Destiny (4 page)

“You’re
a good looking guy. Why don’t they ever see you with a girl?”

“It’s
hard to explain. I don’t fit in very well back at home. I guess I’m a little
shy because I already know that I’m not what girls around there are looking
for.”

In
that moment, Olivia closed the distance between us and wrapped her arms around
me. She leaned in, and I met her halfway with a soft kiss. It felt right. My
sister had been wrong. Nothing about my time with her suffered from having such
a good time the night before. If anything, I felt more comfortable with every
conversation, touch, and kiss. As she pulled back, Olivia said something that I
would always remember.

“Eric,
don’t ever assume that you’re not what someone wants. Any girl would be lucky
to have you. I know
I
wish you were
staying,” she said and gave me one
more quick
peck on
the lips. Then she walked inside.

I
simply stood there at her door in a haze for a few seconds. No one had ever
made me feel like I was worth so much. I didn’t say it to anyone, but I wished
I could stay there with her forever. For the first time, I was truly happy. Olivia
gave me happiness and a confidence that wouldn’t be broken. For that, I’ll
always be grateful to her.

Chapter 4

See You
Later

Three
days went by quicker than I ever thought they would. Throughout that time, I
got to know my aunt and uncle more, and my relationship even improved with my
family. It seemed like everything was turning around, and I’m not even
mentioning the most important part. I got to spend three more days with Olivia.
That time was simple. Just like she said she wanted it, there were no labels or
games between us. There were just two friends who happened to be very into each
other.

As my time there was coming to a close, I
started to feel rushed. When I woke up on the morning of my last day in
Wisconsin, I knew that I had to do something to make our time together
memorable. I didn’t know what, but a deep panic was starting to overtake me.
Suddenly, what used to be simple was now the most complicated thing in the
world. I had to find a way to say goodbye to my dream girl. How does a person
do that? For that matter, did I even want to say goodbye? My life there was so
much better than the one back at home. Truthfully, I was already heartbroken,
and I didn’t even have to say goodbye yet. I tried not to let it get me too
down, though. I got dressed and went downstairs where I asked my mother for
some money so I could do something with Olivia. It wasn’t a problem, and I was
out the door in no time.

While
I was walking over to Olivia’s house, I started to wonder what I was doing. I
had no plan of any kind. Where were we even going? Before I could come up with
anything, I found myself at the front door knocking. I was just going to have
to improvise. When Olivia opened the door, the first thing I noticed was that
she wasn’t ready for anything. As a matter of fact, she was in nothing but her
pajamas, and she wasn’t looking very good.

“Are
you all right?” I asked.

“Not
really. Come in,” she said and weakly walked back to the couch.

“I’m
sick, and I feel terrible. You might want to get as far away from me as
possible,” Olivia said.

“I’m
not scared of getting sick. How did this happen, though? You seemed like you
were feeling great last night.”

“Well,
let’s see . . . some guy kept me out in the cold until late last night. I don’t
quite remember what his name was, but . . .”

“All
right, I get it. I’m sorry for getting you sick.”

“No,
it was worth it. I’ve really enjoyed the last few days. It’s too bad we won’t
get to spend our last day together.”

“Why
wouldn’t we get to spend it together?”

“Because
I’m really contagious right now. You actually do need to get out of here.”

“I’m
not worried about that. Let me ask you something. Where’s your mom?”

“At
work. I really don’t want to ruin your Christmas. It’s only a week away, and if
I make you sick now, then it’s going to be bad for you. Trust me,” she said and
coughed.

“I
don’t mind sharing anything with you, and that includes germs. Besides,
everybody needs someone to take care of
them
when
they’re sick. I can’t leave until your mom gets home.”

“I
don’t know how she’ll feel about coming home and finding a boy here. Are you
sure about this?”

“I’m
positive. Now, what can I do for you?”

“Answer
a question for me. Why do you care about me so much? We’ve only known each
other for a few days.”

