Page 13

It was finally the weekend, and the hellish first week of school was finally behind me. From now on I am starting the school year out fresh, pretending as if last week never happened.

As soon as I left Amelia's house I went to the park to go on my daily morning walk. Amelia was upset to see me leave so early, but I really needed time alone to clear my head.

As I stepped out into the crisp autumn air, the leaves crunched beneath my feet, releasing a familiar earthy scent.

The forest surrounding Oakwood beckoned me, its ancient trees standing tall like silent sentinels.

I took a deep breath, letting the cool breeze wash over me, momentarily washing away the lingering stress of the past week.

Lost in thought, I wandered deeper into the woods. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. A sense of calm settled over me as I walked, the rhythmic sound of my footsteps mingling with the gentle rustling of leaves.

Suddenly, a low growl rumbled through the trees, sending a shiver down my spine.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I scanned the surrounding woods.

Was it just a wild animal, or something more sinister lurking in the shadows?

Despite the fear creeping up my spine, I couldn't shake off the curiosity that tingled at the back of my mind.

It was as if the growl had called out to me.

Tiptoeing cautiously, I followed the direction of the sound.

The trees seemed to close in around me, their thick trunks casting elongated shadows that danced eerily on the forest floor.

Each rustle of leaves made me jump, my senses heightened to a point where even the faintest whisper of the wind felt like a scream.

Then, as I turned a corner around a dense cluster of bushes, I came face to face with a pair of piercing amber eyes peering out from behind a tangle of undergrowth. A wolf, its fur a mix of silver and charcoal, regarded me with an intensity that sent a jolt of recognition through my veins. What?

For a moment, we stood locked in each other's gaze, the world around us fading into insignificance. And then, the wolf suddenly ran away, leaving me standing in awe. Did I just imagine it?

Maybe spending the weekend alone was not the best idea.

I can't be trusted to make good decisions on my own.

My dumb self decided to follow the sound of a growl without even fearing for my safety once.

Then, when faced with a wolf, I just stopped in my tracks and didn't try to run to save myself.

I was lucky I was able to make it out unharmed.

However, part of me believed that I just imagined the whole thing.

I didn't think wolves even lived in Tennessee.

As I sat in my truck, the AC on full blast, I stared at the sun. It hurt my eyes, but the pain recentered me. Snapping out of whatever fog I was in, I powered on my phone. I was greeted with a good morning text from Nick.

(Good morning, beautiful. I hope you have a great day.)

I blushed. It seemed as if he were trying to start where we had left off before we broke up. He always sent me good morning and night texts. I always found the effort very charming and sweet, and I think he knew that.

After what had happened this morning, seeing his text calmed my anxiety about the whole situation with the Wolf. I decided to call him to see what he was up to. The phone only rang twice before he picked up.

"Good morning, my little early bird." He answered, his voice gruff from sleep.

My heart fluttered when I heard his voice. It was like I was falling in love with him all over again. "Good morning Nick. Are you up to anything today?"

I heard him have a huge yawn. "Not really. I was just planning on catching up on my sleep."

"Oh..." I felt a little bad for bothering him all of a sudden. "Well, I'll let you get back to your sleep."

"No! No!" He cut in suddenly, sounding more alert than before. "We can keep talking, sleeping can wait." He paused. "What are you up to today?"

"I just finished a walk in the park, and now I'm in my truck trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my day." I sighed.

"Well you are more than welcome to come chill at my place. I would love to have you over." Nick suggested convincingly.

Spending time with him sounded like a great distraction from all of the chaos going on in my life.

Though it was a little nerve wracking to hang with him after all of this time, Nick was comfortable and familiar.

I could feel the sun's warmth on my face as I considered Nick's offer.

Despite the strange encounter with the wolf earlier, the idea of spending time with him felt like a comforting refuge.

"Alright," I finally replied, "I'll make my way over to your place. Just give me some time to freshen up."

Nick's voice brightened over the phone, "Great! Can't wait to see you. Drive safely, okay?"

I smiled, feeling a sense of ease wash over me. After hanging up, I gathered my things and started driving towards Nick's house. The familiar route seemed to pass by in a blur, my thoughts consumed by the upcoming reunion.

As I pulled into Nick's driveway, a sense of déjà vu washed over me. The quaint house looked as welcoming as ever, with its cozy porch and blooming flowers adorning the yard. I took a deep breath before getting out of the car, nerves fluttering in my stomach.

The worn wooden steps creak under my feet as I climb up to the porch, my heart pounding with a strange mix of excitement and apprehension.

Nick swings open the door before I can even knock, a warm smile on his face that instantly melts away my worries. His eyes, a deep shade of blue that seems to glow in the dusky light, hold mine in a mesmerizing gaze.

"Hey," he says softly, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "I'm so glad you're here. I've missed you," he murmurs, his warm breath tickling my skin. The familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the subtle musk of his natural scent envelops me, bringing back a rush of memories.

"I've missed you too," I reply, unable to tear my gaze away from his intense eyes. It's like time has stood still since we last saw each other, and all the unresolved emotions between us are bubbling to the surface.

Nick's hand lingers on my cheek, his thumb gently stroking my skin. Without breaking eye contact, he leans in slowly, giving me the chance to pull away if I want to. But I don't. My eyes flutter closed as his lips meet mine in a soft, tentative kiss.

It's like a spark igniting a flame inside me, the familiar warmth of his touch flooding me with a sense of belonging. The worries and fears that had plagued me earlier in the day melted away at that moment.

When he pulled back, he had a huge grin on his face as if he had won the lottery. Whenever he smiled that big you could see the dimples on the corners of his mouth. Sometimes I would tickle him just so I could see those cute dimples when he laughed.

