I reckoned Caitlin and Cisco knew nothing new would come of doing more tests on the cup. But they wanted to keep themselves occupied and as they had their hands full, I had a talk with Barry and the Snarts.

"It was reckless of you to let him know you're Little Heart." Barry said with arms crossed (to add to the seriousness of the situation?)

"She didn't have a choice." Leonard took a bite of Cisco's candy. "He would have killed her otherwise!"

I nodded.

"He's got a point."

"At least now we know that this guy's powers are similar to yours." Leonard continued..

"They are?"

"When you get angry and don't do anything about it - what happens?"

"I become a giant ball of fire."

"You become a danger, just like him. Only he becomes an ugly bull."

I suddenly realized how right he was! Turbulent Bull and I are both affected by our feelings. But as I'm trying to stay positive and control my mind, he lets his anger take over!

"I appreciate the switch of clothes, Lisa."

Lisa smirked.

"I've heard that's not the only switching you've been through lately."

Barry and I shared a knowing look and I walked over to Iris by the computer. She was writing an article (on a different subject!)

"Thank you, Snart." Barry said and reached out his hand to his frenemy. "I think we can start over."

Leonard put on his goggles.

"No way, Flash. You'll always love helping people as much as I love robbing them! Not exactly a match made in heaven."

"But you did help this time."

Lisa put a hand on her brother's shoulder.

"He's actually got a taste for being a superhero."

He chuckled and took Barry's hand.

"No. Not a superhero."

I laughed at something Iris said and Leonard gave me a glance before turning back to Barry.

"Piece of advice: Look to the left."

Barry's eyebrows climbed up on his forehead.

"To the left?"

"To the left."

Since I heard them I couldn't help but sing the Beyoncé song and Iris followed my lead. The others giggled and the Snarts went on their way.

The sun was setting outside the beach house. A warm, summer breeze traveled on our skin and the yellow sand sparkled just like water. A few guests were sitting on the terrace. I was placed on a stool, wearing a berry red dress with thin straps and a guitar in my lap. Iris and Ronnie, the groom, were standing to my left. Cisco and Barry on the other side of him were incredibly handsome in their tuxedos!

My fingers played the intro of "Love Story" by Taylor Swift and Caitlin, the beautiful bride, showed herself between the sliding glass doors… Her hair was extra curly and the white dress had long embroidered sleeves. She held a bouquet with red and orange dahlia flowers. An older man walked her down the aisle and then took the role as priest.

"I've learned a lot about merging one's life to another this past year and a half." Ronnie gave Dr. Martin Stein a knowing look (cause he's the other part of Firestorm!) "Yet, for all the incredible advancements in science we've all been party to, the mystery that brings two people together through love is still the province of magic."

Cisco brought the rings and Caitlin said that everything she and Ronnie's been through was worth it, since it lead to this moment.

"You may kiss the bride." Stein finished.

Ronnie chuckled.

"Stop telling me what to do."

Ronnie put his hands around Caitlin's face as they kissed and everyone applauded. I played the refrain as the couple was joined by happy faces and congratulations. After the last chord, people clapped their hands for me as well. Cisco offered me his arm.

"Shall we?"

"Why are we surrounded by happy couples?" Cisco asked me a few hours after dinner.

The cake had been cut and people were mingling to the fullest. I put a green olive in my mouth and shrugged my shoulders. He looked at me, thoughtfully.

"Why aren't you on the floor doing your thing?"

My gaze went to Iris and Barry, moving (not dancing!) to the music. I exhaled and smiled.

"Cause I'm sitting here with you!"

"Yeah you are, but you're mind's somewhere else. Just like mine..."

"Call her, then." I suggested. "Lisa seems like a party-girl."

I winked at him and he blushed. All of a sudden Caitlin and Barry walked up on the small stage.

"Hello everyone!" Caitlin said, grinning widely. "Now that we've shaken off all that food, I believe the time has come for something slow…"

Barry took over the mic.

"...And who better to perform for us than our own Olivia Zoe! Give her a big applause!"

People cheered and I tried to be modest, without any luck. I picked up my guitar and hung it across my shoulders.

