CH 3

Nikolas managed to pry himself away from Gia at lunchtime but they agreed to meet out front when school was over. He found his seat in Biology and sighed as he sat down. His knee began to bounce, his nerves on edge. He had no idea why the simple fact that Gia was in the same building as him had this kind of effect on him. The argument in his head was jumping from, she’s just a girl, to she’s only the most amazing girl you’ve ever met. Nikolas laid his forehead down on his desk for a while, and when he looked up he almost jumped back. Gia and Zander were standing in the doorway.

“Zander you didn’t tell me that Nikolas was in this class.” Gia whispered quickly as she looked at him. Zander grinned. “That would have ruined the surprise.” He said, clearly proud of himself. Gia turned back around to face Nikolas and she felt like she couldn’t breathe, he was looking at her so intently. She smiled softly at him, glancing away shyly. Gia found her seat, choosing to sit a few desks away from Nikolas; she sat down, and looked up to find him staring.

Nikolas could hear the teacher talking but was paying little attention to what he was saying; he just kept looking at Gia. Most of the time she would be looking the other way, but every once in a while he would catch her gaze and he would feel numb, his heart would race. Gia chewed on her bottom lip slightly out of nervousness and Nikolas found it incredibly sexy and grinned. Gia looked back towards the teacher, trying to ignore him, but she couldn’t help but sneak a glance at him a few moments later to find him still staring at her.

Soon the bell rang and she stood up, bending down to pick up her book bag, when she stood up she gasped, as Nikolas was standing right in front of her. “Sorry.” Nik grinned. Gia glared at him slightly. “It’s OK.” She mumbled. “You ready to go?” Nik asked. “Uh where?” Gia asked. “You said you would meet with me after school, it’s after school. I thought maybe we could go out for coffee and then I could give you a ride home.” Nik said. Gia looked away and then back at him. “Why is this so weird?” she asked with a sigh. “What do you mean?” Nik shook his head. “I don’t know. Well why do you keep staring at me like you’ve never seen me before?” Gia looked at him closely. “Gia you know how beautiful you are, I’m going to stare at you.” Nik said. Gia blushed a little and looked down. Nik slowly moved closer to her. “Gia the truth is that it does feel like I’m seeing you for the first time. I’ve never seen you when you don’t look sad and without a two year old on your hip, it’s just hard to get used to. You look like a teenaged girl.” Nik picked up her hand. Gia was smiling at him. “A very hot one OK?” Nik laughed as he slowly pulled her to him. “I just can’t stop staring at you.” He whispered, touching her face lightly. Gia shivered slightly at his touch. She leaned in slowly and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “I’m really here Nikolas. “ she whispered as she pulled back smiled at him softly. Nikolas smiled as he nodded his head. “Lets go.” He said.

Nikolas and Gia walked up to Zander hand in hand. “Oh good you two are done making out.” Zander smirked “Shut up.” Gia smacked his arm. “Hey Zander Nikolas said that he can take me home, so I’ll see you tomorrow?” Gia said. Zander smiled at her, he couldn’t believe that his best friend was finally going to the same school as him after all these years of hoping it would happen. Not only was Gia going to the same school as him, but also she was going out with the most popular guy in his school, he still couldn’t get over it. “Yeah I’ll walk you to school tomorrow.” Zander nodded his head. Gia walked up and hugged him. “Thank you Zander, for everything.” Gia pulled back and looked into his eyes. Zander knew that her words meant more than anyone could ever know. “You’re welcome Gia.” He said, touching her cheek before walking off. Gia turned to face Nikolas who had been staring at her; a smile crept over his face shyly as she looked at him. “You ready to go?” Gia asked. Nikolas nodded his head numbly.

