Home / Romance / Until You. / 20-Shrinks, Birthdays, Potato Delights.

Share

20-Shrinks, Birthdays, Potato Delights.

Author: S.C. Tamara
last update Last Updated: 2024-05-12 06:57:04

OLIVIA

"... It's like this lingering emptiness, you know? A heavy cloud that just won't dissipate," I confessed, my voice wavering as I fidgeted with my fingers.

Leaning forward, Dr. Bennett's expression softened. "I can imagine. What's been on your mind today?"

I sighed, struggling to find the right words to explain the messy situation I'm in. "I tried to stick to my usual routine, hanging out with friends, spending time with my boyfriend, but it feels like I'm carrying this invisible weight, and then the guilt sets in, as if I should be stronger, but I'm not at all."

She nodded in understanding, "It's okay not to be okay, Olivia. Can you tell me what the guilt is about?"

"I don't know, maybe it stems from the fact that everyone expects me to be okay, to move on or act like it's just another day, but it's not. It's the day my mum died, and I can't shake that off," I confessed.

"Expectations, whether from others or ourselves, can be difficult. What do you feel when you think about he
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Until You.   21-Caffeine, Jealousy, New Year's Eve.

    OLIVIAIf you had asked me two years ago whether I'd find myself with a boyfriend, two amazing friends, and a semblance of a normal life, I would've likely laughed in your face. I might have even considered dumping iced coffee on you for suggesting such a wild scenario. Well, maybe not the coffee part, but you catch my drift.Back then, high school felt like a pit of despair, and the thought of turning 18 was more of a burden than a celebration. But hey, time works in mysterious ways, amirite? Now I'm at UCLA, with my best friend by my side, I'm dating a great guy, I met Izzy and of course Lucas and Tyler. Oh, and let's not forget my ongoing love affair with fries – it has only intensified. Just yesterday, Matteo surprised me with a batch for the dorm, and, well, let's say he received some well-deserved appreciation. I'm now trading sex for fries? God, Olivia!On the therapy front, things are progressing well, I'm making efforts to move forward, and academic success is on my side. S

    Last Updated : 2024-05-12
  • Until You.   22-Love, Beaches, Forgotten Memories.

    UNKNOWN NARRATOR.The sun descended toward the horizon, painting the sandy shore with a warm glow. I discovered a tranquil spot on the beach, nestled against the gentle curve of the dunes. The rhythmic lull of the waves and the distant calls of seagulls crafted a serene ambiance, enveloping me in relaxation. These are the moments that define life's splendor.As I embraced the calming sea breeze, my focus shifted to a couple not far away. They appeared lost in their own world, exchanging laughter and heartfelt conversation. Their gestures spoke volumes of a love that echoed loudly. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.Observing closely, the man leaned in, delicately tucking her hair behind her ears, his words carried away by the wind. "Our love is like the tide, impossible to ignore."Those words stirred something within me – a familiar echo of similar words once uttered in another time, another place.I recalled a similar evening, a shared moment under a different sunset. "Our l

    Last Updated : 2024-05-12
  • Until You.   23-Jitters, Grades, Unexpected Revelations.

    OLIVIA.Sunlight filtered through the curtains, stirring me from my bed. The groan escaped as the reality of the day hit – the amazing break was over, and now college awaited once again.I dragged myself from the warmth of my blanket, stumbling towards the bathroom, where the shock of a cold shower acted as a reluctant wake-up call.Wrapped in a robe, I made my way to the kitchen, the enticing scent of coffee filled the air drawing me in."Have I mentioned how much I love you?" I exclaimed, seizing the cup Emma had thoughtfully set aside for me."Morning, sleeping beauty," Izzy teased, peering over her magazine with a playful grin.I chuckled, settling onto a kitchen stool. "Morning to you too. Any exciting plans for the day?"She scoffed, "You know damn well the only exciting plan is surviving the first day of class today."Emma and I burst into laughter, nodding in agreement.Amidst the comfortable silence of coffee slurping and cereal munching, Izzy's eyes widened as she cackled in

    Last Updated : 2024-05-12
  • Until You.   24-Truths, Teases, Tangled Emotions.

