Chapter Twenty Five
3rd Person's Point Of View
'Get away from her.' Dylan thought as he clenched his teeth and looked away from Nick and Lyla.
Man how he hates it when people touch his best friend. She's his, no one else's
"Uh, Lyla?" A boy's voice squeaked slightly, probably nervously.
Dylan turned towards the mass of boys to see who had spoken.
Pete? Perry? Something that began with a P.
"Yes Peter?" Lyla responded, releasing Nick.
'Good, now back off.'
Much to Dylan's disapproval, Nick kept his fingers intertwined with Lyla's.
Dylan's nostrils flared.
"We all got you something." He responded with a shy smile.
Dylan rolled his eyes. It's those dumb things.
'Hopefully she will like our gifts.' Peter thought as he dug through his jean pocket, searching for the small little box. 'We needed to show others that she is ours. That she is under our protection. And that no one can touch her.'
Peter found the small box and pulled it out of his pocket and began to walk towards Lyla. "I hope you like it." Peter handed the box to Lyla.
She smiled as she opened it.
"Oh Pete! I love it!" Lyla gasped as she looked up at him.
Lyla eagerly took it out and slipped it onto her right thumb.
"Look Dylan!" She announced excitedly, holding up her hand for Dylan.
"It's very pretty." Dylan complimented, hiding his disapproval from Lyla.
"I got one too!" Elisa announced eagerly and advanced towards Lyla, and almost trampled poor Sammi.
Lyla giggled, loving the energy coming from Elisa. She really was the same cat as she remembered.
"Here ya go Lyla." Elisa handed her box to Lyla.
"Oh wow." Lyla's eyes widened and looked back up at Elisa. "Thank you Lis." Lyla slipped on the ring onto her left ring finger.
"Um, Lyla?" A timid voice spoke lightly.
Lyla looked over at Nick.
"Yeah Nick?" Lyla responded softly.
"I have a ring for you too. If you don't want it, that's okay. I understand." Nick kept his head down, just in case he got a scolding.
Lyla's emotions whirled inside her. He's so precious.
"Oh course I want your ring." Lyla reassured Nick.
"But my ring is better!" Ben pushed past Nick and held his box up to Lyla.
"We all know mine is better than yours Weirdo." Sammi shoved Ben away.
"Step aside peasants. Your eldest is the best and provides the best." Nalla elbowed her way up to Lyla.
Lyla noticed Nick getting pushed to the back, his head low.
"Hey, why don't you three knock it off and let Nick give his present to Lyla. He was next." Peter pulled Ben and Sammi by the ear. Nalla retreated quickly as well.
"N-no. It's alright, you guys can go." Nick stuttered as all eyes were turned towards him.
Peter pursed his lips, wishing Nick would stand up for himself.
"I'll just go." Jameson emerged from the pile of limbs and held out his own box. "I hope you like it Lyla." Jameson smiled shyly as he handed Lyla his box.
"Thank you Jameson. I've never seen something like this before." Lyla said in awe, looking back up at Jameson. But Nick never left her mind.
It fit perfectly on her pinky finger on her right hand.
Nick stood by Elisa and gazed longingly towards the girl he loves.
Why does his friends have to steal her from him? All he wants is just someone to show him attention, and maybe even love him.
Nick's bangs fell across his eyes, concealing the tears that were threatening to spill.
'You're fine Jimin. You should be used to this anyways. Now suck it up and be happy for your friends.'
Nick blinked away the tears and looked up again, straining a smile.
'Don't let them know. They have their own problems. They don't want to deal with yours.'
Nick bit his lip as he felt the need to cry.
No! No!
Nick began to shake. Barely noticeable at first, but now completely noticeable.
Elisa looked over at the trembling boy beside her. "Nicky?" Elisa whispered, peering down at him.
Nick clenched his teeth as he sucked in a shaky breath, tears streaming down his face.
Sammi, upon hearing Elisa's concerned mumble, turned to see what was wrong.
Then Ben and everyone soon followed.
"D-don't look at me." Nick covered his face with his sweater paws, silently begging the tears to stop.
'What are you doing?! Stop Nick! Stop!'
The boys gasped slightly in front of Nick, but he didn't dare to look up.
"Look at me Baby." An angelic voice spoke, and a hand curled around his.
'I know that voice.'
Nick sniffed, the tears not daring to stop, and looked up.
"L-Lyla?" Jimin's eyes widened.
She's out of bed! She cant be out of bed!
"Nick, look me in the eyes. Can you do that for me Sweetie?" Lyla tried to make eye contact with Nick's restless eyes.
Nick swallowed and met his eyes with Lyla's.
Her beautiful, magical eyes. They look like the ocean. Nick's only ever been to the beach once in his entire life. But, that was one of his most memorable moments. The ocean.
The ocean.
"Nicky, what's wrong?" Lyla asked quietly, wiping away one of Nick's tears.
Nick's lip trembled and eyes slowly scrunched together as more and more tears came.
"I just want a hug. I just want a hug." Nick sobbed, over and over.
Not even missing a beat, Lyla hugged Nick.
Nick cried into her shoulder.
Lyla wrapped her fingers in Nick's hair, careful not to pull at it.
"It's alright Nick. I got you. I got you."