12 The Waiting Game

It had almost been two weeks when she finally heard from Laila. Spring break was almost over and she had hoped to have spent a full day with the sisters during that time. With no such luck they had arranged to meet when everyone was back in school. Apparently Laila's mother took such a liking to Olivia that she wanted to take her to a dinner and show. Delighted they arranged to go to the following Friday.

Olivia found herself walking around Cherry Coeden Park before meeting up with Blair and Autumn at their rendezvous for their picnic. It was her designated day off, she was able to choose which two days she wanted off since she was working 8 hour days during spring brake. She chose today for a very special reason since it was Friday and the cherry blossoms would be falling soon, the park always did a special event were they would play out the founder's fairy tale for everyone to see.

It started around mid-day and ended around 3:00 p.m. so Olivia made sure she was there two hours early. She was determined to pick the best spot to watch the actors from. As there was no physical stage the actors used the path and the trees to perform their play so there were designated areas where people could put their blankets down in order to not get in the way of the actors. The also closed off the area so that anyone who didn't know about the event would not accidentally walk into the play.

When she finally made it to the designated area she rejoiced as the spot she was hoping for was available. Olivia scurried over and laid out her blanket for 6. She was really hoping that the Masama sisters would come along with them but they were out of town. Olivia placed her picnic bag at the edge of the blanket and sat down. She figure she might as well flip through her new constellation and space album to pass the time.

As she got into a comfortable position and cracked open her album a husky voice called out to her "Olivia! Fancy seeing you here." Olivia let a large smile dawn her face as she turn to Eli. "Are you here to get the best spot to see the play? Well to bad I got here first! Ha ha ha!"

"Well I can always place our picnic blanket next to yours and still call it the best spot you know." Olivia giggled at Eli's words. "I guess you can. So does that mean you merry band of men will be joining you today?"

Eli laid the blanket down before answering "Well of course my lady!" and gave Olivia a very exaggerated bow. Eli and his friends had been spending more time with Autumn, Blair and herself during the last two weeks. The boys made an effort to greet them every morning and find them at lunch every day. They would also make an effort to show up at any fun places they were at and if they couldn't make it they would always give them a grand farewell. During that time Olivia wasn't sure when, but she suddenly stopped blushing at every action Eli did and was able to have full conversations with him.

"So Olivia what were you going to do for two hours by yourself?" Eli asked

"Oh! I was going to look through my new album! You know that space probe they released a couple of months ago? Well it sent back pictures of deep space and everything that happens out there! I was super excited that the album came out and my dad bought it for me! He called it my almost birthday gift." Olivia had her fangirl switch turned on. Her eyes were huge and twinkling while her cheeks were touched with a blush of pink and the way she talked so passionately about her interests Eli couldn't help himself and the word just slipped out of his mouth "Beautiful..."

Olivia blinked a couple of times as her fangirl mode was starting to unwind. Her eyes started to look at the cover of the album as she replied "Ya it really is beautiful out there isn't it." she gently stroked the cover of the book lost in her thoughts.

"So it's almost your birthday?" Eli asked while rubbing his neck. Olivia wasn't sure why he felt embarrassed but she quickly learned that this was his little quirk when he felt embarrassed about something. Olivia giggled as she replied "No my birthday is May 23rd. It's just when my dad finds out I want something he uses any excuse to give it to me as a gift on whatever the 23rd day of blank month it is."

"Why the 23rd?" Eli asked. It was strange to him that her father would give her gifts on the 23rd of whatever month. Maybe he just really loved that number as it was the day she was born?

There was a long moment of silence before Olivia answered with a sad smile "He just wants me to like the 23rd again." Eli nodded in understanding and Olivia was thankful for it. She knew that Eli wasn't a bad guy, a natural flirt but he had a big heart. Maybe one day she could share the whole truth with him but it just was not going to be today. She didn't want things to be awkward between them so she asked if he wanted to look through the album with her.

It took a whole hour for them to flip through the album and Olivia was thankful the album was not any longer than what it was. To have Eli so close to her, smell so good and looking so good she couldn't stop her heart from beating so loudly. She felt exhausted and laid back with a thud. It was going to be another half hour before everyone else started to show up and other people were starting to fill the areas.

"Eli?" she asked "What's up?" he replied.

"When's your birthday?

"July 12th"

"What's your favorite color?" she asked lazily.

"Aqua"

"What's your favorite food?" she asked a little bit more excited.

"Pizza, sushi, meat, fish, sweet fruits, meat, any vegetables, bacon and meat"

"So you really like meat?" she asked with a small giggle.

"Sure do!"

"I don't know what you guys brought for food to munch on during the break of the play but I made a lot of food and I am very confident in my home made meatballs." Olivia couldn't help but blush. She really wanted him to try her cooking especially since he always started at her packed lunch.

"Why do I have to wait? Can I not try one know and let you know my opinion?" Eli asked. Olivia was a little taken back by his question. She quickly nodded her head in agreement and opened her huge picnic bag. She took out the container that held the meatballs and opened it. Steam has coming out showing that the meatballs were still warm. Olivia tried to give a fork to Eli but he shook his head no at it.

"Feed me. With the way it smells right now I can guarantee you I will not stop at just one." with that comment Eli leaned in closer, closed his eyes and opened his mouth. Olivia blushed a bright red as she looked at the waiting Eli and then to the meatballs. She took a big gulp before puncturing one of the meatballs with the fork. She trembled slightly as she moved the meatball from the container and towards Eli's mouth. Once Eli felt the sauce on his tongue he chomped the meatball off the fork and straighten his back. Olivia quickly closed the lid on the container and placed it back into her bag.

She nervously looked at Eli as he savored each bite. Once he swallowed she stared at him with anticipation. "That was so good!" Eli proclaimed "I am so glad I got you to feed me or else I would have ran off with your container!"

"You were going to steal our food!" Blair shouted as the whole gang started walking towards them. Olivia was mortified she wasn't sure what the saw or heard but she knew for sure they heard something. She quickly got up to her feet "Wow everyone is here! Oh my gosh I forgot to bring drinks! Since there is a lot of us I'm gonna run to the vending machines and bring back drinks! Ok, ok, ok be right back!" and with that Olivia ran like the wind.