Pushed Away CH 17

Gia hadn’t heard from Nikolas since she left over a week ago. He didn’t even try to track her down like she thought he would have. It hurt at first and she cried all the time. But then she decided it wasn’t much different from before, and as long as she kept busy she was all right. And plus it upset her stomach to cry so much. She was staying with Lucky in his little studio apartment. They shared a bed because it was the only furniture in the room. Gia kind of liked having a warm body in the bed next to her. He would always stay on his side but it was still nice knowing he was there.

“Gia you shouldn’t be cleaning like that, it’s bad for the baby.” Lucky nagged. She rolled her eyes. “Lucky I’m not going to sit around and do nothing.” Gia said, straitening the kitchen. “Well let’s go outside and do something then?” Lucky suggested. “That sounds good actually, why don’t we go to the park?” Gia suggested. “Sounds good, I’ll grab my camera!” Lucky said. Gia got changed into a pair of jeans and a black v-neck t-shirt and a pair of think black flip-flops; she twisted her braids up in a big clip. Lucky had on jeans as well and had a white shirt on underneath his blue Dickies jacket, a hat on backwards on his head. Lucky grabbed his camera and they left.

“Here Gia smile!” Luck said pointing his camera at her in the park. She looked away when she saw the lens pointed at her face. “What the former FOD doesn’t want her picture taken?” Lucky said. “I just don’t feel like smiling.” Gia said. “That’s OK those are the best ones, when your not smiling.” Lucky said. She looked up sadly and he snapped a shot. Suddenly thoughts of Nikolas came to her, after a few more shots she got tired of it. “OK, really I don’t feel like it.” Gia said. “Gia.” He said touching her cheek. “He doesn’t even care Lucky!” Gia stated sadly. “Yes he does Gia, he’s just not himself right now.” “Sooner or later he’s going to wake up and realize your not there and when he does, it’s gonna hit hard.” Lucky said, pulling her in for a hug. Gia hugged her friend in return and then felt the camera in his hand and grabbed it. “OK, your turn.” Gia said. Lucky put his hands over his face. “No way, I’m the photographer not the model.” He said. “Come on Lucky just let me try and take a picture.” Gia said. “Fine.” He said throwing his arms up.

Gia led Lucky over by the pond in the park and had him sit on the rocks. She used some of the lines she’d heard working with Deception. “Smile now, that’s it, turn this way, now close your eyes now slowly open them and smile.” She instructed as she snapped away. Lucky started feeling like a dork when people came up and started watching them. “OK, Gia now give me my camera back.” Lucky said getting up off of the rocks. She dodged Lucky’s attempts to grab it away from her. She walked over to the play ground in the far side of the park where there were kids playing. She bent down and started taking pictures of the kids while they played. With smiles on there faces and pink cheeks. It brought her back to the days when she was working as an au pair and she couldn’t help but be happy. She was going to have one of her own soon. By this time Gia felt like she got a feel for the camera. Lucky watched Gia taking pictures and was happy for her, and pleasantly surprised that she looked like she was doing a good job. When Gia ran out of film she stood up and turned to Lucky, she had tears in her eyes. Not for Nikolas, not for the baby growing inside of her, but for her life. She never even knew that photography was something she would enjoy doing. It made her wonder about other things. When she was a young teenager she wanted to be a writer, but that faded when she got older and her mom wanted her to go to law school.  She decided right then and there that she was going to try new things, for herself.

“You OK?” Lucky asked touching her arm. Gia nodded slowly. “I really liked that.” Gia said handing him his camera back. “Well I’ll have to teach you a few things and then maybe you can get a camera of your own.” Lucky said. Gia smiled. “I would like that very much.” She said. “Hey what do you say we go to my dads and get some lunch?” Lucky suggested. “I would love to go see your dad!” Gia said with a smile, they left to go to Luke’s.