Safe Haven

Nica POV

“Woosh! It’s cold!”

I’m waiting here outside the bar while Nate is asking for one of her crew to drive for us. My phone vibrates and receive a text from Dad. Saying that he can’t come home now and better ask Nate to just stay in our house and sleep there. I frowned and reply to him that there’s no need for that.

“Come on Nica, let’s go home.”

We went to the car and told Nate about what dad says. She agrees but change her mind later on and come up with different idea.

“Why will I sleep in your house? We have our own house Nate.”

“I am well aware of that Nica. But you will be alone there and I have things to do. Don’t you want to see my house?”

Still a little bit hesitant but I think about it and realize there’s nothing wrong if I sleep in her house. So we decided to just go there. It just took us 15 minutes to arrive. We arrive at this two story-building, it’s graphite black mostly made up of walls and glass. Inside of it are furniture’s in gray and black. You can play a game of chase in the living room because it’s so spacious. Nate has a lot of books in her study room, from different colors of cover to different genre. My eyes are full of glitters while admiring her house especially when we reach her room. A big room with fluffy bed, her room smells lavender, I think just 10 minutes of staying in her room will make me fall asleep right away. She has a mini bookshelf here too. Didn’t know she loves books this much. I scan some books, but I noticed something like a collection. Possessive Series, what kind of book are these?

“Nica?”

“Here Nate.” I get one of the book and on the cover is a handsome man with a nice built body.

“Nica, come here now I prepare soup for us.”

I go to the dining area with the book and Nate was surprise when she saw me with it.

“Ah Nica, why do you have that?” Nate asked.

“Well, I’m planning on reading it, I guess the story is not that long and besides I find the book cover interesting.” I looked at Nate with a teasing smile.

“Nica no, just return it, it has adult content which is not suitable for you.”

“What? What do you mean not suitable I am an adult Nate?” I can’t stop myself from laughing while saying that, she’s so weird. Not suitable my a*s.

We ate the soup that Nate prepared and go back to her room. I asked her if we can watch a movie, she said yes and now I am setting up the TV and choosing a perfect movie. Nate is busy in the kitchen preparing for snack. She brought some M&M, chips, mini hotdogs and soda.

“You have already chosen a movie?”

“Yes! It’s a Thai movie, Yes or No.” She looked at me with her confuse face.

“As in the GL movie?”

“Yes, I think the story is cute and the leads are cute too.”

“Hmmmm. Okay you want this okay? But tell me if you’re being uncomfortable.” Says Nate then she plays the movie.

“Why would I be uncomfortable?” I asked while munching M&M.

“You’re straight right? This is a GL movie”

Who told you I am straight. I mean yes before but now I am confuse…

There’s a scene where Kim (Lesbian) was hated by Pie (Straight) when she finds out that her roommate is a lesbian. Pie also tries to request to change room because of this.

“Is it hard Nate?”

“Hmmm, hard what?

“To grow up as…hmmm…lesbian?” Nate let out a deep sigh.

“Growing up being bullied by strangers are understandable, but being bullied by your family that makes the journey hard.” I felt a pain in my heart when Nate says that. Maybe this is why she never mention anything about her family nor have any picture of them in her house.

“As I grow older I just get used to it. People staring, strangers making fun of you even you don’t know them. Unfair treatment when applying for a job or applying for a higher position.” Nate continues.

I’m just looking at her and worry is visible in my face. She continued telling me what she gone through all those years. She even told me that she pretends to be straight for five years, she keeps her hair long, wears make up and dress. Then she decided to resign after five years. I held her face and I didn’t realize that my tears were falling. She smiles at me, sad smile and she wipe my tears.

“Everything is good now Nica, I’m happy now and no one’s hurting me.”

“I know, I just…” I wipe my tears and hugged her tightly.

“Nica, oh god I’m okay now there’s nothing to be sad about.” Nate chuckled.

“This hug is for that little girl who went through a lot, and I’m proud of her for achieving all of the things she has now.” I hugged her more tightly and squeeze my face against her chest.

I don’t even know what happen next on the movie we are watching. All I know is that I want to comfort Nate after knowing everything happened to her in the past. We’re holding hands now and staring at each other. Nate stop the movie and just play music.

“Are you feeling okay now?”

“Ah yeah.”

“You wanted to sleep here? With me?”

“Can I?”

“Of course. Close your eyes now Nica. I’ll watch you until you fall asleep.”

Silent night, soft bed, scent of lavender, and Nate beside me… my safe haven.

***

Next morning, I wake up alone in Nate’s room. I heard Nate’s voice and a girl laughing. I’m so curios so I just washed my face and run towards the living room.

“Hey sis!”

“Meg?! What? Why are you here? I mean wow!”

I was so shocked and don’t know what are the words coming out of my mouth. I mean I am happy Meg is here but, since my sister is here meaning less alone time with Nate. Come on Monica it’s your sister why are you thinking like this. I try to flashed a wide smile and hug my sister.

“Come on girls let’s eat first.” Nate prepare a plate for me so I sat beside her and ate. As usual Nate is so focus on Meg she almost forgot I’m here. She put some food on my sister’s plate without asking me if I want too. Why the heck I feel like this. They’re best friends and beside Nate already told me that she just sees Meg as a sister.

“Why are you so quiet Nica?” Nate asked that made my sister looks at me too.

“Nothing.”

“Are you sure sis?”

“Yes Meg I’m okay.”

Meg wants to go to the market later to buy some souvenirs since she will just stay for 3 days. I told them I can’t come since I’m still tired from last night and just requested Nate to take me home before they go to the market. Right now I’m just looking at her, checking her car while waiting for my sister.

“Sis.” I was flustered when someone hug me from behind but smile when I see that it’s my sister.

“What are you staring at baby sis?”

“Oh, nothing it’s Nate she’s waiting for us. Come on”

Meg POV

“There’s really a lot of new building here, right Nate? The last time I went here there are no big malls yet.”

“Yes and there’s a lot of new restaurants too I’ll bring you to one of the restaurant tomorrow.”

“Is it just the two of us or with Nica?”

“It’s the three of us, of course! Why did you ask?”

“Well nothing looks like my sister is not happy that I’m here.”

“What? That’s ridiculous Meg. Maybe she’s just surprised. I don’t see any reason for her not to be happy.”

“Maybe there is… maybe she just wants to be alone with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw my sister, Nate. I saw how she looked at you. That’s how I looked at you before. Those days when I’m still in love with you”