Part 5
Olivia had continued to have dreams about the mysterious man and the bomb but kept them to herself as her friends assured her they would work it all out.
She made it through the next days as best as she could. Staying relatively calm while trying to choke down the constant lump in her throat. She’d made it until the evening before it launched out resulting in a sprint to the bathroom and the burning of lactic acid coating her throat. The smell of the gas from the stove setting off the sense memory of her dream.
It was Wednesday morning and she was in the shower before school. Her lack of sleep was really starting to get to her so she sat down, pulled her knees into her chest and let the water run over her, taking a short break.
She was startled awake about 15 minutes later when the shower door swung open revealing a very confused Cheryl.
“I was wondering why you were taking so long. Wait, why are you on the floor? Were you asleep?”
“Uh…I-I…” Olivia stammered having no idea how to respond.
“It’s already 7 o’clock, you are definitely gonna miss first period. I’m gonna have to write you a note. Now hurry up, Mama can give you a ride on her way to her shoot.” Cheryl followed up quickly to usher her along.
Olivia stood up nodding and pulling the shower door shut as her Mom turned on her heels and leaving the room.
She turned off the faucet before internally face palming and thudding her forehead against the glass.
This was going to be a long day.
-
By the time she got to school she had missed all of first and most of second period so she just went straight to the locker room for her 3rd period gym class as the bell would be ringing soon anyway.
She was already changed and sitting on the bench scrolling through her phone as the other girls filled in and headed to their lockers. She waited for Chloe and Annie to arrive as they’d both texted her numerous times this morning regarding her late arrival.
“What the hell man? Where were you this morning?” Chloe called out as she entered the locker room and crossed to Olivia, Annie following her close behind.
“I, um, just missed my alarm clock, thats all.” She responded but still received questioning looks.
She lowered her voice and continued, “You guys know I haven’t been sleeping,”
The two girls let out a sigh upon the realization Olivia was referring to her nightmare.
Chloe spoke up first, “Liv, I hate seeing you like this! You’ve got to let this go!”
Olivia looked up, feeling her eyes prick with tears. One escaped and slipped down her cheek before she was able to brush it off with the back of her hand.
“It’s really that bad?” She continued after spotting the tears.
Olivia cleared her throat before responding.
“I know it’s seems stupid but I swear sometimes I can feel this scorching heat all over my face. And the smell, like, burning. It makes me so nauseous. But mostly - I-I can’t close my eyes without seeing him…” she trailed off as her throat got tighter and more tears came through.
Annie squatted down to Olivia’s level on the bench and put her hand on her knee trying to give her some comfort.
“Olivia,” she started, treading carefully, “maybe you should tell your Mom’s about this, maybe they could get you some help?”
Olivia’s eyes widened as she jumped to her feet immediately getting defensive.
“NO! No. You know what? Forget about it, I’m fine, it’s all fine, I’ll handle it,” she rushed out not making eye contact and attempting to make an exit from the conversation.
There is no way her mothers would understand. They’d think she’s cuckoo bananas.
“Woah, woah, woah hold on,”
“Wait a second, Liv? Wait!”
Chloe and Annie objected at the same time.
“Listen, why don’t we go downstairs and say hi to my mom after lunch later at Pops? You can see that everything’s ok?” Annie responded hesitantly as Chloe nodded along.
Olivia immediately perked up having gotten her way.
“Okay, that’s great! I wanted to go by and take a look around anyway.”
“For what?” Chloe asked.
“Just to make sure everything’s normal and nothings been tampered with. In my dream I had seen him come from the boiler room. Did you ever email the staffing company?”
“Um, no,” Annie honestly thought she’d have dropped this by now, “I’ll do it tonight.”
“Ok great! Sounds like a plan! I’m gonna run to the bathroom quick before class,” Olivia replied and scurried off towards the stalls, leaving her two friends behind.
“This is going to far, Chlo,”
“Well maybe after tonight she’ll feel better? Or else what do we do? Tell Aunt Cheryl and Aunt Toni?”
The bell rings signaling the beginning of the period and the girls leave the locker room to head over to the gyms.