A Southern Fauxmance

Chapter 1

Olivia

Ten years ago…

This is it.

“You got this, Olivia,” I say to myself, looking into the mirror of my vanity.

I smooth down the front of my dress, not that there are any wrinkles in the pleated sundress. No one would be able to see it anyway. Not underneath the graduation gown that I still have to put on.

“Two more weeks.”

That has been my mantra for the last month. A mental countdown to the start of my new life. Maybe it is a bit of a cliche, a small town couple moving to a big city. Going to the colleges of their dreams. Living out the lives they had planned together.

     I smile at my reflection, leaning in as I apply makeup over my brown skin.

Liam and I have completely figured our lives out. In two weeks, we will leave for New York. We found a cute little one bedroom apartment that… Well, it needs a bit of love and a steady hand. I had found one that was a little more pricey, without exposed wires in the bathroom, but Liam had argued that he didn’t want me paying for everything, even though it would have been no problem for me.

         Though I am just as happy to go halves with him anywhere we get to be together.

We just have to get through the next two weeks, and we are free. Nothing but the open road and a little fixer-upper. I can’t think of anything more perfect at this moment.

“Look at you.” My mother smiles.

She walks into my room and stands behind me, her hands on my shoulders. She reaches over and picks the brush up off of my desk.

“I’m almost ready.”

“I know.” She starts to brush my hair, pulling the thick waves up into a high ponytail. It still cascades down between my shoulders. At least this time she let me keep my bangs loose.

I watch her and return her smile. She looks so happy.

“I am so proud of you, Olivia.” She puts the brush back and sets her hands on my shoulders.

         “Why do I feel like there’s a but at the end of the sentence?” I joke.

It does not get the chuckle that I am expecting. Instead my mother lets out a soft sigh.

“But my baby is moving away.”

“It’s not like we won’t be back to visit,” I tell her honestly. Liam’s grandmother will still be in town and of course, my own parents. We will have plenty of reasons to drive back during the breaks. 

My mother is quiet for a minute and then her smile returns.

“I know.” She lets go of me and takes a step back. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a set of keys.

“What are those?” I ask. I have a sinking feeling in my stomach that I know exactly what they are.

“They’re keys.” She laughs. I give a chuckle. My mom, everyone, the winner of dad jokes.

 “Obviously. For what?”

“For your new condo in Ithaca.” She holds the keys out to me.

“Mom,” I start. I do not reach out for them. I do not get a chance to continue as she talks over me.

“It’s all paid for. Your father and I will take care of the mortgage and the condo fees while you’re in school. If you decide to stay in Ithaca, then it will be yours. If you move back after school, then we can turn it into a rental property for college students.”

“Mom,” I try again. She is really into giving me this condo.

“Yes, Olivia.” She is still holding the keys out.

     I shake my head. “Liam and I already have an apartment that’s between Cornell and Syracuse.”

“Oh, grow up, Olivia. Think about what will happen when you break up. Are you really going to want to keep living with him?”

“We aren’t going to break up, Mom.”

She puts her hands on her hips. I stand up and move over to my closet to put my gown on.

“You are.” Her tone goes hard. Doctor Mom is coming out now. The no-nonsense woman who gets things done without an argument. “This fling between the two of you was cute when you were sixteen. But you’re eighteen now, Olivia. You need to grow up and realize that it isn’t going to work out.”

“It will-”

“No, Olivia. It won’t. You need to start taking life seriously. Boys like Liam will only drag you down and hold you back.”

I do not know what has gotten into my mother. I thought that she liked Liam. I know my father doesn’t care one way or another. At least, he’s never said anything on the subject before. While both of them support my dreams of being a veterinarian, I know he would be happier if I became a human doctor. 

     I can’t help but feel like my mother is projecting, the longer we stare each other down. People often say we are too much alike. Maybe that is true.

     “I can make my own decisions.”

        “Olivia –”

         “No, Mom, it’s my turn now,” I say as I take a step forward.

         She sighs, but does not say anything else.

         “Mom, I love him. He is in love with me.” I grip the side of my gown. “We’ve been making these plans for a year and a half. When we realized that our top schools were close to each other, it just made sense. Like it was meant to be.”

         The tears start to prick at the corners of my eyes. I will not cry. I do not have the time to fix my make up. We need to head to the high school soon.

         “Olivia…” She sighs and runs a hand over her face. She pinches the bridge of her nose. I can tell that she has more that she wants to say. For the first time, I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that Liam is white. It can’t be… can it?

         “Come on, ladies!” My dad’s voice comes from down the hall.

     My mom turns and leaves the room, still visibly upset. I follow behind her and give my dad a hug.

     It will be fine.

     I’ll leave for school.

     I wish that she would just trust me to live my life. I am not jumping into this without a plan. Liam and I have talked it over extensively. We looked at apartments together. We figured out our commutes and made sure that there was enough parking for both our cars. Sure, there was a bus, but who wants to sit on a bus for four hours?

        Even the light hearted pop song on the radio is not helping me relax. I turn on the bluetooth and pull up my playlist. Maybe it might calm me down.

     I park and make my way up the stairs. Liam is standing there, leaning against a picnic table.

     I smile brightly. He always cheers me up and he has not even said anything yet.

     He looks up and sees me. I can tell. His smile reaches his eyes and lights them up. His normally messy hair is brushed back and tamed. I can tell that he made a valiant attempt at styling it for once. At least it’s out of his eyes.

     I keep teasing him about getting a hair cut. Not that I mind. I like how soft his hair is when I brush my hands through it. The texture of his hair is nothing like my own.

         “Ready?” he asks.

“More than you know.” I take his hand, and we walk inside together.

We make our way into the auditorium, where the rest of our graduating class has gathered. Of course, we’re sorted by our last names.

“I’ll see you after.” Liam grins. He kisses my cheek as the vice principal announces for everyone to find their seats.

“See you in four hours.” I laugh.

As I walk up to the B row, leaving Liam in the M’s. I spot his brother and grandmother in the audience. I smile and wave to Clarice, Liam’s grandmother, as I take my seat. She returns the wave.

     Everything is going to be fine.

Right?