CH 8

“Gia, will you pick a dress, please?” Nik complained as he walked into what seemed like the hundredth store that day. The initial awkwardness of their trip had quickly faded and the two had become more at ease with each other. Gia turned around and glared at him. “Hey this was your idea prince, you should have known that if you tell a girl you’ll buy her any dress she wants, you’re just asking for an all day mall expedition.” Gia said. Nik laughed. “Gia, but really, just pick one. I’m going to tell you a little secret OK?” Nik said. Gia rolled her eyes. “What?” Gia asked. Her breathing quickening when he moved his mouth merely inches from her ear. “I hate malls.” He whispered. Gia pulled back with a mock shocked expression on her face. “Oh big surprise, PRINCE Nikolas Cassadine doesn’t like shopping with the peasants.” Gia said sarcastically. Nikolas turned beat red. “Gia, my god did you have to say it that loud?” Nik hissed. Gia laughed. “Yep.” She said before turning and walking away from him. “Oh my god I think this is it!” Gia exclaimed. Nikolas stood in shock, he couldn’t figure out how Gia could embarrass him beyond belief one moment and react excitedly over a dress the next. Gia pulled out a little black one-shoulder dress and smiled as she held it up to herself. Nik’s throat tightened as he imagined the way it would look on her, it would look so sexy on her, and it would fit her body perfectly. He watched as a frown appeared on Gia’s face. “I think I’ll get something a little less revealing, don’t you think?” Gia said. Nik almost laughed at her comment. “Why would you do that? That dress is perfect Gia.” Nik said. Gia shook her head sadly. “I think it would make me look like a tramp that’s all, I’ll just get something else.” Gia said turning to put it back. Nik lunged forward and took the dress out of Gia’s hands. “Gia, you would look beautiful in this dress, you would look beautiful in any dress, and you don’t look like a tramp. I’m getting you this dress.” Nik said walking up and getting in line.

Gia didn’t say anything as Nikolas purchased the dress, or when they walked out of the shop, she remained quiet and looking sad as they walked. Nikolas held the bag out to her, Gia looked down at it hesitantly; she finally took it from him. “Thank you.” She said shyly. “Oh look, we have to do this!” Gia said excitedly as she pulled him by his arm. Nikolas was once again shocked at her quick change of moods. Gia stopped at a little photo booth. “What? Gia come on these things are for little kids.” Nik laughed. “Nope, I want proof that Nikolas Cassadine actually went to the mall.” Gia said pushing him in. “Hey I came here once! When Brandon dared me.” Nik mumbled the last part. Gia laughed as she put the money in. “OK the first one has to look really pitiful.” Gia stated. Nikolas frowned into the camera. He felt funny and began to smirk as the next picture went off. Gia screeched when Nikolas all of the sudden pulled her into the booth and made her sit next to him. The next picture went off as Gia glared at Nikolas. “Come on just one nice one.” Nik said, Gia looked ahead and smiled with Nikolas, Nik then slipped out, leaving Gia alone for the last one. “Nikolas.” She yelled as she got out of the booth. “What?” He asked with a grin on his face. Nikolas picked up the pictures as Gia walked up to him. Nik smiled at the row of pictures. Gia glanced over his shoulder, she laughed at Nik’s sad faced one, when Gia looked at the one by herself, she frowned. “That is hideous.” Gia said making a face. It was Nik’s favorite one, Gia was obviously looking at him as she smiled, and she looked beautiful. “OK give me that one, I’m not even looking forward, I’ll throw it away.” Gia said sticking her hand out. “No way, it’s my first day at the mall and I want to remember it, I’m keeping all of them.” Nik said as he pulled them away from her grabbing hands. Gia shook her head sadly and crossed her arms over her chest as she continued to walk the mall.

“So do you want to get something to eat?” Nik asked. Gia dug her cell phone out of her purse and looked at the time. “I can’t, I have to catch the bus.” Gia said. “But that will take like an hour out of our time together. I’ll just give you a ride home.” Nik said. “No.” Gia stated. “Why not?” Nik asked. Gia didn’t want him to see where she lived. “I, I just don’t want to be late, I need to pick my little brother up from the babysitter’s.” Gia said. “Come on Gia, I’ll get you home in time.” Nik said. Gia sighed. “Fine.” She said. Nik smiled and they walked over to the food court.

