Page 2 of You've Found Oliver

There’s still no reply from him. Hopefully everything is alright. After another twenty minutes pass, I’m forced to give up the table and wait outside. It’s starting to rain a little. I’m standing on the sidewalk, trying not to get my hair wet.

Then my phone vibrates. A text from Zach. Finally.

Sorry. I can’t make it anymore

For a second, I think he’s joking.

what do you mean? Is something wrong

I’m just not ready for this. Should have told you sooner

but you asked me to come all the way here

I know, I’m sorry. It just doesn’t feel right

I don’t know what to say back. We made all these plans together.

Should we try another day?

The text doesn’t go through. At first, I think it’s my cellphone signal.

Then I check the app and see his profile has vanished.

I search for our old messages, but they’re all gone.

This must have been an accident, right? How am I gonna reach him again?

It’s raining harder all of a sudden. The next bus home won’t come for another few hours.

I wasn’t expecting to spend this evening alone.

I stare at the blank screen. Then I send another text and find a bench to sit on.

I don’t know how much time passes. But at some point, someone appears at my side, placing an umbrella over my head. I don’t even have to look up to know who it is.

“What are you doing out in the rain?” Sam keeps the umbrella steady as I lift my head. He must have left soccer practice early to come find me.

“Oh, you know…just wanted some fresh air.”

“In Redmond?”

Maybe I should just tell the truth. After all, he came all the way here. I let out a breath and say, “I was supposed to meet Zach for the first time. But he never showed up.”

“Did he know you were coming?”

“We’ve been planning it for a while.” I point toward the restaurant down the street. “I told him I didn’t mind taking the bus here. I guess it was a waste of time.”

“I’m sorry, Oliver.”

I shrug. “It’s okay. I mean, it could have been worse, right?”

“Sure, you were too good for him anyway.”

“You’re my best friend. You have to say that.”

“I’m serious,” he says. “You deserve better than that, okay? You deserve someone who gives you flowers.”

If only that person could be you. Of course, I keep this thought to myself as I rise from the bench and place my head on his shoulder. “Thanks for coming to get me. Let’s go home.”

“But we’re already here,” Sam says, smiling. He glances at the restaurant, then back at me. “The place might still be open if you want to go.”

“I’m not going back in there.”

Sam laughs. “Then let’s get some pizza.”

He puts his arm around me, leading us down the sidewalk. There’s a spot right across the street. Sam opens the door, letting me go in first. As I step inside, the memory changes again, pulling me somewhere else…

Sunlight fills the café as I come inside. It’s the middle of the afternoon and the place is packed. Sam is standing behind the counter, ringing up a customer. It’s his first week on the job. I decided to stop by and surprise him at work. Maybe get a free drink while I’m here.

“Excuse me.” I cough, making my voice sound deeper. “I’m curious, what’s the difference between a latte and a cappuccino? And are the muffins made fresh ?”

“First of all, they’re scones ,” Sam says. “And since when do you drink coffee?”

I hold up a hand. “Now, that’s no way to talk to a paying customer,” I say, appearing offended. “Can I speak with your manager?”

“Get out.”

We both laugh while I lean against the counter. “Alright, Squidward. How’s your first week going?”

“Getting the hang of it,” he says, tossing a hand towel over his shoulder. “You should have been here during the rush. I had two women screaming at me.” He turns around, grabbing something from behind him.

“I hope you’re taking advantage of the free drinks.”

“I’m actually making one right now—”

Sam sets a steaming cup on the counter. The froth is dusted with sugar.

“Looks fancy,” I say.

“It’s a honey lavender latte. But it’s not for me.” For a second, I think it must be for me. Then Sam gestures to a table in the back. “It’s for that girl behind you.”

“Oh.”

“She ordered it the last time she came in. Her name is Julie.”

I take a good look at her, trying not to make it obvious. A girl with dull brown hair is sitting at a table alone, writing in her journal. I’ve never seen her around before.

“I’m kind of nervous to give it to her,” Sam says.

“Have you guys talked yet?”

“Not exactly,” Sam says. “She’s in one of my classes. I think she moved here a few months ago. Do you think I should give it to her? Or would that be weird? Maybe I shouldn’t. Unless you think it’s a good idea.”

