FITZ'S POV

"Hi daddy" I heard Liv pacing in her room both of our doors slightly open.

"No, i wasn't sleeping" she lied. It was 3 in the morning making it 6 am in Washington. "You met someone?" She laughed "i'm glad you found her then"

She spoke about Teddy until she sighed "i'll see you soon" she was crying now "i love you too daddy"

I'm

I listened as she dug through her closet and crept into the hallway heading down the stairs. I groaned and got a sweater on along with some running shoes before following her downstairs. I pulled open the back door and watched her speed walk across the lawn towards the trail. I sighed and ran quickly over to her.

"Go away" she said as she climbed the hill.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Why do you care? Aren't i just some slut?"

I cursed myself internally for saying that to her.

"Look, i'm sorry i said that to you. You aren't a slut" i tried apologizing

"Thanks for your half ass apology"

"I'm-"

"You're an ass you know, you've been walking around pissed off at everyone and you don't even care about what you say to people." She yelled in the middle of the woods "you are 25 years old stop acting like a toddler and start being a man!"

"What do you know about acting my age?! You're 18 years old you don't have any bills to pay, people who depend on you" I yelled back annoyed

"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?! DO YOU KNOW ME?!" She turned towards the house and walked straight back down the path.

"He's dying!" I called out. I watched her stop in her tracts and she turned to face me. "My grandfather, he's dying" she stared at me. "He has cancer, everyone knew except me because they didn't want to hurt me, since we're so close. Now it's too late to get him treatment"

"That's why you've been angry?" She whispered.

"Yes"

She huffed and sat down on a rock.

"I'm uh not good at the emotional stuff so all i can do is listen and go off of my own experiences" she paused "It's not worth being angry, use the time you have left with him in a positive way. You can deal with the anger and the rest later. Right now just.. Just be present"

"Your dad doesn't remember you does he?" I blurted out. She looked up at me and shook her head.

"I'm sorry"

"Thanks" she stood "I want to finish my hike, you coming?"

"Okay"

"No talking though, just hiking"

"I can handle that" i nodded and helped her stand and watched as she started up the hill again. Eventually I we got to the top and i watched her run down the hill quickly avoiding trees or twigs even in the pitch black. She ran down the dock and straight into the lake. I gasped loudly, she didn't even take off her shoes or clothes. She swam around laughing as i made my way down the hill.

"Are you crazy? You're going to get sick!" She bursted out laughing

"Live a little Fitzgerald!" She smiled "Come on!"

I stared at her as she silently dared me to join her. I groaned and jumped in. The water wasn't cold at all, it was nice. I came up to the surface and watched her swim.

"Your grandpa your best friend?" She asked as we swam beside each other

"Yeah, your dad?"

"He was, Teddy is pretty much my go to man though"

"You two are pretty close"

"We just get each other, i thank God every single day for him." She smiled "do you believe in God?" She asked. I knew she went to church the past sunday and had taken Teddy but no one really asked about it.

"I don't know, we weren't really brought up with religion"

She nodded "i'm not like a hard core by the book christian, i just get so much peace by knowing God has a plan for me and he gives me strength"

I nodded "Could i go with you tomorrow?"

"Of course! Teddy got bored last time though"

"We all know his attention span"

"Very true" she laughed "I'm getting cold, can we go back?"

"Sure" i nodded and followed her back to the shore. We both twisted the water out of our clothes as much as possible and headed back.

"Your hair" i blurted out as i watched her take it out of her ponytail. It sprung down past her shoulders in the curliest ringlets i had ever seen.

"Yeah" she laughed "This what happens when it gets wet"

"I like it"

"Thanks!" She smiled "it doesn't dry like this though, it gets frizzy" she tied it back up and eventually we made it back to the pool area. She stripped off her jacket as i handed her a towel. We gave each other space and laid our main clothing out to dry on the pool fence and headed to our rooms.

"Liv?" I whispered

"Hmm?"

"Thanks, for listening"

"Thanks for telling me" she smiled

"Wait! What time do you leave for church?"

"Around 8, if you're too tired there's always next week"

"I'll see" she nodded and closed her bedroom door

(Break)

"Am i too over dressed?" I asked as i shifted in the car as i drove following her instructions the next morning.

"No, you look nice" she smiled as i looked over. She was wearing a yellow dress with a white cardigan and her hair was straight and pulled out of her face.

"Do i have to pray?"

"Not if you don't want" she shrugged "It's not like a test or anything, just don't swear"

"No swearing"

She walked into the White church with so much confidence. Most of the community was african american and i watched as they filled the rows.

"Olivia" The pastor came up to the 3rd row and greeted Liv.

"Father Aaron, how are you?"

"Good, i see you've brought a new friend"

"Yes, this is Teddy's older brother Fitz"

"Hello" i smiled shaking his hand

"Nice to meet you Fitz, hope to see you again"

I watched as people said hello to Liv. She had been in California all of three weeks and half of the church knew her. I watched as she crossed her legs and her whole attention turned towards the pastor as he spoke. Eventually i turned away and questions everything, how could these people trust in something higher. I turned back to Liv and she smiled, she looked so peaceful. The choir started singing and she sang along with the rest of the congregation.

"What'd you think?" Liv asked as we walked towards the car

"I'm not sure, i'd like to come again though"

"Of course" she nodded "i'm so tired"

"Maybe because we went swimming at 3 in the morning"

She laughed "Maybe"