Page 106 of XOXO

“What does your therapist say?” I asked gently.

He looked out the window, sighing. “I have PTSD and I don’t know how I feel about that.”

I wanted to say something to make him feel better, anything to help this war in his mind, but I was in new territory here. When I had a chance, I needed to look up how to help him.

“I’m proud of you for seeing her and making that jump.” It felt like a dumb response, but I needed him to know he was doing the right thing.

“I don’t think I have a choice. I can’t continue feeling like this,” he said, looking at his phone. “I just hope we get to the house before it starts.”

“Good, maybe she will offer you more clarity than I can,” I said, patting his shoulder. “Also, ask Vi to sign an NDA to ease your mind.”

He looked over to Levi and Vi, nodding. “I should have done that from the beginning.”

“I don’t see her doing anything malicious, but if it makes you feel better, then why not?” I felt comfortable for the rest of the drive. “I also think that there isn’t anything wrong with having some fun or living your life. Do you constantly want to put off happiness because you're an actor?”

“I should and there is nothing I want more than to have fun with you guys, but I have meetings and a photoshoot these next couple of days,” he said, leaning his head back. “My happiness isn’t on hold, I just know how the media is and I don’t think it’s fair for her or for you guys.”

“What happens at home is only between us,” I said, putting my hand on his thigh. “We don’t even know what the future looks like, but the next few days are still ours. I think you should really think about what you want and what you’re willing to sacrifice to get it.”

He nodded before closing his eyes, our conversation officially over. I just hoped he would realize being an actor didn’t mean that he had to sacrifice his happiness. He deserved to be fulfilled, I just wished he saw that too.

“Hey, I found a horror mythology experience,” Vi said, walking into the living room. “I know you guys have work to do⁠—”

“I’m down,” Levi said, closing his laptop. “It’s not scary, right? Like stuff popping out?”

“Uh, I don’t think so, here it is,” she said, passing her phone to Levi. “I didn’t even think to check for that, but it is a tour.”

“It’s not like a haunted house, I think they just tell you horror stories,” I said, closing my laptop looking towards the hallway where all our rooms were.

Ru’s therapy ended over an hour ago, but he hadn’t come out. It worried me a little that maybe it hadn’t been a good session.

“Yeah, that’s what I gather, but it has good reviews and I think it would be fun,” she said, looking at her phone with Levi. “They said they would leave us in Monastiraki Square and I’m thinking there has to be food around there for afterwards.”

“I think the square has food and shopping,” Ru said, rubbing his eyes. “Sorry, I passed out.”

“I think I needed a nap too, but I had to get ready for tomorrow,” Levi said stretching. “Good nap?”

“Yeah,” Ru said, sitting on the chair closest to me. “What are we doing at the square?”

“Vi found a horror mythology experience,” Levi said, tossing the phone to Ru.

“Ah, the dark side of mythology sounds cool,” he said, scrolling down.

He looked more at ease than before, and I hoped he had gotten some things off his chest.

“Send me the link and I can buy them,” he said, throwing it back at Levi.

“Oh, I can buy them,” Vi said, looking down at her phone. “But are you sure you want to go? You don’t have to come with me. I’m a big girl and I can tour alone.”

I pursed my lips as Levi furrowed his brows, looking between Ru and me. Ru studied Vi as I studied everyone. It was the first time I had felt the tension in the air since we had first run into Vi in Nafplion.

“We have nothing to do for tonight,” Levi said, looking at us again for confirmation.

Ru and I shook our heads.

“Ok,” she said, typing away.

“Here, let me get it,” Levi said, grabbing her phone, but she slapped his hand away. “Nah, it’s the least I can do since you don’t let me pay for anything.”