Where I Belong - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

The day of the movie night arrived, and I woke up with a knot of nervous energy in my stomach. It wasn't the first time I'd hung out with Mia, Jess, Grace, and Zoe, but inviting them over to the house felt different. Bigger. They were coming into my space, a space that still didn't quite feel like mine yet. What if they didn't like it here? What if I didn't know what to say?
I tried to keep busy during the afternoon, but it wasn't long before Silas found me pacing in the living room.
"Alright, Liv, you're going to wear a groove into the floor at this rate," he teased, leaning against the arm of the couch.
I gave a half-hearted shrug. "I just...want it to go okay."
Silas grinned. "It's movie night, not a job interview. You've got this. Besides, you've got me and Elijah to back you up."
Elijah walked in at that moment, carrying a basket of folded blankets. "Silas is right. We're here to help. Let's get everything set up so you're not overthinking."
Reluctantly, I let them take over. Silas rifled through the stack of DVDs, making dramatic commentary about each movie he picked up. Elijah, meanwhile, set about arranging the blankets and pillows in the cozy movie room upstairs. I helped where I could, but my hands felt jittery, and I couldn't focus.
"What if...what if they think it's weird to come here?" I asked softly, standing in the doorway of the movie room.
Elijah paused, looking over at me. "Sweetheart, they're your friends. They wouldn't have said yes if they didn't want to come. Trust me, it will be fine."
Silas flopped onto the sofa dramatically. "Exactly. And if they don't like it, that's on them, not you. But they will like it. Who doesn't love a good movie night with snacks and pillows?"
I nodded, though my nerves weren't entirely gone.
The knock at the door came earlier than I expected, and my heart leapt into my throat. My friends were here. Mia, Jess, Grace, and Zoe were standing on the porch, about to enter the house. I glanced nervously at where all five of my brothers were gathered.
Silas grinned at me. "You gonna answer that, or are they staying out there all night?"
I swallowed and nodded, my palms damp. As I walked to the door, Theo appeared in my peripheral vision. His presence was steady but unmissable, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall near the stairs. He didn't say anything, but I could feel his eyes on me, watchful and cautious.
When I opened the door, Mia smiled brightly and waved, balancing a bag of snacks and a blanket. "Hey, Olivia! Ready for movie night?"
"Hi," I replied quietly, stepping aside.
Mia walked in confidently, Jess, Grace, and Zoe following behind. They all paused just inside the doorway, taking in the house with wide eyes.
"Wow," Grace breathed, clutching her pillow. "It's...massive."
"It's like something out of a magazine," Jess agreed, glancing up at the high ceilings.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment after hearing all their compliments about the house.
Before I could think of a response, Silas strolled over, still holding the soda he'd been drinking. "Hey, Mia," he said with a grin, then glanced at the others. "And you must be Liv's other friends. I'm Silas."
Mia smiled. "Nice to see you again, Silas."
Jess offered a polite smile. "I'm Jess."
"Grace," Grace said shyly.
"Zoe," Zoe added, giving Silas a once-over. "You the fun one?"
Silas laughed. "Obviously. But don't tell the others; they get jealous."
I glanced toward the kitchen, where Elijah had just walked in, drying his hands on a dish towel. His calm, steady presence eased some of my nerves. "Hello," he said warmly, nodding at the group. "It's nice to meet all of you. I'm Elijah."
Jess smiled. "Hi. Your house is...beautiful."
Elijah chuckled softly. "Thank you. Olivia's talked about you all. It's nice to finally put faces to the names."
"Not much, though," Zoe said, glancing at me. "She's good at keeping things to herself."
Elijah's gaze flicked to me, and he smiled. "She's good at a lot of things."
Before I could melt from embarrassment, Theo stepped forward, his expression more guarded than welcoming. His sharp gaze swept over each of them in turn, like he was cataloging every detail. "I'm Theo," he said simply.
"Hi," Mia said brightly, completely undeterred by his seriousness. "Nice to meet you. Olivia's lucky to have so many brothers looking out for her."
Theo's lips twitched, but his expression didn't soften. "We're just making sure she's okay."
I glanced at the stairs and saw Zane leaning against the banister, his arms crossed. His piercing gaze landed on each of my friends in turn, his silence heavier than any words.
"Zane," he said simply with a nod.
Eros was the last to appear, wandering into the room with his usual air of quiet disinterest. His dark eyes scanned the group, and he gave a small nod. "Hey."