“That’s
easy. I’ve never felt at home with anyone until you. I know I’m not going to be
around after tomorrow, and we haven’t known each other very long, but none of
that really matters. I’m just going with it like you said, and I can’t help but
care about you when you’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“I’m
going to tell you a secret. I feel the same way. Now, there
is
something you can do for me.”

“What
is it?”

“There’s
a blanket beside you. Why don’t you spread it out over us and watch a corny
Christmas movie with me? I think that’s all they’re playing right now.”

I
did exactly that. As I spread the blanket over us, she leaned her head on me,
and I wrapped my arms around her. Within an hour, Olivia was asleep with her
face firmly planted on my chest. As I sat there, my throat started to feel scratchy.
It wasn’t bad, but it was clear that it was the beginning of sickness. I didn’t
care, though. I was right where I wanted to be, and any consequences of this
visit were welcome. I simply held her until my eyes started to feel heavy.
Within a few minutes, I was asleep. Throughout the morning, we simply lay there
in each other’s arms. A surprise awaited us at noon, however.

I
awoke to the sound of the front door opening. Olivia’s mother was home. For a
second, she looked a little odd about me being there. Then it was as if it all
became clear to her. There was no reason for her to be suspicious. Olivia was
sick, and odds were that this was innocent. Besides, she had a good daughter.
Olivia had already been spending a lot of time with me, and I think that she
was just glad to finally meet me.

“Mom,
what are you doing home so early?” Olivia asked.

“I
came home because I felt bad about leaving you alone while you were sick. It
looks like your friend picked up the slack, though. I assume you’re Eric. I’ve
heard a lot about you,” she said.

“I
am. I’m sorry if me being here isn’t okay. It’s just that I’m leaving town
tomorrow, so I wanted to spend some time with Olivia, even if she is sick. I
hope that’s all right,” I said.

“It’s
fine. I’m glad she had someone to keep her company while I was gone. You two
spend some time together, and I’ll fix lunch,” she said and walked into the
kitchen.

I
noticed that she still gave me a suspicious look as she left. Olivia’s mother
knew that nothing was going on, but even so, she shot me a protective glance
that let me know not to ever do anything inappropriate with her daughter.

“Wow.
That went better than I thought it would,” Olivia said.

“We
weren’t doing anything wrong. As a matter of fact, all we were doing was
sleeping.”

“Yeah.
Let’s just say you should be glad I’m sick right now. If my mom came in and
found me asleep on a guy in any other situation, I’m pretty sure there would be
hell to pay.”

“I
didn’t think about it like that. Wait a minute. I just realized something.
You’re actually a good girl, aren’t you?”

“What
makes you say that? I’ve been out with some random guy I just met over the last
several nights. That doesn’t sound like an angel to me.”

“I
don’t know. It just sounds like your mom would never expect a guy to be here,
and you genuinely looked worried when she walked in. Not only are you a good
girl,
but
you really care about what people think of you.
I learned something new today,” I teased.

“You
caught me, but it shouldn’t have been a big secret. I told you from the
beginning that I’m pretty much a tease. I like to have fun, but that’s all.
Anything too serious can wait. Besides, with everything my mom and I have gone
through, I don’t want to put her through anything more or give her a heart
attack by suddenly becoming the stereotypical bad girl with daddy issues. Is it
such a bad thing that I’m good? I mean
,
you’re nothing
more than a saint yourself.”

“I
have
no
idea what you’re talking
about. I have a bad side. You just haven’t seen it yet.”

“Oh,
really?
This
from the guy who hadn’t
even kissed a girl before I met him.”

“I’m
just saying. You don’t know what I’m like back in Miami.”

“I
think I do. I’m guessing shy with a side of too pasty to be walking around the
beach.”

“Hey,
that’s not funny.”

“It’s
a little funny. You didn’t answer my question, though.”

“Of
course it’s not a bad thing. I really love that you’re good. I wouldn’t have it
any other way.”

“So
your intentions
were
pure when you
came over that day. That’s surprising. I’ve got to tell you, though, you could
really stand to be a little bad.”

“What
do you mean?”

“Well,
you got sent to the hospital thanks to me, and all you got out of it was a few
kisses. I’m just saying. I might be good, but if pressed, you probably could
have gotten more out of me,” she joked.

