Keeping his bride

Nicholas

WE START OUT easy enough with math. We cover all the basics – addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. And once Selina has those down pat, then we work on the tougher stuff.

I have her doing mathematical equations during breakfast, and then I give her tests at night based on what we learned that morning. Selina passes with flying colors, of course.

And after a few days of running through exercises and tests, she’s ready to take the placement test again.

Nervously, I pace outside of the classroom, waiting for her to finish…or waiting for her to begin throwing desks again.

But when everything remains quiet and calm inside for an hour, I’m satisfied that Selina won’t be having another meltdown. Not that I can even blame her for acting out. Hell, if someone stole my childhood from me, I would be angry too. No, more than angry. I would be hellbent on having a murderous rage, scorching the fucking earth until no one who hurt me remained.

Fuck, I’m sure that’s how she really feels deep down inside. And it makes me so proud to know how strong she is. She keeps it together every single fucking day, not breaking down when so many would.

When the door opens, I stop pacing and look up to see Selina walking out of the room. She stops in front of me, her eyes to the floor, not giving anything away. But when she raises her head and I see the smile on her lips, I know she did well, obviously much better than the first time around.

“How did it go?” I ask her.

“Great. Thanks to you,” she says. “Thank you for helping me.”

“No problem,” I tell her. In all honesty, the time we’ve spent together studying has been amazing. Just being close to her makes me happy, and I haven’t been this happy in a long time.

“The teacher is going to grade the placement test,” Selina explains, “and then we’re going to focus my schoolwork on what my weaknesses are and go from there. She’s confident I’ll be able to take my GED in about a month.”

“That’s amazing, Lina. And when you pass, we’ll have to celebrate.”

“If I pass,” she corrects me.

“No. When you pass,” I say confidently.

“Okay. When I pass,” she counters, her smile widening. The watch on her wrist beeps, and she glances at it. “Oh, it’s time for my physical therapy appointment.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later,” I tell her, hating that I don’t get to spend any more time with her right now and that I have to share her with someone else again. I watch her walk away, not blinking until she disappears around the corner and out of my sight.

Some people would probably tell me to get over my little obsession I have for her, but I know that will never happen.

Selina

It’s early in the afternoon when Dwayne and I are finishing up my physical therapy session. I feel stronger already, like I can conquer the world. And it’s all thanks to Nico and his family. I was living in fear and a deep depression for so long that I forgot what it felt like to just be normal; to be content and comfortable. And I do feel comfortable here. I’ve been to some of the most beautiful countries in the world and seen things a lot of people never get to see in their lifetimes, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.

I think I could actually be happy here. I think this could very easily be considered home to me someday.

“So, what kind of physical activities are you into?” Dwayne asks, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Hiking, biking, swimming, walking?”

I give him a small shrug. “I used to surf with Nico,” I suggest.

“Surfing? Oh god, you couldn’t get me out on the water, but more power to you,” he says with a soft chuckle. “Surfing is great exercise, though.”

“Do you think she’s ready for it?” Nico asks, causing my head to spin in his direction.

“Oh, definitely,” Dwayne tells him.

I didn’t even realize Nico had entered the gym, and it makes me wonder how long he’s been standing there, watching us. He’s wearing a tight, white t-shirt and gray sweatpants. Damn, those sweatpants should be illegal. And I can’t even stop my eyes from dropping to the outline of his…

“What do you think, Selina?” he asks, snapping me out of my trance.

My eyes immediately flash to Nico’s face, and I watch as he cocks his head to the side and his lips tilt up in a knowing grin. Oh god, he just caught me staring.

“Uh,” I stammer as a hot blush floods my cheek. What was the question?

Dwayne says, “As long as you don’t go too crazy on your first day, you should be fine, Selina.”

Oh, yes, surfing. We’re talking about surfing.

“You’re in great shape already,” Dwayne comments, tapping me on the leg in a friendly gesture.

I watch Nico’s eyes narrow on Dwayne, and I have to stifle a grin. Is Nico…jealous? I think he is. And why does a huge part of me want him to be?

“We can go surfing this afternoon if you want to, Lina,” Nico suggests.

“Sure. That sounds like fun,” I tell him with a smile.

“Great. I’m sure you could borrow Aria’s board. I don’t think she’s ever used it since Mom and Dad bought her surfing gear as a Christmas gift a few years back.”

“Then it’s a date,” Dwayne announces with a huge grin. He stands and tells us, “I’m going home for the day. You kids have fun!”

We watch him leave, and then the tension that always seems to be there between Nico and I slowly begins to drift into the room, thickening the air until I find it hard to take in a full breath.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Perhaps noticing the change, Nico clears his throat and says, “I’ll go get everything ready. Meet you in the driveway in twenty?” he suggests.

“Yeah, sure,” I say, my voice sounding throaty and hoarse like I’ve been chewing on gravel.

I watch Nico turn and walk away. And only when he’s gone from the room do I feel like I can breathe again. I don’t know why there’s always so much tension between us, but I’m going to try to remedy that. I want Nico and I to be friends. Okay, maybe more than friends. God, I don’t even know what I want. But I do know I want things to just be easy and not so difficult.

I decide to head upstairs and take a shower. Every step of the way I can’t help but think about the way he looked in the gym…and those sweatpants hanging so low on his hips.

Okay, so maybe a cold shower is just the thing I need.