Olivia had the following week off, it was against her will, but she didn't fight it. She knew she had shocked everyone by going to that race and actually getting into the car with Johnny Tran. She knew Johnny had a huge decision to make about his life. Deep down she always knew what his decision was going to be, just always prayed it wouldn't be. She shoved her cell phone into her back pocket as she hurried down the stairs, coming face to face with Vince. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "I am just going to the movies." She replied.
"Do not roll your eyes at me." He snapped.
"Vince!" She whined stomping her foot on the stairs causing him to laugh. "I made you a promise. I will keep that promise. So can you move now?"
"I came to tell you that we are going to see Dom on Sunday. He would like for you to be there. So I suggest you don't make plans with your…friends."
She shook her head. "You are unbelievable." She went to move past him as he grabbed a hold of her arm. "I'll be there." She groaned. "Believe it or not, I talk to my brother. You guys might not think so but I do. I don't have long conversations with him because I don't want to. But I talk to him."
Vince nodded his head. "I know that you think I am still this little girl that knows nothing about life. I can see if your eyes every time I look at you. You think I am going to break. I'm not. I'm not going to be up in my room wondering when Dom is going to come home. I finally figuring out where I want to go in life. I can finally see some kind of light at this dark dark tunnel I feel like I have been walking down for a while now. Even before pop died, I've found myself, V. I know how you feel about Johnny. He doesn't hide anything from me. Until he makes his decision on what he wants to do with his life...I am going to be there for him. He knows my views...your views on this lifestyle he might lead. It's not up to me to make this decision for him. I know what I am doing. So stop worrying about me." She patted his arm as she moved to the door. Vince jerked her arm backwards pulling her into his arms.
"I love you." He replied. "I have never been more proud of you than I am right now." She sighed as she wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed letting him know she loved him too. She laughed as she shoved him away from her. "I wasn't proud of you that night though, that was a bad night."
"Can I go now?" She asked rolling her eyes.
"Is Johnny going to be there?" Olivia sighed as she slowly turned around on her heels and stared up at him. "I am just wondering." She didn't respond as a smirk formed on her face. "You should get going, you are going to be late."
"Should I expect you to be behind us in the movie theater?" She grabbed the door and opened it before he could grab her. "Don't worry, V. We'll use protection!" She hurried down the steps as she heard the door slam. She knew he was behind her. The headlights of Johnny's car showed in the driveway as she hurried to the passenger's side and climbed in. "Please go." She laughed as Vince appeared in front of the car. Johnny pressed the gas as the car reversed and headed down the long road.
"What did you just do?" Johnny asked.
"He runs his mouth too much, I had to put him in his place."
"Then you run from him?" Olivia began to laugh again. "That makes a lot of sense."
"He's a big guy." She turned to face to him as the smile remained. "It's good to see you. Your face doesn't look too messed up anymore."
"I can take a punch, I assure you." He smiled at her as he moved the hair from his face.
"Vince punched you a lot more than once." She giggled as his hand flew over to her side, tickling her. She let out a squeal as her body moved down in the seat. "Stop it!" She screamed. "I give up!" He pulled away with a laugh as he put both hands back on the wheel. She laughed as she straightened up and looked out the window. "Have you talked to your dad anymore?" The discussion was always going to be in the back of her mind. She was always going to be thinking no matter if Vince brought it up or not. Johnny was her best friend. She didn't want to lose him.
"Yes." Was all he replied. "But I really don't want to talk about that right now. Can we just chill tonight and not talk about our families?"
"Of course." She nodded her head looking over at him. "You know it's okay to talk about it, Johnny. Decisions don't have to be made now."
"They do." He replied in almost a whisper. She took his hand in hers. "You don't understand but I know that you think about it. I wouldn't do anything to hurt our friendship. Things will change the moment I tell you my decision."
"It's like you already know your decision."
He was silent. He squeezed her hand as she looked back out the window. It was so complicated. Life was so complicated for them and she felt like it was just going to get worse before it got better. She sighed as she felt the bricks sit one by one on top of her chest. It hurt. Knowing exactly how things were going to play out and not being able to do a damn thing about it.
The car came to a stop as she looked up the bright red sign letting them know they were at the movie theater. She heard him sigh as her head slowly turned to him. "I don't have a choice, Olivia. He wouldn't let it go." She shook her head. "I don't have a good enough excuse to say no to him."
"Yes, you do!" She yelled. "You don't want to do it. You don't want to be apart it. He shouldn't make you do something you don't want to do."
"But he can." He whispered. He ran his hand down the side of her face. "I would give it up if I could."
