Free - Kidswaste

     Nic and I made it back to the hotel by two in the afternoon. I made it known that I wasn't in the mood to talk and thankfully, Nic didn't bombard me with questions on the walk back.

So when he expectantly barged into my suite about an hour after we got, I sighed deeply, already knowing he would question me sooner or later.

Leaning back against the headboard of my bed, I watched him enter cautiously, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Are they back yet?" I ask, patting the empty spot next to me.

He shakes his head slightly, quickly obliging and hopping onto the bed.

Biting his lip, he looks at me innocently.

"Ask away," I answered dramatically.

He didn't hesitate. "What happened? I know you don't like that guy, but what else is bothering you?"

That guy being Torez.

Pulling the comforter further up my lap, I whistle lowly.

"Nothing's wrong, I was just really tired. I think I was dehydrated too, with all that walking we did. I just needed to rest, that's all." The words flowed out of my mouth easily.

The thing that scared me the most was the fact that I didn't know if I was telling the truth or not.

Nicholas seemed to see right through me as he took my hand in his. "Adalyn, you know you can talk to me, right?"

I took that moment to look at him. I mean, really look at him.

He was so beautiful. So...innocent. Something I'd never be.

Not trusting my voice, I settled on nodding.

We were silent for a few minutes. Just looking at each other.

"You know you can talk to me too, right?"

He laughed deeply, looking up at the ceiling. "Babe, this isn't about me--but yes. I know that."

I couldn't help the bright smile that spread across my face. "Good. I just want you to know that."

His lips parted slightly. "I know. But we're talking about you right now, Adalyn Dominski." He winked teasingly, offering my hand a tight squeeze.

Setting my lips into a thin line, I looked at him impatiently. "Well, what If I want to talk about you? I mean, we always seem to be talking about me. What I want, how I feel. I know I'm self-centered, but damn. I agreed to be your girlfriend--so we can confide in each other." The words tumbled out of my lips without actually thinking much about it.

I tried telling myself I was only trying to be a good girlfriend--for once, but I knew. Deep down, I just wanted his focus to get off of me and what had gotten into me.

Releasing my hand, he leans up and adjusts himself so he's directly in front of me.

"Okay," he said. There was a challenging tone to his response.

"What do you want to know?"

I was taken aback by how quick he was to turn this conversation to him.

Was I really that selfish that he'd take any chance he gets to talk about himself?

Duh, Adalyn! You're a self-absorbed snot. I don't even know why--or how he likes you.

Ouch. That stung--even if it was coming from my subconscious.

Shaking my head to rid my thoughts, I leaned closer to him. "Hmm, how are you feeling? Do you regret coming to New York with me?"

His posture seemed to stiffen.

Did I say something wrong?

Of course you did you dipshit! You've never given him the time of day. He's probably wondering if this is really happening.

Shut the fuck up! Why is it you've become so blunt now? Usually, you don't say shit! I kind of liked you better when you didn't shove reality in my face, thank you.

Well, you've opened my cage so you're about to get a very, very rude awakening Ada.

Cursing under my breath, I drown out the little devil in my head and focus on my boyfriend.

"Regret it? Baby, what's there to regret when you're here?"

The wild fluttering in my chest made my heart constrict.

Before I could swoon any further, his lips were pressed to mine. There was no sign of eagerness, it was just--delicate.

Like my lips were fragile or something.

Taking matter into my own hands, I leaned further, pressing my lips harder against his.

His smile through the kiss only pushed me further.

My tongue flicked out, covering every inch of his lips. Ignoring my attempt to get him to open his mouth, to deepen the kiss, he pulled away, a sly smirk taking over his alluring features.

"Whoa, tiger." He teased, the playfulness dancing in his eyes.

I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. I felt the heat.

With one quick shake of my head, my hair acted as a curtain, covering my face.

Adalyn, you crack me up, honey. Why are you--the supposed bad girl, embarrassed?

My subconscience teased me, throwing my embarrassment in my face. Like I couldn't fucking tell already!

"Hey," Nic's soft voice snapped me out of my drifting thoughts.

