I had overestimated my sense of direction, so Olivia and I arrived at the Gatewater Hotel roughly half an hour late. She expressed mild irritation at my lack of competence, but there was something in her expression that seemed amused-even relieved-that turned to disappointment when we did arrive.

I had never been inside the Gatewater Hotel before, and it was even more grandiose and magnificent than I had imagined. The carpet seemed so vibrantly colored, the walls even more so. But as I was gaping in surprise, Olivia let out a small, disappointed sigh.

"What's wrong?" I dared to inquire.

"Hm? Oh," she turned away, walking toward one of the private rooms. "It's nothing." I felt compelled to stay quiet after that, and I meekly followed her.

As we entered, the smell of people hung thickly in the air. Not in a bad way, but it was just…too heavy. Too many people for my taste. There were about thirty people there, whom I assumed to be Olivia's friends and relatives.

"Ah! Greg!" Mr. Athens's heavy arm slapped around my shoulder. "Great place, isn't it?"

"Y-yes," I said quietly, feeling greatly uncomfortable in his presence, in part by his strength, and in part by the rancid smell of his breath. How is it that someone can be drinking so early in the day? It's only…I paused to check my watch. Three in the afternoon! Though I tried to squirm out of his grip, it was all in vain.

Olivia turned her head sharply. "Father," she said, in a low, quiet voice, "Could you please let go of Gregory ?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, right!" As soon as he let go of me, I rushed away, rubbing my shoulder tenderly. Olivia glanced at me. "Are you…alright, Gregory?"

"Oh, y-yeah, I'm fine. Er…" I looked around, hoping to find some escape from this awkward situation. "I'm…going to go get some water. Would you like me to get you a glass?" She nodded, and I left.

When I looked back, Olivia and her father's conversation had grown more heated. I tried not to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help it.

"Come on, Liv, just give him a chance! He's a good kid!"

"No!" Olivia seemed absolutely outraged. "He's an idiot! A jerk! A lowlife—" My heart sank. Were they talking about me?

"You watch your mouth," he hissed. "Carl is a good worker, and he even got a promotion…Here, let me get him." At that, Mr. Athens walked away. I blinked. …Carl? I decided to take this opportunity to find out some information.

I cautiously approached Olivia, a glass of water in my hand, outstretched. She took it from me without looking me in the eye and examined it for a moment. "…Gregory?"

"Yes?"

"…" She handed the glass back to me. "…Could you…get a straw for this drink, please?" Still no eye contact.

"Er…yes, I'm sorry, I didn't know—"

"It's fine." She flicked her bangs out of her eyes. "Just…please." She was trying to get rid of me.

Something in her voice broke my heart. I felt as though I may have been reading too much into it, but her tone…she sounded almost vulnerable. Hurt. But, deciding to comply with her wish, I left.

As I searched for a straw, I noticed Sarah and Molly standing together by the salad bar. They were looking back and forth between each other and Olivia, who had now been approached by her father and a young man. Her father's companion was long and lanky, with heavily lidded eyes and a lopsided grin. He had certainly made no attempt to dress for the occasion, wearing a grease-stained t-shirt and ripped jeans. Though he seemed harmless enough, there was something about seeing him with Olivia that made me nervous. Curious, I approached Olivia's friends.

"Hello, Ms. Sarah, Molly." I set down my glass of water, keeping Olivia's in hand. "May I ask you something?"

Sarah grinned. "Sure thing, Greg!"

Readjusting my glasses, I inquired, "Who is that young man standing by Olivia and Mr. Athens?"

"Oh, him?" Her expression turned into one of disgust. "That's Carl. He works at Livie's dad's auto repair shop. They've lived next to each other for years."

"Really?" I looked back at them. Olivia's expression was turning more sour by the minute. "So…would you happen to know their relationship? I-I hope it is not inappropriate to inquire—"

A mischievous smile returned to Sarah's face. "Livie's completely uninterested," she said, almost triumphantly; something in her expression told me that she really knew, as though she and Olivia were very close. "She'd never want to go out with him; especially not now…"

"Why?"

Sarah and Molly exchanged smug, all-knowing glances. I felt very out of the loop. "Well," Sarah began, "She's…um…just not interested…In him, at least," she added hastily. "…Yeah."

The vagueness of her answer did not register, for I was much too immersed in watching Olivia's interaction with her father and Carl. Olivia began to draw back from the two of them. Her father's words, though I could not understand them, grew loud and angry. I noted the suspicious can in his hand.

Then, there was the final straw.

Carl, who I had not previously perceived as a threat, grabbed her roughly by the shoulder, shouting something about "being his girl," and the like. Olivia clearly did not like that contact, and was struggling to break free. Yet he persisted.

I frowned. Olivia deserves a gentleman, I thought bitterly.

As soon as I saw her break free and run out of the room, I followed. I ran. It was a strange sensation, acting on impulse, especially for one such as myself, who prefers to be more methodical. However, that day, that moment, I did not care. I did not care that her friends gave me a strange look. I did not care that the water from the glass splashed on my suit as I ran toward them. I did not care that her father forcefully grabbed me by the arm and told me in a near-drunken slur to stay out of their business. I did not care that Carl shouted profanities at me when I told the two of them that it was my business.

I did not care, because it was Olivia.

Olivia.

-.-.-

A/N: Ahhhh the writing here's starting to get sloppy, but I want to progress the plot some more.