Olivia Morgan

Groaning in embarrassment, Kendrick asked, “Please don’t let this get back to my unit. I’ll never live this down if they find out.” Knowing he couldn’t stay on the library steps all day, Kendrick grabbed the railing and slowly pulled himself into a standing position. “Okay, no blacking out this time. That’s a start. I just need to get down the stairs now.” His hand never left the rail. In fact his hand gripped the rail tighter until his knuckles went whiter than they already were. “God, I didn’t realise there were so many stairs.”

“Hmm, what do I get for keeping quiet?” Her brow perked at him before she saw him starting to stand, her hand going to his back to offer some type of support though she can’t really offer too much, she was a twig so to speak. “Think I better walk with you a little bit before I head off, don’t need it on my conscience if you pass out in the middle of traffic. And yeah, there’s a lot of stairs but look, you’re already halfway down. I won’t let you fall, or well, I should say I’ll try my best.”

“Thanks. Love hearing that when I feel like shit. It makes everything better,” he replied sarcastically. Except he was smiling as he said it, so it wasn’t completely sarcastic. “I wish I could say the pasty look was temporary, but I can’t. I’m Welsh.” It took a couple of seconds for Kendrick to catch on to why Ollie was holding her hand out at him, but he quickly recovered and shook her hand. “Sorry. I’m Kendrick. It’s nice to meet ya. Wish it had been under less embarrassing circumstances though.”

“Well, I could have lied and said you didn’t but I prefer to be honest and upfront,” Ollie gave a shrug. “Ah, alright, so you’re Casper the Friendly Ghost day in and day out. Good to know. Oh but just imagine the stories I’ll get to tell my friends about the Welsh boy that nearly passed out in front of me, I can lie and say that you were so awestruck by my beauty that I made you weak.” Nice to meet you Kendrick.”

Letting out a short laugh himself that brought on a wave of queasiness which made him close his eyes in the hopes that doing so would make the feeling go away, Kendrick didn’t risk shaking his head in response. When he was sure he could speak without possibly getting sick, he finally looked up at her and said, “I’m not sure if I can keep anything down. I think I just need a minute though. I was only a little dizzy.”

Ollie waited, keeping an eye on him as she adusted her bag on her shoulder. “Yeah, well, no offense? But you look like you’ve seen a ghost. You have that whole pasty look going on.” She grinned down at him before moving to sit next to him. It was hard to tell if she was joking or not about the ghost comment. Extending her hand, Ollie gave a little half smirk. “I’m Ollie.”

“Yeah, I don’t really know too much about it all… Just that neither of them talk to or about them, really.” Shaun didn’t know that much about Charlie at all, other than the fact he was a little weird. He seemed to love his sister, though, and that was all that mattered to Shaun. “There’s about two years between each kid. I think they planned it that way, honestly. I’m the youngest, then one’s 25, one’s 27, 29, and the oldest is 30.” 

“Well, I’m sure they have their reasons whatever it is. She’ll tell you eventually,” Ollie smiled just a little bit before wincing. “Damn, I can imagine what growing up was like, had to be painful with four sisters. I’d probably warn your girl though that the conversation happened in case she talks to mama dearest.”

“Uh, even if they were, both of them are estranged.” He frowned slightly. “Trin hasn’t talked to her parents since… before I met her, even, and Charlie even longer than that, if I remember right. Trin might mention it, but if she does, she’s totally kidding. Just trying to annoy her brother, y’know?” Telling his mom to stop was easier said than done, definitely. “I gave it a shot. I’m the youngest out of five, and my sisters are all married already. I’m the only wedding left, so to speak.” 

“Oh, see I didn’t know that? Charlie never talks about them, he only talks about his sister. I’ll remember that she’s just joking. Not that Charlie would make a horrible husband, he’d probably make a good one? But we aren’t even dating so that’s a really, really long way off.” Pausing, Ollie smiled, just a bit. “And how old are your sisters? I’m an only child, I guess I lucked out on this whole marriage thing.”

“Of course she does. Which like, wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but Trin and I haven’t even discussed kids, let alone planned any.”

“Guess it’s going to be time to discuss that isn’t it? But uh, Trin’s family isn’t like that too right? I’m not going to have to worry about her or her mother going to Charlie and being like hey you should put a ring on that girls finger because I will literally be out the door so fast. Did you tell her to stop it and that you’d ask when and if you’re ready?”

“Thank you! That was my point exactly.” He shook his head, “She kept telling me I wasn’t getting any younger, and she wanted grandkids, and ugh… I think it’s a Hispanic mom thing.”

"Uh there's men that are seventy having kids. So she needs to stop really. Let me guess she wants you to have a big family too?"

Molly nodded her head along as she listened to her. She explained it in a way that made it sound easy, although, she knew if she tried to do it, she would end up in a big mess. “You make it sound easy.” She laughed. 

“I know,” Ollie laughed before waving her hand. “Nice talking to you Harry Potter girl, maybe we’ll run into each other again sometime.”