Nicole POV
I feel a cold substance on my lips and I open my eyes to see Aaron in front of me.
"Good morning Aaron" I say lifting my weight off the bed and Aaron barks.
I look on the other side of the bed and it is empty. Jake didn't sleep beside me. Why didn't he? Is he still furious with me? I'm doing it for the benefit of my parents! He should understand. Maybe he is in the bathroom.
"Jake! Are you in the bathroom?" I holler but I get no response. I repeat the same sentence and there is nothing but silence. Is he playing hide and seek with me or what?
I climb out of bed lazily and go to the bathroom. I push the door and I'm astounded. It is vacant with no trace of Jake anywhere. There are traces of water and I can smell his bathing gel's scent together with his shampoo. I think he got up early and took a shower. Maybe he is in the hall. I quickly go to the hall.
"Jake!" I call becoming anxious now. The hall was also empty with no sign of him.
Aaron barks.
"Jake! Are you in here?" I call but there is no reply. Where is he? I hope he didn't go to get my parents because that will make me extremely mad. His words yesterday resurface.
"I know what you are feeling right now! That was the same rebellious feeling I had against my father! But you helped me conquer it and now, I'm going to help you conquer yours"
I heave a sigh of frustration and quickly call him with my phone. I hear it ring in the kitchen and I go straight for it. It was on the counter with a paper under. He left his phone here. What did he write on the paper? I pick it up and read.
I made you breakfast. I'm sorry I had to leave so early but I've got some matters to attend to. I'll be back soon.
What matters? I have a feeling in my gut that he is bringing my parents here to talk to me! I march to the dining hall and spot the breakfast he prepared me. Tuna Casserole! But I'm not in the mood to eat! I feel my stomach churn as I continue to think of Jake's whereabouts. Maybe I should just go somewhere so that when they come, they wouldn't see me.
I contemplated on what to do. I'll just go to the cemetery to visit Aaron's grave for the last time before we leave tomorrow! But that will be after I have taken a proper shower and eaten Jake's breakfast. I trudge back into Jake's bedroom and take a short hot bath because I don't want my parents to come and meet me here, in case Jake is bringing them here just to spite me. I got into a pair of denim jeans and a simple red blouse. I just combed my hair and tied it into a bun. Then I slipped on my winter boots. I wore my mittens and tied a scarf around my head. Then I added my turtleneck sweater which was in primary colours.
I strut out of the room back into the dining hall and eat the tuna casserole quickly. Then I quickly headed for the sink and washed the porcelain plate. I got back into the hall and just as I was about to grab my phone, the door creaks open and Jake walks in. My heart skips a beat. I was relieved to see that my parents were not with him but he has that evil infamous smirk on and I feel like maybe they are around here somewhere.
"Where did you go to? What kind of matters did you have to attend to?"
He chuckles in amusement.
"Lot of matters" he replies with a shrug and slumps in one of the couches.
"Did you go to see my parents?" I ask anxiously as I watch him rub his forehead lightly.
"Maybe" he says with a small smile and I scoff.
"Jake! What did you do?" I enquire panicking now.
"Calm down love" he says in a taunting tone and flashes me a huge grin but I don't return it.
"What did you do?" I repeat the question and I feel my blood heat up. Jake chuckles in response and I narrow my eyes at him.
"Nicole! Oh Thank God" I hear a familiar voice say and in walks my mom. I'm rooted to the spot as I watch her wide eyed whiles she strode towards me with her arms spread out. She hugs me but I don't hug back.
"I'm so sorry sweetheart" she mouths in my hair and I just look at Jake who was grinning proudly. My dad also walks in happy to see me and Trina follows close behind.
"I'm sorry hun! I shouldn't have thrown you out of the house like that! I swear to you that I couldn't sleep the rest of the night. I kept on worrying about you" mom tells me when she breaks apart and I just stare at her.
"We were just too furious to know how much you meant to us" Dad adds up
"And we missed you terribly" Trina pipes up and runs to hug me. I hug her back.
"Is it true you are going on a trip?" Trina asks when we break apart and I nod.
"Won't you come back with us? I'm sorry for what I did sweetheart but please come with us" mom pleads.
