CH 27

Gia felt strange as she walked to school. Zander was not at his usual corner waiting for her. She wouldn’t want to talk to him if her were, but still it felt odd not having him walk her to the bus stop. Zander had been her friend for so long that she felt a huge pain in her heart at the thought of not having him in it anymore. There was a constant lump lodged in her throat and she let out a deep breath in an attempt not to cry. “I have no friends left.” She whispered to herself as she crossed the street to the stop. She sat down and waited for the bus.

Gia flinched slightly at the sudden sound of her cell phone ringing. “Hello.” She said into the phone. “Gia. Remember me?” His smooth voice entered her ear. A smile spread across her face. “Of coarse Brandon. I haven’t heard from you in a long time though. I was starting to think you dropped off the face of the earth or something.” Gia said. Brandon laughed. “No I’ve just been busy with football. I’ve missed you though, do you miss me?” He asked. Gia smiled. “You’re a good friend Brandon, of coarse I miss you.” Gia answered. “Well how would you like to get together today?” He asked. Gia looked around nervously, feeling like she would be caught at any moment. “I’m not supposed to go out with anyone right now.” Gia said. “I don’t mean on a date Gia. I just mean that we could hang out like we use to when we first met.” Brandon said. “I know but they don’t even want me doing that.” Gia said. “Come on Gia. What’s the worst thing that will happen if you get caught?” Brandon asked. “Nothing.” Gia quickly answered. “Then why not come hang out with me?” Brandon asked. Gia sighed; she had been fallowing her parent’s rules for weeks now. “Well I guess it would be all right. I just can’t stay very long.” Gia said. “Will you meet me at the house after school? I have practice but I should be done right after.” Brandon said. “The house? Will Nikolas be there?” Gia asked. Feeling panicked at that thought. “I don’t think so. One of the staff members will let you in.” Brandon said. “I could actually really use a friend right now.” Gia said. Brandon frowned on the other end of the phone. “I know, so come over and we’ll hang out.” He said. “I’ll be there.” Gia said.

Brandon hung up the phone and turned to his brother, and Zander who was standing right beside him. “She said yes, but it just feels wrong lying to her.” He said. “Oh since when did you get a conscience?” Nik grumbled. Brandon glared at him. “Look you guys asked me to do this Nikolas. Do you want my help or not?” Brandon asked. Zander nodded his head. “Yes we need your help, that’s why we’re meeting here this morning. She trusts you as a friend and that’s what we need, for her to feel safe enough to talk to you. So did she say anything else?” He asked. Brandon looked down. “She said that she’s not supposed to go out with anyone right now and I stressed that it wasn’t like that. When I confronted her about what would happen if she got caught, she got defensive and said nothing.” Brandon said. Nikolas balled up his fists. “That bastard will hit her if she’s caught, that’s what will happen!” He yelled. “Nikolas you need to calm down.” Brandon said. “Don’t tell me what to do Brandon!” Nik shouted. “Whoa Nikolas come on calm down. Getting mad won’t help.” Zander said. Nikolas looked at him sharply. “Why not get mad? Nothing else is working. Why don’t we just beat the shit out of the jerk and get her out of there?” Nik said, pacing his entryway frantically. “Come on Nikolas lets not go doing anything stupid. Who would protect her if we were arrested?” Zander pointed out. Nikolas nodded his head slowly, letting out a slow breath. “You’re right, I’m sorry I just want to get her out of there.” Nik said softly. Zander gripped Nik’s shoulder firmly. “That’s what we all want Nikolas. Now we’re all clear on what’s going to happen today right?” He asked. “Yeah, I wait about 20 minutes to get home and Nikolas is going to try and get through to her and if he doesn’t, I’ll take her out and I can try.” Brandon said. “Yes but be sure to stay away for at least 20 minutes.” Nik said. “I know Nikolas.” Brandon said. “OK so then just call me and let me know what happens and we’ll take it from there all right?” Zander said, suddenly glad he didn’t have a brother. He waited for their nods. “OK break!” Zander said. Nikolas and his brother looked at him oddly. “What? I’ve always wanted to say that.” Zander said. Nik shook his head slowly. “You’re weird.” Brandon stated before he walked out. “Come on I’ll give you a ride to school.” Nik said as he escorted Zander out.

