Fire on Ice

Part 37

Author's Note: 

If there was ever a representation of unedited, it would be this.

Nikolas' POV

The whiskey burns as it travels down my throat. Nora left almost an hour ago, and I haven't moved from the couch since then. Shock doesn't even come close to what I'm feeling. I feel like I've been slapped across the face 1,000 times only for me to get up and get punched another 100 in the gut. I understand that Nora is dealing with a lot with her mom, but what I can't seem to wrap my head around is why she thinks breaking up is going to make anything better. I love her. And she loved me, or at least I thought. Fuck. I want to stay by her side no matter what. She's pushing me away on purpose, but I'm not sober enough to even begin to try and come up for a reason as to why. All I know is that I want to help her, but how do you help someone who doesn't seem to want any help?

I spend the next 5 hours draining my entire apartment of any and all kinds of alcohol to be found. I keep thinking about Nora. About the first time I saw her, the first time we kissed, and I need it to stop. So I drink, which is not even fucking working. I can't see myself without that girl.

I wake up on the kitchen floor with the worst hangover headache I've ever gotten. Which makes sense because yesterday was the most I've ever drank. I think I even threw up at one point, or multiple. The reality of my situation sucker punches me right back in the face and the oblivion of the first few waking seconds floods away.

All the rational thoughts that were blurred away by my emotions and the alcohol yesterday start coming in: When is Nora going to come back for her things, where is she going to live, but most importantly.... How are we supposed to keep skating after this?

I look at my phone and realize I have 10 missed calls from Sebastian. Groaning I shut the device off, not in the mood to talk to him right now. I slowly get up from the floor and make my way to the bathroom, where the counter is scattered with her stuff. Face cleansers, makeup brushes, that weird sponge thing she'd always dab on her face. I used to hate having my bathroom counter cluttered, and we even had a few minor arguments about it early on, but she'd always give me that one look and I'd cave. Every time. She could've asked me to walk on water and I would've found every way to try. I would've done anything for her.

Staring at all of her things reminds me of the way she walked out, and I can't look at them anymore. Angrily, I swipe my hand across the counter and her stuff goes flying everywhere. I keep going until the counter is cleared. But the feeling of loss and hurt doesn't fade when I look at the clean, white counter again. It only seems to grow because of the fact that Nora isn't here anymore. I glance at the clock and realize why Sebastian was calling me so much. It's already 3:00 and I had a meeting with potential investors at 2:30.

"Fuck!" I exclaim and rush into the closet to get a suit on. My breath still smells like whiskey and my mouth is dry as fuck, so I quickly brush my teeth and shove 3 pieces of gum in my mouth to try and quench my hunger. Speeding down the streets of San Francisco, I rush into Euphoria's back entrance to find Sebastian sitting at the bar alone, nursing a glass of bourbon.

"Shit, I'm sorry man." I say, slumping next to him. He doesn't look up immediately, but he says, "Why do you smell like a distillery?"

I sigh in relief, knowing he's not actually mad. "Nora and I are over."

This makes him snap his head up in shock, "Fuck, what happened?"

"She broke up with me, said our relationship was a distraction."

"Shit, sorry" He slides his glass over to me but I shake my head, "I think I had enough to drink for an army." He nods in understanding and slides it back over.