33| red

NADIA

Nicholas' words never left my mind, I kept playing rewind in my head, his words having an evident effect on me.

I couldn't wait for Elijah to be done with practice because I needed to be home to get on with my assignment fast and I just needed rest so I called my brother to come and fetch me and although it took a bit of begging, blackmailing and bickering, I eventually won and got him to come and fetch me.

Which leads me to now, where I'm lazily walking towards his car. "I don't have all day princess," he said and I rolled my eyes.

Zeke tilted his head, his eyes scanning the distance. "Hey, who's that guy?" he asked, his voice low and curious.

I turned my head, my eyes locking onto Nicholas', whose gaze never wavered from mine. He smiled lightly, but I didn't return it. There was something about him, something that made my skin crawl. The look in his eyes seemed to say he had just figured out... something, what exactly? I have no idea , and it made me uneasy.

"Nobody," I said, trying to brush it off. "Just a friend."

Zeke raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Huh? The same friend who's been dropping you off?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

I chuckled, trying to sound nonchalant. "No, of course not, silly. Never in a million years." I shook my head, genuinely unable to envision anything romantic happening between Nicholas and me. It was literally impossible.

I opened the passenger seat door, dropping my bag onto the back seat as I rested my head on the headrest. The soft leather enveloped my head, and I closed my eyes, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me.

Zeke's voice cut through the silence. "You alright?" he asked, looking over at me with concern.

I lightly nodded, my eyelids still covering my eyes. "Yeah," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Everything went blank as I let the fatigue take over.

□□□

As I finished reviewing the last slide of my assignment, I closed my laptop and let out a heavy sigh of relief. It was done. Just then, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from Eli.

"Hey, can you open your front door?" he asked, his message brief and mysterious.

I raised an eyebrow, wondering what this was about. "Why?" I replied, my curiosity piqued.

Eli's response was simple: "Please."

I pulled my brows together, intrigued, and climbed out of my chair. I headed downstairs, phone in hand, and slipped on my slippers, which were already waiting by the front door. I opened the door, looking outside, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Then, my gaze dropped to the ground, and my heart skipped a beat.

On the porch lay a small package, accompanied by a beautiful bouquet of tulips. My favorite. I felt a surge of excitement and delight. There's no way he... I crouched down to retrieve the package, a wide smile spreading across my face as my heart felt warm and fuzzy.

Once I had the package and bouquet in hand, I shut the door behind me and set the tulips on the counter. I couldn't wait to see what Eli had sent me. I began unwrapping the package, my fingers moving eagerly as I wondered what surprise lay inside.

As I opened the bag, a royal blue flat box emerged, adorned with elegant silver trim. I ran my hands over the box, feeling a sense of anticipation. Suddenly, my phone rang, and I smiled as I saw Elijah's name on the screen. I answered immediately.

"Did you get it?" Elijah asked, his voice low and husky. I could see him lying on his bed, his hand propped above his forehead, his eyes captivating me through the screen.

"I did, but I haven't opened the box yet," I replied, teasing him.

"So, what are you waiting for, then?" he asked, his tone playful.

I giggled. "Hey, don't rush me. Good things take time, okay?" I said, biting my lip as I began to unbox the gift. But to my surprise, there was another box inside.

"What is it, babe?" I asked.

"We're about to find out now," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I slowly unwrapped the box, my heart racing with anticipation. As I opened the lid, I gasped slightly. Inside lied a beautiful silver locket, adorned with intricate patterns and sparkling gemstones. It was heavy, gorgeous, and utterly breathtaking.

"It's beautiful, Eli. Thank you so much!"

"I'm glad you like it," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "I left a note for you. Read it."

I picked up the note, which was attached to the box. As I read the sweet message, my heart swelled with emotion. The note said something about having my loved ones close, even when they're not physically there.

"I love it, Elijah. It's perfect," I said, my voice filled with sincerity. "Thanks for the tulips Mr. You're really stepping up your game," but Elijah seemed confused. "I didn't get you any flowers," he said.

I frowned, feeling a sense of unease. I looked at the note attached to the bouquet, and my heart skipped a beat. It was clearly from someone else.

"I wonder who they're from then," I said, furrowing my brows.

Just then, Elijah was called away from the other end of the line. "I'll let you go," I said, smiling.

We hung up, and I sat in silence for a moment, my mind reeling with thoughts.

I began separating the tulips, and placed them in one of my mothers many vases that she barely uses and filled it water but my eyes caught a note that was on the floor. 

Must've fell when I was taking the flowers out it's packet.

My fingers ran over the pink note and I flipped the pink envelope, opening it.

I hope you're doing much better and that you like my present.

Thanks for the best first day.

-Nicholas.

There was no way.

How- how did he even know where I lived?My heart skipped a bit but I tried to shrug the uneasy feeling off.

You're just being paranoid.

□□□

I opened my journal and began to write, one of my letters to Sam, as usual.

The past few days were a blur and everyday was passing me by like it was nothing. My parents are to be home now in a matter of days and I've been avoiding the thought of what it's going to be like when they're back here. I love them with everything I have and I'd kill for them but not with how things were recently.

Not now that I've discovered that I have a completely different life from my usual. Nothing has been the same and won't ever be. Not with this feeling in my gut.

There's this new boy in my life Sam, not Eli the one I told you about but his closest friend. His weird, a bit creepy and he FOLLOWED me to my dance class. Can you believe it?

I don't know, I can't help but feel like somethings off about him and my entire life at this point.

I just hope whatever it is, Elijah and I will be able to overcome it. Cause I couldn't bare, losing another person I my life.

I just can't.