That was all he said before moving past us to grab a drink from the kitchen.
"They're...intense," Grace whispered to me, her eyes darting toward Theo and Zane.
"They're nice," I whispered back quickly, though I could feel my cheeks burning.
"All right," Silas said, clapping his hands together. "Let's not scare them off before the movie even starts. Snacks are ready, and the blankets are set up. Let's get you all comfortable."
Theo didn't budge, his protective stance still firm, but Elijah gave him a nudge on the shoulder as if to tell him to relax. "Come on," Elijah said softly. "Olivia's got it from here."
Theo hesitated, his gaze lingering on me for a moment, before finally stepping back. Zane gave me a brief nod before heading upstairs, and Eros disappeared into the kitchen without another word.
As soon as they were gone, Mia let out a breath. "Wow. They're really serious about you, Olivia."
"They just...care," I said quietly.
Jess smiled. "It's sweet, in a really intense way."
"Come on," Zoe said, plopping down beside me. "Let's start the movie before one of them decides to come back down and interrogate us."
We all laughed softly at that, the tension disappearing.
I nodded, my cheeks a little warm, and led them upstairs to the movie room. Elijah had already finished setting everything up, and it looked perfect – warm blankets draped over the couch, a stack of movies on the coffee table, and the snacks arranged neatly nearby.
"This is amazing," Jess said as she looked around. "You really went all out."
I shrugged shyly. "Elijah and Silas helped."
I sat on the floor, cross-legged, my fingers gripping a pillow like it might fly away if I let go. Mia, Jess, Grace, and Zoe were sprawled out around me, talking, laughing, and occasionally throwing snacks at each other. The soft glow of the lamps and the dim light from the TV made the room feel cozy, but inside, my nerves were buzzing. It was only a movie night, but everything about it felt huge.
Mia was on the couch, her feet propped up on the coffee table, her usual bright energy filling the space. Jess and Grace were at the other end of the room, sitting on the floor with bowls of popcorn and chocolate. Zoe was fiddling with her phone, but she'd glance up every now and then to join in on the conversation.
"So, Olivia," Mia said casually, her eyes flicking toward me as she stretched her legs out. "What's your favorite movie? I have a ton of suggestions if you want something to watch."
I bit my lip, hesitating. "Uh, I'm not sure..." My voice came out softer than I intended, and I immediately felt the heat of a blush creeping up my neck. I pulled the pillow a little closer to my chest, trying to make myself feel a little smaller.
Mia noticed, her expression softening. "No worries. We'll find something. We can always do a movie marathon."
"Yeah, a marathon would be fun," Zoe chimed in, her voice light and easy. "It's way better than picking one movie and then having to argue about it."
I smiled faintly, appreciating how natural they all were with each other. It wasn't like they were pressuring me to talk or make decisions. They just...included me, which was both comforting and a little overwhelming.
"So," Grace said, her voice teasing as she glanced at me. "What do you think of school so far? You've been there for a week, right?"
I nodded, trying to gather my thoughts. "It's...okay. I mean, it's not as bad as I thought it would be."
Jess raised an eyebrow. "That's a pretty low bar, though."
"Yeah, I guess." I wasn't sure what I was supposed to reply.
Mia leaned forward a bit, her voice gentle. "You're doing great. We were all nervous on our first day too." She flashed me a quick, reassuring smile.
I nodded, feeling a tiny bit more relaxed, though my hands were still a little clammy.
"Okay," Jess said, sitting up a bit straighter. "We need to settle on a movie. I'm voting for a classic comedy. I'm in the mood to laugh."
Zoe let out a dramatic sigh. "Classic? Boring. We need something with action."
Grace rolled her eyes. "Every time with you and action movies." She turned to me. "What do you think, Olivia? You must have a preference."
I froze for a second, unsure of what to say. "Um...I don't really mind," I finally said. "I'm okay with anything."
The conversation shifted easily to more options, but I still felt like I was on the outside of it. Mia caught my eye again, her smile warm. "You're sure? You're not just saying that so we don't make you choose?"
I quickly shook my head. "No, I'm fine. Really."
Jess glanced at the others, an idea lighting up her eyes. "How about something we can all quote for days after? We could do Mean Girls or Clueless."
I felt a little embarrassed by the idea of being the only one who didn't know all the quotes, but I didn't say anything.
"Mean girls is a classic," Grace said, nodding approvingly. "I think we've all seen that one a hundred times."
