Chapter 38: You

Tate POV

That morning was perfect. Nika’s presence makes me feel...calm, relaxed, just good. Everything with her was good. It's a feeling I just can't quite explain. We spent the morning lying in each other’s embrace, her arms wrapped around me as mine were wrapped around her. I couldn’t think of a better place to be.

Eventually, the comfortable silence was broken by numerous notifications springing to life from someone’s phone. I quickly got up, trying to quickly stop the intrusion of annoying text.

“Niks, you’re popular this fine Monday morning,” Scrolling through her phone, she quickly jumps to her feet. Taking the phone from my hand. To say the shock was evident on my face was an understatement. “What’s wrong?”

Her hand flies to her neck, messing with the small hairs on the back. “Nothing.”

I tilted my head, wanting to know what she could have been hiding. “It doesn’t seem like nothing.”

A shrug is what I get in response. I felt myself become anxious; I hated not knowing what she was thinking. She quickly responds to whoever bombarded her phone with texts, throwing her phone to the side. “There, nothing to worry about.” Yes, it was.

“Hey, you alright?” Strong hands made their way to my waist, pulling me closer to the girl in front of me. Instinctively, my arms snaked around her neck. Her signature smirk holding its place on her lips.

“Honestly?” Nika nods, “I feel like you’re hiding something. I don’t like that.”

She sighs, nuzzling her head into my neck, leaving small kisses. “Baby, I wouldn’t hide anything from you, okay?” Her lips ghosting my skin as she spoke, sending shivers through my body. A smile forms on her lips, a soft kiss placed on the sweet spot of mine.

Heat rose to my cheeks, butterflies fluttered in my stomach. “Nikaaa,” Her head lifted as her name slipped past my lips.

“Yes, Ta?” Lifting her head as she speaks. Her fingers tracing small circles on my visible skin.

My brain wasn’t thinking straight. Her big, brown, doe eyes peering into mine. The feel of her callous hands holding me by my waist. She had me wrapped around her finger and I think she knew that. “Nika, will you please let me see who was texting you?”

Smirk falling slightly, she reached for her phone, going straight to the text. “Hana was asking me questions about our game. It might be almost two weeks away but leave it to my sister to overthink it now.” She smiled, a similar one spreading on my lips.

“Does your sister know about us?” Mumbling as I lay my head on her chest, listening to Nika’s steady heartbeat. Something, over the past weeks, has become a soothing sound.

“No... not yet,” a thin silence fills the room, “I was wanting to tell her at the game against Ball State. You would be able to meet her, maybe even...my...um...parents?” I snap my head up, looking directly into her eyes.

“The parents who said they didn’t want you being gay?”

She nods, “I know, it’s not the most idea-” I cut her off, “Nah, they’re gonna say it’s my fault or something?” I separate our bodies, Nika whines at the loss of contact.

“Babe, please. We might be able to change their minds.”

“Nika.”

“Tate?”

“I love you but...”

“I love you too,” Dragging out the ending, batting her eyes.

“Nika?”

“Yes, Ta?”

“What if they hate me? What if they say it’s all my fault?” Nika moves swiftly, pulling me into a hug.

“We don’t have too, I...I was just suggesting it,” Her lips placed small kisses on my head. “You wanna go get something to eat, I mean we have all day before we have to head back to Storrs?”

I smile, “Yeah, we should get like pancakes or something.” She nods, heading towards the duffel bag, overflowing with clothes. Pulling out a hoodie and sweats for both of us.

“Here,” Throwing the set at me, “You look nice in my clothes and everything.” She mumbles the last part, a light blush coating her face.

“What was that last part?” A smirk playing on my lips.

“Nope, not repeating,” She shakes her head, walking into the bathroom.

-----------------------------------

We walked around the small shopping center, hoping to just take our mind off things. Nika checks her phone constantly. Texting quickly before shoving the device back in her pocket. Nothing but Nika’s strange behavior swarms around in my mind. Her eyes had the same look of love and affection, but her body language gave something of uncertainty, guilt even.

“You think I’d look good in this?” I asked, holding the shirt up to me, supposedly modeling the cloth.

“Hmm?” looking up from her phone. “Oh, uh, yeah. You look good in everything, bebo.”

That wasn’t very convincing.

“Who have you been talking to. I mean, you haven’t put your phone away today at all.” Nika laughs, suddenly feeling awkward. I panic at the tension filling between us.

She must have seen it, the worry flashed in my eyes. She quickly responds, “Tate, I’m sorry. I was just trying to handle something. This...person keeps texting me. I’m just trying to get them to stop.”

“Can I see?”

“What?”

“Can I see the messages?”

She froze, slowly pulling out her phone. Immediately, grabbing it from her hand. The first messages I open, I’m shocked.

Babes, I miss you, this random text Nika. She replies with, I miss you too, sometimes.

“Nika, what is this?”

“It’s not what it looks li-” “You can save it; I should’ve known it was too perfect to be true.”

Her face scrunches in confusion, “What was too perfect?”

“You.”

A/n: hey guyssss...long time huh?? Also I know this isn't exactly how you probably imagined this book going, but I needa add something to keep y'all entertained. But I'm hoping to be more active on here now. I have a Nika book in the works that I'm excited for. I'm gonna continue writing for this one. I also have the Risk one I'm writing. So I'm hoping to have a couple Nika books on her for the Nika fans out there, cause I know we need some.

Anyways, how's life been y'all. Mines been chaotic. School, work, home. It's all just being overly dramatic for no reason.

Also guys, your girl just turned 18 yesterday. I feel old now. Cause I'm literally an adult, which I really shouldn't be.

Anyways....

Peace y'all, til the next chapter