Nicole's P.O.V.

Currently, I'm standing at the airport again for the second time in one day but this time Cali and Jason had joined me and Austin invited himself to come with us. He's really a pain in the head, always tag himself with me.

We're here for Rian. His flight is about to land and he'll be here anytime soon. I couldn't wait to see him so I just came to the airport. Rest all are busy in planning Ashley's birthday party to be held tonight. I had already wished her and gave her birthday gift, a makeup box and she liked it also. I'm happy at least she behaved civil with me this time.

But one thing which I couldn't understand was that everyone here was behaving odd. Even Ashley too, she was being so sweet to me, I mean no bickering and no sarcastic comments for me. Cali and Jason aren't leaving my side from the moment I landed at the hotel. I know they're hiding something from me and I can sense that but this can wait. I'm so much excited to see Rian that all secrets can wait till then.

"It will take twenty more minutes for his flight to land. Would you like to have some coffee?", Cali asked.

"Ok", I said and Jason joined her.

Austin came and sit next to me and after clearing his throat he said, "Nicole, you seem happy".

"Because I'm", I said.

"I know. It's all because of Rian, right?", He asked and I nodded.

"You wanted to know right that where is my girlfriend?", He asked.

"No, it's ok. I don't want to know now, you don't need to tell that", I said trying to avoid him. After Kristein had messed up my mind with his stupid cupid game, I'm trying to maintain distance from Austin.

"She doesn't love me", he said and I looked at him to stop him from telling me his story but he wasn't looking at me. His eyes were closed, so I too shut my mouth.

Before he could speak further we're disturbed by Cali and Jason.

"Here's your coffee", Cali said with a smile which was not reaching her eyes.

What's going on?

"Thanks", I said and then I saw Ellie and Nial coming towards us.

"Hey. Hasn't Rian reached yet?", Ellie asked.

"No, there's still sometime", Jason replied.

"Cole, can I talk to you for a second?", Nial said catching me off guard.

"Yeah sure", I said and we moved a few distance away from rest.

"Cole. See, I need to tell you something very important", Nial said.

"What happened Nial? You're scaring me", I asked with seriousness.

"Actually, it's related to Rian", he said.

"What about him? What happened?", I asked.

"Actually, he-", before he could speak up, Ellie came and cuts him.

"He's here. Let's go", She said and I just left Nial and ran to meet Rian Louis.

I grabbed the bouquet which I had brought for Rian from Cali and waited for Rian to show up. I smiled at everyone and they replied me with an odd smile, a fake one, sympathetic!!?

And then I saw Rian coming towards us. He waved his hands amongst the crowd surrounding him and I grinned like a fool. But as soon as he came near, I felt a sharping pain inside my chest, my smile fall down from my face.

He wasn't alone. Rian does come but there's a girl who was holding his hand and they both were looking so happy. I felt jealous would be an understatement but I was heartbroken more. He was looking at her with adoration, the same look which Kristein gave to Shanaya.

Who is she?

I looked at Nial to get my answer and he was looking at me only with sadness in his eyes.

"She's Tina. His ex-girlfriend and present too", he said and I could sense my heart falling down from height and broken into pieces.

"They're in a relationship", Cali said holding my hands.

All of a sudden I felt numb. I couldn't respond nor could I cry. My heart was already broken when Nial rejected me but somehow Rian did mend my broken heart but now what? The one who mends my heart is the one who broke it today and it hurts even more than before.

"Hey guys", Rian said finally reaching near us.

"Hey", they all replied but my eyes were glued to their intertwined hands together.

Get a hold on yourself, Nicole!!

"Hey Cole", Rian hugged me and I just tried hard to be strong.

"Welcome, this is for you", I gave him the bouquet.

"Wow, thanks. And you guys really surprised me, I mean you all came to escort me. I'm so touched", Rian said.

"It was Nicole's idea", Austin said. But I wasn't looking at them, I was still trying to absorb this reality in my head that Rian is not mine. He's actually standing in front of me holding someone else hand and that someone is not me.

"Thanks, Nicole. It was a great surprise", Rian said.

"Well, my surprise is nothing in front of yours. You really caught me off guard", I said looking at Tina and Rian.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't tell you before because I wanted to give you surprise", he said.

"And you succeeded. I'm happy for you", I said trying my level best to keep my voice calm.

We all moved towards the car after that and I was behind all of them. Cali was holding me because I don't think that I had any more energy to bear anything more.

Well, this wasn't planned. It wasn't supposed to happen. I should be the one holding Rian's hand and not Tina. She dumped him. How could he go back to her like this?

We all sat in the car and reached the hotel in no time. All the way to the hotel, I didn't talk to anyone. They all knew about this but they didn't tell me and the one who should have told me remained silent.

Such a gift you had given to me Rian louis!!

