the Christmas crown

twelve

hola mi amigossss! enjoy :)

Nini's pov

I'm sitting cross-legged on the ballroom floor, looking in my phone camera to try and fix my make-up. As I put my phone away, I hear footsteps enter into the ballroom. I look up and see Kourtney standing there, smiling.

I force a smile, "Hey Kourt! How's it going?"

"Good. You?"

"Uh- yeah I'm good. Just...decorating.", I force a laugh.

"Hey...you wanna go into town? We can go grab some lunch at my favorite diner", she suggests.

I nod, "Yeah sure!"

I pick up my bag and both of us walk out of the ballroom, down the staircase, and into the same black limo. The driver drives us into town and drops us off in front of the cutest diner ever. It was mainly white and had Christmas decorations all over the place. Lighted garland outside, a Christmas tree inside, snowflakes on the wall. It was like a winter wonderland.

I gasp, "This place is beautiful"

She laughs, "I knew you'd like it!"

I look around and notice eyes on us. I figured it was because it's probably not that normal to see a royal just casually walking into a diner. Kourtney grabs my wrist and pulls me over to a booth in the corner by the Christmas tree. I begin scanning through the menu. It made my heart warm up since all their food was like home food. Comfort food.

"Hello! Nice to see you, Miss Greene. How are you ladies doing?", a waitress with auburn hair and a kind smile greets. She looked to be in her 40s. 

Kourtney smiles, "Good thanks! This is Nini...the planner and decorator for the Christmas party."

She smiles and turns her head at me, "Nice to meet you. Can I get you two started with some drinks?"

"Water, please", I say.

"I'll take a water too, thanks.", Kourtney says.

"My name is Kate by the way.", she informs before walking away.

I smile and nod before I turn my head back to Kourtney.

"Does she like...know you?", I ask, slightly chuckling.

She nods, "Sure does. She kinda watched all of us grow up. She was really good friends with Ricky's parents..."

I bite my lip and nod, looking down at the menu. The mention of Ricky made me start wondering about him. I began to think a lot about why he hates Christmas and seems so...confined? After these couple days of being with him for just a few hours, it's made me wanna become closer to him. Maybe in more ways than just...friends. He's cute and seems so humble and pure. I think I just have to...let him trust me and wait for him to let me in.

"Nini?"

I jerk my head up, coming to reality, "Uh- yeah sorry..."

"I was asking you how the decorating was going with Ricky?", she repeats.

I clear my throat, "Uh- it's good yeah..."

"Um...Nini...I'm just gonna be straight up honest here. Did something happen earlier? Ricky came into my room and started telling us that you seemed like you were crying and...yeah"

I bite my lip, my chest moving faster, "U-uh...well...I guess I can tell you...since you a-already know..."

Before I can explain, Kate comes back with our drinks. Kourtney and I smile at her as she pulls out her notepad and a pen.

"Are we ready to order?", she asks, both of us nodding.

"I'll have the chicken sandwich please, no tomatoes. And fries for the side.", I say, giving her the menu back.

"I'll take my usual please.", Kourtney smiles.

"Burger and fries?", Kate checks, Kourtney nodding and smiling.

"Alright, I'll get that in for you two. Let me know if you need anything.", Kate says, walking away.

I take a deep breath and turn back to Kourtney who's anxiously waiting for me to explain what happened.

"Okay uh...so- it was Jamison...", I begin, "He called me..."

Kourtney nods, "Okay...what'd he say?"

I feel my throat become tight, my eyes stinging and threatening to let tears falls. I bite the inside of my cheek and blink my eyes, trying to hold them in.

"H-he...called me...names...and screamed at me. He said...I was worthless...that he was only dating me for the money I make...t-that he never loved...me. He...also said he was gonna find a way to- drag me b-back to him..."

I could feel a tear roll down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away before clearing my throat and forcing a half smile, "I-it's nothing though. I'm fine...it's- it's fine..."

Kourtney gets a stern look on her face, taking a deep breath, "Nini. This is not healthy. And you need to break up with him asap before something bad happens, babe."

I swallow, "I-I can't..."

"Nini...why not? It's your choice..."

"He would kill me, Kourt! You know he's abusive...", I whisper shout, multiple tears falling now.

She sighs, taking my hand in hers, "I know...I'm sorry. I just- want to protect you. You deserve to be with someone...better, Nini. Somebody who'll...love you, truly."

I wipe my tears, "Why're you smirking?"

She chuckles a little, "No reason...I just think you and...Ricky...would be cute together."

I widen my eyes, trying to hide my blush, "Kourtney!"

"Oh, come on! You've gotta like him! I saw the way you two were laughing when you were putting the reindeer together!", she squeals.

I playfully roll my eyes, "Okay fine. He's cute and maybe I have a little crush on him. But, he doesn't like me...although that confuses me since he's been super nice to me all of a sudden."

She presses her lips together as if hiding something.

"Kourt...what're you hiding. You definitely know something.", I say.

"This didn't come from me...but he likes you Nini. He said it himself. He likes you. But, you two gotta find your way to each other by yourself.", she chuckles.

I smile to myself as I begin to think about him. Ricky seems...a hundred million times better than...Jamison. But I don't know how to get away from him.