My Best Mistake (UNDER EDITING)

Chapter 3 - Nessa's POV

As soon as classes are over I head out to the courtyard. Not many people are out here because of the snow, but I like it. The chill air sends shivers down my back, but it's comforting. It reminds me of the time Crow and I would play in the snow as kids.

"Nessie, that's cheating," Crow yelled from behind his fort.

"No, it's not! I pelted you with that snowball fair and square," I said then stuck my tongue out.

"Ha, ha. You said 'snot'," he chuckled at me.

"No, I didn't! You're so immature."

I giggle aloud at my thoughts. I missed those days. Everything was so much simpler. I didn't have to worry much about the world outside of Crow and my mom. There wasn't any overthinking about life, boyfriends, deadbeat fathers. . . I digress. It was just my family. The family that loved and accepted me above all else, and made sure I was cared for and protected.

I'm pulled away from my thoughts as I come up to the bench Derek told me to meet him at. Who's that with him? I see a blonde girl in nothing but a tank-top and a miniskirt. A little bold for this weather, but you do you.

I stop dead in my tracks as I see her sitting on his lap, kissing him. Not just kissing, he literally has his tongue down her throat. I feel sick. I quickly run over to a bush to throw up in. How could he do this to me?

I look back up to see him staring at me. I turn my teary eyes away from his gaze. I sense he's coming towards me, but I quickly start to walk away.

"Ness! Ness, wait up," I hear him shout behind me.

My steps become quicker as I head to the building right in front of me. I'm not quick enough. Derek grabs my wrist and turns me around to face him. I can't help the tears spilling from my eyes.

"Ness, what's wrong?"

I can't believe him.

"'What's wrong?' What's wrong! I just saw you swapping spit with another girl. Five years, Derek. Five fucking years! How long has this been going on? Tell me."

"With her? About a month."

Does he even care about me?

"What do you mean 'with her'?"

"There's been others," he says nonchalant.

"You fucking pig," I yell as my hand comes in contact with his cheek, "Don't you ever, and I mean EVER, talk to me again. Don't look at me, don't breathe the same air as me. We're done! Pick up your shit tomorrow and get the hell out of my life!"

I walk away from Derek. He's still holding his cheek from my slap. I'll admit it was pretty dramatic. I'm just so angry. I wasted five years on this prick! He never loved me. Nobody's ever going to love me.

I feel my chest tighten. My breathing quickens as I fall to my knees. I start sobbing into the ground. Heaving what little air I can take in. Oh god, not now. Not fucking now!

I pull out my phone and call Crow. I can't talk, but he'll know. He always knows.

"Nessie? Nessie, what's wrong?"

Nothing. No words come out of my mouth. Just my heavy, obnoxious breathing.

"Nessa, take a deep breath for me. Do you think you can do that? I'm turning around towards campus."

I hear the screech of his tires as I try to do as he asked. My breathing won't slow down. I feel so dizzy, but it won't stop.

"Nessie, deep breath, please. I know it's hard. I'll do it with you. In. . ."

I take a shaky but deep breath in.

"Good, that's good. Now, out. . ."

I slowly release the breath from my lungs. It helps. Crow makes me repeat the action a couple more times.

"I'm on campus, Nessie. Can you tell me where you are?"

"I-I'm in front o-of the s-science building," I say, sniffling through my tears.

"Okay, I'll be right there. Stay on the phone with me. Are you safe? Did you get hurt?"

"D-Derek. . ."

"I'll kill him."

Crow's words don't shock me. He's said that about Derek a million times. What scares me is that I actually believe he will, and in my state, I'm okay with it. I know I'd never let him do it. I'd jump in the way before he ever laid a hand on Derek. I'm such an idiot!

"Nessie? Oh my god, Nessie!"

It's just then I feel myself being lifted off the ground. I lean into the warm embrace of the arms carrying me. My sobbing ceases as Crow wipes the tears from my eyes. I look up at him through glossy eyes. I wish he didn't have to see me like this.

Crow carries me through the snow covered ground. He treads lightly on the slippery sidewalks. We get to his car and he stands me up. His arm is around my waist to hold me steady. I feel a warmness overtake my body. Weird, it's below freezing.

"You don't have to tell me about it now, but I want to know what happened. I care about you, Nessie. Don't shut me out like last time," he says as he sets me into the passenger seat.

I shudder as I remember 'last time'. My sophomore year, I got into a relationship before Derek. It was one of Derek's friends, funny enough. I should've noticed the red flag then. Scott, just thinking that name sends fire and chills into my body. Bastard.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up," Crow says, pulling me from the horrific thought.

"It's o-okay," is all I manage to get out.

Crow gets in and starts the car. I don't even think to put on my seatbelt. Crow notices as we're stopped at a red light and reaches over. He buckles me up and gives me a soft smile. There's that warmness again. Am I having a heart attack or something?

"Do you want to go back to your place," Crow asks with his eyes fixed to the road.

"Yes, please."

Why is there this awkward silence? I can't remember a time it's ever been awkward between Crow and I. Well, he's walked in on me changing a couple of times, but we've always laughed about it. I can't read him. I'm usually able to tell what he's thinking or feeling, but I can't even get the slightest hint off him now. I wonder what's going on in his head.