Our Flame

xxx

NADIA
2 1/2 MONTHS LATER

I smile at the girl in the mirror, she's different now. She put on healthy weight, her eyes became brighter, her smile returned and most importantly- she is me.

And she is so proud of herself.

After the fire I wasn't okay and it was obvious after I admitted that I wanted to stay in the fire, that I didn't want to leave.

It was a sad truth, a hard truth. Maybe even a one moment truth, either way my brothers insisted on therapy.

It was easy to open up to my therapist, all the walls I've built slowly crumbled. But that was for the best. I didn't have to hide what I feel and, I never will again.

The best part- I didn't have to do it alone, Niko recognized his own issues and got himself help.

Together we healed- just like I knew we could. I still have a long way to go, although it seems a little easier now. Especially since I'm not alone.

I didn't feel crazy when I spoke about the fire, I felt like me. 

My experience, my trauma it was valid and it doesn't define me. I was never weak nor was I ever deserving of what I went through.

Though, my therapist doesn't exactly agree with the fact that I light things on fire- I don't agree with her haircut so we're even.

I'm proud to say I never gave up on school. I'm still in school, just online. And it has never been better. I have never been better.

Today is my eighteenth birthday, Tomorrow I get married.

I haven't seen Ezra in two-ish months, and in the deepest part of me, I miss it. I miss his eyes.

The same eyes that I've seen before.

I shake the thoughts from my head, grabbing Niko's gift and heading downstairs. A smile grows on my face when I walk into the decorated kitchen and living room.

Gifts are surrounded on the ground, a banner hangs above the table reading both Niko and I's names, in the kitchen there's food options lining the counters, but my favorite part is the look of pure joy on everyone's face.

"No matter how old we get, I'll always be older." Niko comes out of nowhere. "By five minutes." I scoff. "Should've been faster." Niko shrugs.

I raise an eyebrow, "The cord was stuck around my neck, idiot." "Okay Okay." Viktor says before Niko can speak again.

"We are the proudest brothers in the world. Happy birthday, маленькие близнецы."

translation: little twins

Niko and I smile at Vadim, "Shouldn't we be big twins now?" He questions. Viktor chuckles, "Never."

"You look so pretty." Gianna gives me a hug. I smile at my best friend, "What about me?" Niko wonders. I roll my eyes.

"Why are you talking so much today?" Luka goes to hug Niko. "Happy birthday, little shit."

"Seriously Luka." Aleksi sighs. Luka shrugs, "It's a term of endearment." He explains. It's definitely not, I shake my head at them.