As the end of May approached, I began to hear more about Olivia's professional aspirations. I suspect it was the excitement of graduating college that waited just around the corner, or perhaps we were simply becoming friendlier. I admit, it made our coffee shop meetings much more lively, since she enjoyed discussing the future, especially mine, for some reason, but hers as well. From what I gathered, she wanted to go to graduate school, though she wasn't entirely sure what she would do when there.

"I can't decide," she said one day in early June, "whether I should go into therapy or clinical experimentation."

I recommended against therapy.

"Or maybe," she mentioned, "I could go into criminal psychology."

With these words, I couldn't help but feel slightly elated. If she studied criminal psychology, we might end up working together… I shook my head. "I don't think criminal psychology is the best path for you."

A puzzled look. "Why is that?"

"Er…" Not wanting to offend her by saying that I didn't want her to deal with disturbed, even deranged people, I changed the subject, "So, do you have any other plans for after graduation?"

She gave me an inquiring look about the sudden chance in topic, but replied simply, "No." We were both silent for a minute, drinking our tea in silence. Then, Olivia continued, "But there is something about which I wanted to speak with you."

Pulling out something from her messenger bag, which she tended to keep on her person at all times, she stated, "This is for you," and handed me a small envelope. I took it cautiously, examining the writing. To: Mr. Gregory Edgeworth, it said. Olivia nodded at me to open it, so I meticulously opened the envelope, not wishing to tear it. There was a small card inside with elegantly scripted words:

Dear Mr. Edgeworth,

You are cordially invited to Ms. Olivia Athens's graduation ceremony and post-graduation celebration.

It went on to list the date, address, etc. I smiled. "This is lovely calligraphy," I commented, looking up at her. "Did you do it yourself?" Olivia nodded quickly, her eyes brightening in light of my comment. "Yes," she said, "I decided to take up the art."

"Oh, really?" I stared back down at the lettering. "This is beautiful for a first attempt!" Blushing slightly from the boldness of my words, I carefully tucked the card back into the envelope.

"A-actually," Olivia continued, looking out a nearby window, "It took me…several tries to get it just right."

"I see…It must have taken you a very long time to make so many invitations, then," I said, smiling a bit.

Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Olivia said, "Well…You see…I only handwrote one invitation." Her cheeks turned that delightful pink colour.

Only one invitation…? Looking back at the envelope, and to Olivia, and back again, I realized, "You mean…you did all that work…just for me?"

"Well, everyone else I know already invited themselves," she said quickly, defensively. "I did not think you would be the kind of person to do that, so I made an invitation for you."

I nodded to show my gratitude. "Thank you," I said, setting the envelope on the table, "I would be delighted to attend."

She smiled, and said that she had somewhere to go. As she walked out the door, I waved goodbye. It's funny, I thought, taking a sip of tea, how people can become friends in such a short amount of time.

-.-.-

My applause was lost in the constant cheering of the crowd as Olivia received her diploma. I saw her head turn toward the mass of people, as though looking for someone. For a moment, I had the audacity to think that it was me, but it only took me a few moments to realize that her friends and family must be in the stands, as well.

As the ceremony ended, I rushed down the stands to find her. My hurry was mostly due to wanting to greet her as soon as possible, but it was further spurred by my feeling of awkwardness in that crowd. The stands were either filled with college students or parents and family of the graduates, and though I was only a few years older than the graduates, I still felt so very out of place. It's amazing what a difference a few years can make in how you see people.

But, I noted, gently making my way around a large family, that's not how I see Olivia, is it? She… I stopped, both my thoughts and my movement. What was I trying to say? It's not that I don't see her as younger than me…I began walking again. It's just that…she's more than that. More than just her number in years. I suppose what I'm trying to say is…

"Gregory?"

Her voice. Oh, God, her voice. "Olivia?" Hoping to find her, I scanned the area. No sign of her, her finely sculpted face, her thin frame, her intelligent eyes…

"Gregory?" Now she sounded slightly amused. Slowly, I turned my head around. Just behind my shoulder she stood, smiling slightly at my folly. We stood side by side for a moment, in silence. The sound of the rambunctious attendees began to fade out, as all I concentrated on was Olivia, just in case she would speak to me again.