Gia walked up the curvy driveway of the Cassadine mansion, memories and feelings returning to her as she walked the familiar path. She could practically feel the pain in her body that she felt the night she came here, hurt and needing help. She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell and waited for an answer, suddenly nervous. The door opened and a small woman with curly brown hair smiled at her. “Hi, Mrs. Landsbury right?” Gia asked. The woman nodded her head. “Yes that’s right. You’re here to see Brandon?” She asked. Gia nodded. “Yes I am.” She answered. “Well he’s expected home in a few minutes. Come on in and wait for him dear.” Gia smiled at her. “Thank you.” She said. Gia stepped inside and was left alone. It felt strange being in the practically empty home. She walked into the living room and began to look at the various framed pictures displayed. She picked up a picture that was in an oval cold frame, she was sure it was Nikolas. He looked to be about 5 years old, and he was sitting on a horse. “That's Sheba." Nik suddenly said from behind. Gia gasped as she spun around. Nikolas smiled at her. "Don't do that!" Gia said angrily. "Do what?" Nik threw his hands up coyly. "Oh don't play dumb. I'm talking about sneaking up on me. I mean it, don't ever do that again." Gia said. "OK I’m sorry, I won't. I didn't mean to interrupt your little Nikolas love fest there. I'll leave you to gaze at my picture some more." Nik said. Gia glared at him, setting the picture down on the shelf it was sitting on. "You know, what are you doing here anyway? Brandon said that you weren't going to be here." Gia said. "He was wrong." Nik shrugged. "OK well you can leave while I wait for him then." Gia said. "This is my home Gia, I'm not leaving." Nik said incredulously. "Fine." Gia mumbled. She started to explore again, trying to ignore him as she walked further into the room. Nikolas watched her from a distance, smiling at her mannerisms that were so uniquely hers. The way she touched things with the tips of her fingers, or tucked a few loose braids behind her ear, or would lean in to look at something. She looked so innocent in her uniform. He felt slightly on edge, having her in his home, investigating his things. He watched her crouch down, her sexy legs flexing, her plaid uniform skirt flaring over her thighs. "What's this?" She asked, standing up and holding up a small silver jewelry box. "That's my mother's. My father gave it to her when he was keeping her captive. She hated it. But I knew that it belonged to her when I was younger so I kept it. It was one of my only connections to her, I really cherish it." Nikolas said, he walked over and took it from her. Gia’s heart began to pound as he stood close to her. He opened it up and it played a song. “It's Russian." Nik said softly. Gia nodded her head as she licked her lips lightly. "It's beautiful." Gia said huskily. Nikolas smiled at her, reaching out and brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. "You're beautiful Gia." He whispered. Gia blushed. Her eyelash’s fluttering delicately. She cursed her rapidly beating heart as she looked away from him. "Where's Brandon anyway?” She asked as she nervously turned to face the door. Nikolas shrugged as he put the jewelry box back. "Football practice I think." He said. Gia turned around to face him again. "I can't stay long. I thought he knew that." She said. "Why? Do you have to pick up Jake or something?" Nik asked, casually stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Yeah." Gia said softly. "Well Carol's always willing to watch him as long as you need her to. Why don't you call and ask if you can have a little more time?" Nik suggested. Gia shook her head. “I can't, I'm not supposed to. I’ll get in trouble." She said softly. Nikolas walked closer to her again, cautiously approaching her. "Come stay here Gia. I'll keep you safe." Nik said, reaching for her hand. "What are you talking about?” Gia asked, pulling her hand away. "I'm talking about you leaving your fucking home Gia. You can’t stay there. I want you and Jake to move in here. Just run away Gia." Nikolas said. Gia backed away from him as she shook her head. “That’s crazy Nikolas. I can’t do that! I won’t!” Gia said. She turned around when the door opened. She looked over at Brandon, and then back at Nikolas. "Brandon, if our friendship ever mattered to you and if you value it still at all, tell me the truth. Did you invite me here to try and get me to listen to your brother?” She asked. Brandon lowered his head, nodding softly. "We just want you to be safe Gia. We care about you and we're only trying to help you." Brandon said. Gia shook her head angrily as she crossed arms over her chest. “I knew it! I knew I couldn’t trust you!” She quickly walked out of the living room, and Nikolas chased after her. Gia held her hands up to stop him. "No! You and Zander and your brother need to stay away from me! You might not understand the love and bond between siblings the way I do but I love my brother more then anything. I'm doing what I have to do to protect him. If you care about me like you say you do, you’ll leave me the hell alone! Please Nikolas, just stay out of it." Gia said, her voice trailing off. She ran out of the house leaving Nikolas feeling desperate and confused, fighting the urge to punch something. Nikolas turned to his brother, his face contorted in pain. "Why did you tell her the truth?" He asked. "Oh no you don't. You can’t blame me for any of this Nikolas. I know that you are in denial over the fact the Gia and I are close but I wasn’t about to lose a friend like her forever, over a lie you made me tell." Brandon said, pointing an accusing finger at him. Nikolas shook his head sadly. "Well now she trusts nobody Brandon." Nik said. "Maybe we should just give her some space like she’s asking us to?" Brandon said. "And let her get beat to death? I don't think so." Nik shook his head. “Well what do we do now?” Brandon said. Nikolas plopped himself down on the couch. “I don’t know Brandon. All I know is that I can’t give up on her. I love her.” Nik said, tears slipping down his cheeks.