I followed others inside the hotel but then everyone gathered around Rian and Tina. Ashley was looking so happy to see them together and they all were praising how good those two look together. I glanced at all of them once and left that place and no wonder, no one noticed my absence.

Not even Rian!!

I started packing my stuff back in my bag. Although, I hadn't unpacked everything so it was easy for me to pack everything again.

I can't let a stupid boy make me sad. He never said that he loved me ever. It was only me who kept pairing myself with others. Rian never asked me out, maybe a date or two but that doesn't mean I could replace his first love Tina from his heart.

I have no complaints from him but yes from myself a lot. I'm a pathetic girl who needs a boy for supporting her. How could I be such a fool? I feel like a loser. I'm feeling like those clingy girl's who always ran behind boys.

First, I chased Nial and then Rian and if now some else support me then me being the most useless girl ever would start falling for that someone too. God, how can I be so desperate?

After packing my bag, I booked tickets for me. I'll leave this place tonight only when everyone would be out at the party. Till then, I've to spend my day here in this room.

I heard a knock on my door so I quickly wiped my eyes and sat down on the bed.

"Come in", I said and picked up the glass of water and drank it.

"Hey", Cali came inside and sat down on the bed.

"Hey", I replied

"Why are your bags here?", She asked.

"I'm going back", I said.

"But why?", She asked.

"As if you know nothing", I said with a sarcastic laugh.

"Cole, c'mon. At least talk to Rian about it. Maybe there's something you should know about", she said.

"I should know about what Cali? Should I be knowing that he's back with the girl he loved always? Should I be knowing that I'm a stupid girl who never gets tired of pairing herself with every second boy she met. First Nial and then Rian. God, I hate myself", I replied.

"No Cole it's not your fault. You're misled. Why don't you go after that boy who loves you in real, Cole? Why don't you give chance to that boy who is crazy after you? Why don't you give a try to someone who wants your attention badly?", She said.

"What rubbish are you talking about?", I asked annoyed and she sighs.

"I can't tell you more Cole. This is not my story to tell. Wait here only, you'll get your answers soon", she said and then left the room.

Who someone is she talking about now? Is there anyone else who needs to come into my life to destroy it more? I guess I've enough of boys for my whole life, I don't need anyone in my life now.

💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌

I don't know when I dozed off but the time I got up it was already six in the evening. Only four hours left for my flight and I can pass these four hours also.

I washed my face and changed my dress and combed my hair. I don't want to leave this room because I've no energy to meet the outside world. I'm happy in this four-walled room who prevents me from getting hurt by the people outside. I'm missing my home so much.

I know I've Cali and Jason with me outside but this pain which I'm feeling now won't decrease even if they try. I don't want to be with anyone because all they had to give me is sympathy and I hate to be tagged weak.

I again heard a knock on my door. I moved to open it and found Ellie standing there.

"Hi", I said although deep inside my heart I was wishing for Rian to show up.

"Can I come in?", She asked.

"Of course. What a stupid question?", I replied smiling and she passed me back a small smile.

We both sat on my bed and she said, "I'm sorry".

"For what?", I asked.

"I know you're hurt after knowing about Rian but-", she said but I stopped her.

"You don't have to be sorry. I'm not angry from anyone. Rian did whatever he feels right, he loved that girl and not me. How could I say him wrong or accuse him? Loving someone is never wrong. I guess I set high hopes from my pen friend, he never said me anything", I replied and sighed.

"Cole he likes you, he really does like you a lot", Ellie said.

"But he loves Tina and that's what matters", I replied looking away from her because I can't make her see my vulnerable side.

She sighs and then said, "I've got to tell you something and I can't hide it anymore".

"What do you mean?", I asked.

"Rian is not your Pen Friend. He's not the one who sends letters to you. He's not the one who made sketches for you", she said and I could sense my heart thumping inside my chest because this was something totally unexpected for me.

"What? What are you saying? Are you drunk? Rian met me near the lake. Why would he do that?", I asked unable to catch a breath.

"I've told you enough Cole, I can't tell you more. Take this and go and find your answers", she said giving me the key.

"Please Ellie, tell me you're lying. Tell me this is a prank", I almost pleaded her but she just gave me a sad look and shook her head in NO.

"We're going out to grab some drinks, I'll tell everyone that you would join us later. You've got yourself twenty minutes. Use them", she said and left me all puzzled. A chaos was running inside my mind and my heart beating irregularly.

I got up with trembling legs and leave my room immediately. The key showed Room No. 5-B, it was two rooms next to mine. It was Austin's room, I had seen him entering this room only.

It means Austin is the lone boy? Oh my god!!

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Merryyy Christmasss to all of you..

Hey cupcakes!! How's you guys?

How's the chapter? Do lemme know.

And guys I've started a new novel named Miss Stranger, If you want then do it a shot. Love yaa.

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Aana.