"Johnny…" She took in staggered breaths as she stared straight ahead. "We cant…" Her eyes filled with tears. "You promised me you would try. You didn't try." She opened the door and climbed out.
"No." He was out right behind her, grabbing her arm, stopping her from running away. "It's the life I was born into."
"You are making us enemies, Johnny. You are..." She bowed her head. "I was afraid of you. You came to the store every night and you were there for me. It scared me because I didn't want to fall for you. But I did." She wiped her face. "And now you are telling me that you are choosing a life of complete destruction. My brother won't allow it. And I am not willing to give in to that knowing what kind of life you will lead."
"You are asking me to turn away from my family but you are putting yours first as well." He let go of her arm as he turned away from her. She watched as he ran his hands over his face as she finally turned her back to him. "We all have choices we have to make. My father is a powerful man and will not stop until he gets what he wants. Your trying to stop the inevitable." She nodded her head as she sniffed back the tears. "I want you to tell me what you want me to do." He rushed over to her grabbing her hands in his again. "Tell me." He whispered.
"I don't know what I am supposed to say." She cried as she looked down at the ground. The tears fell from her face as she tried to let him go but he tightened his grip. "Just let it go, Johnny. We both know this will never work."
"I can't accept that." He jerked her forward, cupping the side of her face, and bringing her lips to his. She closed her eyes as the tears continued down but she wanted this as much as he did. His hand moved to the small of her back as she ran her fingers through his hair, she felt his tongue invade her mouth as she quickly pulled away putting the back of her hand over her lips. "I can't do this." She whispered. "I should go." She didn't even give him time to respond as she ran the opposite direction. She didn't know where she was going, she was twenty minutes from her house. The tears flowed down her face as she stopped on the curb and pulled out her cell phone. She didn't want to call Vince. He would kill her…he would kill Johnny. She wiped her face as she found the number to a cab company. She began to pace back and forth as she waited for it to arrive. Johnny had made his decision. He was going to take on the family business meaning she couldn't have anything to do with him. She knew about Yakuza. She knew what they represented and she knew how dangerous it was to be friends with him. It broke her heart. She saw the tail lights pulling up behind her as she turned around. "Did you call a cab?" The man poked his head out of the window. She slowly nodded her head as she walked to the backseat and climbed in. She bowed her head as her cell phone began to ring. The tears fell down her face as she pressed the silent button. "Where to, miss?"
"1327 N. East Kensington Rd." She replied softly as she looked out the window. The headlights of Johnny's Honda shown directly in her eyes. She put her shaking hand up to the window and stared straight at him hoping he would get out, open her door, and just hold her in his arms. But he didn't. The headlights started to fade as he backed away. The car moved ahead as she turned leaned her head back against the seat. The tears began to flood down her face now as she closed her eyes wishing things were different.
She felt the car come to a halt as she sat up straight and looked into the fully lit house. Everyone was home. She knew it. The cars proved it. She shook her head as she looked in her purse for money. She didn't have any with her. "Can you hold on a second, please? I didn't bring any money. I will go get you some."
"Yes." He gave her a soft smile as she climbed out and ran up the steps to the door. It swung open with Vince standing there.
"Oh, Liv." He reached for her but she jerked away in time.
"I need money for the cab." She wiped her face as he nodded his head. He reached into his pocket but she moved past him and up the stairs. She didn't want to deal with anyone right then. She wanted to be left alone.
"Liv!" Mia shouted up the stairs but she ignored her, slamming the door to her bedroom, and throwing herself on the bed. The sobs escaped mouth as the tears burst forth like a broken dam. The muscles of her chin caused it tremble as she wrapped her arms around her pillow bringing it to her chest. She tried to recover the breaths but it was no use, she could feel the pain entering back in as the tears continued to flow down her face. The door of her room swung open as she hid her face with the pain baring itself for everyone to see. Vince was the first on the bed, jerking her forward, wrapping his arms around her body. She trembled as she clung to his shirt, immediately soaking it. "I'll kill him." Vince growled. "He's fucking dead." She couldn't respond as she squeezed her eyes closed. "I've got you, ma. You just let it out. I'm right here." She couldn't stop. Even if she wanted to. The pain just poured out of her as if it was used to it. She was used to being hurt. So why was this different?
She laid down bringing the pillow with her. Her eyes were swollen causing the light to become annoying after a while. Vince lifted herself off the bed, cutting the light off, before coming back to the bed. He laid down beside her, running his hand down her face. She grabbed it and intertwined his fingers with hers. "Please don't say I told you so." Her voice was hoarse as she squeezed her eyes shut. The tears fell slowly down her face. She could taste the salt as she licked her lips. "I knew all along what his decision was going to be. How do you say no to something that has been in your family for a long time? I just thought…he wouldn't do it. He would see that I was important to him and he wouldn't do it. We are only eighteen years old. How do you make a decision like that?"
