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The waves crashed across the shore on the bright sunny day the group of teens were spending at the beach.
"Why do you have to go, Liv! We need you here more than you need to like... Go get an education!" Mikey complained, running a hand through his long, soaked platinum hair. He just went in for a break from surfing.
"I'm sorry, guys! I have to. My dad really wants this for me, and I'm leaving early to settle in. Sorry I can't spend this summer with you guys. " Olivia sighed while shaking sand from her hair. Dan was laying beside her, with a forlorn look on his face.
"I don't know what I'll do without you, my love!" He feigned dramatically, trying to lighten the mood. His hand was draped over his forehead, shielding his eyes for the sun and making him look like a distressed maiden.
"It's totally bull. I know you can't change anything, but this is supposed to be the perfect summer!" Steph groaned. "But... I'm happy for you." Steph was laying on her towel with an umbrella shoved in the sand as a makeshift parasol so she didn't tan.
"Yeah. Im happy you're going places, Olivia. We all are. It will be weird without you though." Mary murmured. She laid in her stomach beside Steph with her head under the umbrella shade and a volleyball was in her arms.
"Well, you'll just have to survive without me." Liv joked, kissing dans head. Dan sat up and captured her in a kiss. Mikey looked away, scratching his chin with his eyes squinted as he stared at the horizon instead of the act of passion in front of him.
"Well- there's still a couple hours of surf out there. I'd better catch those waves." He picked up his board and ran out to the waves.
"Yeah. Yeah, let's go make the most of this day, it's the last one we have with you until you visit again." Olivia said, shoving away the umbrella and taking the two other girls arms to the volleyball area. Dan stayed there with his shades on to sit with his thoughts.
It was a good afternoon, like every other day they had together-- except for the looming fact that an integral member of their group was going to leave, forever.
Olivia left with tearful goodbyes from her friends and her mother and just like that, she was gone. Taken away in her dad's old station wagon. The group of friends stood there, sitting with the fact there were only 4 of them now. They wondered how they would function without Olivia telling them the game plan every day of the summer.
Mikey slapped his thighs and sighed. "Well. What're we doing now? My house?"
"Sure." Dan murmured. His expression was unreadable.
Mary was sniffling as they walked to Mikey's house in the sweltering heat. Mikey had his arm around her, attempting to comfort her.
Mikeys house was fairly big, and they sat in the sunroom on beanbags. Faint music played on a speaker and the vibe was almost somber.
"I don't know what I'm gonna do." Dan mumbled, scratching his head.
"Well, you talked to her right? Are you still dating? You guys didn't seem to wanna mention it." Steph asked, scrolling on her phone through photos of the group.
"She said... She can't promise me that she will want to be with me after this and to make the most of it while it lasts." Dan told them. Mikey's brows furrow.
"Of course she would do this shit, it's just like her!" He complained.
"Hey... Dont- don't talk about her like that..." Mary murmured, looking down.
"It's not like she's dead, Mary. I can talk about her however I want, I've known that girl since we were 4 and I know this is the type of bullshit she would pull so she isn't held accountable if she stumbles upon a new guy!" Mikey was furious for Dans sake.
"It's.. it's fine. I don't even know how I feel about it. I don't know why but I don't feel that... Bad?" Dan murmured, confused.
"Well you should feel mad. And bad. And sad! Your girlfriend is gone, why wouldn't you? I mean, we all lost a friend but we really thought you guys were forever a few months ago." Steph told Dan.
Mikey muttered under his breath and Mary had her knees to her chest. The air was tense.
...
"Well... Let's not be all mopey. We still have the summer to enjoy, let's not spend it all mourning Olivia! She'll call us anyways." Steph said, putting her phone down.
They spent the rest of the afternoon playing Mario kart and crashed on the couch.
Mikey and Dan were on the same couch, and the girls were on the floor. Steph and Mary protested, but they had it last time.
Mary went to the bathroom and Steph was fast asleep, so the boys were alone.
"Hey Dan, are you awake?" Mikey asked while laying on his back.
"Yeah." He replied. "What's up?"
"How do you really feel about Olivia splitting up with you?"
"I told you, I don't really know.
"No." Mikey rubbed his face. "How do you really feel? Honest to God."
...
...
"I think... I think I'm not sad enough. I thought I'd be so bummed out, but I feel..." He paused. "I feel kind of free."
Mikey let out a deep exhale.
"Why do you think that is?" Mikey asked, genuinely curious. Mary's soft snoring filled the silence.
"I- I think that I- I think that I don't know. I don't know." Dan murmured. Mikey noticed he became a little more closed off.
"You can talk to me. You know that right?" Mikey asked. "It feels like you stopped talking to me about your problems after you and Olivia got together."
"It's nothing, man. Don't worry."
Steph came back with a huff and sat down. " Im ready to clock out. Night guys." She murmured.