When I felt his fingers slowly push my hair out of my face, I squeezed my eyes shut--to ashamed to look at him.

"Look at me," he ordered, his tone soft but authoritative.

When I refused, he glided his fingers under my chin, lifting my head so we were eye to eye.

The somersaults were going crazy in my stomach. I decided I didn't like them. They made me feel weak--helpless. Exposed, even.

Going against the stubborn part of me, I slowly opened my eyes.

It felt like the wind was knocked right out of me when I searched every inch of his face.

His sky blue iris', his dilated pupils, the light freckles sprinkled all along his nose and cheeks. His sandy brown bangs that almost always covered his right eye just the perfect amount. His pale pink lips that were always either parted slightly, or sucked in.

I couldn't help but stare. Just stare.

Realism seemed to hit me all in one split second. This boy was mine.

This boy chose me, over every other girl that begged for his attention. He chose me. The least innocent person he could ever meet. I was worth something to him.

I don't know what emotion crossed over my face, but when his perfect lips slipped down into a frown, I blinked at him.

"What? What is it?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

Shaking his head, he leans back a few inches. "N-nothing. Are you alright? It looked like you just found out your dog died."

I blinked again. "I don't have a dog..."

A heart wrenching smile broke out across his face. The ones that reached his eyes. "I know." Was all he said before climbing off of my bed.

As soon as I felt the bed rise from the loss of weight, I missed the presence that was so close to me only seconds ago. I longed for it.

"Kat and Pres are probably back by now. I'll go heat up your food, you need to eat."

Right when I thought Nicholas couldn't get be any more perfect, I was proven wrong yet again.

How? I asked myself. How did I end up with someone so sweet? So--unlike me?

I nodded, not trusting my voice at the moment.

With one more heart fluttering grin, he was gone.

* * * *

     "Are you sure, Ada? We can reschedule, if you want." Kat frowned at me, eyebrows drawn together.

We were all currently lounging in the living room.

I was sprawled out on the couch, a thin blanket covering my legs. I waved a hand dismissively. "No, Katrina. How many times am I gonna have to tell you to get the hell out of here? I'll be fine."

Preston had suggested going to the movies and everyone agreed--but me.

I was still not over today's events and I just wasn't feeling up to heading to the movies tonight.

"I mean--are you sure? I-I don't want to leave you here alone!"

With an annoyed huff, I leaned up, crossing my arms over my chest. "Kat, I swear if you don't stop asking..."

Exhaling slowly, I force a small smile on my lips. "Please, just go. I'll be fine. And like I told Nic, I've been alone before. I'm a big girl, you know. Plus, you haven't forgotten about the self defense lessons I took a few years ago, right?" A cocky grin was on my lips a moment later.

She scowled, shrugging on a thin leather jacket. "How can I forget? You told me you wanted to show me what you had learned and I ended up with a sprained wrist." Disdain was evident in her tone.

Smiling triumphantly, I nod once. "Now just imagine what I can do to someone If I wasn't taking it easy."

She shrugged, biting her lower lip. "You have a point."

"Can we go? The movie's gonna start soon," Preston whined, jiggling the doorknob impatiently.

With one stern glare from Kat, he shut his lips.

"He's right," I coaxed. "Go, go!"

Kat looked hesitant but pulled me into a quick hug nonetheless. "We'll be back before you know it," she assured me.

Like I was the one who needed reassurance.

A few minutes later, the three of them were heading out of the suite but not before Nic placed a lingering kiss on my cheek and told me that he had put his name on speed dial in my phone about an hour ago.

I rolled my eyes but didn't stop the small smile that twitched at the corners of my mouth.

It wasn't until fifteen minutes after they had left that I finally began to relax.

So much has happened today, what with the whole Preston situation and the sentimental moment Nic and I shared a few hours ago. That one really struck a chord.

I could feel a headache forming and I couldn't help but curse out loud for stressing and overthinking it so much.

My initial thought when I planned this trip was based around carefree days and the unforeseen amount of alcohol consumption. I didn't expect it to be topped off with silly redundant stress, that's for sure.

* * * *

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