    DANTEThe gentle purr of the espresso machine greeted me upon entering my home. I loosened the buttons on my jacket, experiencing a subtle sense of relief. Despite my love for work, returning home brought a slightly soothing comfort. The jacket found its spot on a nearby chair.Making my way to the kitchen, I traced the source of the humming espresso machine. Valentina, wrapped in her robe, moved with grace within the room."Quite a bold choice, parading around the house like that," I remarked, filling a glass with water and downing it promptly."I wasn't expecting you to be here so early," she retorted, shifting her gaze towards me, a radiant smile instantly gracing her face."Hey, baby," she purred, gliding in my direction."Hey, babe," a kiss landed on her lips."I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival all day; I've got a surprise for you beneath this robe," she hinted with a suggestive smile.I rolled my eyes, turning away from the nauseating couple before me.Valentina and I's re

    Last Updated : 2024-05-12
  • Until You.   25-Tropes, Reconciliations, Emotional Turmoil.

    OLIVIA.Sitting in my room, the muffled voices of Izzy and Lucas echoing from her room, I can't help but marvel at the irony of the situation. It's like a plot straight out of those books and movies I've always adored – the classic friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope.I've always found the tension and drama of such narratives intriguing. They start as the best of friends, inseparable, only to be torn apart by some colossal issue. The animosity that follows is palpable, filling the plot with heated arguments, subtle glances, and unspoken feelings. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, and right now, Izzy and Lucas are riding that tumultuous journey in her room.The past week has been nothing short of awkward tension between them. Ignoring each other, avoiding eye contact, it's like walking on a tightrope, waiting for the inevitable clash. And now, as I sit here, their voices reaching me in heated argument, I can't help but hope that this is the turning point. This should be it.In every wel

    Last Updated : 2024-05-12
  • Until You.   26-Bookstores, Dreams, Lost Memories.

    UNKNOWN.I kept catching glimpses of the man staring at me from across the bookstore, appearing to be in his mid-20s. I looked away, expressing gratitude to the bookstore attendant as she handed me the book I needed – "Pride and Prejudice," a novel my mum enjoyed reading repeatedly. Well, I can't deny, it's not that bad.Lifting my head, I observed the once-staring guy now a few feet away from me.Deciding to break the ice, I said, "Hi."He grinned, his smile bright and handsome, "Hey.""If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're following me, maybe even stalking. Do I need to bring out my pepper spray?" I eyed him warily.Damn it, Ro. No one says that EVER to a potential stalker or kidnapper."You come here quite often. I've noticed you for a while now, but I finally gathered the courage to come speak with you today," he explained.He went on, "I'm Finn, by the way."I responded with a smile, "Rose. You can call me Ro.""Nice to meet you, Ro. So, what brings you to the bookstore tod

    Last Updated : 2024-05-12
  • Until You.   27-Apologies, Forgiveness, Pity Fries.

    OLIVIA.That familiar feeling of "Oh, my life's going great," only to be followed by a twist of fate - I've known it throughout my life. From dreaming of marrying James at 8 to experiencing my first kiss, my mother's passing, arriving at UCLA, and now, my first college boyfriend. Will I ever get my happy ending?I had a conversation with Dr. Bennett in our therapy session yesterday, and she kept apologizing for accidentally letting Matteo in on things. At first, I wanted to blame her, but deep down, I knew it wasn't her fault. After all, I never told Matteo anything, and I chose not to inform her that he remained oblivious. Now, it feels like I'm the one in the wrong in this situation, and I feel really guilty.On the flip side, what Matteo had to say to me wasn't nice. It was rude and mean, something I never expected from him. Glancing at my phone, I observed yet another incoming message.Matteo: I'm sorry Olly, can you at least pick up your phone? Please.A week has passed since Mat

    Last Updated : 2024-05-12
  • Until You.   28-Parties, Tension, Dismissed Emotions.

    OLIVIA.It's Matteo and Izzy's birthday, marking their entrance into the grand world of 20-year-olds. I've been playfully teasing them all day about joining the "old team," conveniently ignoring the fact that I myself turned 20 just a couple of months ago. But hey, who's keeping track?Matteo is throwing a huge party at his apartment, and naturally, Izzy is obliged to attend. With Izzy in, it's a given that Emma and I are also on the guest list.So here we are, standing outside Matteo's place in our chic dresses and towering high heels.The desire to bail is hitting me hard, because guess who's expected to be inside? If you're thinking what I'm thinking, you're spot on.Gianna.It's not like I'm scared of her, but Matteo and I just went through a rocky phase in our relationship. I'm not eager for Gianna to stir up more issues, considering trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes."Can we finally head inside?" Emma impatiently questioned Isabella, who was savoring the last drop fr

    Last Updated : 2024-05-12

Latest chapter

  • Until You.   40–Texts, Surprises, Conflicting Emotions.