"I can't! I'm bad luck okay?" I yell at her and step backwards away from them.
"Honey, you are not bad luck! You cannot just decide to go on a trip with this guy!" Dad states disapprovingly and Jake gives him a heated glare.
"It's my decision dad"
"But honey, you barely know him" Mom cuts in.
"Did you come here to lecture me on the trip? Or beg for my forgiveness?" I ask them
They are all quiet. I watch dad glare at Jake and he doesn't seem to notice
"We came to beg for your forgiveness honey. We know we did wrong sending you away and we want you to come back home with us. We need you back" mom pipes up.
"I can't come back with you mom! I'll just keep on making your lives miserable and you'll keep on crying and I hate to see you cry! I admit I'm not the one who beat up that freshman and I have evidence! But I've always made your lives miserable and I have to leave so that you can be happy again"
"That's not true! I was just disappointed in you! But you never made my life miserable hun!" Mom convinces.
"Admit it mom! I did! I know I did"
She shakes her head.
"You didn't okay? Honey please get that idea out of your head!"
"Fine. But I'm not changing my mind. I'm going on the trip"
"Sweetheart! Don't you think you are rushing things? I don't trust this guy You are making the biggest mistake of your life!" Dad says in a whisper but it was loud enough for Jake to hear.
"I know you don't trust me! But I love Nicole and I wouldn't do anything to hurt her Mr Anderson" Jake states firmly with his eyes narrowed at him.
"Don't forget I brought you here to see her" Jake adds annoyed.
Dad nods and I hear his tongue click in annoyance.
"Dad, Jake is good guy! He would look after me! I'll be alright"
"Alright! But think about it first hun! I don't want you to end up...." He trails off.
"Never mind"dad adds and steps backwards.
" So you are going to the United Kingdom tomorrow? "Trina asks with sadness evident in her tone.
" Yes Trina but I'll be back next year"
"Nicole! Don't go please!" She begs and my heart melts.
"It's for the best Trina! I have forgiven all of you. But I need to stay away for a while. Please understand. At least you know I'm okay now" I tell them but my heart bleeds and I feel like I'm about to break down.
After a long silence dad speaks up with a disapproving look;
"If that is your decision! But if there is any problem, call us"
I nod.
"Make sure you take care of my daughter! If you mess her up, you're gonna regret it!" Dad threatens Jake with a stern face. Then he walks away.
"Take care honey! We would be expecting to see you next year" mom follows and hugs me again. I hug back this time around. When we break apart, I hug Trina who had a forlorn expression on.
"Goodbye sister" she mouths in my hair and I smile.
"I promise to look for you the moment I get back" I assure her and she nods giving me a faint smile.
I watch as they leave giving me a wave. My heart suddenly becomes heavy when they disappear.
"How do you feel after talking to them?" Jake asks standing right in front of me.
"I'm blissful for the fact that I got to forgive them and that they want me back. They looked sincere. But I'm sad a bit because I wouldn't get to celebrate another Christmas with them"
Jake's expression softens and he hugs me. I inhale his cologne.
"You can stay back if you want to?" He says as soon as we break apart.
"I need to give them their space"
"But they want you back"
"I know! They are just doing that so that I wouldn't have to travel with you! It's obvious they are against it! They don't trust you and I want to prove them wrong. I have to in order for us to be together"
"So you mean they are against us being together?" Jake asks and I nod.
"My dad especially but I doubt Trina is against it! She is just gonna miss me"
Jake nods in comprehension.
"Then that is the right decision you took baby" he says with a small smile and kisses my lips.
"You'll enjoy the trip! I promise you that" He tells me and pecks my cheeks.
"I know and I can't wait for tomorrow" I tell him and he leans in. We share a passionate kiss together before breaking apart.
"I've got some errands to run before the trip" I tell him whiles tugging on his collar. My lips are swollen from the kiss.
"What errands?" He asks and I smile.
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Jake and I alight from his car and we both strut towards Aaron's grave with huge bouquets of white flowers whiles holding hands. Its still snowing when we get there and we lay the huge bouquets of white flowers on his grave.
"I promised to take care of Nicole, Aaron! And that is what I'm gonna do" Jake says to the grave.
