Remember me

Chapter 35

Mia

I smile to myself as I gaze out the window of Nicks truck, my hair blowing in the breeze. Something about tonight feels different. It feels really good, like a new beginning.

We turn down a familiar road and I realize I know exactly where we're going. Of course this is where he brought me.

Nick pulls the truck to a stop and turns to look at me with a grin before he hops out in front of the empty dirt lot. He opens my door and grabs my hand as he leads us towards our treehouse.

I embrace the warmth of his grasp and lean in to him as we walk, happy that Nick didn't let go for once. We walk in silence, enjoying the tranquility of night and the comfort of each other's presence. As we approach the tree trunk I feel Nicks gaze on me and I turn to him with a questioning look. He just nods his head, gesturing for me to climb up first. For not the first time tonight I wish I could look inside his head and read his thoughts.

As I climb up the old wooden rungs of our treehouse I realize how it seems so fitting to end this year and start the new one in this place. It's old, yet new, as we experience it now years later with the ghosts of the past rising from every corner. But most of all this place is still such a representation of us. It's peaceful and calming and right.

As Nick steps onto the platform after me I turn to him with a smile that I can't hold back. Im surprised to see an open expression on his face as well, and I have a feeling he's thinking the same thing about this place. About us.

Sliding his phone out of his pocket, Nick glances at the time and says "Three more minutes until the New Year."

I take a step towards him and smile "Happy or sad to see this one go?"

Nick is silent for a moment, thinking, before he replies "Neither." He leans against the wooden rail and rests his head on his arm. "I mean, dad died this year, and that was hell."

My heart drops to my stomach and I advert my gaze. His dad. I shouldn't of asked. I am such a self-centered jerk.

"But" Nick continues and I glance back over at him. His gaze is now focused on me. "This year brought you back to me.. or rather, me back to you.. and I'm pretty damn grateful for that."

I don't stop to think before rushing towards Nick, wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his chest. His body tenses at first from my impact but immediately starts to soften as I cling to him. Nick wraps his arms around my shoulders in return and I smile as he rests his chin on my head.

"I don't want to lose you ever again" I say into his shirt, not caring about saying the wrong thing anymore. I'm done hiding myself. In fact I think that should be my New Years Resolution. No more hiding or tampering myself down to appease anyone else.

We stay there for a long moment, just holding onto one another when I feel one of Nick's arms slide off of my shoulder to reach into his pocket. He pulls out his phone and seeing the time he says "Looks like the new year is here, Mia-mine."

I tip my head up to look at him, tears instantly coming to my eyes at the mention of his old nickname for me.

Nick reaches down and cups my face in his hands, wiping the escaped tears with his thumbs. "What's wrong?" He asks.

I shake my head, "nothing. I'm just happy"

Nick's gaze pierces mine for a long moment before he whispers " I'm so happy to start the new year with you"just before his lips meet mine.

Finally.