Our Flame

xxvii

NADIA

I will be honest my brothers weren't too happy about me wanting to go back to school. Especially with my father out there.

But after a week of convincing and begging, my brothers finally agreed to let me go. The only catch was that guards will follow me everywhere.

To me it was a small price to pay for my diploma.

I stare at myself in the mirror, I'm nervous. I'm wearing a cropped white shirt revealing the angel tattoo on my stomach paired with black ripped baggy jeans.

I think this is Gianna's shirt.

I grab the backpack walking out of my room and heading downstairs. "Hi." I greet everyone as I walk in.

"Nadia, you look happy." Viktor chuckles. I give him a smile. I am happy I'm going back to school, it's what my mom would have wanted for me.

It's what Vera would've wanted.

I let out a deep breath as the thought crosses my mind, I'm moving on, without Vera. We were supposed to do this together.

She was supposed to be by my side through all of this. She should be here.

Am I betraying her? I just had sex with another girl less than a week ago. Am I a bad person for it?

I hear one of my brothers call my name but my thoughts continue to rapidly spread throughout my mind.

She's dead because of me, would she really want me to be happy? I'm getting married, how disappointing is that?

Do I deserve to even feel content with myself?

"Nadia, breathe." Is the only phrase that brings me out of my thoughts. Niko will always be able to do that.

Best twin ever.

"Deep breaths Nadia." Niko coaches me through my breathing. Slowly but surely my breathing is normal again, then Niko speaks up;

"And stop crying." He wipes the stray tear away.

I let out a small smile, I didn't even notice I was crying. "Are you okay?" Is quickly asked by my other brothers.

"Of course." I clear my throat, standing up straighter. "You're not going to school." A shirtless Vadim walks into the kitchen.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I cross my arms. "Because you just had a panic attack Nadia, we'll put it off till tomorrow." Vadim tells me.

I get it but I don't want to wait will tomorrow, I'm fine my brothers should know that.

"I'll be fine." I say, I know I will be. Thinking of Vera like that was just overwhelming. "I believe it." Niko shrugs.

"Nadia will be fine cause I'll be there." Niko adds. "Exactly- wait no." I agree but then disagree. "You aren't coming with me." I turn to my twin.

"Yes I am." Niko turns to me. "You aren't even dressed." I give in. Niko signals to his outfit, grey Nike sweats with a black hoodie.