Torn

VII

Warning: This chapter contains themes of violence and death that may not be suitable for some readers.

Chapter Song: Gone - ROSÉ

Nina

I stayed quiet for a moment, realizing how cruel it'd been to ask her to simply forget. "Umm, I..." I wanted to say I was fine, in my prime as many claimed, but how could I utter such a lie when being bombarded one again by genuine concern. I became teary eyed just thinking about it. "I don't even know where to start."

"Don't worry about where to start, just tell me whatever's on your mind and I promise I'll listen."

Whatever's on my mind, do I even know what's dancing up there? As I tried fishing for some coherent thought, someone approached me.

"Hey, I was looking for you, what's taking you so long? Your food will get cold."

"Emma I'm sorry but could I call you later? I have to go."

"What? Wait!"

"Sorry, and thanks for calling but I really got to go." I hung up and looked at Ren.

"What's wrong, why are you crying?"

"Why did you tell them?"

"Tell them what? About your stalker? Honey, they are my friends, it's okay. It just slipped out one day in the middle of a conversation."

"Was that before or after you decided to hide the fact you were dating me."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"It was pretty obvious, by the way you decided to parade me around like a shiny trophy without letting me say a word to your so-called friends. Is it embarrassing for you?"

"Come on, I don't have time for this right now. Let's get back to the table."

He turned his back and started walking, expecting me to follow right behind. I couldn't endure it anymore, not after my heart had been warmed up by her gentle words. "It was really stupid of me to think this would work out."

He stopped and turned his head back to me. "What are you talking about?"

"Our relationship died a long time ago; I knew it deep in my heart. But I kept giving it second chances, misplacing my hope, when it's become crystal clear that it won't come back from the grave."

He approached me again, with a face full of rage and his fists ready to tighten around my wrists. "You're saying all of this because you think I did something I didn't. I wanted you to meet my friends, who were all extremely nice to you, and I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable so maybe I talked a bit too much, that's all it was."

I shook my head, trying to push him away. "Stop, let go of me."

"I'm not stopping since you want to act like I'm this horrible person who can't do anything right. About the stalker thing, I'm sorry I mentioned it by accident, I'm fucking sorry I made a fucking mistake, and I'm sorry Evan dared to ask in an attempt of being nice. Maybe if you hadn't looked so fucking akward he wouldn't have said anything."

"Stop."

"No, you stop! What's gotten into you? Acting up every other day, blowing things out of proportion and talking nonsense when everything is fine."

"You're making me feel crazy."

"Dry your tears, because we both know; I'm not the one making you feel that way." He let go of my wrists, fixing his suit and the strands of hair that had fallen on his face. "I'll be waiting for you at the table, so come back quickly." He turned his back to me again. "And Honey, don't make a habit of running away, it's getting old."