“Wait
. . . are you serious?”

“Not
at all, but you should see your face,” Olivia said and laughed.

That laugh was followed by a sneeze, and
she was reminded of just how sick she was. I wrapped my arms around her and
told her the truth about that week.

“Well,
it’s not that I wouldn’t appreciate more, but I think this week went as well as
it could have. I would be scared to change one thing about it. I’m always going
to remember you. You know that, right?”

“You’re
talking like this is goodbye.”

“It
kind of is. You need to rest, and your mom is here now. I’m probably going to
be leaving soon. After that, I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see you again. I
know we weren’t supposed to put labels on this or make it anything other than
something simple, but I think you’re my dream girl. Right now, you’re sick and
in pajamas. Even so, I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful. I think I love you,
and I don’t know how to say goodbye.”

“Then
don’t. When the time comes, just say see you later. Mean it, though. Know that
we’ll see each other again.”

We
talked about simpler things for a time and ate lunch together. Afterward, I
decided to let Olivia rest, though, and let myself out. We exchanged a simple
goodbye. It felt wrong on every level, but I had to go. A quick peck on the
lips and a see you later were all I could think to give her. It was bittersweet.
I had just found what I knew to be the love of my life, and that love was
already over.

I
moped throughout the day until night rolled around. We were leaving early the
next morning, and everyone went to bed quickly. I found myself sitting up in my
room just blankly staring at the wall when my aunt walked passed the doorway.
She could see that I was a mess. The heartbreak was written all over my face.

“What’s
going on with you?” she asked as she sat down beside me.

“I’m
fine. I’m just thinking.”

“It’s
about Heather Winter’s daughter, isn’t it? You’re going to miss her.”

“Yeah,
but it’s more than that. I don’t want to go home.”

“Why
not?”

“I
fit in here. You and Uncle Gary have been so great, and then there’s Olivia.
I’m not going to find any of this back at home. I’m just not.”

“You
will. You’ve just got to be patient. There will be more girls, and I can’t
imagine that you won’t fit in great there. It can be difficult growing up. We
all go through different stages where we feel like an outcast, but it’s normal.
We find our way. It took me a long time to find my place, but I did eventually,
and you will, too. As for Olivia, she’s one girl of many. I know you think she
matters a lot right now, and maybe she does, but she’s just the beginning for
you. You’re going to date so many girls before you find the right one, and
you’re probably going to think a lot of them are right for you, but it just
takes some time for that perfect person in the right situation to fall into our
laps. It’ll all come to you, though. I promise.”

“What
if I’m not wrong about her? What if this is how things are supposed to be?”

“Then
it’ll be that way eventually. You’ll find
your
way
back to her, or she’ll find her way to you. I met your uncle when I was
seventeen, and we dated for a few months, but it didn’t stick. We always came
back to each other through the years, though. We didn’t get married until we
were in our thirties. Good things take time, and I promise those good things
will come to you. You’re too young to worry about any of that right now,
though.”

“Thanks.
I wish my parents were a little more like you. Why didn’t you and Uncle Gary
ever have children? You would have made a great mom.”

“We
just decided it wasn’t for us,” she said in a dejected tone.

I would later find out that they couldn’t
have children. It was Aunt Kristin’s dream to have a child of her own, but it
just wasn’t in the cards for them. That’s the one thing she didn’t tell me that
night. Sometimes fate is funny. It can bring people together, but it can also
make things impossible that we know are right.

She
tucked me in that night. Even after our talk, I didn’t sleep well, but I was eventually
able to drift off. It felt like no sooner than I fell asleep, the alarm went
off. I packed my things and got ready. Then I told my aunt and uncle goodbye.
It was strange. I didn’t even know them a week before, but I was going to miss
them more than I could have ever anticipated.

I
walked out of the house first. My parents and sister were still getting a few
things together. When I stepped out the front door, I noticed that Olivia was
waiting on her front porch. She was still sick, and she didn’t need to be
outside, but there was something she had to say to me. Olivia walked over and
spoke before I could say anything.