Title: Of Honor Societies and Extracurricular Activities chapter 10
Author's Note: For disclaimer, see chapter one.
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Chapter 10
"Before you know it something's over.
Suddenly someone's missing at the table."
-Stephen Dunn, "Grudges"
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Life changes in an instant. One minute, you can be sitting at the kitchen table, getting ready to eat dinner. And the next, you're getting a phone call and life as you know it is ending.
For Olivia, it happens on a Monday.
She is in class, working on her AP Psychology paper she should have finished by now when the classroom phone rings. Her professor answers it, listens for a moment, then hangs up. He looks at her with pity in his eyes, and, maybe, in the back of her mind, Olivia knows. "They want to see you in the guidance office," he says.
Olivia nods, gathering her things. She takes the proffered hall pass and leaves the room. Each step toward the guidance office feels like it takes an eternity, and when she finally gets there she feels life her heart is going to break through her ribs.
"Olivia," Mrs. Cabot says, opening the door. She pats the back of the seat to her left, motioning for Olivia to sit. "I think you should sit down."
Olivia looks around the room, noticing the solemn expressions on the faces of the guidance counselor and the two police officers standing beside her. She sinks into the seat and folds her hands in her lap.
"Ms. Benson," the older officer says, stepping forward, "at approximately 8:52 this morning, a call was placed to 911 stating that an intoxicated women had fallen down a flight of stairs outside a bar called the Velvet Room. Officers and paramedics were dispatched to the scene immediately and found the women unconscious. Identification on her person indicated her name was Serena Benson. She was rushed to the nearest hospital where, I'm so sorry to inform you, she was pronounced dead on arrival."
Olivia looks down at her hands, her eyes stinging. "Is that all?" she asks.
"Yes," the younger officer says.
Olivia nods. "Thank you for telling me," she says, standing. She rushes out of the room, not bothering to shut the door behind her.
Alex finds her in the furthest bathroom twenty minutes later. She enters quietly, shutting and locking the door behind her. She leans back against the door, watching Olivia intently.
"You should be in class," Olivia says.
Alex shrugs. "It's not that important."
"I'm fine, Alex."
"No, you're not. She was your mom, Liv. I know you loved her even though you had your problems."
Olivia turns around quickly, tears glistening in her eyes. She crosses the room in two steps, stopping directly in front of Alex, their bodies almost touching. Palms flat, she rests her hands against the door on either side of Alex's head. She looks into Alex's eyes, desperately seeking permission.
Alex reaches up, resting her hand on Olivia's face. She runs her thumb over Olivia's cheekbone. "It's okay," she whispers. "You're okay."
It's then that Olivia breaks down; her head falls to Alex's shoulder, sobs wracking her body. She clings to Alex like she is a lifejacket and Olivia is adrift in a turbulent ocean.
They stay like this for a long time. When Olivia has finally cried all she can, Alex takes her hand and they leave the school.
"I think I want to go back to the apartment," Olivia says, settling into the passenger seat.
Alex nods and reaches over to take hold of Olivia's hand. "Okay," she says, "we can do that."
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The ride to the apartment is silent. Olivia spends the whole time staring out the window, thoughts running through her mind, and Alex doesn't bother trying to engage her in conversation.
When Alex stops the car outside the building, she turns in her seat and looks at Olivia. "Do you want me to come up?"
Olivia sighs, looking up at the building. "I think I want to be alone right now."
"Okay," Alex says, lightly squeezing Olivia's hand. "Call me if you need anything at all."
"I will." Olivia unbuckles her seatbelt and steps out of the car.
Alex waits until Olivia has disappeared into the building before heading home.
Olivia unlocks the door and steps into the small apartment. Dropping her backpack on the floor by the door, she starts to call out to her mother, but the overbearing silence of the apartment reminds her that calling out would be pointless.
The tears come again when she steps into the living room. She slips off her shoes and curls up in her mother's favorite chair, pulling the throw blanket over her.
She is asleep when the knock at the door comes. She wakes slowly and rubs at her eyes, praying for whoever it is to leave.
Unfortunately, she is not that lucky. She hears the door unlock and realizes that it can only be one of two people.
"It's me," Alex says, pushing the door open. She walks into the apartment holding two large bags in her hands. Walking into the kitchen, she empties the bags onto the counter and rummages around a bit before coming back into the living room with two plates of Chinese food. She hands one of the plates to Olivia and sits on the couch with her own.
"Thanks," Olivia says, realizing how hungry she actually is.
Alex nods, taking a bite of her dinner. "I'm sorry to just come barging in like this."
Olivia shrugs. "I didn't really want to be alone tonight," she mumbles.
Alex nods, reaching over to squeeze Olivia's knee. "I know," she says.
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The funeral is held a week later. It snows that morning – big, white flakes fall to the ground, covering dead grass. The sky is gray and the wind bites through Olivia's jacket, freezing her.
The turnout is incredible. Current students, former students, people who knew Serena – all of these people attend the funeral. They all look at Olivia with pity in their eyes, and Olivia feels like screaming.
She bites her tongue throughout the proceedings to keep herself from crying. When it is over and the crowd has dispersed, Olivia is still standing at the graveside, her eyes vacant and unfocused.
"Liv," Alex says, resting her hand on Olivia's forearm, "are you okay?"
Olivia nods, looking up. "Is everyone gone?"
Alex looks around, nodding. "It's just us," she says.
Olivia nods, a tear finally slipping from her eye. She swallows hard and takes a few steps forward, stopping beside the casket. "We never really got along," she says, "but you were still my mom and I still do love you." She nods once and sets her single white rose on top of the coffin. "Rest in peace, mom," she says.
She looks up to see Alex watching her. Reaching out her hand, Olivia says, "Let's go home."
Alex takes Olivia's hand happily. "Let's go home," she echoes.
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