The house takes a day to dismantle. Goodwill gets the furniture. Meghan sets a ground rule for the rest: George is allowed three seconds to decide where each thing should go: in the car (to be driven ... [+]
The rain sprinkled on the car, creating streams down the window. Andrej started the engine to warm up the car, not intending to drive out of the parking lot just yet. The passenger door opened, and Olivia got in the seat, shaking off her umbrella before closing it.
"The rain calls for a chaotic day," she sighed.
He watched with beady eyes as she took off her beanie and flattened the frizz in her curly hair. He was silent as she made small movements to get comfortable in the seat before putting on her seatbelt. Placing her hands on her lap, she looked forward, waiting for him to back out.
"Aren't we going to leave?" she asked with a smile on her face, finally looking at him. Olivia noticed his solemn expression and frowned. "What's wrong?"
Andrej flinched when she touched his hand resting on the gear shift. He subtly pulled it away so his heart wouldn't break from her warm touch.
"Andrej?" she called.
"Mmm...?"
"You're acting funny."
Andrej swallowed hard. "Y-Yes. I want to tell you something," he said, his voice dipping with every word. He took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of her warm vanilla as she leaned in closer to listen. "We have been friends for some time now and...."
He took a long pause, looking everywhere but at her. She was patient; he knew that. She wouldn't try to squeeze the information out of him or attempt to finish his sentence. No matter how long it took, he was going to have to say it on his own.
And tell her what exactly? That she was the first girl he had ever been interested in? That every waking moment, he thought about her? That every time he saw her smile, his heart would melt? Or that in any crowd, he could pick her out and admire her more than any gold trophy that football had given him?
"I really like you, Olivia. No. I'm in love with you. I want us to be together. How do you Americans say it? Like boyfriend and girlfriend." He was shaking, and this time, he reached to grab her hand, now that he had finally let it off his chest. "What do you say, eh?"
Andrej wasn't sure if she was shocked, happy, or on the verge of tears, but it seemed like she was feeling them all. Eventually, her face broke into a shuddered smile as a tear trickled down her cheek. With his free hand, he quickly wiped it.
"I feel the same way," she whispered. "But-"
He slowly closed his eyes, disappointed by the word ‘but.' He knew there would be something else when he had calculated all of the possibilities of this conversation. He was already committed to football back in Russia, and they both knew he was supposed to return in a month. He should have listened to his parents when they told him not to go, but he was adamant about studying abroad. It was his dream to spend some time in the States, even if it meant putting his career on hold. The biggest mistake he made was falling for her. He shouldn't have, knowing it would lead to something like this. Olivia was just supposed to be his English tutor, but then they became friends, and then....
"You're leaving," Olivia continued. There was no longer a smile on her face as she began crying, trying to force each word out. "I-I don't know if I can do that. I've never been in a long-distance relationship."
"We can make it work," he said, practically begging. "Every day, we will call and text. When I am free, I can fly back to America, or-or I will fly you out and we can spend a week together. You can watch me play. I would like to know that you are out there, cheering for me. It will work, I promise. Please, moya Oliviya."
She didn't respond for a second, and she lifted their entwined hands and kissed his knuckles. Andrej sighed with sadness in his heart when her tears splashed on his hands.
"I want someone tangible," she cried, continuing to kiss his hand. "I know, I know it's selfish, but I really want you here. I want you all in and committed to this relationship. We see each other almost every day, I simply can't switch to seeing you a few times in a year. And at the same time, I want you to be focused on soccer, Andrej. I... I don't want to be a distraction."
"You are not a distraction!" he responded with force. Andrej took a deep breath and, with the hand that she had kissed, he used it to cup her cheek. "You're not a distraction."
Olivia turned away and sniffled, wiping her face. In a clear voice, she said, "This won't work out, Andrej. We have very different lives and we're on two separate continents."
Andrej groaned and clenched his jaw.
"I'm... I'm gonna go," Olivia said.
"Allow me to take you home."
"It's fine, I'll take the bus." She slightly opened the door, putting a foot outside.
"Olivia?" his voice wavered. She paused and turned to look at him. He was trying to grasp for one last moment with her.
"Yes?"
"Can I kiss you?"
Olivia lowered her gaze and pursed her lips. "I want to, but... I don't think that's a good idea. I think it would break our hearts even more." She sighed. "Goodbye, Andrej."
Andrej watched as she slid out of the car, entering the rain she despised. His heart sank when the door closed, and through the rearview mirror, he watched her walk away. A tear ran down his cheek, and he squeezed his eyes shut to try and stop them, but it didn't work. Every step she took pulled her further from him, and he couldn't stand it. He knew that if he went back to Russia, he would hate himself for letting her get away.
Andrej got out of the car in the pelting rain and began running towards her. "Olivia!" She whipped around, confusion rising on her face. Coming underneath her umbrella, he slicked back his wet hair and huffed, "I am staying."
"W-What?" she asked. "What do you mean you're staying? What about soccer?"
"Forget about it. I want to commit to this relationship. I said I was in love with you, and I really mean it." He looked into her light brown eyes. "Please?"
When her lips broke into a smile, he cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her. He felt her go weak against him, and she tossed her umbrella aside so she could hold onto him. The rain cascaded on their backs, but they didn't care because they were too enveloped in each other.
"I thought you did not want to kiss me?" he whispered with a soft chuckle.
"Shhh...."