𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚

𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳

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Nicole's heart began to hammer against her chest once more that night yet this time it wasn't followed by butterflies. It was filled with trembling anxiety. She could hear the anger in her father's voice. He hadn't spared a thought about her for the past two days and yet here he was, brimming with rage. She could barely bring herself to turn around and face him so in a trembling voice she spoke.

"Dad? You're awake...?" it was barely even a whisper by the time the words spilled from her lips.

"I got a call" Dan's cold voice was full of cruelty. Nicole furrowed her brows, who would call about her, so late, and about what? She couldn't wrap her head around it all. Nicole took a deep breath and faced her father but her eyes were downcast to the ground.

"Oh? From who?" she whispered. Nicole attempted to tread lightly, to pretend. Pretend like she wasn't just a smidge away from passing out. She wanted to run so she kept her words short.

"The fucking police station, Nicole!" Dan shouted, Nicole's shoulders raised as her hands balled into fists while she tried to control the trembling. "Nathan got arrested! Haven't I told you to keep him out of trouble? Do you think my words are a joke!? Look at me Nicole Reese Scott!" His words just seemed to grow angrier.

As Nicole got the courage to look up at her father, the back of his hand collided with her cheek, forcing her head to the side. A shrieked gasp left her lips, her tongue swiped over the bottom, tasting the copper. Blood. Her lip was bleeding. She lifted her hand and wiped it away, smearing it down her chin. Nicole refused to look at her father, scared of what he might do. Dan reached out and grabbed her arm instantly pulling her with him outside.

"Now we have to go get him, I don't want to hear a peep, you hear? I'm disappointed in you Nicole" he scoffed, Nicole stumbled along before she quickly broke away from his grip and slipped into the backseat of the car. Her body was trembling and her breaths were short. She could feel her chest constricting and her hand trying to rub away the fear but none of it helped.

The entire car ride was smothered in a tense silence. Almost a threat in itself, daring Nicole to make even the smallest of sounds. Nicole was practically choking on air while she tried to stay quiet. Her stomach churned as if she needed to hurl. She didn't want to see Nathan, he'd surely see the dried blood and argue with Dan. Nicole could only pray that the darkness concealed everything.

"Stay in the car" Dan ordered, his words firm. Nicole released a breath as she tried to calm down in the span that Dan was gone. But nothing could help, she wanted to cry, the salty tears already brimming her eyes. And that's how it felt for the next half an hour Dan was in the station. Her breath labored, ready to choke on a sob and her hands trembling.

Nicole could already hear the distant arguing between her brother and father. Her eyes swept across the car to watch as the two walk toward her, Nathan ultimately stopping once his gaze landed on her. His eyes narrowed and he started with his father once more. "Why the hell is she here?" he was obviously annoyed but Dan gave him a look to shut him up. Luckily Dan didn't focus on her, he rarely did when Nathan was around. And as much as she hated seeing her brother being scolded by Dan, she couldn't bare him looking at her right now so she was relieved Dan was too busy to bother. So within the ten minutes they took to drive home, the only person blabbing was Dan, about Nathan's basketball career and a bunch of other, selfish proclamations. Nicole didn't bother listening to any of it, the sound of Dan's voice was muffled by the beating of her heart.

As soon as the car parked in the driveway, Nicole ran into the house. She couldn't hold it in any longer, her sobs choked out. The tears fell as she shuffled up the stairs and into her room, slamming the door behind her. She couldn't even make it to her bed before her legs gave out and she slid to the floor. Her lip still stung, an obvious welt formed from the split in her lip, now dried blood covered her chin. There was a knock on Nicole's door but she didn't have the strength to answer. Her body chained to the ground as she cried silently, years of practice. However when there was a second knock, then a third, Nicole wanted to reach out and open it but the door was pushed open on its own. Nathan immediately stepping in with a worried frown pulling at his lips.