"Mean girls it is then," Mia said with a decisive nod. She grinned at me. "Don't worry, Olivia. We won't let you get lost in the quotes. We'll fill you in."
I couldn't help but feel a little more at ease. They were so kind about everything, making sure I didn't feel out of place. The movie started, and I settled back onto the floor, still clutching the pillow, but feeling a bit more comfortable in my spot. The laughter from the others was easy, their voices blending together as they quoted lines from the movie. I tried to follow along, smiling when they laughed at jokes I didn't fully understand, but I didn't mind. I was starting to feel like I belonged here, even if I wasn't quite as vocal as the rest of them.
Halfway through the movie, Zoe passed me a bowl of popcorn, and I took a handful, offering a small smile in return. "Thanks," I said quietly, not quite looking up.
"No problem," Zoe replied. She glanced over at Mia, then back at me. "You know, I'm glad you said yes to our movie night. It's been fun having you here."
I blinked, surprised at how easily she said it. I gave her a small, shy smile. "Thanks. I-I'm having fun."
They kept talking, laughing, and joking around as the movie played on, but I felt like I was finally starting to get comfortable. The nerves that had clenched in my stomach at the beginning of the night were slowly fading away, replaced with a warmth I hadn't expected. I wasn't the loudest one in the room, but I didn't mind. I was here, with people who were kind and easy to be around.
The conversation continued, the girls taking turns sharing little pieces of themselves. Zoe talked about her love of photography, Grace mentioned her obsession with baking, and Jess proudly described her winning streak at a local arcade.
"You're so quiet, Olivia," Grace said after a while, her tone curious but kind. "But it's nice. Like...when you talk, it feels like it matters more. You know?"
I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just nodded, feeling a small bloom of warmth in my chest.
By the time the second movie ended, the nervous edge I'd carried all day had softened into something lighter. The girls were easy to be around, their energy filling the room in a way that made me feel included, even when I didn't say much.
As the ending credits were showing, Mia stretched and sighed dramatically. "We need to do this again soon. Next time, we'll do a Harry Potter marathon. Or Twilight. It's a classic too."
"I'm in," Jess said, looking over at me. "What about you, Olivia? You in for a movie marathon next time?"
I blinked, not sure if I should say anything. But then, I realised that maybe this time, it wouldn't be so hard to answer. I nodded quietly, my voice soft but steady. "Yeah. That sounds fun."
Mia smiled brightly at me, and I couldn't help but feel a little lighter. "Great! We'll make it happen."
As the night wound down and everyone started packing up to leave, I felt something I hadn't in a long time: a sense of belonging. Maybe it was because they'd included me without hesitation, or maybe it was just the fact that for once, I didn't feel like an outsider.
"Thanks for having us over," Jess said, her tone warm as she gave me a kind smile. "It was awesome."
"Yeah, we'll do it again soon," Grace added, her smile genuine.
Mia leaned in for a hug, which I'll admit, felt less awkward than I thought it would, and whispered, "I'm really glad you're here."
I smiled back, feeling the warmth of her words settle deep inside me. "Me too."
The door clicked shut behind them, and the sound seemed to echo in the quiet hallway. I stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door, trying to process the night. It had gone better than I'd expected; my friends were kind and easygoing, and the house hadn't felt as overwhelming with them here.
But now that they were gone, the stillness crept in, and I felt small again.
"You good?"
I turned to see Silas leaning against the doorway to the living room, his usual lopsided grin softened. He was holding an empty popcorn bowl, and his hair was slightly messed, probably from lying around while the rest of us were in the movie room.
I nodded. "Yeah. I think they had fun."
"Of course they did," he said easily, straightening up and heading toward the kitchen. "Snacks, movies, good company – you nailed it."
I trailed after him, my steps light. "Thanks for helping."
"Anytime," he said over his shoulder as he set the bowl in the sink. "Your friends are cool. Mia seems sweet."
"She is," I said quietly, rubbing my arms as I leaned against the counter.
Elijah appeared then, his presence as calming as ever. He looked over at me, his brows lifting slightly. "Everything okay?"
I nodded again, a little more firmly this time. "Yeah. They...liked the house."
Elijah chuckled softly. "It's not the house they came to see, sweetheart. It's you."
His words sent a warm flush to my cheeks, and I looked down at the floor.
"Zane said they're fine," Elijah added, his tone light but reassuring.
I glanced up at him. "He did?"
