The week following their kiss was filled with a mixture of excitement and unease. Both Alex and Olivia found themselves drawn closer together, but their worlds seemed to conspire against them. Alex, with the pressures of football and his responsibilities, and Olivia, with the growing expectations of her family and the looming shadow of Gabriel.
---
Morning on Campus
Alex was up early, as always, already on the field before the sun fully rose. He had always found solace in the quiet of the morning, but today his mind was anything but calm. The memory of Olivia lingered, her voice, her touch, her words.
As Marcus arrived for practice, he caught Alex mid-sprint, a knowing grin spreading across his face.
"So," Marcus began, tossing a water bottle at Alex, "you're either running from something or running to something. Care to share?"
"Just clearing my head," Alex replied, catching the bottle and taking a sip.
Marcus leaned against the fence, his grin unwavering. "Clearing it from Olivia, maybe?"
Alex shot him a look but didn't deny it.
"You've got it bad, man," Marcus said, laughing. "Just make sure it doesn't mess with your game. The team's counting on you."
"It won't," Alex said firmly, but even he wasn't sure.
---
The Art Studio
Meanwhile, Olivia sat in the art studio, staring at a blank canvas. She wanted to paint, needed to paint, but her thoughts kept circling back to Alex.
Mia strolled in, as she often did, carrying two cups of coffee.
"Let me guess," Mia said, setting a cup down beside Olivia. "You're thinking about him."
Olivia sighed, picking up the coffee. "Is it that obvious?"
"Painfully," Mia teased, sitting across from her. "So, what's the deal? Are you two... together?"
"I don't know," Olivia admitted, her voice quiet. "It's complicated."
"Liv, everything in life is complicated. You just have to decide if it's worth the effort," Mia said, her tone uncharacteristically serious.
Olivia nodded slowly, staring at the blank canvas again. "He's worth it. I just... don't know if I am."
---
Family Dinner
That evening, Olivia attended a formal dinner at her parents' house. It was a routine affair, filled with business conversations and shallow compliments. Gabriel was there, of course, seated beside her at the long dining table.
"You've been quiet tonight," Gabriel said, leaning closer.
"Just tired," Olivia replied, forcing a polite smile.
Gabriel chuckled. "Or distracted? Let me guess... the football player?"
Olivia's smile faltered, but she recovered quickly. "You seem very interested in my life, Gabriel."
"I just want what's best for you," he said, his tone smooth. "And I'm not sure he can offer that."
Olivia set her fork down, her patience wearing thin. "Gabriel, what I do or who I see is none of your concern."
Her father, sitting at the head of the table, overheard the exchange. "Olivia, is there something we should know?"
"Not at all," Olivia said quickly, forcing another smile. "Excuse me."
She stood and left the table, her chest tight. She needed air, needed space.
---
Late Night on the Field
Alex was on the field again that night, working through drills under the floodlights. He didn't hear Olivia approach until she was standing just behind him.
"Is this where you always hide?" she asked softly.
Alex turned, surprised but not displeased to see her. "You could say that. What about you? Late-night walks are becoming a habit."
"Sometimes, it's the only way to think clearly," Olivia admitted, stepping closer.
Alex studied her for a moment. "You look like you've had a rough night."
"You could say that," Olivia replied, her voice quieter now.
"Want to talk about it?" Alex asked, his tone gentle.
Olivia hesitated before nodding. "My family... Gabriel... It's like they're determined to remind me that I'm supposed to follow their script, live their way. And you? You don't fit into their plan."
Alex stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "And does their plan matter to you?"
Olivia looked up at him, her green eyes meeting his blue ones. "It shouldn't. But sometimes, it's hard to ignore."
Alex nodded slowly. "I get it. My life's not exactly simple either. But you... you make it worth it."
Olivia's breath hitched at his words. For a moment, she said nothing, then finally stepped closer, resting her head against his chest. "Why do you always say the right thing?"
"Maybe because it's the truth," Alex said, wrapping his arms around her.
They stood there in the quiet of the field, the world fading away as they found solace in each other.