    OLIVIA.Days had gone by since my mum’s return, and I was still processing everything. It felt like an endless whirlwind of emotions—surreal, disorienting, and yet, oddly comforting at times. She was here, alive. I had my mum back. That reality hadn’t fully sunk in yet, and I wasn’t sure it ever would.We’d been spending a lot of time together, talking, reconnecting, and even having a few sessions with Dr. Bennet. It was going well so far. But it wasn’t without its struggles. The nightmares were back. The ones where my mum died in that accident. The same haunting images that had plagued my sleep for years. And the worst part? They felt even more terrifying now because my mum was alive and standing right in front of me. I couldn’t shake the fear that something would happen to her again.That’s probably why it was good that she was staying with my dad for the time being. At least there, I could feel like she was safe, even if just for a while.But the one thing I wasn’t prepared for? Th

  • Until You.   39–Tears, Monitors, A Mother's Love.

    A faint beeping sound pulled me from my unconsciousness. My chest felt heavy, my limbs weak, and when I tried to open my eyes, the bright light above me made me wince.I blinked slowly, my vision adjusting, and the stark white ceiling came into focus. I wasn’t at home. The sterile smell of antiseptic hit me next, and I realized I was in a hospital room.Panic surged through me as flashes of what happened earlier began to surface. Aunt Stella’s coffee shop. My dad. Her.My breathing quickened, and the heart monitor to my left beeped louder, faster. I turned my head slightly, wincing at the sharp ache in my chest, and saw Emma sitting in a chair beside me, her face pale and her eyes red-rimmed. She wasn’t scrolling on her phone or fidgeting like she usually did. Instead, she stared at me like I might disappear if she looked away.“Emma,” I croaked, my voice raspy and dry.She shot up from her seat, knocking the chair over in the process. “Oh my God, Olly, you’re awake,” she said, her vo

  • Until You.   38–Truth, Bonds, A Mother's Return.

    OLIVIAIzzy and I sat on the couch in the living room, the air thick with unspoken tension. Emma, standing in the center of the room with a determined look, waited for us to break the silence."Well?" she prompted, her gaze sharp and expectant.Izzy finally broke the silence, her voice laced with anger. "Well? What do you want me to say? I just found out one of my best friends was sleeping with my brother behind my back, and none of you had the decency to tell me. Am I supposed to be excited about this?""First of all, I knew about it, but it wasn’t my place to tell you," Emma replied, her tone defensive. "I’ve known Olivia since we were kids, and it's not that simple—""Of course you knew," Izzy cut in. "And I’m just the girl you all met here, forced into being best friends because we’re roommates."Emma sighed. "That’s not what I meant. Both Olivia and I care about you and want what's best for you. We messed up, and we’re sorry. But we shouldn’t let this ruin what we have."Emma glan

  • Until You.   37–Confrontations, Confessions, Cold Statements.

    OLIVIA.As I rode down from the intense high of my orgasm, collapsing against Dante, my breath came in ragged gasps. His whispered words, "Best birthday gift ever," sent a shiver down my spine, but as he brought his fingers, still warm from our intimate encounter, to his lips and sensually licked them clean, a rush of panic flooded my senses.Reality crashed down on me, overwhelming the lingering haze of pleasure, a sense of unease gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. What had I just done?My eyes widened in realization, and I hurriedly straightened my ridden-up dress, cursing softly under my breath. Grabbing my phone and purse, which I had barely noticed I had discarded, I rushed towards the elevator, my heart pounding in my chest.Dante's urgent calls for me to wait echoed in the background, but I couldn't bring myself to face him. I needed to escape, to put distance between us before I drowned in the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.Fumbling with the buttons, I despera

  • Until You.   36–Elevators, Attractions, Uncontrolled Desire.

