Page 19 of You've Found Oliver

Julie is supposed to be thousands of miles away.

So there’s no way she should be here right now.

I think about restarting my phone. I should just call her instead.

The phone rings, but she doesn’t answer me.

I zoom in on her exact location. Apparently, she’s right next to the library.

I know this is likely some glitch. But I need to check it for myself.

I don’t want to leave Ben here alone. So I grab his arm and say, “Follow me—”

Thankfully, the library isn’t too far. It would be easier if she just answered the phone. Am I supposed to check every floor?

And then I see her, sitting at a table outside.

For a second, I think I’m imagining things. She’s wearing her favorite bubblegum-pink cardigan. But she left for Copenhagen weeks ago. Does this mean it’s really November again?

“JULIE!”

That came out much louder than I intended. Everyone around us turns to look at me. But I don’t really care about that. I race toward her immediately.

“I thought she was studying abroad,” Ben says.

“She’s supposed to be!”

I don’t even bother hiding my emotions. I throw my arms around her and shout, “Oh my god, it’s really you!”

“Oliver, what’s going on?” There’s a flash of concern in her face.

“I missed you.”

“Missed me? I just saw you a few hours ago.”

What does she mean? I haven’t seen her in several weeks. But that doesn’t matter right now, because I am just happy she’s back. I squeeze her even tighter. That’s when I notice the guy sitting next to her. He clears his throat.

Julie looks at him and says, “I’m sorry, Craig. This is my friend, Oliver.” She turns to me. “Oliver, this is Craig.”

I recognize him now. The tall guy from her creative writing class. They went on a few dates last quarter. We really must be back in the fall. Too bad Julie gets bored of him after their second date.

He gives me the bro nod. “Sup.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I don’t have time for small talk. I turn back to Julie and say, “I really need to talk to you right now.”

“About what?” She looks at Ben. “And who’s this?”

“Oh. This is Ben.”

Ben holds out his hand. “Nice to finally meet you. Oliver mentions you all the time.”

“Oh?” She looks between us. “How do you two know each other again?”

I shake my head. “I’ll tell you about him later, okay? I just need to talk to you right now.”

“Is it important?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure it can’t wait? I’m kind of busy right now.” She gives me a look that says, Can we do this another time?

“But it’s an emergency!”

“Is it a real emergency?”

As far as I’m concerned, it sure is. But I also don’t want to ruin her date. I remember how much she was looking forward to this one. I guess I could just tell her in a few hours. Maybe that will give me time to figure this out. I let out a breath and say, “Okay, fine . Just call me after, okay?”

“Got it,” she says.

I squeeze her shoulders. “Promise me.”

“I will.”

Ben smiles politely. “Lovely meeting again.”

Julie looks at him. “Uh, you too.”

“Let’s go, Ben—”

We leave Julie alone with her date. She better call me as soon as it’s over. Because I’m more confused than before. What on earth is going on here?

“They look like a nice couple,” Ben says.

I sigh. “Don’t get your hopes up. It’s not going anywhere.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because it already happened,” I explain. “He’s going to take her to a Mexican restaurant and ask to split the check.”

Ben blinks at me. “What do you mean it already happened?”

Has he not been paying attention?

I place my hands on his shoulders and speak slowly. “Ben. Where have you been these last few minutes? I told you. It’s not supposed to be November right now. Please tell me you understand what I’m saying.”

“I sort of do…” He goes quiet, maybe processing it. “Is that why Julie is still here?”

“Yes! Her program doesn’t start until spring.” My head pounds from trying to make sense of this. If we’re back in the fall, that means I’m still living at my old place. “That’s probably why my key didn’t work earlier. I hadn’t moved into the new dorm yet.”

“So we really did break in…”

“I should check my old room.”

We make our way back through campus. I’m surprised Ben is still tagging along with me.

He must think I’ve gone crazy by now. As we’re passing the student center, someone suddenly appears at my side.

Then a hand moves around my waist, pulling me in for a kiss.

Familiar lips feel warm against mine. It only takes a second to realize it’s—

“Nolan?”

“Hey,” he whispers.

“What do you think you’re doing ?”

“Did I scare you?” He smirks at me. “Thought you were heading to Moore.”

He tries to kiss me again, but I dodge it this time. “Ew, stop that!”

“Don’t be so shy.” He laughs.

I’m about to smack him for that — but I remember something. We’re back in November. That means he and I haven’t broken up yet.

Nolan checks his watch. “I’m actually on my way to the gym. But I’ll see you tonight. Text me, okay?” He kisses me on the cheek before walking off.

I stand there for a second, completely mortified. I’m afraid to turn around and see Ben’s reaction. There’s a look of shock on his face. All I can think to say is “I’m sorry you saw that….”