"You can't beat yourself up for a decision he is making on his own."
"He was there for me when pops died. He helped me get through all of that. I feel like I am just losing at everything right now. When will I ever be good enough for someone?"
"You will always be good enough. He wasn't good enough for you." She leaned up, laying her head on his chest, and closing her eyes again. "You did want was best for you, don't feel bad about that."
"He kissed me." She took a deep breath in. "My heart hurts, V. I can feel it breaking all over again and I am so…empty." He remained silent as he ran his hand down her back. "I don't want to feel this way anymore. I don't want to be sad anymore."
"A lot has happened to you. You have to let yourself go through it or you are going to explode." He sighed. "I am so sorry about what happened with Johnny. I know how much he meant to you. You don't deserve any of this."
"You should be happy that we aren't seeing each other anymore." She mumbled. He sighed again as he lifted her off of him.
"Seeing you in this much pain, I would never wish that for you. When are you going to figure out that you mean something to me. You mean something to everyone in this house. You are my olive tree. I would kill for you, Liv. This isn't the life that I want for you at all."
"And what life do you want for me, Vince?" She asked in a whispered tone. "Because I don't want a life without you guys in it." He nodded his head as he brought her back into his arms. "You guys are my life. I chose you guys before he even made the decision. I know what Yakuza could do to this family and I want no part of it at all." She sniffed back the tears. "But I also didn't want to lose my best friend."
"Things will work out for you, Liv. Close your eyes now. There's nothing that can be done right now." He tightened his grip on her as she nodded her head. She was thankful for him. He was always the one who was able to calm her down, make her feel like she belonged. She loved him. He was her family and she would forever be grateful he was in her life.
The sun was blazing into her room as she heard her name being yelled and a bang on the door. She groaned as she rolled over to look at the clock. It was seven thirty in the morning. She sighed as she threw the covers over her head. She didn't want to do this. She was exhausted. Her head hurt. Her eyes hurt. She knew they were red and swollen. She sighed as she opened her eyes. She had to get up. She had to face reality. Reality was going to visit her brother who was in prison in Lompoc. She threw the covers away from her as she sat up letting her hair fall in front of her face. She was not ready for this. She didn't want to face him. She pulled her legs out and let them dangle over the bed when a knock on the door caused her to jump. "Yes." She struggled to get up but she wobbled over to the door and opened it. "What?"
"Good you are up. You have five minutes so I was would suggest you hurry or you will be going like this." He smiled at her patting her on top of the head. She grabbed the edge of the door and shut it in his face before walking over to her closet. She didn't have to get dressed up. She knew she could wear whatever she wanted. She settled on a t shirt and jean shorts. She buttoned the last button when a knock on her door sounded again. "Let's go!" She rolled her eyes as she looked in the mirror. She fixed her hair and checked out of her eyes. They looked bad. She didn't have time to fix them as another knock came on the door. She sighed as she stormed over and jerked it open. "Yes!" Mia was standing there. Olivia began to laugh, shaking her head. "Vince is driving me crazy this morning."
"He's been up since six." Mia smiled. "You ready to go?" Olivia nodded her head as she grabbed her cell phone off the table and her purse from the floor. She followed her sister down the stairs as she cut her phone on. Fifteen missed calls from Johnny. She sighed as she looked up at Vince who was holding the door open. "I cut it off last night."
"Thank you." She whispered. "Thank you for everything. I don't know what I would do without you." She leaned her head into his stomach as she felt his lips on the back of her head. "And I don't ever want to find out."
The drive took about two hours, that was two hours that Olivia had to think about everything that had gone on. She decided to ride with Jesse, Vince, and Leon knowing they would be talking about cars and the garage. She looked down at her phone as it began to vibrate. "I can chuck it out the window for you, if you want." Leon smiled at her. She gave him a soft smile back as she shook her head. "It will die down, Liv." He patted her leg. She nodded her head as she looked out the window at all the landscape they passed. There was nothing but dirt and mountains as they sped past it. They were headed into the desert. She straightened up as she looked ahead where she found Vince staring at her from the rear view mirror. She gave a soft smile as her phone went off again. This time it was a text.
