CH 20

Nikolas walked into his home, he knew that Brandon would be home from school soon and he wanted to see Gia before he got there. He walked up the stairs and headed for his bedroom and knocked on the door, he heard no answer but he slowly opened the door and stuck his head in. He looked around and didn’t see her anywhere. “Gia? Gia are you in here?” He said into the room. He didn’t hear an answer and he started to panic, searching the room. “Shit, she left.” He cursed. He walked up to his bed and saw that it was unmade, like she had been sleeping in it but now she wasn’t. He smiled slightly when he looked down and saw the row of pictures on the bed, knowing she must have found it. He quickly spun around when he heard the door open behind him. “Gia.” He breathed when he saw her. “I hope you don’t mind me getting something to eat, I was starving. I also took a shower, I hope that’s OK.” Gia said coming into the room and closing the door behind her. “No, no of course that’s OK. I was just worried that had you left.” Nik said. Gia shook her head. “I promised I wouldn’t.” She said softly. Nikolas smiled at her. She had put her jean shorts back on, she still wore his big light blue T-shirt and her braids were up in a ponytail. Despite her still swollen cheek and lip, she looked really cute. “So how’s Jake?” Gia asked quickly. Nikolas looked down and took a deep breath. Gia placed her hand over her heart, knowing what that must mean. “Gia, I’m not going to lie to you. He’s really upset and he wants to see you, he cried until he threw up last night and then he fell asleep. But he’s safe and Carol said that she would watch him as long as you need her to. She also said that she would not let him go home with Phil.” Nik explained. Gia nodded her head as tears rolled down her cheeks, she tried to wipe them away with the back of her hands but she was failing. “Did you tell him that I love him and that I’m going to come get him as soon as I can?” Gia asked, her voice thick with emotion. “Yes.” Nik nodded. “How was he when you left?” Gia asked. Nikolas sighed. “He wouldn’t look at me. He was upset and mad at me I think. I told him to be strong.” Nik said trying to hold back his own tears. Gia turned away from Nikolas, letting her tears fall freely, trying to hold in her sobs. Nikolas walked up behind her. “Hey, he’ll be OK Gia. He just misses you, that’s all.” Nik said gently as he turned her to face him. Gia shook her head sadly. “I promised him that I would always keep him safe. That I would never let Phil get to him, I broke my promise.” Gia cried. Nikolas gently wrapped his arms around her; and Gia rested her head on his shoulder as she held onto him. “You didn’t break your promise Gia. You tried to protect him, and you still are protecting him. He knows that and he loves you. Don’t blame yourself for any of this.” Nik said into her ear. Gia shook her head. “I could have killed him Nikolas.” She said pulling away from him as she cried. Nikolas stopped her and held onto her shoulders. “No, that’s not true. You know why? Because Gia, you’re so beautiful inside and out. And you have such a big heart. You would never hurt Jake on purpose. Please Gia, stop seeing yourself as a horrible person because you’re not. You're beautiful. ” Nik said softly. He reached out and lightly cupped her face in his hands. Gia’s eyes stung with tears at his words and Nik felt like he was drowning in her deep brown pools. Gia’s heart began to race as Nikolas slowly leaned in, his warm breath and his soft lips pulling her in like a magnet that she just couldn’t resist. His mouth connected with hers and it was like magic. It was soft and gentle, and that’s all it needed to be. Just light touch, a connection they were both craving that still sent their hearts on a rampage. Nikolas pulled back and looked at her, still shocked that she was with him, and in his room. He reached up and lightly touched her swollen lip with his fingertip. “Did that hurt?” He asked softly. “I don’t care.” Gia breathed. Nik smiled at her. “You’re so strong Gia.” He said. Gia smiled weakly and shrugged her shoulders as she walked over and sat down on his bed. “I don’t feel like it sometimes. I don’t have the guts to stop him.” Gia sighed. Nikolas leaned in so that he was eye level with her. “Gia, listen to me. You are the strongest person I know. Please, stop thinking that this has anything to do with you. It’s some fucked up power trip of your stepdad's or something, I don’t know. But you’re a good person and he’s an asshole. I need to do something, I need to stop him.” Nik said, he turned around but Gia jumped up to stop him. “No Nikolas!” She said as she grabbed onto him. “Gia, I won’t let him get away with this, it needs to stop. I can’t handle seeing you like this!” Nik yelled. “Nikolas if you report him, then it’s going to involve my mom and despite the way she treats me sometimes, I love her. I can’t lose Jacob Nikolas and if my parents are arrested then they might take him away.” Gia said desperately. “I can’t do nothing Gia, I have to stop him.” Nik said softly. “You’re not doing nothing, you’re taking care of me and you made sure Jake is safe for me, that means the world to me Nikolas.” Gia said. “I want to kill him.” Nik said as he tightened his fists. “Well you’re not the first person to want that. Zander’s been wanting to for years but I won’t let him.” Gia said. “You mean Zander knows that this happens to you and he doesn’t do anything to stop it? God what kind of friend is he?” Nik said angrily. Gia began to get defensive. “He’s a good friend Nikolas. He loves me and he does all he can to protect me. But he also respects my wishes and stays out of my business. Please do the same.” Gia said. Nikolas shook his head. “You can’t be serious Gia.” Nik said incredulously. “Please Nikolas.” Gia said looking into his eyes. “Fine, OK I’ll make you a deal. I won’t tell anyone, as long as you stay here.” Nik said, looking down at her. Gia made a face. “Stay here? Nikolas you can’t keep me a secret up here forever, Brandon already knows I’m here; he’s going to need an explanation. I just, I think it would be best if I went home. I doubt that Phil will even come home and that way I can be closer to Jacob.” Gia said. “No Gia, look I don’t want you to be put in any more danger. We can deal with Brandon and you can stay in the guest room. Come on, I just want you to be safe, please.” Nik said, taking her hand in his. “OK deal, I’ll stay here.” Gia nodded. Nikolas smiled at her. “Thank you.” He said softly.

