boyfriend who would lavish attention on her.
I swallowed dryly. More than anything, I wanted to tell her how I truly felt about her. I wanted to tell her that I loved her, the way I had meant to the night I’d been arrested and thrown in jail.
But I needed to find the exact right and perfect moment to do so.
“Isaac?” I heard a soft whisper though the darkness.
I recognized Olivia’s voice right away.
“Liv?” I asked, lifting my head. “Hey, everything okay?”
“Yeah.” She whispered. “I can’t sleep though… can I climb in bed with you? I won’t stay long…” She mused.
“Hey, its okay. You can stay as long as you want.” I replied. I turned over and held up the blankets for her.
“Thanks.” She mused, carefully sliding into the bed next to me. She slid across the sheets and nestled contentedly in my arms.
Olivia laughed softly. “Are you naked?”
“No.” I scoffed. “Well, not… completely. I’ve got boxers on.” I smirked. “Is that a problem?”
“No,” She laughed. “What you do in your own bed is your own business.”
“No, but you could dress to match.” I offered.
“Yeah? We’ll see about that.” She teased, nestling her cheek against my bare chest.
I rested my cheek against her hair, wrapping both arms around her. “Are you okay?” I whispered.
Olivia nodded, her fingers lightly knotting in the fabric of my t-shirt. “Yeah. It just feels like there’s a huge weight lifted, you know? Like we’ve dodged a bullet.” She mused.
“I feel that way too.” I replied.
Olivia sighed softly. “Do you think it’ll be weird at all when we get back to PCA?” She asked.
“No, I don’t think so. I mean, no one will really know what happened here unless we tell them, and that’s only if we want them to know…” I shrugged lightly. “And I guess now I’ll never really be able to call that place a prison again.”
Olivia swatted my chest. “Not funny.” She reminded.
“Sorry.” I chuckled softly, grinning. “You’re right.”
Olivia drew in a deep breath and sat up suddenly. “I have to tell you something. Please don’t be mad at me?” She asked hopefully.
I chuckled. “Liv, I honestly don’t think I could ever be mad at you…”
Olivia sighed. “Your mom called when you were out.” She began. “She feels terrible about the way you guys left things at the court house… she invited us all there tomorrow night for dinner. She wants to see you one more time before we go back to PCA…”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“I’m going to help make dinner. Thomas is invited too.” She said hopefully. “I know you don’t want to… but please? For me?” She asked hopefully.
I sighed. “Liv…” I began slowly. I paused for a minute. “If it’ll make you happy, Liv. I’ll do it.” I smiled.
Olivia squealed excitedly. “Oh, thank you!” She said. The whole bed bounced while she flew into my arms and hugged me tightly.
I chuckled softly. “Okay, Liv. Anything to make you happy. And if my family starts being a huge pain in the ass, I’m totally going to blame you.”
Olivia laughed. “I am totally fine with that. Besides, I think it should be okay… your mom really misses you and she said your dad feels horrible about being such a jerk to you.”
I sighed. “I’m sure.”
“No, Isaac. I’m sure your dad means well…” Olivia said.
“Liv, my dad hates me. I’m not exaggerating at all.”
“I don’t think he hates you. I think he’s a little harder on you than he should be because you’re his oldest child and he expects you to set an example. And don’t get me wrong, that’s entirely unfair of him. But I don’t think he hates you.” She curled up next to me, cuddling beneath my arm.
I sighed and pressed my lips against her hair. “You might be right about that, Liv.” I mused.
I didn’t press the issue any further, knowing that any argument I put forth would potentially cause an argument.
Neither of us said anything for several minutes.
She sighed, nestling her cheek against my shoulder. “This is nice. I kind of miss this.”
I lightly stroked her bare arm. “Me too.” I mused, gently kissing her hair.
Olivia sighed softly.
“Once we get back to the dorms, we can plan all kinds of sleepovers.” I offered. “As long as some of them can be x-rated, of course.”
Olivia laughed. “Of course.”
“Great.” I grinned hugely. “And I promise, we’ll find stuff to do, okay? We’ll go on dates and go to movies and do all the extra-curricular stuff that you want to do.” I offered.
“We don’t have to. I know you hate all that stuff.”
“I don’t mind so much.” I shrugged lightly. “Besides, whatever makes you happy makes me happy.”
Olivia laughed softly. “Well, how about a compromise then? We’ll go to some of the things I want to do and some of the things you want to do.”
“Sounds good to me.” I picked up her hand and gently laid a kiss against the back.
Olivia laughed softly.
Olivia drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I knew this was a sign she was tired, and was starting to fall asleep on me.
I lightly kissed her temple. “Get some sleep, Liv.” I whispered.
“Hmm…” She mumbled.
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