Flowers for Olivia

I think Sam is going to kiss me. It’s only fair, this is our second date. Since the first time I saw him walking around campus, I thought he was cute. He has such a sweet smile and an innocent look, he seems like a good boy, the kind you can trust. Maybe boy is not the right word, after all, he is three years older than me, he just turned 23. So basically, he’s already a man. He’s graduating from college this year and soon he will be fully immersed in the adult life. I envy that. I crave the freedom he’s getting.My hands are sweaty, my heart is pounding in my chest. We are entering my street when the car stops I’ll know for sure if he likes me as much as I like him. If he doesn't kiss me, I’ll become a nun... ok, I won’t, but I’ll be pretty disappointed. He pulls the car over in front of my house. My pulse accelerates. What is wrong with me? He is not even that good looking, he is cute, although he looks like an average Starbucks hipster, totally not my style. But he listens to me wh

We arrive at the party and I immediately recognize Sam’s brother, Martin, in the crowd. I feel very uncomfortable with his presence, but I rather not mention it to Miranda. She has no idea he’s here or that he has also seen me and now he and his friends are looking at me in the most hostile way possible. I can only imagine what they must be saying about me. I want to go home and hide under my bed.“Hi! I’m so glad you came,” says Laura, a classmate from college, I must have known she’d be here, she is dating the guy whose house we are in. “I love that dress! You look super cute, Olivia.” She says kindly.“I think I look good too,” says Miranda not been able to bear when someone else gets the attention.“Yes, of course, you both look great,” Laura replies with a big kind smile.They both start chatting next to me, but I have no clue what they are saying. I’m fixated on Martin and his friends. Whatever they are saying about me is not nice at all. I try to look away, but it’s like I can f

A couple of days later, Miranda comes to visit me unannounced (she had no choice since my phone is still off). I really don’t want to see her, I don’t feel like talking about the party or explaining to her why I disappeared from the cyber-world. But I know none of this is her fault, so I greet her with a big smile. She already knows about the online harassment, apparently the story of what happened is being shared by all of our acquaintances, so she has seen several posts online about it. Miranda thinks this whole thing is going away in a few weeks, but she has a proposal to help me distract myself in

My first work week is over. I made it to Friday and, to my own surprise, I’ve been a very efficient employee, I’ve made almost no mistakes and I’ve really enjoyed myself; even on slow days I’ve had a good time because Miranda kept me company thru the phone.I haven’t seen Stefan all week. I don’t know if he’s been around the house or not, or maybe I’ve come too late and missed him. Whatever the reason, I think it’s for the best, I should be as far away from him as I can, even if I’m constantly wishing I’d bump into him when I’m home.Miranda suggests we go out tonight to celebrate. There’s a bar that opened a few weeks ago and it’s supposed to be THE place to be. The idea of taking shots and flirting with strangers sounds great, I need some fun.The place is cram-full. We stand next to the bar and Miranda tries to use her charms to get the attention of the busy bartender. She can’t even get us a beer! It’s not that she’s not pretty, but the place is so full it’s impossible to stand out

I spend the afternoon alone in my room. I take a shower, put on some comfy clothes, and watch movies. I hear a lot of noise downstairs, my dad’s meeting with the intruders is still going on. I want to go to the kitchen to get some snacks, but I don’t want to run into Stefan looking this messy. I wait until the house is quiet and go downstairs. I pour myself a glass of milk and grab as many chocolate chip cookies as I can hold in one hand. I push the swinging door with my back and as I do it someone helps me open it all the way.“Is that your idea of a balanced dinner?” Stefan asks as he holds the door for me.“I’m not listening to health advice from a smoker,” I reply feeling annoyed to bump into him not looking my best. He’s supposed to be gone by now. Why is he still here?Stefan laughs at my response and takes a cookie of my hand.“That’s my dinner,” I complain.“Actually, your dinner is waiting for you in my apartment,” he says as he grabs another cookie. My jaw drops involuntaril