Across the Pond

Chapter 65

Nico shifts his body slightly - causing me to move just a little - so that he can look at me better.

"I don't regret waiting, though," he confesses. "Because everything led us to this point, and I couldn't be happier. We were so young, BC. I was dealing with a lot. So were you. I don't think that the time would've been right. But now," he says in a different tone, "I can't picture my life without me holding you in my arms." He pauses, leaning in to kiss me. "Kissing you," he says once he pulls away.

"You know? You told me you loved me, and I never said anything back."

He recalls the instance, appearing somewhat embarrassed by the fact. "Oh, yeah."

I turn around to face him completely, cupping his cheek in my palm. "I love you, Nico. I've loved you since the day that I met you."

Bella, Age 7 / Nico, Age 9

Today was the best day of my life. It started with a lemonade stand and ended with a new friend. A crush. Maybe something more.

Mom just picked me up from Nico's house, but I wish that the day didn't have to come to an end. Even though today was my first time meeting him, I feel like I've known Nico my whole life. Everything he said, every move that he made, felt familiar, like I had heard it before, like I had seen it before. In a good way. I don't know if it's because I feel super comfortable around him or if it's more than that. What I do know is that I hope to spend the rest of this summer hanging out with him.

He asked me what I'm doing tomorrow, and if I'd like to come over again. His mom said that it was okay. Now it's my turn to ask my mom.

"So, how was your day?" she asks as she reverses the car out of Nico's driveway.

"The best," I beam.

"Wow, look at that smile," she says of my expression. "What did you three do?"

"We swam, watched a movie in Nico's theatre room, and then, mom, get this," I say excitedly, "they have a private chef who cooks all of their meals. His name is Chef Taylor and he made us pizza from scratch."

"Wow, that's...wow," mom says, stunned. "Wait a minute, did you say 'theatre room'?"

"Uh-huh."

"Damn," she mumbles under her breath. I don't think she intended for me to hear it because mom doesn't like to swear around me.

"Nico invited me back to his house tomorrow. Can I go?"

Mom looks uneasy. "Oh, honey, I don't know."

"Why? C'mom, mom! Please," I beg with my hands pressed together.

"Sweetheart, people like Nico and his family aren't like us. We're not like them."

"Yeah, so? Nico's rich, and we're not. Why does that matter?"

"It's not that," she tries to clarify, but I interrupt before she can say anything else.

"Mom, you have nothing to worry about. Nico's nice. Very nice. And he makes me feel special. Isn't that what's important?"

"Yeah," she chuckles softly. "Yeah, it is."

I look out my window, feeling a wave of emotions - the main one being liveliness. That's what I feel when I'm around Nico - alive.

I turn my head to look at mom, and I can tell that her mind's racing, even though she's bottling her thoughts in.

"Can I tell you something?" I ask her.

"Of course, sweetie," she tells me.

"Nico Bradford is going to be someone special in my life. I just know it. I feel it. The boy from across the pond will be someone special to me."

The End!

To the readers - thank you so much for taking the time to check out Across the Pond! Whether you only read one page or finished the entire story, just know that I am truly grateful for your support.

I would love to know what you thought of the story. What was your favorite part? Your least favorite part? Who was your favorite character? Your least favorite character?

Also, I'm on TikTok! My username is rrwriting. Follow for all things Nico and Bella...and also Brooks and Remi ;)

-RR

PS - be sure to keep reading for Bonus Chapters from Nico's point-of-view!

PPS - It's time for Brooks and Remi to have their moment! I just started writing their story, which will be an enemies-to-lovers sequel to Across the Pond. Stay tuned for updates!!