    OLIVIA.Stepping into the building, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. Did I really want to be here? The thought nagged at me, but I pushed it aside. I was already here; there was no turning back now.Approaching the reception desk, I was met with a curious and a bit of familiar glance from the concierge. I racked my brain, trying to place where I might have seen her before, but nothing came to mind."Olivia?" the concierge asked, her voice tinged with familiarity.I nodded hesitantly, unsure of how I was recognized. Nevertheless, the concierge gestured for me to proceed.Making my way to the elevator that led to Dante's penthouse, I couldn't shake the feeling of doubt creeping in. Was I making a mistake by coming here? But I reasoned with myself - I was just here to talk, right?The elevator doors slid open, revealing Dante's living room bathed in natural light. I stepped out tentatively, glancing around the spacious and impeccably decorated space, unsure of what to do now that I

  • Until You.   35-Noon, Peonies, Guilty Pleasures.

    OLIVIA.It was a lazy afternoon, and predictably mundane.With just one class scheduled, the rest of the day stretched out before me, a yawning expanse of time waiting to be filled. Izzy was out for lunch with Lucas, while Emma was likely holed up in her room, immersed in a video call with Tyler.I found myself in the living room, sprawled on the couch with a bag of fries in hand, indulging in one of my guilty pleasures-re-watching "Wild Child" for what must have been the tenth time. I couldn't help but mouth along to some of the lines.Suddenly, the shrill ring of the doorbell pierced the air, shattering the serenity of my lazy afternoon. I groaned inwardly, my head falling back against the cushions as I silently prayed for Emma to magically emerge and answer the door.But of course, luck wasn't on my side that day. The doorbell rang again, and Emma's voice echoed from her room, oblivious to my silent plea. "There's someone at the door, Olly!!!" she shouted, her voice carrying a hint

  • Until You.   34-Toasts, College, Conflicting Emotions.

    OLIVIA.I woke up to the annoying buzz of my alarm, the morning sun already streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow over my room. Groaning, I fumbled to turn it off, feeling the weight of the day ahead settling over me like a heavy blanket. Today was going to be a challenge, and I wasn't sure I was ready to face it.Dragging myself out of bed, I went through the motions of my morning routine. Thoughts of Matteo crept into my mind, along with a surge of anger and guilt that I wasn't prepared to deal with just yet. And then there was the constant charade of pretending everything was fine around Izzy, living under the same roof while hiding the truth.Before I could dwell too much on my thoughts, Emma barged into my room, her usual morning grumpiness evident on her face. Without even waiting for a response, she mumbled something about needing my toothpaste and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving me to shake my head in exasperation.Turning my attention to my dresser, I rum

  • Until You.   33-Dreams, Beaches, Tides of Memories.

    I settled into my usual spot on the beach, the gentle sound of waves washing over the shore. With a sigh of contentment, I took a sip of my drink, letting the tropical flavors dance across my palate. As I glanced around, families scattered along the shoreline caught my eye, parents chasing after their children, laughter ringing out like a melody. A pang of longing tugged at my heart as I observed mothers chasing after their children, their husbands by their side, the picture of domestic bliss.My mind wandered back to Finn, the memory of him etched vividly in my thoughts. It had been a month since that unexpected recollection, since the dream that felt more real than reality itself. Since then, he had become a constant presence in my mind, his smile haunting my dreams, his voice a distant echo in the recesses of my memory.My therapist assured me that it was normal, that after years of cognitive exercises and memory training, fragments of my past would resurface. Yet, each dream felt

  • Until You.   32–Thoughts, Uncertainty, Shocking Revelations.

    DANTE.It's been a couple of days—two days since I made what could either be the best or worst decision of my life, and I can't get it out of my head. The entire day after she left, her scent seemed to linger everywhere, only fueling the thoughts swirling in my mind. Olivia, my brother's ex-girlfriend.My train of thought was abruptly interrupted by the chiming of my phone. Glancing at the screen, I saw a notification from the building's concierge service: "Visitor waiting in lobby."I stood up from my seat and headed towards the discreetly installed intercom system in the corner of the room.Pressing the button, I connected with the concierge downstairs. "Good morning, Mr. Russo. Sorry for the interruption. Your driver, Sean, is here. Should I send him up?""Tell him to take the day off. I'll be working from home today," I replied."Understood, sir."With that, I ended the call and returned to my thoughts, only to be interrupted by the intercom buzzing again. I responded impatiently,

DMCA.com Protection Status