Finding My Muse - Nicholas Galitzine

Chapter 24: To London

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--Esmerelda's POV--
"Where's Nick?" I ask as Harry walks in wearing his pajamas.

"I haven't seen him all day. Wasn't he with you at the internship tonight?" he asks as I furrow my brows.

"He said he was with you when I texted him," I show my phone to him and he shows me the text saying he's working.

"I'm a little worried now," he says tapping on Nick's contact and calling him.

"What's up besties?" Kylie asks as she walks into the room.

"Nick's missing," I tell her as she listens to Harry leave a voicemail, "Why is he being weird again? When you guys were away it was perfect...like not even a mean comment perfect," I tell them.

"Woah. Not even a sarcasm battle between you two?" Kylie asks as I roll my eyes.

"Seriously. Is he not talking to you?" I ask Harry.

He shakes his head as he rubs the back of his neck, "I spend most of my time here or at class," he says honestly. Kylie can't help but smile knowing he's spending all his free time with her.

"I have nothing to do. I'll go check the practice rooms. If he's not there I might just take an empty room, so if I don't come back don't freak," I tell them. Kylie tries to get me to stay cause it's late but I'm already putting my shoes on, "I'll be back," I call out as I grab my keys and shut the door. I have my thicket jacket on so I can walk to campus. It's about a fifteen-minute walk so it's not too bad. I can feel the top of my nose is bright red from the cold.

I look inside the tiny windows of the practice rooms until I see a familiar back. I swing open the door and hear him tapping absentmindedly at the keys, "You had us worried," I tell him as he picks his hand away from the keys.

"Go home Esmeralda," he says not even turning around.

"No. Talk to me"

"Why? You think you have a right to know all my personal details now 'cause we fucked?" He asks as I close the door behind me.

"Shut up. You're so hot and cold. Is it something I did?" I ask not knowing how to navigate this situation. I try to push away the hurt in my chest as he turns around. His eyes are red like he's been crying and my body wants to comfort him, but I keep myself pressed against the door, "Nick," I whisper as he stands up.

"Tell Harry I'll be back later tonight," he says trying to leave out the door. When I touch his arm his eyes linger on where our bodies meet.

"Let me in. Please I'm begging you to let me be here for you. You've protected me enough times that I owe you one," I tell him trying to lighten the mood.

His eyes tell a different story than his body as he moves past me and walks out the door. I ran after him and followed him out to the street, "Where are you going?" I yell.

"Go home"

"I'm not leaving without you," I shout back jogging to catch up with his long strides. He stops and turns to me making me jump at his sudden movements.

"Why are you so goddamn annoying?" He asks. I open and close my mouth like a fish out of water trying to find the right words. He always seems to render me speechless.

"Cause someone has to put up with your ass. I'll follow you all the way to fucking London if you don't just stop and talk to someone. Harry is worried about you. During Christmas, it was like the world around us stopped and I know you felt it too," I tell him, "I don't know what happened but I don't want you to think that I've just forgotten about what happened," I say trailing off at the end.

"My mom's sick," he says making my heart break, "I didn't go home cause I couldn't bear to see her like that," he whispers as he looks up trying not to let a tear fall down his cheek. I wrap my arms around his torso as he drops his cheek down to press against my head. I tighten my arms around him as I hear him trying to keep himself together.

"It will be okay," I whisper not knowing what to say. There's nothing I really can say that will make it feel better. Nearly ten minutes later I pull away and he's trying not to look me in the eyes, "Does Harry know?" I ask.

"I don't want to bother anyone with my problems," he says wiping his nose from the cold.

"Don't you dare make that excuse that's what friends are for. Harry loves you and you know that," I tell him as I link my arm with his, "You shouldn't be dealing with this alone. I'm thankful you told me," I say with a small smile as he leans more into my side. We start walking back to the apartments. He changed the subject but it's obvious his brain is moving a mile a minute behind his eyes.

"Stay with me tonight," I tell him as we get into the elevator, "Harry is over and I have some microwaveable max and cheese calling your name," I tell him as he laughs.

"I'm such an asshole," he whispers as I shake my head, "Seriously. I was a dick and you still chased after me," he says as I shrug my shoulders.

"I don't know...I like having you around I guess," I tell him with a growing smile.

"You're not too bad either," he whispers kissing the top of my head as I open the door.