It Started With You + Me

Chapter 16: A glimpse into the past

-NINA'S POV-

"No way!" I gasped in surprise "so you found it when you got lost?".

Nika nodded carefully, smiling all the while. She had just told me all about the amazing cave she had found in the woods, and I couldn't wait to see it for myself. 

"We should totally go there! We could try and furnish it as well! Shea said the land here doesn't actually belong to anyone, so we can just claim it. And it could be our little secret summer project. I really need to see it now!" Even though Nika hadn't voiced her opinion out loud yet, I could see the excitement shining brightly in her eyes.

I took Ladybug's lead rein from Nika so that she would have some more time to talk. We had been walking around the yard in large circles for a few minutes, cooling down the runaway horse.

"Nina, there's something I need to tell you, but only when we get back to your house." Curious about her sudden change in attitude I looked at her cautiously, wondering what what was on her mind.

Taking the horse back down to the stables we were greeted with the yummy smell of lemon drizzle cake. Letting someone else take Bug into her stable we leaned against the wall and took a piece along with a glass of water. I looked up at the sky and then to Nika. The dark clouds were taking over the previously orange-hued sky and they just kept rolling in. Telepathically asking her what the time was, she held up six fingers... 6 o'clock at night! And it was already getting dark! 

"Well we had better get going! I promised my mother that we would come home before 6:30." I said rather cheerfully. But really I had only said it so I could find out what was troubling Nika. Giving everyone a sweet smile I pushed off from the wall and Nika was quick to follow. She was the only one that knew about my little lie, but wasn't about to call my bluff as I'm sure she was just as eager to get home as I was.

"Bye guys!" We chorused together. "See you tomorrow maybe?" We started walking towards the gate when two arms came up behind me and wrapped themselves around my waist. Shea's head rested on my shoulder and I sighed.

"Let me go with you," he whined as I pulled his one arm forward, the other arm swung around still firmly grasped onto the one side of my waist.

"I think its better if I go spend some time with my best friend," I sighed and gave him a quick peck. Then I nodded my head towards Nika who was supposed to be beside me, confused I looked around.

While I was caught up in my own romantic episode, I didn't realize that Nika had started speed walking and was now many meters in front of us, slightly worried I quickly shrugged Shea off with a chaste kiss and started jogging to try and catch up with her.

"Hey? Nika, are you okay?" I asked beginning to be seriously concerned. I was now halfway towards her when I saw the bright purple headphones imbedded into her ears glinting slightly in the faint sunlight. I could hear the music blaring loudly, something in a minor chord, sad music, depressing music. Quickly I linked arms with Nika, startling her out of her thoughts, and music. "C'mon lets get you home and you can talk about whatever is on yout mind right now. And we'll have some hot cocoa?" I looked up at her with big puppy dog eyes. She chuckled silently then we headed over towards my house. I was ready for a night of tears, explanations, good old chocolate and a romantic movie.

_____

Near the end of the movie, Nika's consecutive tears started flowing dramatically down her cheeks. Pausing the movie just as the credits had started rolling I turned and patted her awkwardly on her shoulder.

"Hey babes? What wrong?" I rounded up all my concern and focussed all my attention on her.

She sniffled slightly before answering. "All the times any of the girls were kissed... it just reminded me about Lewis..." her crying fit started before I knew what was happening. Taking her head in my arms I cradled her gently. I had to remind myself that she was only opening up like this with me, so I had to help her like she did with me.