Clearing her throat softly, Olivia's eyes turned downcast. "So, you…decided to come, I see."

"O-of course," I replied quickly. "I told you I would, did I not?"

"Well…" She bit her bottom lip gently. "To be honest, I…"

"LIVIE! HEY, LIVIE!"

Olivia's expression of near embarrassment quickly changed to one of irritation and anger. Turning around, she shouted, "WHAT?" so loudly that several people looked around in alarm. It was surprising to hear such a loud utterance from her, who I always had thought of as more…quietly outspoken. However, this case was a special instance.

Two young women, whom I guessed to be around the same age as Olivia, approached us, smiling teasingly, whispering to each other. They, like Olivia, were dressed in their cap and gown. "Hey, Livie," the tall red-headed one said, smiling, taking a glance at me. "Is this that boyfriend of yours you won't stop talking about?"

At this point, I suspected that my face was growing an obvious shade of red. For a few moments, all I could do was stand there like a buffoon, not sure of what to say. B-boyfriend? O-of course not!…But…I risked taking a glance at Olivia, who, judging by the shade of pink her cheeks became, was equally embarrassed. …I'm sure she doesn't think of me that way… However, she, unlike me, managed to state quite clearly, "This is my friend, Gregory. Say hello, Gregory," she said, nudging my elbow, almost as though I were a child.

"Er…hello," I said awkwardly, sticking a hand out. "Gregory Edgeworth."

The red-headed one looked at my hand with surprise, as if she had never seen one before. Shaking it gently, she replied, "Sarah." I smiled and turned to the other one, who was considerably shorter and had curly blonde hair framing a round face. She shook my hand as well, introducing herself as "Molly."

Sarah crossed her arms and scrutinized me from head to toe. It was rather uncomfortable, to be honest. However, when she stopped, all she asked was, "Are you sure you're not her boyfriend?"

Had I been drinking water, surely I would have done a spit-take. "Yes, I'm sure." I glanced at Olivia once more. "Friends, right?"

She looked at me solemnly. "…Yes," she finally responded. "We can be friends."

Sarah and Molly looked at one another in slight confusion, but were soon pushed aside by a large, heavyset man who appeared to be in his early fifties, followed by a petite woman who was at least a head shorter than him. I took them to be Olivia's parents.

"Ah, so here's the guy that our li'l Livie's been talking about!" said the man, brusquely taking my hand and shaking it vigorously. His slightly stubble-ridden face bore a broad smile. I thought I had a firm grip, but this man…I could almost feel my carpals being crushed. "The name's Dave! Dave Athens!" he said in a loud, booming voice, "And this here's Janet," he pointed to his wife, who, without a word, thrust herself upon me with an unexpectedly bone-crunching hug. As soon as she let go, Dave continued, "Say, how about we head on to the party!"

-.-.-

"I must apologize for my parents, Gregory," Olivia murmured as I opened my car door for her. There wasn't enough room in her parent's car for everyone, so she had volunteered to ride with me. "They are a bit…abrasive."

As she delicately sat in the passenger's seat, I tried to give her a reassuring smile. I felt a bit self-conscious with her riding in my car, which was a dull shade of gray, and mildly dented on the rear left door from some minor hit and run. "They seemed very nice," I said softly, closing the door. I got into the driver's seat and started the engine, hoping to appear as cool as possible. We could go anywhere, Olivia and I… I watched her carefully as she propped her elbow upon the door and rested her head on her hand. If she wanted to, of course. "So!" I said, a bit loudly in my nervousness. "Where are we going?"

"The Gatewater Hotel. Do you know how to get there?"

"Ah, yes." The biggest hotel in the city. How could I forget?

I pulled out of the parking lot and into the streets. Though I could still maintain my focus on my road, a corner of my mind was concerned. "Olivia?"

"Yes?"

"…I…Never mind." I was going to ask about her relationship with her parents, but I felt it was not my place. If she has something to say to me, she'll say it. That's the kind of person she is.

-.-.-

A/N: Wow, I can't believe how many people are actually interested in this! Thank you all so much for reading! 3