"I miss you Aaron! I wish you could come back! I'm going to England tomorrow! I'll see you next year" I tell him.
"Goodbye Aaron!" Jake says
"Goodbye Aaron!"
I sigh as we both stand up and look at his grave one more time before walking back but someone calls us and we turn around to see Harry. I also spot Melissa walking towards Aaron's grave. I haven't seen her in like forever!
"What are you doing here Harry?" Jake asks as he draws closer and I watch Melissa lay her flowers on Aaron's grave. She wipes her tears and speaks.
"I came to visit my parent's grave! What about you?" Damian/ Harry asks.
"We came to say goodbye to a friend before we leave! His grave is over there" Jake replies and points to Aaron's grave.
"Oh sorry" Harry says and looks at Melissa who had just gotten up. Her eyes land on us and she walks towards us.
"Who is she?" He asks us.
"Melissa! A friend of ours" I reply
"She is beautiful" I hear Harry say and I smile. Was he crushing on her?
"Hello" Melissa says with a bright smile.
"I haven't seen you two for ages" she jokes and Jake and I chuckle.
"I heard you got expelled! Sorry about that" she tells me and I just wave it off.
"Who is this?" She asks pointing to Harry who was checking her out.
"This is Harry Wilson but you can call him Damian" Jake says and Harry gives her a small smile whiles she looks puzzled.
"I am Melissa De Broglie! Nice to meet you"
Harry shakes her hand.
"Have you heard from Kimberly, Troy and Danny?" I ask Melissa worriedly as Harry and Jake talk.
"They are fine but are worried about you! They couldn't reach your phone"
I sigh. "Its a long story"
"Tell them I'm fine and I'm going on a trip tomorrow"
"A trip?"
"Yes with Jake!"
"Well okay. Good luck then"
"Thanks"
"But wait, are you two together now?" Melissa asks and I just smile.
"I know the answer! Don't tell me!"
"What about you? Have you found someone else?"I ask her grinning
" no one yet."she says with a heavy sigh and I give her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"I'm sure you'll find someone sooner than you would ever imagine" I say as I watch Harry steal glances at her from time to time as he talks to Jake.
"I hope so! But have a nice trip! When would you be back?"
"Next year hopefully"
"Alright! I need to go! See ya" Melissa waves me and walks away. I spy Damian aka Harry who looks at her until she leaves. Jake walks towards me.
"Hey" he says pecking my cheek lightly.
"Hey! What were you two talking about?"
"We were talking about Damian's....I mean Harry's parents and how they died. Then we spoke of Aaron and how he also died and then Red came in"
I chuckle.
"Are you starting to be like Alec Russell? Calling Melissa, Red?"
"I don't know but it really suits her" Jake says and I laugh.
"Now you are behaving like Russell"
"So what brought Melissa into your conversation?" I ask curiously.
"Harry asked me about her. He even took her number from me. He just wanted to know her"
"Don't you think he has interest in her?" I ask whiles fighting a grin that threatened to appear on my face.
"Maybe but Harry hasn't really thought of having a girlfriend"
"I think he has fallen in love with her"
"Are you seriously picturing Harry and Melissa together?"Jake says whiles laughing.
" I saw it myself! The way he looked at her was different. He has this predatory gleam in his eyes"
"Well that would be good news for both of them. "
"Look!" I alert him and he follows my gaze. Damian/ Harry was talking to Melissa. It looks like they are having a hearty conversation with Melissa laughing most of the time.
Jake's jaw drops.
"See. I told you! Melissa will get hit by a cupid arrow and then, boom! Love blooms" I taunt Jake.
"I think she already got hit" Jake replies.
"Aren't they cute together?" I coo as I watch them walk further whiles chatting.
"They seem to be"
"I'm so happy" I say sincerely wiping a tear.
"Show is over! Let's go home"
"Wait! What about visiting Tigress no Roberta Venancio in jail?" I ask and Jake rubs his face.
"Do you think it is necessary? That psychotic girl is just going to yell at us and threaten us"
"I just feel like mocking her"
"She is dangerous Nikki! Don't take risks like that! It is my responsibility to protect you"
"You're right! Let's go home"
He smiles and we walk together to his car.