"Mm-hm," Elijah said with a small smile. "I think they passed the brothers test tonight."
Silas snorted. "Barely. Theo looked like he was ready to pounce half the time."
"Only because he cares," Elijah said simply, rinsing his hands in the sink.
As if on cue, Theo stepped into the kitchen, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. His gaze landed on me. "They're decent," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "I'm glad they're your friends."
I blinked, unsure how to respond. Coming from Theo, that was basically the highest praise.
"Thanks," I replied, my voice soft.
Theo gave a small nod before turning back toward the stairs.
Silas rolled his eyes, smirking. "Classic Theo. Big speech over."
I let out a small laugh, and Elijah smiled at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Do you need anything before bed?" Elijah asked, his tone full of gentle concern.
"No," I said quickly. "I'm okay. Just...tired."
Elijah smiled warmly. "Understandable. Why don't you head upstairs and get ready for bed? I'll finish clearing up the movie room and come to say goodnight in a bit."
"Okay," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
Silas grinned as he pushed off the counter and gestured for me to follow him upstairs. "Come on, superstar. Don't fall asleep on the stairs."
I smiled at his light teasing and trailed after him. As we reached the landing, Silas paused at his door. He turned to me, his grin softening. "Night, Liv. You did good tonight."
"Goodnight," I whispered back, and he disappeared into his room with a final wave.
I slipped into my own room and shut the door quietly. The familiar comfort of the space wrapped around me, but instead of the usual calm, there was an ache settling in my chest. I moved through my routine robotically – changing into my pajamas, brushing my teeth – but the feeling wouldn't go away.
By the time I climbed into bed, the house had grown quiet, and the loneliness I tried to keep buried started to creep in. The evening had been good, and my friends had been so kind, but now that they were gone, it was as though a weight I hadn't noticed all day came crashing down.
I pulled the blanket up to my chin, trying to steady my breathing. My chest felt tight, and tears prickled at the edges of my eyes. I hated this feeling, the one that made me want to curl up into myself and disappear.
A soft knock at the door pulled me from my spiraling thoughts.
"Sweetheart? It's me," Elijah's voice came through the door, low and gentle.
I hesitated for a moment before calling out, my voice shaky, "Come in."
Elijah opened the door carefully, peeking inside. When he saw me sitting up in bed, his expression softened. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him, moving closer until he was standing beside the bed. "I just wanted to say goodnight."
I opened my mouth to reply, but the words didn't come. Instead, a tear slid down my cheek, and before I knew what I was doing, I pushed back the blanket and leapt off the bed.
"Olivia–?" Elijah's voice was startled, but I didn't stop.
I threw my arms around his waist and buried my face against his chest. I felt his body stiffen for a split second before he relaxed, his arms wrapping around me protectively.
"I'm s-sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling.
"For what?" he asked, his voice warm and steady, like he was afraid to startle me.
I shook my head, unable to explain the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
Elijah's hand moved to the back of my head, his fingers threading gently through my hair. "It's okay, sweetheart," he murmured. "You don't have to say anything."
His words undid something in me, and I let out a shaky breath, clutching him tighter.
"I don't know why I feel like this," I admitted quietly, my voice muffled against his shirt.
Elijah crouched slightly, bringing himself down so that his chin rested lightly on the top of my head. "Sometimes, when things go well, it brings up all the feelings we've been holding in. It's okay to let them out, Olivia. I'm here."
I stayed in his arms for what felt like forever, soaking in the warmth and the steady rhythm of his breathing. I had never hugged him like this before, and part of me felt embarrassed for clinging to him so suddenly. But Elijah didn't seem to mind.
Eventually, I pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tear-streaked cheeks. "Thank you," I whispered.
His hands rested gently on my shoulders, his expression soft and full of understanding. "You don't have to thank me, Olivia. That's what I'm here for."
He smoothed my hair back and tilted his head toward the bed. "Now, let's get you tucked in. You need your rest."
I nodded and crawled back under the blankets, feeling lighter than I had in hours. Elijah adjusted the quilt around my shoulders, sitting on the edge of the bed for a moment before leaning down to press a quick kiss to the top of my head.
"Sleep tight," he said, his voice warm and soothing.
"Goodnight," I whispered, my eyes already closing as I curled up under the covers.
As he left the room and turned out the light, I realized something I hadn't before. I wasn't alone – not really. And maybe, for the first time in a long time, I didn't have to be.