Nick gestures for me to come inside, and I follow him into the cozy living room. The soft glow of the afternoon light filters through the curtains, casting a warm hue over everything it touches.

We settle on the couch, our shoulders brushing lightly as we sit close together. Nick reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers with a gentle squeeze. The simple gesture fills me with a sense of belonging, like coming home after a long time.

"So what movie do you want to watch?" He asked, gesturing towards the TV in front of us.

I groaned. "Please no more TV. Amelia already tortured me enough last night."

Nick chuckled. "So what do you want to do?"

I glanced around the living room, my eyes falling on the stack of board games tucked away in a corner. An idea sparked in my mind, and I turned to Nick with a mischievous grin.

"How about a game night instead?" I suggested, excitement bubbling in my chest. "I saw you have some board games over there."

Nick's eyes lit up with amusement, his smile widening. "Game night sounds perfect. It's been a while since we've had one."

We settled on playing Monopoly, spreading out the board and setting up the pieces. As we started playing, the competitive spirit between us emerged, teasing and playful banter filling the air.

"So what were you up to this summer?" Nick asks me as he collects his money for passing go.

Well crap. I didn't know what to tell him. I considered continuing the lie I had told Amelia, but if he found out I lied it could destroy any chance of him trusting me again. However, I didn't want to talk about my parents' divorce today. Or ever. I was conflicted as to what to do.

"I really don't want to talk about it." I settled on, hoping he wouldn't press any further. At least it wasn't a lie, but it would be something he would keep nagging me about until I told him.

"Elaine, you know you can tell me anything." He replied, with concern on his face.

"No I don't." The words came out before I could stop myself. Of course I didn't fully trust him. He broke my heart and never told me why. Though it was wrong for me to snap at him like that, I was rightfully upset.

"Elaine..." He looked down at the ground, as if he did not know what to say. His blue eyes turned a stormy gray. Nick clenched his fists, not in an aggressive way, but out of stress. Though we were trying to start again, the breakup would always leave a scar on our relationship.

"Nevermind, forget about it." I said, hoping we could change the subject.

"No, I understand how you feel. You deserve some answers." Nick said, still looking at the ground anxiously. His eyes darted back and forth at his hands, and his behavior seemed odd.

I took a deep breath and waited anxiously for him to tell me. I was finally getting the answers I had wanted for so long, but part of me was afraid to know. Afraid that he would say something that would destroy what we were trying to build.

Nick's hands were fidgeting, his eyes avoiding mine as if the words he needed to say were written in invisible ink on his palms. The air between us crackled with tension, each passing moment heavy with unspoken truths and unresolved emotions.

Finally, Nick took a deep breath, his gaze meeting mine with a mix of regret and determination. "Elaine, I..." He began, hesitated, then continued, "I ended things between us because... because I was scared."

His admission caught me off guard, the vulnerability in his voice piercing through the walls I had built around my heart. Scared? Nick had always been the steady one, the one who exuded calm and warmth. What could possibly frighten him enough to walk away without a word?

"Scared of what?" My voice wavered slightly, a mix of curiosity and apprehension coloring my tone.

Nick's eyes held mine, searching for understanding.

"I was threatened by someone, Elaine," he confessed, his words tumbling out in a rush as if he couldn't hold them back any longer.

"They warned me to stay away from you, told me things.

.." The tension in his voice was palpable, his hands clenched into fists as if reliving a memory that haunted him.

"I didn't want you to be dragged into that mess. "

The weight of his confession settled heavily between us, the pieces of our fractured relationship finally clicking into place. My mind raced, trying to process the revelation that Nick's sudden departure wasn't born of indifference but of a desperate attempt to protect me.

"Who would threaten you over me?" I whispered, my voice barely above a breath as I reached out to touch his hand, seeking connection amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling within me.

Nick's expression darkened with a mix of guilt and determination.

"I was at a party with people I had never met before.

I got really drunk, but it was nothing like I had ever experienced before.

I think I was drugged." He paused, his eyes welling with tears.

"There was this guy, and he beat me up really badly.

Broken nose, and bruises all over. I don't remember a whole lot of it, but once I sobered up a little bit he threatened that I would pay if I didn't stay away from you.

I was a coward to believe anything he said.

He was probably some psycho jealous guy, but the way he spoke sounded like he was dead serious.

" Nick's voice quivered with a mix of shame and anguish, his vulnerability laid bare before me.

My heart twisted in my chest, a surge of anger and uncertainty. How could someone use Nick like that and manipulate him into leaving me without a word? Was he even telling the truth? Was he really drugged??

"Nick, I'm so sorry you went through that. No one should ever have to face something like that," I murmured, my fingers tightening around his hand.

He looked up at me, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and regret. "I should have told you earlier, Elaine. I was so scared for myself that I ended up hurting you... I understand if you don't want to be with me."

"Nick, I'm so sorry you went through that. No one ever should." I whispered, my voice laced with sympathy and understanding. Despite the pain and confusion swirling within me, a newfound sense of empathy blossomed in my heart. Nick's struggle was real, his suffering palpable in every word he spoke.

Nick's gaze searched mine, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. He was threatened, yet he was the one asking me for forgiveness. I know something like that can really mess with a person, and I can't imagine what he went through after that.

"There is nothing to forgive." I leaned over to hug him, knocking over the board game in the process. "Crap! I messed up our game."

"It's ok." Nick said, holding me tight. I could feel wet tears fall onto my shoulder. "Thank you... thank you for understanding." He whispered.

"Have you told anyone else?" I asked tentatively, afraid prying would cause him more anguish.

Nick took in a sharp breath, and held me tighter. "No." He whispered.