Nikolas sat in his living room downstairs but his mind was wandering to the guest room upstairs where he had left Gia to get settled in. He looked over abruptly when the front door was opened and then slammed shut. His eyes landed on his brother’s furious face. “I want to know what’s going on and now. Why the hell did my girlfriend show up last night and run into your arms? I want answers now Nikolas!” Brandon demanded. “Because I needed him.” Gia said walking down the stairs. Both Nikolas and Brandon turned around to look at her as she walked up to them. “Gia, please talk to me. What happened to you?” He asked as she reached out to touch her arms lightly. Nikolas steamed with jealousy but he recovered when Gia backed away from his brother’s touch. “Nikolas can I talk to Brandon alone please?” Gia asked turning to him. Nikolas was slightly taken back by her question. “Sure.” He reluctantly went into the kitchen and left the two to talk. Gia turned away from Brandon as she thought of what she was going to say to him. After a brief silence as she rubbed her arms from a sudden chill in the room, she turned around to look at Brandon. “I need to tell you something Brandon. I don’t think that you and I are going to work. You see, Nikolas and I are really good friends and we’ve become so close. I didn’t know just how much I cared about him until I was forced to choose between the two of you. I was beat up by my stepfather and I realized that he was the one I wanted to take care of me. I thought that you were the one I wanted to be with but you’re not. I’m sorry but I want to be with Nikolas.” Gia said, swallowing the lump in her throat. Brandon looked away angrily, turning away from her as she ran his hand through his hair trying to calm down. “Brandon.” Gia said moving towards him. Brandon turned around to face her and she was shocked at how kind his face looked. “Gia, I want to apologize to you. I think you’re a very beautiful girl and I like you a lot but the truth is that I wanted you more when I found out that my brother did. It became a game to me and I got wrapped up in winning. But I’m not blind, I can see it in your eyes, you love him.” Brandon said. Gia looked away, uncomfortable that he had her pegged so well, not even having admitted this to herself. “He feels the same way about you Gia, go be with him.” Brandon breathed. Gia smiled as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” She whispered.

Nikolas turned around when the kitchen door opened and his eyes landed on Gia. “It’s over right? All this time has been just a dream and you’re going to go be with him right?” Nik asked sadly. Gia walked over and sat down on the stool next to him, leaning over the countertop in front of them. She propped her head up with her fist and looked at him intently as he turned his face towards her. “The person I want to be with is right in front of me Nikolas.” Gia said softly. Nikolas reached up and began to stroke her braids. “Good.” Nik breathed, leaning in and kissing her softly on the lips.