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Reference: Lines from Transformation, Ghost Network. Olivia and Charlie conversation- with a slight change in wording (Olivia)
Chapter 10 - Losing
"Beautiful out here isn't it?" John had taken Olivia's hand as they walked along The Charles River. The train ride to get there took little more than an hour so it was close to lunch time. The last few days of the Christmas holidays had finally come and they were all preparing to go back to their school lives. That was until John had insisted they go to the Charles River, Olivia knew something was up.
They walked hand in hand for a few minutes, silence filling them both. Olivia couldn't take the silence anymore, stopping abruptly Olivia pulled on John's arm. "Is there something going on that you aren't telling me John?" She watched as he looked directly ahead for a few minutes before he turned to her. Dropping his shoulder's in a sigh John spoke, "I'm being recruited in two weeks. I just found out."
Olivia took a deep breath in, trying not to show any emotion towards the knowledge that he was really leaving. "So…that's why we are here? Take me somewhere beautiful just to have you tell me you are leaving. When did you find this out exactly?" Her voice was flat but inside she was trying not to shake.
"Livy, please. Come one. I asked you out here because I love to come here and I wanted you to see it." He turned to face her, only to sigh when he realized she wasn't going to budge, "I found out last week, the day after Christmas." He watched and felt her hand go limp in his. "And you are only just telling me now? John I have been thinking we have more time when you knew you were leaving next week?"
John dropped her hand and took a step forward, bringing his arms around her. "Livy, I promise you I tried to tell you. I did. Every time we spent the day together over the last week or whenever I called you on the phone. I tried, but I knew it was going to hurt. I didn't want to hurt you." Olivia let him wrap his arms around her, holding her close. She didn't cry, didn't sob, just stayed in his arms until the snow started to fall again. John leaned down, much like he had done on her doorstep those months ago and placed a lingering kiss on her lips. Olivia returned it, not wanting to let him go.
As they pulled back, John placed his hand on her cheek, raising her face a little closer to him. "Olivia listen to me. You are going to be fine. When I'm gone, you are going to be ok because you are strong. Have fun and enjoy the time you have with Charlie and Beth and Bobby. Please." Resting his other hand on her cheek, John made sure that she looked up at him. "Come on, we need to get you back home before your aunt thinks you've run away."
Olivia let out a small laugh, "Yea we should but she will be ok. She knows I got out in the morning." Olivia shrugged John's arm around her shoulder as they walked back to the train station. Coming to sit on the train, John made sure Olivia was between him and the side of the train. "John, what are you doing?" Olivia laughed as he pulled her closer to him. "I'm making sure that no one here tried to touch you, going towards my side of town, the people can be dangerous." He was serious.
"John, I'm sure I'll be ok. I can look after myself." Olivia stated although sitting a little closer.
Once they had arrived at John's house, Olivia hesitated. "Livi what's wrong?" John turned to find her standing just outside the gate. She over at him and then the house. "Olivia, what's wrong? You're starting to worry me." Stepping closer to her he reached out only to have to pivot on her heels to look behind her.
"I um…I don't know. I just feel like someone is watching me." With one last look around her she turned back to John, "Sorry, just had a strange feeling." Shrugging off her thoughts Olivia smiled. "I should go. I'll see you at school?" He only nodded and with one last kiss, she was up the street and out of sight.
While she walked Olivia continued to believe she was being watched. That continued strange feeling that comes sometimes but is gone moments later, hadn't gone like it should have. Glancing around her Olivia found nothing or no one around, and that was the most part that was unnerving. Sighing and scolding herself Olivia knew she was being stupid. No one was following her and no on was watching.
Suddenly realizing that John was actually leaving in a few days she needed to talk to someone. Walking around aimlessly she found herself standing outside Charlie Francis's house. It was late, after midnight before she actually knocked on the front door, she hoped that someone would answer and not be angry.
Hearing shuffling coming from inside the house, Olivia waited until the door swung open. Expecting to see Charlie's mother standing on the other side, she was quiet surprised to his older sister Claudia standing on the other side of the threshold.
Claudia was no more than 19 years old and was taller than Olivia, maybe a foot or more, dark brown eyes that you could say looked black and wavy brown hair that sat between her shoulder blades. Olivia had met Claudia a few times and so the recognition shone on Claudia's face when she opened the door.
