Destined To Be With You

Chapter 5

Liv fiddled with the cap of her water bottle while intently listening to Daniel and Sophie's stories about what happened in San Francisco. She loved the very few close friends she had. Before she went off to New York for college, Liv never felt the need to make close friends. She would hang out, party and chill with whoever was cool and willing. She didn't care about anything except having a good time. But when she got into Parson's School of Design she couldn't help but grow attached to the wonderful people she now calls her best friends. Katelynn was her roommate and they instantly made a connection. Although Katelynn was a bit more conservative than Liv was, she offered a perfect balance to their friendship. Liv helped Kat have a good time whenever she was stressed or worrying too much and Kate helped Liv slow down when she was partying too hard. Kate's sense of responsibility and determination made an impact on Liv. Liv unknowingly developed those same characteristics that Kate had so perfectly mastered. 

And with Daniel and Sophie, it was similar. Sophie lived in the same dorm building as Liv and Kate. The three had quickly become great friends the first week of college. And when Sophie started dating Daniel, he had become apart of their little group. Their friendship was easy, effortless and extremely close. Liv loved each of them like family. She couldn't picture not having them in her life. And after having them stick by her side through this pregnancy, she knew those three people were going to be around till the end. Liv hasn't had many people she could count on in her life and she was just thankful she had found them. She felt lucky and blessed. 

Liv cherished moments with her friends. As she listened to Sophie babble and on and on like she usually does she couldn't help but wonder how she got so lucky. Sophie was the jokester of the group and Daniel was the one to tame her when she went too far. They were perfect. Opposite but perfect together. Liv loved watching them together. As painful as it was for her to witness this hopelessly in love couple get on so perfectly with each other, she was just so incredibly happy for them. 

After a moment of comfortable silence, Sophie, being the bold person she is asked, "So how did Ben take it?" Liv had only told Katelynn about Ben being the father. She thought about telling Sophie but she couldn't because she would tell Daniel since they never kept secrets from each other. And if Daniel knew, he would have told Ben. Daniel and Ben still spoke and hung out whenever they had time. They were good friends. 

Liv sighed. They spent the whole afternoon avoiding the subject of Ben but it had to happen sooner or later, "At first, he was furious," Daniel nodded understandably, "But now, he has  been nothing but helpful, attentive and caring." 

Sophie grinned madly, "Yeah?" Sophie had always liked Ben. She would always scold Liv for taking her relatiionship with Ben for granted even though she knew that they had agreed to just have fun. Like Katelynn, she saw past Liv's tough exterior. They knew Liv was so deeply in love with Ben but they never said anything. They knew Liv wouldn't listen no matter what they said. And that was the one thing they hated. They hated how stubborn Liv was. 

Liv nodded and before she could say anything Daniel added, "Well, that doesn't surprise me. I mean, we're talking about Ben here. He would do practically anything you asked him to." 

He was right. Liv knew he was right. But he just didn't understand what she felt when she decided not to tell Ben. No one really understood, not even Katelynn. The only way they would even begin to understand was if they went through what she went through growing up. All of them had loving parents who took an active role in raising them. Their parents spent time with them. Liv only had a mom who tried so hard to hide the fact that she was heartbroken and a dad who didn't even think to call or make an effort to spend time with her. Growing up, Liv was lonely. So once she felt old enough, she went out with her so called friends and had a good time. She went to parties, did what she wanted with who she wanted and just lived her life. At the time, she thought she was happy because she felt less lonely. But she knew that she wasn't truly happy because of the emptiness she felt even when she was in a crowded room. No amount of people, no bottle of alcohol, no night of wild sex could ever take that empty feeling away. And that empty feeling was all thanks to her dad. Her dad who said he loved her but never called. Her dad who insisted they have a closer relationship but never finalized any plans. Her dad who would much rather dedicate all his time to his second wife and their two sons. Her dad who told her he was proud of her for getting into Parson's School of Design but didn't even bother to show up for her graduation. Her dad who said he could count on him whenever she needed him but never once made sure she was okay when she was in the hospital. Her dad. After having a dad like that, she was going to do everything she could to keep her child from feeling that pain.