11.
The next morning, Nola woke up in Oliver’s room. She turned her head and there he was. She was so used to his scent she hadn’t woken up when he had come to bed. She moved to put her head on his shoulder and they snuggled tenderly. But she just couldn’t fully appreciate that sweet moment. Something was looming in the back, coming from both Oliver and herself.
After a moment, Oliver put a kiss in Nola’s hair and went to the bathroom. She sighed, got up and put on the shirt that was lying there. She sat on the window seat and put her head on her bent up knees. The view was amazing but she didn't see it. Her heart was heavy and she felt like she was grieving. Oliver came out of the bathroom wearing his boxer shorts and sat next to her.
« What’s going on ? »
« I can’t stay here, Oliver. I have to get back to my place. »
« My family’s giving you a hard time ? I can talk to them. »
« No, they're great. Ollie… »
Nola sighed heavily.
« I've been here for six weeks, getting taken care of and pampered. »
« I like doing that. »
« I know. And I like that too. I like it too much. I realized recently I can only smell you. Your scent has taken mine over. »
Oliver was taken aback.
« I'm sorry. »
« It's not your doing. But I have to find the wildflowers again. When you take care of me like that, it makes me safe and secure. So much that I don't know if I can take care of myself anymore. I have to be able to walk on my own. Literally. »
Oliver looked away, looking pained. Nola closed her eyes and held back her tears.
« I'm so sorry Oliver. »
« Is it because of the Hood ? »
« It's never been about the Hood. I understand the mission you have taken upon yourself and the burden you carry every time you kill. It's about me. I have to find myself again, and I can't do that here. I'll move back to my apartment today. »
Oliver looked at Nola with what looked like regret.
« I understand. »
« But Ollie, that doesn't mean I'm not your friend anymore. I'm just a phone call away if you need me. Or if the Hood needs me. »
« Okay. I'll help you pack. »
« I'd rather if you didn't. »
Nola had a sad smile.
« I like the rainforest too much. »
*****
Oliver left the manor soon after talking with Nola. He liked having her around. She was fun and sweet, and she never questioned his duty. She had her own life so he didn't have to entertain her. He was going to miss her tremendously.
He went to the club and started working out. He pushed himself hard, trying to evacuate the sadness. When he answered only with grunts, John and Felicity left him alone. But by the end of the day, he realized it was a good thing Nola had left. His mind would be totally free to concentrate on the Undertaking and finding ways to stop this atrocity.
Nola was glad that Roxanne was still here when she came back to her apartment. Breaking up with Oliver had been much harder than she had expected and having a friend around was comforting. They shared ice cream and memories, laughs and tears, like friends do. When Roxanne finally left, Nola knew she wouldn't shed another tear over her former lover. Since he hadn't been at her place for a while, his scent had dissipated and only hers and Roxanne's remained. No more rainforest. And her "Jungle" project would stay just that, a project.
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