“Was that your…”

“Ex-boyfriend, yeah. I guess we haven’t broken up, if it’s November? That’s probably why he thought it was okay to kiss me.” It almost sounds worse when said out loud. I should have pushed him away sooner. But it’s too late for that now. At least Ben doesn’t seem too angry about it right now.

Eventually, we get to my old dorm building. It’s across the street from the baseball field. My room is on the second floor.

“Do you have your old key?” Ben asks.

“We always left it unlocked.”

We head upstairs and open the door. I see my plaid sheets on the bed in the corner. The Polaroid of me and Sam on my desk beside it. The succulent by the window that didn’t make it to Christmas. Everything is exactly as I remember it.

Then I realize the obvious. “The gift I made you isn’t here.”

“Guessing that’s because you haven’t made it yet,” Ben figures.

I can’t tell if he actually believes this. Maybe he’s just playing along for now. “You probably think I’m making this up.”

“I didn’t say that—”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

“It’s just a lot to take in…Especially the boyfriend part.”

“I’m sorry, he snuck up behind me,” I explain. “I promise. That’s the reason I moved out. He and I broke up after my roommate—”

The door opens behind me. I hear his voice before I turn around.

“Hey, hey.”

Connor comes in and throws his backpack on the bed. We haven’t spoken a word since I moved out. I know he technically hasn’t betrayed me yet. But it doesn’t mean I have to pretend to like him. I narrow my eyes at him and say, “You.”

He smiles at me. “What’s up, Ollie?”

“Don’t call me that.”

His eyes widen. “Did I do something?”

“You know exactly what you did. Or what you’re going to do .”

“What am I going to do?”

“I know it’s crossed your mind.”

He looks at Ben and back at me. “I can’t tell if this is a joke…”

He obviously has no idea what I’m talking about. But I don’t owe him an explanation. I don’t even want to breathe the same air. “Forget it. Let’s go, Ben.”

I let the door slam after we leave the room. Ben waits until we’re downstairs before asking, “So what did he do exactly?”

“He’s the reason I broke up with Nolan.”

“I see.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t push for more right now. The sun is starting to fall when we’re outside again. I don’t even know where I’m taking us. And Julie still hasn’t messaged me back. The world continues to spin around me. “I feel like I might pass out,” I say out loud.

“Maybe you should rest at home.”

“No, I don’t want to freak out my mom.”

“Then where do you want to go?”

I hadn’t really considered this. I probably should go home. But my mom has too many things to stress about already. “I’m still figuring that out,” I say breathlessly.

“You can always stay with me,” Ben suggests.

I look at him. “Really?”

“I have plenty of space.”

I’m surprised by his offer. Especially after everything that’s transpired. I should probably say no. But I also don’t want him to leave yet. “I don’t want to bother you…”

“It wouldn’t bother me,” he says. “It would actually be nice to have someone to drive back with.”

I think about this. It’s not like I have a dorm to go back to. And Julie’s date probably won’t end for a while. “Okay. If you really don’t mind.”

Ben smiles. Then he checks the time and says, “We can head back now, if you want. I just have to remember where I parked.”

It doesn’t take too long to find his car. Ben opens the passenger door for me. There’s an air freshener in the shape of the moon. We leave campus and turn onto the interstate.

I think everything is finally catching up to me.

I feel myself drifting in and out on the way to Seattle, making the drive feel like a dream.

Ben’s apartment is above a convenience store.

Thank god it’s only two flights of stairs.

It’s dim when we come inside. Ben turns on a lamp in the living room.

I take a look around his apartment. It’s a pretty good size for one person. There’s a tiny kitchen with a kettle sitting on the stove. His refrigerator is covered with what looks like recipes.

“Do you need some water?” he asks.

The box of pastries is on the table. I feel guilty about not touching them yet, but I’m feeling exhausted all of a sudden. “I think I might just sit down for a sec,” I say.

Ben shows me to the green couch in the living room. “There’s supposed to be a bed in here. But it’s a little finicky.”

“I don’t mind the sofa,” I say.

“You sure? I can pull it out for you.”

“No, this is good.”

There’s a record player on a stool by the window.

If it was a different night, maybe we’d listen to some music.

I would ask to see his record collection.

Ben steps into his bedroom and returns with a blanket.

I wasn’t expecting to end up at his place tonight.

Especially not for a reason like this. Ben tucks a pillow under me as I lie down.

Then he heads to the kitchen and comes back with a glass of water.

He sets it down and perches on the coffee table.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“About what?”

“Losing your gift.”

Ben smiles. “What was it, by the way?”

“It was just a plate. But I painted stars on it.”

“That would have looked nice on the coffee table.”

“You probably think I’m crazy.”

“I never said that,” he says.

“Thanks though. For letting me stay here.”

Ben hangs with me for a while, but I can barely keep my eyes open. Then he covers me with the blanket. For a second, I think he might kiss my forehead. But he just whispers, “Goodnight, Oliver. We’ll figure everything out tomorrow.”