Drew

Lizabeth and I said our goodbyes after dinner, promising to meet up again soon.

I really liked her. I wasn't scared to admit it but I knew a life with her meant a life of secrets and I wasn't ready for that.

I thought of Elizabeth's plan as I drove to the Pole  and tried to think of a plan to get Nick to travel to earth on Christmas Eve.
Although Nick already gave up his title to Jack, he still had duties to fulfill before the title was completely handed over.

Come on Drew. Think!
What did Nick like more than anything?
More than even life itself.

"Work" I whispered to myself. That's it!

——

After a few deer claws and some conversations with my mom, I venture to Nick's room. The gentle taps of my knuckles sounded through his hallway  as I waited for him to respond.

"Nick!" I turn the handle to his room, barging in. I couldn't wait for him to respond.

"Get out!" He groaned. His room looked a mess! Clothes were scattered all over the floor. His bookshelf was filled with papers and scrolls. Depressing music played in the air as he threw a small red ball against the wall near his bedside.

"You still sulking? It's been 2 months" I reminded him, stepping over a pile of dirty laundry.

"What do you want Drew" he frowned impatiently.

"You could have told you you loved her...you didn't have to lie."

"Shut the fuck up Drew." He fumed, throwing the ball at my face. I ducked in time before it hit me.

"You missed."

"Drew!" He sat up from the pillows, throwing his hands up impatiently. He was wondering the reason for my visit. Everyone had been avoiding his side of the castle and with good reason.

"Here." I threw the palette in his lap. He lifts it up to his eye level and stared at the design. His eyes danced across the borders of the case. He opened the flap and read over each name, silently approving of the design. He closed it again and focused on the picture of him and Wynter, his eyes lingering over the latter.

"You like it?" I asked.

"It's whatever." He mumbles, pushing it under his pillow. I knew he would stare at it later.

"Well, I spoke with Mitch." I started my lie. I knew it was bad but it was my only hope getting Nick on earth.

"Why did you speak with him?" He asks almost robotically.

"Well he's been trying to call you all day for weeks but you've been sulking. He didn't want to be sent to voicemail....again"
Nick smiled as he heard the complaint, acting as if  it was an accomplishment.

"Either way, he said the matel orders came up short."

"No way. I checked the stock. Checked it twice. I fulfilled every order on that form." He interjected, lifting his finger to bring the red ball to his palm again.

"Mitch and Mattel says otherwise."

"Let me call him." Nick sat up to grab his phone but I was already one step ahead of him. I had instructed Mitch and the head of Mattel to ignore any calls from Nick.

He waited for about 10 minutes before realizing his reality. "They both went to voicemail!"

"You better do the inventory and fufill the last skew of orders before getting in touch. On top of the missing inventory, Mitch said Mattel is having a conference with a big name luxury line. They are making an announcement Christmas Eve of a collaboration line."

"What's the company?"

"Valmain? Balmain? Something like that. Either way, Mitch expects you to be there."

"That's 2 weeks!" Nick groaned, understanding the amount of work he would now have to take on.

"I suggest you stop sulking and start now"

"Where's the meeting?"

"On earth. San Francisco conference hall. 2pm."

Nick furrows a brow before standing and throwing his phone to the bed. He turns on the news, flipping the channels until Wynter's picture came on a channel.

"In other News, 23 year old Wynter Ryder has big news! The ceo and creator of Nubia cosmetics—-"

Click!

He changed it again but ultimately decided to turn it off. It was making him to depressed.

"Well, I'll leave you to whatever.... this is." I say awkwardly before leaving.

——-

Drew: Operation Renion: Nick and Wynter, is in effect!

Elizabeth: He bought the lie?

D: Of course. I told you I got it Elizabeth.

E: Eww...

D: What ? Lol

E: I don't know... the way you typed my full name. I don't like it. 😷

I chuckled to myself and smiled.

D: Elizabeth? But that's your true name.

E: Strangers call me Elizabeth. Friends call me Liz. Unless you are implying that we're strangers Drew?

D: You will never be a stranger to me Ms. Elizabeth.

E: lol. Whatever Drew. Thanks! So much btw. I hope the plan works.

D: you worry to much. It'll work.
See you soon...Liz

——-

Nick

It had been two months total since I had last seen Wynter. Christmas Eve would make it three months.

I was miserable. Everywhere I turned, I thought Of her. Evey laugh I heard, I compared it to Wynter's. She was on my mind; when I ate, when I slept.
I missed her.
I craved her.

It didn't help seeing the smile on my Father's face. I had told everyone I had broken off the engagement. Jingles had taken it worse than me. His nose glowed red all the time now.
He hated me. So did Drew. Even my mom was a little bit distant. Eveyone missed her and assumed it was my fault for tearing her away which was not even true.

I mean yes, I did tell her I didn't love her, but that was for her protection.
My father had threatened to kill her!
We were incompatible from the age gap to the lack of magic. A future with Wynter meant a future of unpredictability. Fear. Jealously from Jack.
I couldn't put her through it.
Not again.

"Mitch! Text me now!" I was over the pointless meetings. I had already given up my title to Jack but still had to fufill this year's batch of gifts before the title transferred over.

I go to my gallery, looking to find a picture of Mitch's other business card I had saved in my favorites, but my eye latches onto a picture in my gallery I had never seen before?

It was a picture of Wynter and me?
What? But I had never taken a picture with her?
When did Wynter take my phone?

Her lips were pressed against my cheek as I slept peacefully in the covers. Oh. I remembered this night.
It was that night...the first night Wynter and I became one near the burning fire of the cabin.

My fingers danced across her outline as I took in her beautiful features.

I don't know why it had taken me so long? Maybe it was my own fears? My inescapable inadequacies plaguing my spirit but I had finally realized what I had done.

I f'ed up.
Big time.

I loved Wynter Rider.

Author Note:
Me after writing that abrupt ending.

Sorry! I don't know why it was so abrupt? Lol the book is ending soon so there's really nothing more to write.
I'm over it lol