CH 26

Zander waited at the usual corner for Gia to arrive on her way to school. When Nikolas called he sounded desperate, and Zander agreed with him that Gia needed to get out of her house and away from her parents. He didn’t care for Nikolas Cassadine, but he seemed to be genuine about his intentions with Gia. He was slowly starting to trust the guy. When Zander saw Gia from a distance, he knew that she was sad, and just as he suspected the minute she noticed him, she plastered a fake smile on her face. “Hey Zander.” Gia said softly. “Hey, are you OK?” Zander asked. Gia nodded her head softly. “Yeah I’m fine. What’s up?” Gia changed the subject. Zander caught this. “I was wondering if you wanted to come to the mall with me and maybe a couple of the guys? I know that it’s your mom’s day to pick up Jake. What do you say?” Zander asked. “I don’t know. You know that my mom trusts you but I don’t know how she would feel about me going out with your friends.” Gia answered. “Well don’t tell her that part.” Zander said. Gia smiled. “OK I’ll call her at lunch and I’ll let you know.” Gia said. “OK.” Zander answered.

Gia had just placed her tray of food down on the table outside when the same group of girls from the day before came walking up to her. “I didn’t know that you were a liar Gia Campbell. You think you know someone.” Jamie said hotly. “You don’t know me.” Gia said simply. “Why did you lie to us? You said that you weren’t going out with Nikolas Cassadine. You know, if it was so that we wouldn’t think you were a slut it was too late for that.” Jamie said. Gia stood up, getting in her face, but she slowly shook her head. “I don’t have time for this you jealous bitch. I told you that we’re just friends. You can tell yourself anything you want to about us, and go on being a pathetic loser, but leave me out of it. Now get away from me because I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep this food down if I have to keep looking at you.” Gia said. She confidently turned around and sat down at a different table. With her heart still pounding, she called her mom, and then called Zander. “Zander? She said yes. I think a day out with you is just what I need. I’ll see you at the mall.” Gia said into her phone and then hung up.

Gia spotted Zander with his back to her, he was at a table in the food court and he was talking to someone that she couldn’t make out. She walked up to them and they both looked over at her. “Nikolas.” Gia breathed. Nikolas smiled up at her. “Hey Sparky.” He said cheerfully. Gia glared at Zander. “I’m so out of here.” She said and turned around. Zander ran to catch up with her. “Gia wait! Come on, where are you going?” He asked, turning her to face him. “How could you trick me like that Zander? You know that I can’t see him right now.” Gia said angrily. “I didn’t trick you Gia. Look the truth is that Nikolas and I have been hanging out together and we’ve gotten to know each other a lot better. I like him.” Zander said. Gia looked at him suspiciously. “Since when?” She asked. “I told you, since I’ve been getting to know him.” Zander said. “That is Nikolas Cassadine Zander. He’s the most popular guy in your school. You’re telling me that he wants to be your friend?” Gia asked. “First off, thanks a lot. It’s nice to know that you think so highly of me. And second, yes he does want to be my friend. Now I’m sorry if you misunderstood, but I said that I wanted to hang out with you and maybe some friends, and Nikolas is my friend now. It would be good if you guys could at least get along enough to hang out at the mall with me.” Zander said. Gia sighed, looking over at Nikolas briefly, who was looking at her from the table. “OK I guess I can hang out for a little while. But try and distract him from talking to me.” Gia said. Zander smiled. “OK deal.” He said as he took her hand and began to walk back. Nikolas looked up at them; he envied Zander’s hand. “Are you ready to go look around?” Zander asked. Nikolas nodded his head and stood up to join them.

