Chapter 8

• I was anxious. There were thirty minutes left until five, and I still hadn't decided what to wear. If only Nick had told me what places he had in mind, maybe by now, I would have an idea of what to wear.
• I opted for wearing a t-shirt from my favorite band, Paramore, and a pair of jeans. I was grabbing my phone when someone knocked on the door. Judging by the rough way of knocking, I knew it was Nick, so I opened it quickly to avoid any more creepy vibes.
• "Come in, I'll get my things, and we can go," I replied, grabbing my bag.
• I looked at what Nick was wearing. He had on jeans and a tight-fitting shirt that showed off his chest and abdomen.
• "I'll pay," he commented as he left the room.
• I shook my head several times. No way. I wouldn't feel comfortable at all. "Thanks for the offer, but I prefer to pay."
• "No..."
• "Nick, thanks, but no," I said sharply. I don't like people paying for me, even out of courtesy.
• "Do as you wish," he spat and headed downstairs.
• Is he serious? What's with this sudden change of mood? I should ask Olivia if he has some emotional issues because it's not normal to get angry over something so stupid.
• I want to have a pleasant evening, and if he's in a foul mood before we even leave, I don't think I'll have a good time.
• Nick was sitting at the kitchen table, staring intently at his glass of water. He knew I was there, but he refused to look at me.
• "Nick, we haven't even gone out, and you're already mad at me," I said, taking a seat in the chair in front of him.
• He didn't respond and still didn't look at me.
• "Come on, Nick! You can't be angry because I like to be independent and pay my own things. It's not logical. You're older than me!"
• Could he be this stubborn?
• "Samantha, that's not the problem," he said, looking almost like a child throwing a tantrum. I could almost see his lower lip sticking out. Seeing a child act like that would make me feel tender, but with Nick, it's a mix of amusement and anger.
• "Then what is it?!" He didn't answer, and he looked into my eyes. He had the saddest eyes I had ever seen in my life. I felt like he was trying to tell me something. Begging me for something, but I didn't know...
• We were silent for a long time. I knew he wouldn't say anything, so I decided to take the first step.
• "Hi, Nick," I took his hand, and his touch sent a tingle through my stomach. It felt strange.
• He looked at my hand on his and then stared directly into my eyes. I'll never get tired of saying it, I love his eyes. "Listen, I don't have to like you, and I won't force you to be with me if you don't want to. Just know that my intention was always to try to live peacefully with you, considering we are siblings. We could have gotten along well, but I understand that things have changed for us." The word 'siblings' left a bitter taste in my mouth. Nick's expression changed, as if I had touched a nerve.
• "I know that," he said, removing my hand from his. For some reason, when I stopped touching him, I felt empty. Almost bad... We could have a beautiful friendship if he felt the same way I do." Sorry for being such an idiot. I told you it's not you.
• "Well, then stop making me think that you do," Nick made a grimace, conceding that I was probably right. "So, can we go have a good time?" I smiled, this time a completely genuine smile. He shrugged and nodded.
• "Okay, let's go now," I suggested, heading to the door.
• ***
• Nick took me to the British Museum, and it was beautiful! We walked all around the place until we reached a room filled with books. It was called the "Reading Room," and when I saw it, I screamed with excitement. I loved books.
• "Oh my God!" I looked at Nick, silently asking him to let me go look at all the books. He nodded and smiled. At that moment, I forgot about the books and just stared at his beautiful smile. I had never seen a smile like that from him. Usually, it was either mocking or indifferent, but this one was genuine, the one I wanted when he talked to me. Since I arrived, he always looked angry or ignored me.
• Swallowing nervously, I could tell he was tense. When I stopped smiling, I looked into his eyes. His expression changed completely, now fully focused on me, and it made my whole body warm. We didn't break eye contact until a couple nearby started arguing.
• "Look at how he's looking at her!" The blonde girl pointed at us. "He's never looked at me like that! Admit it! You've never loved me! I'm tired of trying and trying to make you love me! I know you never will! I'm just another one you've taken to bed!" The guy she was with grabbed her arm forcefully, and she winced in pain.
• "He's hurting her," I muttered to Nick. I saw his jaw clench completely.
• "Let her go, now," Nick yelled at the guy. His threatening voice sent shivers down my spine.
