F A L L O N

"Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful? Will you still love me when I've got nothing but my aching soul?"

. . .

Taking the elevator up towards my floor, I recall Nicholas' gaze on me. Aurora understood my reaction and why I'd wanted to leave, but she said she expected to see me soon.

Now, I'm just going to lock myself up in my room and continue to watch my shows.

There are only two apartments on my floor. My apartment is pretty large and spacious, I can't complain over a single thing.

My neighbor is an elderly woman, who's very kind and has multiple cats and dogs that own my heart.

So, as I step out of the elevator and spot my door, all I wonder is that who the dozens of flowers are meant for.

The hallway is scattered with flowers. All different kinds, but they're beautiful.

And they're everywhere. This must've cost a fortune.

And at my door, there's a bucket filled to the brim with packets of Skittles, with a note on top.

My heart goes wild in my chest and I can't resist the stupid smile from coming on my face.

Nearing my door, I lean down and pick up the note.

"After a few well-deserved punches from your dad, I got your address. There will be more. And I will win you back."

I don't want to admit how happy this makes me. How it makes me swoon and smile like a crazy woman in love.

Opening the front door, I get the bucket inside as well with the flowers. There are so many of them, they can cover the whole apartment.

And there's a second floor, too.

I place a few bouquets in the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and toilets. And my favorite bouquet in my room.

It's an assembly of roses that have this beautiful, beige color. One of the roses even has two hearts. There are some lavender-colored flowers too, as well with a few pink ones.

The whole apartment now has a touch of Nicholas, and it brings a warm feeling to my chest.

With the packs of Skittles in my room, I turn on the TV and watch my shows.

But my mind keeps wandering off to Nicholas.

College starts the next week, on Wednesday.

I haven't heard from Nicholas since last week, on the day where I got all the flowers and Skittles.

The Skittles are gone, and the flowers are beginning to wilt, much to my dismay. It hurt to throw a few away, though I'm drying some of the roses he gifted me.

They're too beautiful to be thrown away.

Getting up, I put on a simple outfit. I'm not nervous for this new year. I know most people from my classes already and they're nice.

Getting downstairs, I'm about to plug in my Air Pods when I halt in the lobby.

Because Nicholas is standing at the entrance, leaning with all his confidence against the wall.

The corner of his lip turns up into a smirk when he sees me, and he pushes himself off before walking over towards me.

"I was wondering when you'd come down," he says and holds out his hand, which I notice now is holding a cup.

"What's that?" is my first question, a frown marring my face.

"Tea," he answers.

"It's from the coffee shop I always go to," I notice.

"It's the one that's the nearest. I figured," he replies dryly.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, reluctantly accepting the cup of tea he's offering me. I follow him out of the building when he starts walking away, holding the door open for me.

"Walking you to campus, obviously."

"Nicholas..." I trail off and hold the cup tighter between my fingers. "What?" he asks, innocence written across his face.

I narrow my eyes, knowing it's feigned.

"Can't I do this? It's just a walk," he defends himself, but a sly smile comes on his face as he says it.

"What if I don't want you to?"

"Oh, Fallon," he chuckles and leans in, close enough for me to get intoxicated by his scent but not too close, "we both know you do want it."

In my stubborn way of not replying, I raise the cup of tea to my lips and take a sip.

It's the tea I always turned to in San Francisco, the one I always prepared for myself. Chamomile, it always calmed me down.

Lowering the cup again, I glare at Nicholas.

"I don't like it."

He frowns. "You used to drink it all the time back at your house."

"It's not my favorite anymore."

"Noted," he winks, and then motions for me to start walking. "Lead the way, I'll be following you," he says, and hesitatingly so, I start my way to campus.

"Did you receive my flowers?" he asks. He knows I did, how could I not? I had to walk through them.

"I did, thank you," I say and feel a little blush rising to my cheeks. "You liked them?" he then asks.

"They were pretty."

I try to sound nonchalant. While in reality, I was over the moon with the flowers.

"Good, there's more coming."

I don't say anything to that comment, but need to hide my smile at the knowledge that I will be receiving more of the flowers.

