I stepped hesitantly onto my parents porch. Knocking on the door, I looked around, "I've missed this place." That was true. I haven't even been at college that long but we've been in this fight since I left. I don't really even remember why we fought.

I turned around to see a small little girl. And I quickly recognized that it was honey. "Honey! Hey, baby girl."

"Liv." All she said was a little nickname, but it just happened to be the nickname Carter gave me.

I walked in feeling comfortable and at home. Of course, this was - is my home.

Reluctantly letting go of Honey, I asked, "Where are mom and dad?"

Her head cocked to the side before she ran in the opposite direction she was standing. I stood there confused and alone. I took a couple steps inside and closed the door behind me. Everything was still in place the way I remembered it.

Before I had more time to investigate, mom came around the corner, being dragged by Honey. "Oh dear," she smiled. "I've missed you." She came up to me with a big bear hug.

"Where's dad?" I asked, breaking the hug.

She blushed a little which made me nervous. "He's not home from work yet. Come to the kitchen, I'll make you dinner."

"No, mom. I'm really fine." I laughed. "Can I just relax?"

She smiled, "Of course." Before going to the kitchen to do whatever.

Honey remained at my side as she gazed up at me with a smile.

"I've missed you," I grabbed her hand and smiled warmly.

She nodded, causing me to giggle a bit to myself. I let go of her hand and looked around the living area.

"Sit," Honey commanded, and so I sat.

As my body sank into the cushions, everything around me seemed to melt. And all the memories of good times with my family fluttered around me. I shook my head and took them all away. I was here to apologize for our fight and that was it; along with staying here for a few days so I could avoid Carter... but they don't need to know that.

I was on my way driving to Olivia's old home when my phone began to be blown up with calls from Amber. I kept asking myself, How did she get my number?

Finally pulling over to answer, I sighed, "Make it quick."

"Okay, okay. Meet me at this address." As she said so a text came through naming a suspicious address.

"What do you want?"

"To spend time with you. And make you realize that you're in love with me." She snarled.

My teeth grinded against each other, "I'm not in love with you. I never was! Let this go Amber. You're ruining everything. My plans, my future, my chances with Olivia."

"I did nothing to ruin your little love rest." Amber argued with me. I could hear dozens of people in the background so I assumed that she was luring me into a party.

"You told her something," I went on, "I don't know what is was but you scared her away from me." Then I quickly hung up and put my phone in the seat next to me.

I didn't have time for this right now. All I needed was to get to Olivia's home and apologize for anything Amber said.

Multiple hours passed and night had fallen. I'd finally arrived in her home town but stopped on the side of the road to rest. It probably wasn't the safest thing to do, but I wasn't exactly thinking much.

Morning came again. So I freshened up with the things I packed and drove the rest of the way to Liv's house. I'd gotten there about 20 minutes later.

"Hello, may I help you?" A short woman greeted me at the door. This must be her mom, I thought to myself.

"Actually yes," I replied, "I'm here for Olivia."

"You know Olivia?" She backed away, seeming frightened. I held my hand out to stop her but she pulled her hand away. "Who are you?" She asked but I

didn't answer. "Who are you?" She asked again, this time more demanding.

"I'm Carter..."

"What do you have to do with my daughter?" She worried.

I sighed, "With all so respect ma'am, that should stay between me and Liv for now."

Her eyes widened. "Liv? Her name is Olivia." She glared, "What have you been doing with my daughter?!" This time she shouted.

Then, as Olivia's mother stood there shooting me daggers, a shadow was appearing from around the corner. "Mom, what are you-" the familiar voice was cut off when it came around the corner to see me. The voice was Olivia.

"Do you know this young man?" Her mom asked immediately.

"Yes." She stared. "I do." She whispered something into her mothers ear that caused her to leave the room. This left Liv and I alone.

"God, I've missed you." He admitted I'm a low, smokey voice.

I stayed silent, not wanting to let all of my feelings flood onto him at once. He took advantage of my loss of words by kissing me. It felt deeper than any other kiss we've shared. However, I can't say we've really ever kissed much.

I forced myself to break the kiss and ask him, "Why did you play me?"

"Play you?" He started, "Listen... whatever Amber told you is a lie. She's trying to sabotage everything we have for each other."

My eyes widened and my heart began to beat faster. I was flowing with rage now. "You can't be serious." I sobbed. My emotions were turning off from relieved, enraged, and depressed every split second. "She lied?"

"Are you that surprised?" He laughed and gently pecked my forehead. I reluctantly pulled back from him, but kept myself in his embrace.

I looked up to tell him, "I really like you." At the time I had no clue of why or how I said this. He knew I liked him, so why did I say it this way? Instead, my mind corrected itself when I moved closer to his chest. And I took in a slow breath before saying:

"I love you."

*************

🖤🖤🖤