"Hi there." I said and tried to think of a song. "This is a song by my favorite musician, Colbie Caillat. Hope you like it!"

You're stuck on me and my laughing eyes

I can't pretend, though I try to hide

I like you

I like you

At once I saw Barry's face in front of me and felt extremely uncomfortable...

I think I felt my heart skip a beat

I'm standing here and I can hardly breath

You got me

You got me

For the first time in my life, I kept wishing a performance to be over!

"That was beautiful, Olivia! Thank you so much for being here." Caitlin hugged me as I walked off the platform. She whispered the next sentence. "I know who the song was about."

My stomach turned into a bun.

"I need some air."

I walked past Cisco, who was happily making-out with Lisa Snart. I continued out on the terrace until I found myself in the sand. Shoeless. The full moon was shining brightly, leaving the beach a lighted spot in the dark. The relaxing wind brushed my legs underneath my dress.

"You look nice."

I heard Barry's footsteps close up on me. He stopped by my side and had trouble in deciding whether he should speak or not.

"Is everything okay?" he finally asked and I met his Earth-colored eyes.

"Yeah." I lied. "I'm just tired. We've been through a lot, Flash."

Barry looked down at his shoes as he nodded.

"Yes, we have. I know exactly what you're feeling… This isn't the first time an all-too-friendly doctor turns out to be foolin'."

He was talking about Eobard Thawne, AKA Dr. Harrison Wells.

"You're still holding on to that?" I wondered.

The question came out of nowhere to his ears.

"What?"

I giggled slightly.

"Nothing. Just… Cheer up."

A short silence followed while we watched the waves float to shore.

"You and Eric are good right?" he suddenly asked. "I mean, I didn't screw that up when I was in your body?"

I couldn't help giving away a laugh, though I didn't feel like laughing. I wasn't sad either. Barry laughed too.

"What's so funny?"

"Eric and I are just friends. Besides…" Maybe he saw something we didn't.

I bit my tongue too late. Barry saw I was leaving someone out of the picture.

"You like somebody else?" he exclaimed.

"No, it's not that!" I tried to defend myself. "Actually…"

"Nah, I've got you now! You're blushing! Come on, Oz."

"Barry, no!.."

I tried to walk back to the house, but Barry grabbed my arm. He grinned teasingly.

"Who is it?"

The silence took over again. I couldn't lie or tell him the truth - there was no way out of the situation! I just had to wait for him to release me from it.

Barry inhaled.

"You like me?"

He stared at me with an open mouth. Here goes nothing!

"That's an understatement."

He let go of my wrist.

"For real? This isn't your kind of a joke?"

"No, cause it's not funny."

He looked mind-blown.

"Well, I… I just… You can… I just figured... " He sure has a way with words. "I've always thought you'd find someone special."

I snorted out of irony.

"And you're not?"

He put his hands inside his pants pockets.

"Yeah, but not like Eric… He's, you know, creative and impulsive! An artistic soul!"

"You are too humble, Barry Allen, to see yourself for what you really are! Not as The Flash, as you. You're smart, brave and goofy. But besides your lovable goofiness, and most importantly, you have a good heart!"

The silence laid itself like an invisible wall between us. Reality called me back. (Iris was waiting for him inside.)

"The thought that you…" he began. "I had no idea."

"Fine! Awesome! This is actually unnecessary information for you. I like Iris and you're both my friends. Just pretend like this conversation never happened!"

But it didn't feel like it never happened. The following days, while Caitlin was away on her short honeymoon, Barry started behaving weird(er). For one, he stopped sending me funny Gifs and whenever we were at the same place he was quick to make up some excuse to leave.

Last Monday I asked if Cisco, Barry and Iris wanted to have dinner at my place (cause I was surprisingly cool with the situation). Barry forced a smile.

"Can't. I have to work."

"Anything to do with our hairy friend?" I wondered.

"Ah, no, just science stuff." he answered, avoiding my gaze. "Stuff I gotta science the stuff out of."

Right. Even though I tried to behave casual, he didn't make it easy! (If anyone should be avoiding the other it's me!)

"Have you tried talking to him?" Lauren wondered after we'd been on a Latin dance class together.

