CH 23

Gia woke up to find Jacob staring into her eyes, he had a grin on his face and his butt was sticking out as he was on his hands and knees. He was merely inches away from his face and Gia couldn’t help but laugh as she laid eyes on him. Jake laughed with her and leaned in and placed a sloppy kiss in her lips, Gia laughed as she wiped off his drool with the back of her hand. Jake frowned at her and she suddenly pulled him to her, smothering his neck and face with kisses, causing him to brake into a fit of laughter. The two spent a few more minutes playing, smiling and laughing with each other before they were interrupted. Gia looked over to see her mother standing in the doorway; she had cleared her throat to get her attention. “Phil and I would like to talk to you Gia.” She said. “Hello to you too mother.” Gia replied.

Nikolas was feeling uneasy all day. It started when Gia didn’t come down that morning. He didn’t know why it should bother him that she didn’t come see him before he left for school like she did the day before, but it did. And as he went about his day, that uneasy feeling invaded his stomach more and more. He just felt like something was wrong. After he finished soccer practice, he raced home. He walked into his house and looked in the kitchen for her, calling her name. Not hearing an answer, he then went upstairs and knocked on the door to her room. His heart began to pound, as he heard no sound on the other side of the door. He slowly pushed the door open and stuck his head in. “Gia?” He said into the room. He saw that her bed was unmade and when he stepped inside, it became clear to him that she was gone. “Oh god Gia, where did you go?” He asked into the air.

Gia held her brother as she made her way into the living room where her parents were waiting for her. Her eyes landed on Phil and her body reacted to him immediately. Her heart began to pound with fright and the memory of the pain he had inflicted onto her was filled her being. Florence held her hands out to Jake but he shook his head, refusing to go with her as he clung to Gia. “Here’s the deal Gia. We will hear no more shit from you, no more back talk or smart-ass remarks. You will continue to watch your brother, and go to school. There will be no boys or parties. You will do what we say, when we say it, and if you don’t, we’re shipping you away to boarding school. So you have a choice, you can leave your brother and us, live happily ever after somewhere far away without us. Or, you can stay here with us but live by our rules. What’ll it be?” Phil asked. Gia was taken aback, she wasn’t expecting her stepfather to be so calm and civil, and she certainly wasn’t expecting to have to choose between staying, or going. Her heart sank; this would mean that she would have to give up Nikolas. As if her brother could understand what was going on, he reached out and turned Gia’s face to his, and looked into her eyes pleadingly. Gia swallowed the tightness forming in her throat and looked at Jake, she couldn’t leave him. She nodded her head at him. “OK, I’ll stay.” She said. “This is your last chance Gia.” Phil said. Gia nodded her head. “Yes sr.” She said softly.

After Nikolas found out that Florence had come and picked Jake up from Carol’s house, he knew that Gia went to find him. He rushed over to her house, and knocked on her door.

Gia was sitting playing with Jake, her mother and her stepfather were both gone. They both had to get back to their jobs and so Gia was left alone to tend to Jake. She had changed into a pair of jeans and a light pink shirt and was now sitting numbly on the floor as she thought about what this agreement meant. Gia knew that she would have to go back to school the fallowing day. Part of her was looking forward to it, to move on with her life and getting back to some sort of “normalcy”. But another part of her, a strong part, was dreading going back to the way things were before, before Nikolas. Jacob had just handed her a car to put on the track that was on the floor when someone knocked on the door. “Stay here Jakie.” Gia said as she got up off the floor and went to get the door.

Gia gasped lightly as she swung the door open and her eyes landed on Nikolas. She had been thinking about him nonstop since her talk with her parents and now he stood in front of her, and he looked so concerned when she looked at him. “Gia.” He breathed, grabbing her, pulling her to him and wrapping his arms around her. Gia cruelly let him hold her, her arms tightening around him, and her face inching closer to him, so close to his neck. Nikolas closed his eyes, the feel of her warm breath on his neck sending shivers down his spine. When Gia felt Nikolas’ mouth move to her neck, his soft lips on her flesh, she pulled back; her heart was pounding as she thought of what she was going to say to him. Nikolas looked down at her with concern. “What happened Gia, why are you here?” He asked. “Nikolas we need to talk.” Gia said. She glanced into her house, feeling nervous about letting him in. Gia knew that her parents were going to be gone for quite a while, so she stepped back and let him pass. “Nikki!!” Jake screamed as he ran to Nikolas. Nikolas smiled as he picked him up and hugged him. “Hey buddy, it’s so good to see you.” Nik said. He was shocked at the difference between the last time he saw him. “Nikki play?” Jake asked. “No sweetie, I need to talk to Nikolas. Why don’t you go play with your cars some more?” Gia suggested. Jake started to shake his head no stubbornly but yielded when he saw the serious look on his sister’s face. He huffed and turned around, solemnly picking up his car and beginning to play.

“Gia why did you leave?” Nik asked as he turned around to look at her. Gia looked down. “I needed to see Jake.” She said softly. “It’s not safe for you to be here Gia. What if your stepdad sees you?” Nik asked. “He has.” Gia said. Nik’s eyes widened in shock. “Did he hurt you?” He breathed, searching her face for any new bruises. All he saw were the bruises from before, which were now a different shade, kind of a yellow color as they were starting to heal. “No he didn’t hit me. Look Nikolas, I’m going to stay here and take care of my brother. And you and I, we can’t see each other anymore. I’m sorry but I can’t be with you.” Gia said. Nikolas scanned her face, trying to find some clue that she wasn’t serious. He slowly shook his head. “No, you don’t mean that. What are you talking about? Gia did he do something to you? You’re acting so strange.” Nik said, confusion seeping out in his voice. Gia crossed her arms over her chest. “Nothing is wrong with me, it’s just that my life is complicated. I need to get back to my old life, I need to take care of Jake and go to school and I just don’t have time for you. I’m sorry Nikolas.” Gia said. Nikolas moved closer to her. “Why are you doing this?” He asked softly as he touched her face lightly, closing his eyes as she pulled back. “Nikolas I don’t want to hurt you! Please, just hear what I’m saying. We can’t be together, we’re over.” Gia said, looking deep into his eyes. Nikolas fought back tears as he made his way to the door. “I’m not giving up.” He said before he walked out, his tears flowing as soon as he closed the door. Gia sat down on her couch and sobbed into her hands. She looked up to see Jake chase after Nik, and try desperately to open the front door so that he could be with him. After great effort he finally gave up and turned around and cried as he plopped himself down on the floor.