• The guy let go of the girl, almost throwing her to the ground, as if she were a piece of trash he had forgotten to throw away.
• What a jerk.
• "Don't get involved, asshole. Go away with your brat somewhere else..." The jerk looked at me, up and down, licking his lips. "If you don't want to, I'd gladly take her."
• Was this guy for real? Was he on drugs or something?
• "What did you say?" I noticed Nick clenching his teeth, his voice wrapped in enormous rage. I could see the vein on his neck from here.
• "What? Friend, we're men, you know what I mean. She's got nice tits."
• No, this guy couldn't be sane, how could he disrespect me like that randomly?
• That's when everything exploded.
• Nick came furious towards the guy, but I was quicker and decided to step in.
• "Nick, ignore him, let's go," I pleaded, putting my hands against his chest.
• He immediately realized that I was practically begging him to step back. I didn't want him to hit anyone, even if that guy deserved it.
• He listened and turned away to head for the exit, but the other idiot opened his mouth again.
• "That's it. Listen to your girlfriend. You're doing great. I bet she'll give you a cookie as a reward later," he mocked.
• Very bad idea.
• Nick turned around and punched the guy in the jaw, making him fall.
• ***
• "Nick, no!" I shouted when I saw him continuing to hit the guy on the ground. He didn't stop.
• "Please! Stop!" He didn't stop. It was unstoppable.
• I did the only thing that came to my mind.
• I threw myself onto his back, trying to stop his arms in mid-motion. "Stop!"
• It was almost a whisper in his ear. He stopped. He stopped hitting the guy beneath him.
• My arms remained around his neck once he stopped moving. It was the closest thing to a hug. I needed him to calm down.
• "Let's go," he murmured, getting up and heading to the door.
• "You won't go anywhere," the guy said, grabbing Nick's shoulder and making him turn around. He punched Nick in the corner of his lip, and Nick fell to the ground instantly. "Don't mess with me."
• The guy turned around and grabbed his girlfriend's arm again, dragging her away quickly.
• Startled, I kneeled down to check on Nick. His lip was bleeding. I touched it, and he winced under my touch. I pulled my hand back immediately, and in Nick's eyes, I saw some kind of regret for reacting like that. But after a few seconds, he turned cold again, got up, and walked away. I followed him, and all the way, he simply ignored me.
• When we got home, he went upstairs to his room. I sighed. I'm an idiot; I messed everything up. If I hadn't said anything to Nick, maybe he wouldn't have intervened.
• I should have handled the situation myself and pushed that jerk away, not let him treat that girl however he wanted.
• Clearly, that guy wasn't in his right mind; doing what he did in public couldn't come from a sane person.
• Suddenly, I remembered Nick's bleeding lip. So I went to the bathroom to get soap and bandages. My mother always used to put white soap on the wound and then bandage it up, of course, after scolding me for being so careless.
• I wasn't sure if I should go to Nick's room or not. He seemed displeased. But I decided to go up to his room anyway and knocked on the door, because obviously, I never learn from my mistakes. Nick opened the door, looked at me, and then at the things I held in my hands.
• "I think I need to treat that wound," I indicated, shrugging my shoulders. He didn't say anything, just left the door open and went back into the room.
• I was surprised he let me in without a fuss. I closed the door behind me and saw his room. He had posters of rock bands: Kiss, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses; there were also a bunch of books scattered near his bed. His room was nothing like what I had imagined. I thought he was one of those guys with posters of bikini-clad girls and condom wrappers all over the room. What else could I think? With that scene the other day with that girl, it was impossible not to think he was that kind of guy. I noticed Nick looking at me while I was taking a look around his room. I blushed and approached him.
• "Sit on the bed, so it's easier for me," Nick is much taller than me. He must be around 6'3" or even more.
• He did as I asked, and I knelt in front of him. I started applying the white soap to the wound, and he winced in pain.
• "Sorry," I regretted and began gently applying the soap. I was almost trembling; I couldn't stop thinking that I was touching his lips. They were very pretty, pink, and quite plump. They caught your attention immediately.
• Why was I thinking about Nick's lips? I have no idea.
• As I was treating him, our eyes met. Nick was looking at me again. My heart started racing. Nervously, I placed the bandage over the wound.
• "All done," I stammered, still kneeling and looking at him.