𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ✔️

♡ Chapter 20 ♡

July 20th.

~ Nic POV ~

I stayed up until 1 am last night, waiting for Celeste to return.

And when she did, I tried to talk to her.

"Why'd you leave?"

"What's wrong?"

"Talk to me."

But she ignored me. Walked right past me, and slammed her door shut behind her.

I wanted to go into her room so badly. Make her tell me what's wrong. Make her tell me what I did.

But I didn't.

I gave her space.

And now, I've been in the kitchen all morning. Waiting for her to come out of her room.

I use the spatula to put the pancakes onto the plate for her. I added some fruit, too. I've noticed that's her favorite breakfast.

The door finally opens, and she steps out. 

"Hey," I say instantly, and she crosses her arms while walking over to me and looking at the plate. "It's for you."

She forces the tiniest smile, but I know it's fake since it doesn't reach her eyes. She says quietly, "Thanks."

She sits down on the stool and pulls the plate toward her. 

I watch her as she cuts her pancakes and avoids my eyes. 

"The party is at 9 tonight. You want to go dress shopping?" I ask her, hoping that will pick up her mood.

"No thanks."

Oh fuck.

Whatever I did, I really fucked up.

If I said that sentence on a different day, she would've been jumping up and down with a smile on her face. But now, she's not even looking at me.

I rub my jawline frustratedly. 

"Can you just tell me what I did, Celeste?" I ask, my tone sounded a little frustrated, and honestly a little desperate.

She slowly stops chewing and moves her eyes up to meet mine. I lean forward on the counter, putting myself closer to her. I add in a soft voice, "Please."

She swallows.

"I'm not hungry anymore," she mutters while pushing the plate away from her.

She rises to her feet, jumping off of the stool as I bow my head and clench my fist against the table.

She begins walking toward her room, but I quickly rush in front of her. 

"Talk to me, Dobrev."

She looks up at me, with no playful look on her face like usual. 

"Nothing's wrong."

I roll my eyes, "You think I'm an idiot? Women always say that when something is wrong."

"What a women's expert you are," she says sarcastically. "Need to borrow a training bra?"

She steps around me. I turn, and am met with the door slamming in my face. 

Fuck. 

I used to complain about having to hear her voice. But now?

I get mad when I don't hear it. 

╚═*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*═╝

The time for the party was fast approaching. I wore a tux, with some gel holding back my hair.