Until You.

OLIVIA.Arriving at Aunt Stella's, we exited the cab and walked in after paying. It felt like entering a haven of warmth and nostalgia. The rustic charm enveloped us as soft jazz tunes played in the background. Cozy booths with worn leather seats and mismatched throw pillows offered a private retreat. Fresh flowers adorned the tables, and the aroma of coffee and baked goods filled the air.Aunt Stella, with her bright smile, bustled behind the counter. The unique decorations - vintage posters, paintings, and antique teapots, added character to the space. The gentle glow of pendant lamps cast a warm ambiance, creating a play of shadows on the walls adorned with framed photographs."Emma, Oh my lovely Emma, how I've missed you," Stella cooed once she sighted us, locking Em in a tight hug and pinching her cheeks."Auntieeee," Emma groaned."I can imagine how that feels," Isabella giggled. "My mum is almost worse than this."I laughed, shaking my head, turning when Aunt Stella acknowledge

OLIVIAI had just finished talking to my Dad and was about going to bed when Emma knocked on the door and opened it.I glanced up from my bed as Emma walked in, her usual spark dimmed by a heavy emotion I couldn't place. "Emma, what's going on?" I asked, concern lining my voice.She took a deep breath and then, after a moment's hesitation, spilled the weight on her shoulders. "My mum- she called me today."Surprise registered on my face before morphing into understanding. "Your mum? That's- unexpected. How do you feel about it?"Emma perched on the edge of my bed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. 'Feelin' kinda confused, I guess? It's been years, Olly, and outta the blue, she hits me up. Talking 'bout she's in a better place now, tryna sort herself out. But it's just- it's tough, you know?'I moved from my position to sit beside her, wrapping my arms around her. "I can't even imagine, Em. That's a lot to process. How did the call make you feel?"She sighed, her voice

MATTEOThe morning sun pierced through my eyelids, a painful reminder of the night's escapades. Blinking away the haze of sleep, I found myself in my room at my family's mansion. The lingering scent of last night's revelry clung to the air.Dragging myself out of bed, the rhythmic thud in my head betrayed the previous night's excesses. Olivia's laughter echoed in my mind, a melody that had unexpectedly become a part of my memories. The mere thought of her smile left a warmth that almost countered the throbbing headache.Descending the staircase, the clinking of cutlery reached my ears, guiding me to the kitchen. My initial assumption of peace and quietness was shattered when I laid eyes on Dante. Impeccably dressed, a stoic facade, and sipping on black coffee as if he had it all figured out."What are you doing here?" I muttered, my voice hoarse, still tethered to the remnants of sleep.He continued typing on his phone without missing a beat. "Making sure the house is still standing."

OLIVIAThe morning sun cast a gentle glow over the villa's poolside terrace, and I found myself waking up to a brand new day, wrapped in the lingering magic of the night before. Matteo's touch on my shoulder stirred me, his voice softly breaking the silence."Olivia, it's morning."Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I stretched and yawned. In a daze, I mumbled, "Morning already?" still lost in the haze between dreams and reality. I looked around and realized we fell asleep beside the pool.Matteo chuckled, a warmth in his eyes. "Time flies when you're having fun. It's 7:00 am."I inwardly groaned.As we both rose from the makeshift bed, – or you could say the heavy blanket that served as insulation, the reality of the impending departure hung in the air. "We should probably get ready to leave," Matteo suggested, his reluctance mirroring my own.I sighed, "Do we have to? This place is like a freaking dream."He smiled, his eyes holding a shared sentiment. "As much as I'd love to sta

OLIVIAGetting up from bed and stepping into the world often feels like signing up for a game of "How many things can go wrong today?"That's right.First, there's the struggle with the alarm clock, rudely interrupting my fake and peaceful scenarios more interesting than the reality I'm about to face.Then comes the bathroom routine and wardrobe crisis. Do you go for comfort and risk resembling a zombie who hasn't eaten brains for days, or do you attempt to look like a functional human being? Comfort is easier but uglier.The walk or drive to school has to be the most challenging part. You're on the road knowing you're walking or driving into everlasting doom, yeah, that's what college feels like sometimes, and you can't really do anything about it. I mean there's the choice of dropping out and eloping with the man of my dreams, maybe Chris Hemsworth, if he ever notices me that is, but-And finally, you arrive at college grounds, and it's a miracle if you make it through the day with