Finding My Muse - Nicholas Galitzine

Chapter Fifteen: Blackout

Vote. Comment. Enjoy!

-

-

-

--Esmerelda's POV--
"I can't believe you're leaving me alone during a snowstorm," I frantically shout,  chasing after Kylie. She turns with her overnight bag hitting her leg.

With her phone in hand, she gives me a small smile, "You'll be fine. Harry invited me to this upscale hotel thing for our date night," she says making my heart yearn for something like that, "I have a car waiting, I'll stay if you want me to," she says.

I shake my head, waving her off as I stand by the door, "I'll just watch movies or something. Have fun. Drive safe," I tell her. After a small hug, she walks out leaving me to shut the door. When I turn back to the apartment it looks a lot darker than it did moments before.

This place looks a lot better with all the festive lights on. A small animated Santa Claus makes me jump as I walk into my bedroom. Tonight's the perfect kind of night to binge-watch all of the High School Musical movies. Disney Plus is in the middle of loading when I get the bright idea to make some food. I grab my laptop and carry it to the kitchen where I look in the fridge. I'm about to give up when I push a bag of corn out of the way. Hidden is an open bag of dino nuggets. I could cry with happiness. I immediately preheat the oven, then prepare a baking sheet. I lean over the counter and wait for the oven to beep as the movie starts.

Troy Bolton will always be the iconic first crush of my generation. Maybe a Jonas Brother. Nearly ten minutes later the oven beeps and I slide the nuggets inside and walk to the couch. Another song starts when the timer goes off. Time flies when you're singing along to musicals. I grab the oven mitts and take them out, smiling at the crispy-looking nuggets. When I take the mitt off my heart drops as the room goes pitch black. All the decorations shut off, leaving nothing but the glow of my buffering movie.

I use the laptop to go to the switch, I flick it a couple of times before throwing my head back. I rush to my bedroom and grab a flashlight I keep in my dresser. I turn it in and try to find other sources of light. I swear to god shadows become bigger the more you look at them. I stare down the hallway with the small light and contemplate jumping from the window. I take small steps towards Kylie's room, she keeps candles in there. I push the door open with my foot and jump at her robe hanging on the door.

I hold onto my heart hoping it won't jump out of my chest. I see a candle on her desk and walk over. I grab the candle as the bedroom door slams shut. I scream and shine the light towards it. There's nothing there so I rush for the handle, dropping the flashlight. Instead of picking it up. I ran to the front door. My body collides with another person as a tear falls from my eyes.

"Woah, what's wrong?" A familiar voice asks as an arm goes around me. I look up and see Nick holding a small lantern, "You alright?" He asks as I pull out of his arms. I wipe my eyes and turn around.

"Nothing," I whisper trying to gain the courage to go inside. He doesn't say anything else before walking inside with the light. The further in he goes the darker the hallway gets. He walks in the direction of Kylie's room, my flashlight is shining underneath the door, "What are you doing here?" I ask as he hands me the flashlight. I use the light to grab a lighter from our drawer. I place the flame in the middle of the counter. Doesn't give much light but it's something. I grab another one from my room and place it on the other counter.

"I figured Harry would be down here," he says as I sit on the counter with the nuggets and candle, "guess not," he adds while looking around.

I sit there staring at him as he looks around some more, "did you eat?" I ask. I can see the confusion in his eyes. Truthfully, I hate the dark. Always have always will. I'd rather deal with him than be alone. When his shoulders relax a little I slide over the tray of nuggets. He comes over and sits across from me on the counter, "Harry and Kylie are staying at a hotel tonight. Some kind of date night thing," I tell him.