At first, I want to tell him no. But it seems like he really wants to. He must really like her, then. I would never want to get in the way of that. “Just go for it. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“She could think I’m weird.”

“You are a little weird,” I say. “But maybe she’s into that.”

“Okay, you’re right.” Sam takes a deep breath and lets it out. “I’m going to do it.” Then he picks up the drink and steps around the counter.

I watch him approach the table and set the cup in front of her.

I’m too far away to hear what he’s saying, but I figure it’s going well when she smiles.

At one point, Sam pulls out a chair and sits down next to her.

I was hoping he would make a drink for me, too.

But I don’t want to interrupt their conversation.

I give it a moment longer before heading out. He probably forgot I was there anyway.

The memory changes again. Music pounds through the walls as I come out of the bathroom stall. It’s prom of sophomore year. I’m wearing a black button-up, and my hair’s slightly wet from the rain. I’m washing my hands when the door swings open and Sam comes in looking for me.

“Oliver! There you are.” He smiles wide. “When did you get here?”

“Just a second ago. Had to dry off a little.”

I turn off the sink and grab a paper towel. Sam comes around, looking at me in the bathroom mirror. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

I try to hide it with a smile. But Sam always knows when something’s bothering me. “It’s not a big deal,” I tell him. “My stepdad was being annoying about his truck again. That’s why I had to bike here.”

Of course, there’s more to the story. I don’t feel like talking about it right now.

“You should have told me. I could have picked you up.”

I wave it off. “Don’t worry about it. My hair looks good wet.”

“Glad you made it,” he whispers, squeezing my shoulders. “Actually, I want to give you something.” There’s a white rose pinned to his shirt. I watch as he carefully removes it and pins it on my chest. “There we go.”

“You’re giving this to me?”

“Thought it might look better on you.”

I can’t really tell what this means. It’s the first flower anyone has ever given me.

“Thanks,” I say.

Sam smiles. “Glad you like it. Now let’s go back out.”

Lights swirl across the gym as we head to the dance floor.

Everyone is crowded near the DJ, dancing to The Weeknd.

Neither of us came with dates tonight. So when the music slows down, we’re both just standing there, nodding along.

He looks perfect with his hair brushed to the side.

In an alternate world, I would ask him to dance with me.

A part of me wonders if he would say yes.

Our friend Sara appears, tapping me on the shoulder. “Hi, Oliver. Would you want to dance?”

“Definitely.”

We put our arms around each other, swaying to the music.

I glance over and see our other friend Taylor asked Sam to dance, too.

They often pair themselves with the two of us, especially for group projects in English class.

We dance for a couple songs together. Then Sarah and I decide to head upstairs to get something to drink.

When we return to the dance floor, Sam is gone.

I ask a few people if they saw where he went.

“I think he went outside,” someone says.

“Did he say why?”

But nobody knows the answer to this. Maybe he needed some fresh air.

I leave the gym and make my way down the hall.

As I push open the door, I find him right away.

Sam is in the parking lot, slow dancing with Julie.

My heart drops as I stand there, watching them.

I didn’t even know she was going to be here tonight.

He takes her hand as she rests her head against his chest.

I wish I hadn’t gone looking for him this time. I touch the rose on my shirt, making sure it’s still there as I head back through the door. Everything fades around me, and the memory changes again.

I put on my black domino mask before entering the party.

It’s Halloween of junior year and the theme is “dynamic duos.” Sam and I mulled over a few ideas but ultimately decided on Batman and Robin.

I told Sam I didn’t mind being Robin. I secretly prefer the golden cape.

Plus, I’ve been told that green is my color.

I find Sam in the kitchen, chatting with Taylor and Sara. They’re sitting on the counter, dressed as Velma and Daphne. Sam throws me a can of soda as I approach them.

“Batman and Robin?” Taylor says. “Aren’t you boys original…”

I raise a brow, looking her up and down. “ Velma and Daphne? At least we’re not overshadowed by a dog .”

“And isn’t Daphne’s hair red?” Sam asks.

Taylor rolls her eyes, flipping her blond hair over her shoulder. “I’m not dyeing my hair for a party.”

“Then you might as well be Fred ,” I say back.

Everyone laughs.

“Where’s Julie, by the way?” Sarah asks.

“She’s visiting her dad in Seattle,” Sam answers.