Spelivia Short Stories & Imagines

Better Off Apart - Part 1

"Perfect."
Impressed with himself, Spencer stepped back to look at the culmination of all his hard work and preparation for tonight. He had spent the better half of the day cleaning the apartment he shared with his girlfriend from top to bottom, and cooking a delicious dinner of roasted chicken, mixed veggies and fully loaded mashed potatoes. For a sweet ending, he baked his signature butter pecan cake with white frosting. Miss Grace not only raised a well rounded, kind man, she raised a man who knew his way around the kitchen. If she could see the spread he put together, she would be proud. Spencer took a seat at the beautifully decorated dining table, his mouth already watering as the strong aromas of the home cooked meal attacked his senses.

The last month or so had been hectic for both Olivia and himself. Between school, dance/football practice and Liv's part time job at the radio station, quality time for the couple was severely lacking. After four long years together, it had began to feel like they were stuck in a cycle of moving around each other and not actually being able to enjoy each other's company. Their busy, at times stressful, lives inadvertently created a wall between the two, which is why they had both agreed to weekly date nights; hoping the much needed alone time would help reignite the spark between them.

Pulling out his phone, he sent Olivia a text, the third one in a row. He left the thread open for a few moments, hoping to see the three little dots at the bottom, letting him know she was responding. Once again, he is left on delivered. Spencer let's out a deep sigh, looking forward at the plates of food.

Another thirty minutes had passed, and Spencer was much less understanding. His jaw clenched, picking up his phone once again. With impeccable timing, a text makes his phone vibrate in his hands.

My ❤️: I am so sorry, babe! Brent and I had got caught up planning next week's show. I'll be home in about an hour, go ahead and eat without me. Xoxo

Seeing her co-workers name had turned his slight annoyance into full blown irritation.

Is she serious right now? He asked himself.

His displeasure was almost palpable, leaving a thick feeling of unease all around him as his fingers tightened around the phone. Of all the days, why would she pick tonight to blow him off? The fact that she got "caught up" with Brent of all people didn't sit right with him, either. Since they had launched their joint podcast , it was always Brent this, Brent that. His mind roamed over all the previous nights Liv had run late, using work as an excuse. He swallowed hard, trying to push back the insecure, unrealistic thoughts of her possible infidelity that began brewing in his head.

Are they unrealistic though?

Before he could think of a response, his phone dinged again. This time, from his classmate-turned-friend, Natasha.

NT: Hey Spence, I'm in your neighborhood and I wanted to drop off these notes. Is now a good time???

As much as he wished this was a bad time, his schedule was suddenly open.

Spencer J: yeah, stop on by.

NT: okay bet, because I was pulling up anyway 🤪

Spencer chuckled to himself as he thumbs up'd her message, then slid his phone back into his pocket. He decided not to even bother responding to Liv. It may be childish, but the silent treatment seemed like a suitable punishment for the current disappointment he was feeling.

About ten minutes later, Natasha knocked on the door.

He snapped out of his sulking and put on a fake smile, opening the door for his friend. She stood there, grinning from ear to ear with a blue binder in her hand. Her smile made his fake smile turn into a genuine one.