“Hey I’m going to go to the bathroom, I’ll be right back.” Zander said. Gia grew uncomfortable as she stood with Nikolas. She had been able to avoid talking to him while they walked around, by staying on the other side of Zander as they walked, but this was going to be hard. They stood towards the entrance of the bathroom, confined in a narrow hall that made Gia feel trapped, leaning against the wall behind her as she looked off to her side. “Gia, will you just look at me? Please?” Nik asked. Gia slowly turned her head to face him, her eyes locking onto his. Nikolas’ first plan to take things slow had not worked. Now he was going to try and be more aggressive with her. “What Nikolas?” Gia dared to challenge him. “I want you to stop acting like you don’t like me, or even know me. You and I have something special. You can’t deny that Gia.” Nik said stepping closer to her. “We’re friends Nikolas.” Gia said softly. Nikolas shook his head. “We’re more then that and you know it.” He said. He stepped closer to her, placing his hands on the wall behind her, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, expecting resistance but she surprised him by opening her mouth. Gia wasn’t thinking about anything but her desire to kiss him, she forgot about her parents or her brother, or the fact that they were in the middle of a mall. All she was thinking about was what she wanted in this moment, she needed him. Nikolas quickly accepted her invitation and pushed his tongue into her mouth. He moaned when she circled her tongue around his, and then pushing it deeper inside, to explore his mouth deeper. Nikolas pressed his body closer to hers as they kissed, pinning her against the wall. Gia let him, craving the connection to his body; she lifted her knee up slightly, feeling his hand run up her thigh. She pressed into him, running her fingers through his hair as she sucked hungrily on his tongue. Nikolas moaned deeply, desperately trying to make the kiss last, tasting and exploring all he could. Gia suddenly pushed him back roughly, leaving Nikolas feeling drugged and grasping to stay standing. “I can’t do this.” She said, her hands reaching up to hold her head. “Why not Gia? Why won’t you stop lying to yourself and just admit that you have feelings for me?” Nik asked. “I don’t have feelings for you.” Gia looked away. Nikolas grabbed her face in his hands so that she was facing him; he leaned in close to her face. Gia felt numb, her lips felt tingly and shallow breaths escaping from her lips. “Say that again Gia.” Nik whispered, leaning dangerously close to her lips. Gia felt weakened by his closeness, her heart pounded as his warm breath touched her lips, she let out a soft moan before giving in, and pressing her lips to his in a soft kiss, but pulled back again, resting her forehead against his. “I have feelings for you Nikolas but I can’t do this. Why can’t you see that?” Gia said sadly. “You’re not happy, I can see it.” Nikolas said, touching her braids lightly. “But my brother is, and that’s all that matters to me. I have to go Nikolas.” Gia said, pushing away from the wall and stepping away from him. “What are you talking about? Where are you going?” Nik asked, gripping her hand quickly. “I’m catching the bus home. I can’t be with you.” Gia said. Nikolas shook his head stubbornly. “Why are you acting like this? Will he hit you if he finds out about us Gia?” Nik asked. Gia looked down. Nikolas took this as a yes. “You can’t go back there Gia. I won’t let you.” Nik said slowly, and sternly. Gia huffed, shaking her head. “You can’t control my life Nikolas, it’s not yours, it’s mine so stay out of it. I know you’re use to getting your way but this is something that you can’t have.” Gia said. Nikolas walked up to her briskly, gripping her by the back of her neck and pulling her to him, pressing his lips to hers and powerfully pulling her tongue into his mouth and sucking down on it. Gia was breathless when he pulled away. “I always get what I want.” Nik said softly. Gia huffed. She looked up at him stunned, her eyes dancing across his face. “I have to go.” Gia said softly, and walked away. “Gia!” Nik called after her, but it did no good. Nikolas watched her disappear into a crowd of people. Fighting off the tears he felt rising. He was more determined then ever to get Gia away from her parents.

When Zander came back, he was confused. “Where’s Gia?” He asked. Nikolas sighed. “She left.” He said. “What did you do?” Zander asked. “I didn’t do anything.” Nik said defensively. “Well obviously you did something if she’s not here.” Zander said angrily. Nikolas held his hands up. “OK lets not fight. That’s not going to help us. I felt so close Zander.” Nik said. Zander paced slightly in front of Nik. “OK we need to think of a plan to see her again. She’s not going to trust me anymore after this. She knows I tricked her into this.” Zander said. Nikolas nodded. “Yeah so what are you thinking?” Nik asked. “I’m not sure if you’ll like this one.” Zander said. “Just tell me.” Nik sighed. “Well, who’s the one other person who she trusts as a friend besides us?” Zander asked. Nikolas thought about it. “I don’t know.” He said. “I think we need to talk to your brother Nikolas.” Zander said. “No. No I won’t ask him to help. He cares for Gia too much. I’m afraid he might have some leftover feelings for her. No, out of the question.” Nik said, shaking his head. “Come on Nikolas. There are very few people who Gia trusts and like it or not, Brandon is one of those people.” Zander said. Nikolas threw his head back as he thought about what Zander was suggesting. “You’re right. Gia trusts him. I’ll ask him when I get home.” Nik said nodding his head.

Gia walked into her home and heard her mother and Jacob in the kitchen. She walked in and Jacob immediately ran up to her. Florence turned around to face her as Gia hugged her brother. “Phil has the night off tomorrow. I suggest staying away from him. He’s still mad about the pill incident, so he’s been avoiding you. Don’t go doing anything stupid, you know what he can do to you.” Florence said. “I’m well aware of what he can do to me mother. It’s too bad you weren’t here to see the bruises when they were fresh, they were something to see.” Gia said. Florence looked at her angrily. “Gia that attitude of yours is going to get you kicked out of this house. Is that what you want?” She asked. Gia looked at the little boy in her arms that was clinging to her so tightly. “No. I’m sorry. I’ll try and stay away from Phil.” Gia said. Florence nodded her head. “Good. I’m going to bed. Make sure that Jacob gets to bed.” Florence said, walking out of the kitchen. “Goodnight.” Gia muttered. She turned to Jacob. “What do you say I give you a bath?” Gia asked. Jacob smiled. “Yea.” He breathed. Gia smiled at him and nodded her head. “I love you Jacob.” She sighed as she hugged him. “I love you Gia.” He said softly.