I nodded.

"That's just it. He's avoiding the subject by avoiding me! He's never at S.T.A.R. Labs when I'm there, but apparently he still sees Cisco and Caitlin."

"What about Iris?"

"She and I talked on the phone the day after the wedding. She seemed cheerful as always."

We'd talked about the ceremony and that she wanted to find another man to join Oliver Queen on her 3-list. It made me mad, cause it's not like Dr. Kirsch is evil! The thought of him made me wonder where he was, what he was doing... The TV news has reported from his trashed house, saying it's another abduction. Snart covered our tracks good, so no one knows about the hidden building.

"I'll come over in 20 then?" Eric said through the phone. "I'm bringing chips."

"Before dinner? You know exactly how I want it!"

When I'd hung up, Lammy started barking at the front door. I looked into the peep-hole and was met by Barry's enormous forehead! He didn't move. Just stood there (looking hesitant)!

"Hi!" I greeted after he'd finally knocked.

He was holding his breath, I could tell.

"Hey."

I left the door open. Barry followed me.

"How's it going?" I asked and smiled. "Would you like a snack?"

"No… Ah... Cisco... Cisco wanted me to give you this."

He handed me an envelope. I opened it and read Cisco's handwriting: YES, Episode II is the best Star Wars movie!

"He said it was important and couldn't wait."

I giggled and put the piece of paper in my hoodie's pocket.

"And since you're the fastest man alive…"

"Yeah."

I sensed an underlying frustration... It rumbled inside my chest and I became very annoyed by it. I reached for a couple of glasses on the top shelf.

"Can I get you something to drink? Juice? Soda?"

My grip loosened for a split second and glass shattered on the floor. I cursed and my hair started burning.

"Why am I so frustrated?!" Then it hit me. "Hang on! You must have brought this feeling with you!"

"Get out of here, Oz!"

I could feel myself calm down.

"No, that's it! I was fine, joyful in fact, before you got here."

"You can't keep using that card!" he exclaimed, angrily. "Nobody knows how your powers work!"

I crossed my arms.

"Barry, what's wrong?"

"Why does something have to be wrong!?" he snapped back at me.

"Okay, now you're just avoiding the question."

"I should never have agreed to this." he said and looked away from my gaze. "See ya."

He moved towards the door, but I jumped in front of him and put both hands on his shoulders. They warmed up and Barry cried out.

"Aow!"

"You need to calm down."

"Thanks for the warning..."

The frustration successively disappeared from the air. I could let go.

"What is it?"

He sighed deeply.

"I thought things couldn't get any more complicated: Becoming The Flash, finding my mom's killer, pining after Iris, going back in time… It's been hard but never more than I could handle."

He tried to find the right words.

"For the past months I've found myself drowning in the... surreal."

"I don't follow."

He scuffed.

"Ever since I met you things have crossed my path that can't be explained! Up til then I'd gotten used to the unusual, no the impossible, but I could still rely on science for most of it! You, and your package of irrational creativeness and period pain, changed everything! Dancing, Turbulent Bull, not to mention the fact that you transformed Leonard Snart! Everything takes me further away from what I know and closer to…"

"Magic."

He nodded, looking a little bit worried. I grinned and bit my lower lip.

"I don't know… I just don't know what to believe!" he finished. "And it bothers me, I guess."

I gave away an out-of-place laugh (though I'm convinced they don't exist).

"You just might be on the right track." I said. "Maybe that's what we need to believe? That we don't know! If we're open to whatever comes our way, it'll be a piece of cake."

He finally smiled and the butterflies spinned in my stomach.

"Well, not exactly a piece of cake…" I corrected. "It'll be hard, just like everything else, but you know what I mean! Just let things be as they are. Use your head less!"

"Spoken like a true esthetic."

I pretended to be offended and hit him slightly on the arm. We laughed. Suddenly the doorbell rang.

"... That'll be Eric."

Barry sighed briefly and gave me a peculiar look.

"You're amazing, d'you know that?" he said.

It was my turn to hold my breath.

"Thanks."

In a flash he was gone.

Olivia Zoe

21st of July 2015