More than you'll ever know

 "Delia's having her surgery on Halloween," Her brother's words made it so matter of fact.

"I thought she might have already had it," Liv said as she looked at her fingernails. Yeah, maybe that's what she should do. Get a manicure in Seoul. Of course, she was certain that would be a fortune. She sighed lounging on the air mattress that she wasn't sure she could take much more of. Of course, she'd convinced Nic it was perfect even if it wasn't.

"How could you say that?" Tristan was off in Delialand. She knew she should be more considerate, but he never called. He should have felt lucky she'd picked up. "Of course, I would have told you about Delia. I don't keep things from you."

"Oh really?" She kept examining her nails.

"I think Rico found someone," Tristan said as if she might need to know how her ex was doing.

"Did he now?" She laughed. Not an obnoxious laugh. Actually, she wasn't thinking of Rico but someone she'd met too. He was this guy coming out of the school where English classes were held. And it was so funny how he was thrilled to meet someone who spoke English. 

His name was Woojin, but she wanted to call him Ruben or Wooben. Yes, with the help of an app and his little catchphrases, it felt like something clicked. Of course, she hadn't mentioned to Nic about meeting this guy. Woo was at the University and even worked at the school. And maybe they hadn't spent the day together, but at least it was great to find someone to talk to other than Nic and of course, Felicity.

No way Liv was going to mention Woojin to Tristan. Instead, she laid into him about the Felicity fiasco.

"You knew, didn't you! You knew about Nic meeting her. And..and you go and do this!" Yes, she wanted to be angry with him. And it felt so good to yell at him when she was practically on the other side of the world.

"I know. I know I shouldn't have," Tristan finally said. "What's she like?  Is..is he OK?"

A laugh caught in her throat. She knew he would be worried about Nic. "Maybe. They finally kissed."

"So-"

"So..so you think this about me?" Liv shook her head. "Dude, did you ever think maybe he's subconsciously trying to get back at Mona by being with someone like me."

"Don't be ridiculous," Tristan fretted. "I don't know if he's ever been in love with someone."

At least, they both agreed that Mona was wrong for him.

"Look, I'm going to try to find a job," Liv told her brother. Now he was laughing at her.

"It's possible," she assured him. "I just don't want to live with Nic, but..but I think he needs family too. He never had a little sister, you know."

"I don't know, Mom will just go crazy if..if you're on your own." Tristan confided that she was sad that she let her go to Seoul.

"I'll try better. I really will." She knew it might not mean much to him, but there were those little things she never heard while growing up. And it was hard to say. She'd been practicing those words with Jade. Hopefully, Jade didn't think she was being too romantic. "I love you OK." Liv took a breath. She'd never told Tristan that. At least not as an adult. "I love that you love Delia." Tears peeked from her eyes. She blinked them away, but she had to use the back of her hand as the tears kept emerging. "I love Mom and Dad, but..but this is a chance I must take. I'll never be here again...and..and Nic needs me too." She cleared her throat. "Nic is still that guy who you want to be.  And I know he's proud of you. So be there for Delia. Be there for Mom and Dad."

She couldn't talk anymore. He told her he loved her too. "Just stay safe. And listen to Nic."