“So do you get along with Brandon pretty well?” Gia asked Nikolas as she stuck her fork into the last bite of a piece of chocolate cheesecake and ate it. Nikolas looked up at her. “Most of the time, but we have our moments, we’re very competitive. If there’s something we both want, we fight until one of us gets it.” Nik said looking into her eyes. Gia looked down. “I like Brandon, he’s really nice.” Gia said. “Do you like me?” Nik asked cocking his head to the side. Gia smiled. “I’m liking you more every minute I spend with you.” She said nodding. Nik smiled. “Good, because I like you too.” Nik said. Gia smiled. “Here you have a little..” Nik said reaching up and cleaning off a little smug of chocolate on here cheek. His hand lingered there; he began to run his thumb along the smooth curve of her cheekbone. Gia’s eyelashes fluttered and she licked her lips lightly. Nik’s eyes caught this movement and he couldn’t take it any longer and leaned in to kiss her, but Gia backed away before he could come any closer. “We should really go, I don’t want to be late picking up Jake.” Gia said. Nik cleared his throat and nodded his head as he ran his fingers through his hair. He stood up and held his hand out to her and Gia reluctantly took it, for him to help her up.

“You can just drop me off at the corner.” Gia said as Nik pulled up to her street. “Gia what’s wrong? Why don’t you want me to know where you live?” Nik said glancing over at her. “My house is nothing special.” Gia said. The truth was that she knew that Phil would be home and she didn’t want Nik coming in. She hoped that Phil would still be asleep but she didn’t want to take that chance.  “Gia, I don’t care about that kind of thing. I thought maybe I could meet your brother.” Nik said. Gia sighed. “Yeah OK but I really need to get home after so you can just meet him at the sitter’s and then go OK?” Gia said. Nik smiled. “OK.” He agreed.

Nikolas pulled up at Mrs. O’Neal’s house, and looked at the one next to it. “Is that your house?” Nik asked. “Yep.” Gia said. Nik looked at the house, it was nice, an older home but it was big and had lots of trees around it, he wondered why she would be ashamed of living there. They walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. “Hey Gia, come on in.” Carol said as she opened the door for them. “This is my friend Nikolas Cassadine, Nikolas this is Carol O’Neal.” Gia introduced them. They smiled and shook hands. “Is he in the play room?” Gia asked. Carol laughed. “Where else would he be?” She asked. Gia walked in to find her brother playing with some little cars. He didn’t notice her as he ran them along a little track, so she got on her knees, crawled closer. Listening to him make little swooshing noises. She just sat there and smiled as Nikolas stood in the doorway and watched. Jacob finally sensed someone there and looked over. He began to laugh hysterically, trembling with sheer excitement. Gia laughed as he ran up to her and tackled her, knocking her down onto her back, Gia laughed as she pushing him up with her arms so that he was hovering in the air. Jacob was turning red from laughing so hard. “All right Jakie take a breath.” Gia said sitting up and hugging him. “Did you miss me?” Gia asked. Jacob nodded his head vigorously. Jacob glanced behind her and buried his head in her shoulder as he saw Nikolas in the doorway. Gia picked him up and turned around. “He’s a little shy at first.” Gia said. “Hi there Jacob, my name’s Nikolas.” Nik said walking up to Gia. Jake lifted his head off of Gia’s shoulder and smiled at him. “What do you got there?” Nik asked pointing at the object in his hand. “Car!” Jake said excitedly as he stuck his hand out to show him. “Wow that’s a cool car.” Nik said. “Cool.” Jake copied as he nodded his head. Gia laughed; surprised that Jake would warm up to Nikolas so quickly. “Well we have to go, I need to fix dinner. I’ll walk you to your car.” Gia said retrieving Jakes things and escorting Nikolas out of the house. “Thanks Carol.” She said, receiving a smile from her before she shut the door behind her.

As she walked Nikolas to his car, Gia glanced over at her house; the lights were on in the living room, she could see. Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed the curtain in the window fall back into its place. She knew he saw her. “OK Jake say bye to Nikolas.” Gia said quickly. “Bye!” He said excitedly to his new friend. “Bye buddy, hey give me five.” Nik said sticking his hand out, laughing when Jake smacked it with his. “Thank you for the dress Nikolas, I had fun today.” Gia said stepping away from him. “Gia is everything OK? You seem rushed.” Nik said. “It’s fine I just have to get dinner done so I have to go, I’ll call you.” Gia said turning and rushing into the house with Jake in her arms. “Bye.” Nikolas said to himself as he got in his car and shook his head, baffled by Gia’s behavior. He thought that things were going so well, he wondered if he had done anything wrong. “I shouldn’t have tried to kiss her.” Nik said as he pulled out and drove off.

“What was that all about Gia?” Phil startled her as he came up behind her as she put some hotdogs into a pot to boil. She spun around. “What sir?” She asked. Phil laughed. “I saw that kids expensive car Gia. Who do you think you’re fooling?” Phil said with a smirk. “He’s just a friend.” Gia said softly. “You’d be dreaming to think it could be anything more.” Phil said walking out of the kitchen. Tears rolled down her cheeks, she knew he was right.