"Olivia? What are you doing here, its late?" Claudia placed her hand on Olivia's shoulder, noticing that she was upset, and pulled her into the house. Olivia looked around the house and noticed the suitcase that was sitting in the middle of the living room and the clothes peaking out of it. Turning back to Claudia, Olivia spoke, "I'm sorry, I know it's late but I was wondering if Charlie was up, I really need to talk to him." Claudia eyed Olivia for a moment before nodding and walking towards the hallway, knocking on a door and hearing a grumble from inside.
As Olivia waited Charlie's father came into the living room from what she could only assume was the study, "Olivia? What are you doing here?" Olivia knew she was going to get this question once more tonight but she knew she had to be polite, "I know it's late and I'm sorry, but I just needed to talk to Charlie for a moment, if that was ok." Just as she spoke, Claudia returned with a grumpy looking Charlie.
He stood in the doorway to the lounge in his boxers and undershirt, unmoving when he saw Olivia. "Claudia, how come you didn't tell me Olivia was here?" He turned to face her, noticing that she was smirking. Turning back to Olivia he apologized, "Sorry Liv, let me get something else on and we can talk.
When he came back he was dressed inn jeans, runners and a jumped. He was putting on his coat when he spoke, "I'll be back dad. We are just going to go for a walk." His father just nodded while Claudia eyed them both suspiciously but with a smile.
They walked in silence for a while, Charlie letting Olivia lead to wherever she wanted to go. She broke the silence after a few minutes, "Is your family going somewhere?" She didn't look up at him, knowing he would be watching her. He didn't want to have him see the sadness in her eyes.
"Um, yea my sister is going to Australia for a few weeks. Holiday before starting college." Charlie shrugged. "It'll be good to have her gone for a bit." Charlie smiled, hoping to get one out of Olivia, he noticed that she hadn't looked up at him at all.
Charlie touched her shoulder, but she still didn't look up. "Is it ok if I show you something?" She spoke as if she was worried he would say no. Dropping his hand, Charlie nodded. "Sure Livi, whatever you want to do."
They walked for more than 30 minutes, most of the time in silence, occasionally Charlie would look up at Olivia, whenever she grabbed a flower from some of the passing houses. Eventually they reached the gates of a cemetery. Charlie looked up towards the graves and then back at Olivia, "Um, Liv are you going to kill me?" She actually smiled at him. Continuing up the path, Charlie followed a few steps behind, standing behind her when she came up to a small stone plaque. "Hey mom." She placed the flowers down at the base and placed a small kiss on her index and middle finger before placing them on the plaque.
She rose from her position on the grass, wiping at her knees. "I wanted to bring you here. I guess I wanted to share this with you." She placed her hand on his arm, smiling back at him when one graced his face.
He placed his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. As he held her she spoke, "Thanks, Charlie." Without pulling away he asked, "For what?" This time she did pull away, only slightly though, "For being my friend." He placed a small peck on her cheek. She turned away from him, intent on walking back up the path, "Hey Liv!" He called out from a few steps behind her. She turned to face him with a confused look, "Yeah?" He smiled back at her, taking the last few steps so he was at her side, "Thanks for coming to Boston High." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, walking away from her mother's plaque and back towards his house.
As they walked in silence, Charlie could tell that there was something on her mind. "Liv, what's wrong?" He didn't stop walking, knowing that if she wanted to stop, she would.
Olivia sighed, "John's leaving. During the week actually. He told me today, oh well yesterday. He has been called into the Marine's training now that he is 17." Olivia didn't stop walking, just kept going, staring straight ahead. Charlie sighed, knowing that this as coming and knowing that it was going to hurt her. She swallowed once before stopping and turning to face him. "He told me he loved me." Her voice breaking as she spoke. Charlie turned to see her trying to hold in her emotion, trying not to let the unshed tear fall.
Squaring his shoulders in all seriousness Charlie spoke, "I wasn't going to tell you this…but he told me he loved me too." He watched Olivia's face for a moment, and in this moment it was blank, until she broke out into a giggle and a laugh. Taking a step closer to him, she wrapped her arms around his middle and he did the same but around her shoulders, rocking side to side, soothingly.
"You're gonna be fine Livy." He whispered in her ear, knowing she heard him when she nodded against his chest. "Come on. You can stay at my place tonight. We have a spare room. We can hang out tomorrow if you want or I can take you home in the morning but you need a friend tonight I can tell."
"You sure? I don't want to put you out." Olivia glanced up to find Charlie with a large smile on his face. "Yeah I'm sure. Lets go." They walked in silence for the rest of the way, just enjoying each other's company.
No Peter i know but please no flames...he is coming back. i promise
