Finding My Muse - Nicholas Galitzine

Chapter 23: Duet

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--Esmerelda's POV--
"Get up," Kylie yells grabbing my leg to pull me out of bed. I grab onto the headboard as she yanks me down. My pants almost slip off from how hard she's pulling, "Come on. You haven't gone out in like two weeks," she says.

"I've been busy. It's almost like school is a priority," I point out to her.

"Nick's gonna start thinking you're ignoring him," she scolds going to my closet, "When's the last time you guys talked?" She asks.

"We talk at the internship," I tell her.

"That's not enough. He's literally been inside of you," she says making me physically recoil.

"Never EVER say that again," I tell her as she throws a dress at my head. I fall back down and stare up seeing only the black fabric.

"I hope your legs are shaved," she says as she walks out again, "We are leaving in ten minutes," she yells. I groan as I sit up and shut the door behind her. I slip out of my pajamas that I was perfectly fine with wearing the rest of the night. It's a Friday night which means it's movie night.

I change into the black dress and put on black sheer stockings underneath. I look through my closet and see Nick's leather jacket he left here before New Year's. I grab it out and slip it on smiling at the oversized look. For shoes, I decided on a pair of black booties. A very colorful outfit. I put the music note earrings in before doing some simple makeup.

"We are late," Kylie says as I walk into the living room, "but you look pretty," she adds.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"Karaoke bar"

"Then why am I so dressed up?" I ask wanting to cry at the extra effort I put in for no reason. She doesn't answer, she just walks towards the door and motions me over. She hails a car and by the time we get there, Nick and Harry ordered appetizers.

"Hey," I smile sitting down across from Nick. He gives me a weird smile as he turns back to Harry.

"I'm gonna get a drink. Want anything?" He asks looking at everyone. I shake my head and offer to go with him but he says he will be fine. Kylie steals one of Harry's mozzarella sticks as someone steps up to the mic.

"Will we be getting an Esme rendition of a song tonight?" Harry asks as I shake my head with a snort.

"Absolutely not. I don't plan on getting drunk tonight," I tell him as he boos, "If you and Kylie do a duet I'll think about it," I offer as he looks at her with hopeful eyes.

"We could do a little grease action," she says as Nick comes over with a vodka cran for me and a beer for him. Harry already ordered Kylie a rum and coke knowing that's her regular.

"I swear I'm being flooded with assignments since we got back to classes," I complain. I look at Nick and he's being weirdly silent. Halfway through eating mac and cheese bites, Harry and Kylie's names are called. Nick looked shocked as the two of them walk up together. I cheer them on as Harry clears his throat on the mic. I don't think I've ever laughed as hard as I did when I realized Harry was singing the girl parts.

The whole bar goes crazy for them as they walk back to the table. Kylie's face is a little red as she downs the rest of her drink, "I'm never doing that again".

"Oh come on they loved us," he says taking her hand over the table, "Your turn," he says looking at me.

"If I remember correctly I said I'd think about it," I point out.

"Are we not good enough to hear a full song?" Nick asks looking at me with a straight face.

"I don't see you running to the stage," I point out. He pushes his chair out and waits for me to get up. This is a challenge and I will not be losing it. I walk with him to the front and see Kylie giving a confused look. He doesn't even let me help choose a song before he turns to the music guy. His attitude tonight does not match the song he's chosen.

The beginning of "Wouldn't Change a Thing" from Camp Rock 2 starts playing. We watched this on Christmas cause he's only ever seen the first one. He watched me fangirl over Joe Jonas for almost two hours. I start singing and keep my eyes on the ground. When he comes in with Joe's lyrics I look over at him. Both of our faces started off as serious but the chorus makes it hard not to smile. Kylie and Harry start cheering as Nick's verse starts.

I rock to the beat listening to his voice coming through the speaker. The chorus hits again and he's staring at me. It's hard not to get nervous when his eyes are staring into me. The end of the song comes too early. We get a standing ovation from our friends as we awkwardly walk off the stage, "when are we getting a recorded duet?" Harry asks throwing a straw at Nick.

"I'd like to know the same thing," I state leaning back in my chair.

"Whenever you can fit me into your busy schedule," he says back as Kylie looks over like she's watching a movie.

"What sexual tension does to people," she says making Harry spit out his drink.

"Did I miss something?" He asks looking at us.

"No, idea what she's talking about," I whisper kicking her under the table.

"I'm feeling very left out right now"

"I should get going. I have some shit I have to finish up before classes tomorrow," Nick says when Kylie eats the last chip from our salsa bowl.

"I'll go with him," I state standing up. He tries to think of something but ends up just letting me tag along with him. When we get outside I turn to him and he just looks back at me with no expression, "What's your deal?" I ask.

"My deal?"

"Yes, your deal. You have been weird all night. Are you okay?" I ask reaching out to touch his arm.

"I'm fine," he says moving away so I can't touch him, "I'm gonna walk back," he says hailing a cab for me.

"It's freezing and like six blocks away," I point out to him, "Seriously, what's wrong?" I ask.

"See you tomorrow," he says turning down the street as the taxi pulls up beside me. He gives me whiplash. I can't stand his stupid attitude whenever he's pissy. He has to let someone in eventually and I don't know if I can wait around for him to pick me.