They made the place livelier, added some color, and were a constant reminder of what he'd gifted me.

The walk towards campus is quick. A lot of students are passing us, and almost every one of them casts a second glance at Nicholas.

Some try to catch his attention or try to meet his eyes. But he just looks ahead of him or down at me.

And that satisfies me in some twisted way.

"Well, thank you for the tea and walking me," I say and turn to look at him. A car pulls up beside him, and he sends me another smirk.

"It was my pleasure, Fallon."

With that, he gets in the car and I watch it drive away.

The next morning, I'm surprised to see Nicholas at the entrance of the building again.

With another cup of tea in his hands.

"You're here," I notice once I arrive where he's standing.

"Obviously," he says and offers me a cup of tea.

"You're walking me to campus again?" I ask, and he nods. "Of course," he chuckles and lifts his hand, ever so carefully caresses my cheek with his knuckles.

"I'll be here every day, waiting for you."

That has me speechless, and I'm happy when he holds the door open for me so I can walk out.

Taking a sip of the tea, I cringe and shake my head. "This one is terrible."

"Tomorrow is another day."

That is true, and for the upcoming days, Nicholas waits for me downstairs with a different kind of tea each day.

And I end up disliking the tea every time.

Throughout the days, I grow to tell him about my classes and friends. I tell him how my day went and he asks me questions about the things I'm learning.

He lets me complain about some teachers or some things that I don't understand. I even dare to ask him a few questions about some subjects, to which he always finds the answer.

It's come to the point where I'm anticipating his presence. I wake up with a smile and get up, wondering what I'd wear and if he'd like my outfit.

I always wonder what kind of tea he chose this time, and it makes me feel giddy to know that he'll be downstairs waiting for me.

Until one morning, where he isn't standing there as I expected him to.

I try not to let my disappointment show, but my eyebrows still dip down into a frown and an empty feeling settles itself in my chest.

There could be a million reasons as to why he didn't show up today. And all sorts of possibilities go around in my head.

Did he grow tired of waiting? Is he tired of me still being a bit distant?

Have I been too difficult?

Doubt starts to fill me, and I hate that his absence is causing me such anxiety. It shouldn't.

This goes to show that I shouldn't grow that dependent and fond of someone, knowing I had my doubts in the first place.

I hate setting myself up for disappointment.

Though, in the afternoon, I receive a message.

From Nicholas.

Saying that he woke up to an emergency at work and that he needed to get there as fast as possible.

The relief is huge, and I hate that I let the disappointment have such an influence on my mood.

I tell him that it's fine and that it's not a problem.

But by the time my classes are over and I plan on walking home, I see his tall figure standing on his usual spot by the benches.

"You're here," I say once I near him. he looks up from his phone and sends me a smile.

"Of course, I'd be here. I wouldn't miss an opportunity of seeing you."

With a blush, I accept the cup of tea he bought me and hold it close to me.

"How was your day?" I ask him as we start walking.

I like having him here with me. I like having his attention on me and knowing his little smiles are meant for me.

"Stressful, I'm sorry I wasn't there this morning," he apologizes. "It's okay, really," I assure him.

Bringing the cup to my lips, I take a sip and am pleasantly surprised by the taste.

Lifting my eyes towards his, I send him a little smile. "You picked the right one."

He raises a brow. "Did I? Gotta remember that for tomorrow."

"What did you order?" I ask and he shrugs. "I've been going off the list, but I think it's some Matcha Chai or something," he says

"I love it, thank you," I say and enjoy the tea the rest of the way home.

When we arrive at the entrance of my building, I turn to look at him and tilt my head a bit to meet his eyes.

I can't get enough of his features. Of the slope of his lips and his eyes that have such intensity in them, it takes my breath away.

He leans down and presses a soft and tender kiss on my cheek.

Goosebumps erupt on my skin when his stubble briefly makes contact with my cheek, and I flush.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he whispers and with that, he leans back and walks away.

. . .

Ngl I would've folded.

And guys y'all are so impatient, asking for smut.

Have some patience. And you'll be rewarded.

Drop some good Netflix recommendations, please. Thank you.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

I love you.