“So have you heard from your mom?” Nik asked as they sat down with their coffees in their hands. Gia sipped her hot coffee, it was rather warm outside but for some reason she felt like drinking hot coffee. Nikolas waited for her reply, and just when he was about to give up on her, she began to softly speak. “No and I don’t really care.” Gia said. “She hasn’t tried to contact you or anything?” Nik asked, but he cringed when she glared at him. “I said I haven’t heard from her.” Gia said sharply. Nikolas looked away awkwardly. “I’m sorry.” He mumbled. Gia refocused on her coffee, taking little sips, and periodically glancing at him threw her soft lashes. “Jacob has been asking about you.” Gia changed the subject, and putting her coffee down. Nikolas looked up at her and could not stop the grin that spread across his face. “He has?” He asked. Gia’s heart fluttered at the look on his face. “Yeah.” She whispered. “I want to see him, I miss him a lot.” Nik said. Gia smiled at him. “He really loves you.” She said. Nikolas dropped his hand from his iced mocha and his eyes fixed on her hand that was resting on the table, almost the same tone as the beverage in which he was drinking. He had such an urge to take it within his but he thought it to be a strange thing to do in this moment, he lifted his eyes to hers and his heart began to pound as they were held in an intense gaze. Gia parted to her lips slightly, finding it difficult to breathe. She forced herself to look down, her eyes landed on her coffee and she picked it up and brought it to her lips. Nikolas glanced at her lips briefly, before looking down as well and taking a drink of his own coffee. “So how are things going with Taggert?” Nik asked. Gia licked her lips, moistening her mouth that for some reason felt dry from the coffee she was drinking. “Things seem to be going great. You know speaking of Marcus I should really get home so that he doesn’t have to watch Jake alone for very long.” Gia said. “Yeah OK I’ll take you home, but only if I get to see Jake before I go.” Nik said. “Oh is that a threat?” Gia’s eyebrows rose. “No.” Nik shook his head as he grinned. “OK let’s go.” Gia smiled as she stood up to leave.

Gia could hear Jacob squealing on the other end of the door as she put her key in the keyhole. She glanced at Nik and made a face at him, curious as to what could be going on inside. “Jacob come on you need to dry off you still have bubbles on you.” Gia could hear Marcus saying as she and Nik came inside. “No.” Jake laughed as he came running out of the bathroom. “Nikky!” Jake exclaimed as immediately spotted him and ran up to him. Gia watched in shock as Jake’s little nude form rushed passed her and was even more shocked when Nik picked him up without the slightest hesitation. Nikolas hugged Jake’s soaking wet body to him. “I took a bath Nikky.” Jake grinned as he looked at his friend. “I can see that buddy boy, but maybe you should put some clothes on?” Nik said, his full attention on the little boy in his arms. “Nikky help me?” Jake said. “Jacob Christopher.” Gia said in shock. Jake turned to look at her, as if noticing her there for the first time and smiling brightly at her. “You don’t ask people to get you dressed like that.” Gia said. She hadn’t meant it to sound so strict and she watched as his face started to sadden. “But I want Nikky to do it.” He said, his lip beginning to quiver sadly as he rubbed his eyes with his fists. “Maybe if you ask please.” Nik whispered to Jake. Jacob smiled through the tears that had formed in his eyes. “Please?” He said. “Sure buddy I’ll get you dressed.” Nik nodded. Gia couldn’t help but smile as she watched them, she couldn’t believe that prince Nikolas Cassadine, the most popular guy in her school, was so caring and affectionate with her little brother. She watched as they chatted away as Nik carried him into the bathroom where Marcus was.

Taggert came out of the bathroom, the whole front of his shirt was soaked, rest of his clothes were wet in various spots. “We need to cut down on the amount of sugar that kid eats Gia.” He said seriously, pointing back at the door. “I know.” Gia agreed. Taggert sighed as he dried himself off with a towel that was in his hands. “What’s he doing here?” Marcus motioned to the room that Nik had disappeared to with Jake. “He drove me home.” Gia crossed her arms over her chest. Marcus sensed her change in attitudes and widened his eyes. “I think we need to set some rules about that.” Marc said. Gia opened her mouth to say something but was cut off as Nikolas and Jake came back into the room. Gia scrunched her face as she looked at Jake, he had on a pair of baggy jeans but that was it. “Where’s your shirt?” she asked. “He didn’t want one.” Nik explained. Gia started to say something but so suddenly that it startled her, she realized that she needed to let go and let other people take care of Jake, because she was his sister and not his mother. She smiled at them. “Say goodbye to Nikolas Jakie, he has to go.” Gia said. “Bye Nikky, see you tomorrow?” Jake asked. “I don’t know buddy, but I’ll see you soon I promise OK?” Nik said. Jake nodded and Nik kissed his cheek before putting him down. Nik started to walk closer to Gia but she glanced at her brother and looked back at him. “I’ll see you tomorrow Nikolas.” She smiled at him. Nikolas stopped and nodded his head, smiling at her softly. “Yeah I’ll see you tomorrow. Nice to see you again Taggert.” Nik said. “Lieutenant Taggert.” He stepped closer to him. “Right Lieutenant.” Nik nodded his head. “Bye Jakie.” Nik smiled at him. “Bye!” Jake waved at him enthusiastically. Nik turned around and walked out. Marcus turned to his sister. “We definitely need to have a talk in the morning.” He said before taking Jake’s hand and leading him off into the kitchen.