"Olivia, I know what you might be thinking about me and I am okay with that. What I am not okay with is knowing that our friendship ended so sudden. You mean everything to me and I never wanted anything to jeopardize that. I saw the look in your eyes as you got into that cab last night. I never wanted you to hurt that way. I know this changes things but I also know that I am willing to fight for what we have. I have two plane tickets to Europe sitting in my room. I promised you a trip to Europe next year, did I not? They are waiting on you, Liv. I'm not going without you. Please call me back. I know you are visiting your brother today, so I will wait." She took a deep breath in as she tossed the phone in the seat and looked out the window again. This was going to be a long ass drive.
The prison was old looking with a barbed wire fence that went around a couple of acres. Olivia stepped out of the car with a look of disgust on her face. She didn't want to be there. She felt Vince's hand in hers as she looked up at him. "Let's just get through today, okay?" She nodded her head as they all made their way into the visitors section. The smell of tobacco and body odor filled up her nostrils as she tightened her grip on Vince's hand. The air hit her in the face causing her to shiver as she walked to the window where a large man was standing, his mouth in a straight line. "License." Olivia nodded her head quickly as she reached into her purse for her ID. She handed it to the man as her hands shook. "Right down your name. Toretto is in number 7 right down that hall. Take a seat and he will be there soon. Two people at a time. You have thirty minutes." She nodded her head as she took back her ID and headed down the hall. Vince was right behind her, stopping her in front of the number 7. "Sit down. Pick up the phone. You talk to him however long you want to talk to him. Don't worry about everyone else, okay." She sat down in the chair and lifted the phone to her ear as Dom was escorted to his seat. The orange jumpsuit stuck out at her as she examined him. The hair on his face was beginning to grow, giving him a short stuble. She gave a soft smile to him as he lifted the phone to his ear. "Hi." She whispered.
"Olive Tree." He put his hand on the window. "I sure have missed you." She nodded her head as she lifted her hand to the cold glass making sure her fingers line with his." Thank you for coming to see me, I know you didn't want to."
"It's hard." She whispered. "It's so hard, Dom. I don't want you in here anymore." The tears fell down her face.
"I need you to be strong for me. I need you to understand that I have to pay for what I did. None of this is your fault, do you understand? Do not blame yourself for any of this." She put her hand down as she nodded her head. "Tell me what is going on with you, I've been getting your letters."
"Nothing." She replied knowing he could see straight through her lie. He waited. She took a deep breath as she looked behind her at Vince. "Ever since you left, I just felt so alone. Johnny Tran has been that person that has filled that hole. We've became best friends but I knew deep down inside that it was going to change the moment he took his fathers offer. It was a good offer." She chuckled as she closed her eyes. I thought if I could just make him see that...if I was good enough for him then he wouldn't do it. He knows how dangerous this is. I can't do dangerous. But still I kept it in my mind that I had that much power to make him say no." She wiped her face. "But I didn't. So I made the decision to leave him behind and not look back."
"You did the right thing. Yakuza is the last thing I want you to get mixed up in."
"It hurts." Her voice was soft. "It hurts a lot."
Dom nodded his head as he sat back in his seat with a sigh. "How did you enjoy your first race?" Olivia's head shot behind her as Vince began to laugh. "I should come through this glass and smack the shit out of you."
"I didn't race." She replied turning back around to him. "Johnny asked me to go, I don't see the harm in going. The only person who got hurt was Johnny after Vince beat the shit out of him."
"He's a good man." She rolled her eyes as Vince continued to laugh behind her.
"Would you like to talk to your lover or can we continue?" She was getting upset. She shook her head as she scanned over her brother. "You look good. You been working out?" Dom nodded his head. "You've gotten bigger. I liked the facial hair." She smirked. "I'm really happy you are doing okay, Dom. It's good to see you smiling in that bright orange jumpsuit. Orange is a good color for you."
"You need to be happy that is glass between us right now and an armed guard on the other side of that door." There was silence as she lifted her hand back up to the glass. "I love you, Olivia. I love you so much."
"I love you too." She whispered. "You take care of yourself." He nodded his head as she hung up the phone and stood up. She straightened out her shirt as she looked up at Vince. "Thanks." He nodded his head at her as she made her way down the long hallway. The air began to fill up her lungs, causing her to suffocate. She hurried out the front door and sucked in the fresh air. Her heart was pounding as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. "Johnny..." She took a deep breath. "I'll do it. I'll go to Europe with you. I don't believe in what you are doing but I believe it our friendship. You mean too much to me to throw it away but the moment I feel like my life is in danger, I will walk away and I will never look back at you...I know you do. Thank you for understanding."
AN: Uh oh! She is staying in contact with Johnny knowing he is bad news. Let me know what you guys think! REVIEW!