Our Flame

xliv

NADIA

A groan leaves my mouth as I open my eyes, adjusting to the sun shining through the window. I've never had an experience like yesterday- a kiss like yesterday.

Kissing Ezra was like a high, without drugs. It's crazy how much I hated him a month and a half ago.

I glance down at his arm that is draped around my waist, tight but loose enough for me to move. I move out of his arms, heading to the bathroom.

I stare at myself in the mirror, my eyes have never looked lighter. As I stare into my own eyes, I think of my family.

Do they hate me right now? Are they looking for me? Has our father found them? Is Gianna okay?

The questions flow through my mind, yet I can't think of an answer for any of them. I shake my head, going to brush my teeth.

Leaving my family wasn't something I expected but if I didn't- would I have gotten to know Ezra in the way that I do?

I let out a deep breath, not letting my thoughts consume me. After finishing, I exit the bathroom. A smile makes its way to my face as I stare at him.

He looks so peaceful when he's sleeping- he's not worried about anything. A knock at the door brings me out of my mind. "Hey." I greet Issac.

Issac nods at me, "He's sleeping?" He questions. I mumble a small 'yes' with a nod of my own. "Here." Issac hands me a folder.

My hands move to open it but then I stop, "It's a picture of him, my father?" I ask. His silence was all I needed, I hand Issac back the folder.

"I don't want to see." I explain. My father has taunted, ridiculed, and abused me my whole life- I don't need an image to haunt me.

Issac lets out a breath, "Look Nadia, this picture is a lead- the first one in weeks. You need to look at it." I stand still as the picture is handed back to me.

"I need to smoke." I roll my eyes. Issac stays silent for a few moments, "Come on." He mumbles. Skeptically, I follow.

"Are you going to kill me?" I stop walking. "You're so annoying." He mumbles. "And, you're a dick." I scoff.

"If Ezra finds out I'm letting you smoke, he might just kill me." Issac hands me a cigarette. I take it from his hands, going onto the balcony. "That's a big price just to get me to look at some pictures."

I lean over the balcony edge looking out, Australia is beautiful- it just isn't home.

Issac lights my cigarette before his own, "I thought it'd be hard to live with you, because my- I know." I interrupt. "But you look nothing like him."

"I get my looks from my mother." I blow smoke out of my mouth. I'm grateful Issac didn't respond, sometimes I feel guilty even though I played no part.

"Ask whatever your thinking, you look weird when you make that face." Issac exhales. "What was your dad like?"

I hear him sigh, "He was great. He did his best on his own- stepped up when my mother walked out." Issac shrugs.

The pang in chest could have been caused by his words or this cigarette. "I'm sorry." I whisper. "Maeve was right, it's not your fault." Issac admits.