Twisted Chances

2. Niko (edited)

Ever since Nia stepped foot into the room, my eyes have followed her every move.

She is beautiful, so beautiful that I cannot look away.

I have loved her quietly since middle school. If not for the unspoken bro-code, I would have tried to win her heart years ago. But now she is an adult, free to make her own choices, and I have decided: this time, I will try.

I have always believed in fate, in soulmates, in the kind of love that is written in the stars. And once I admitted to myself that I loved Nia Harper, there was no turning back.

This time I will not back down.

When our eyes finally meet, my chest tightens. But instead of holding her gaze, I look away.

Idiot. Too obvious. Too weak.

And then, she comes toward me with that soft smile of hers, the one that makes the world collapse into silence.

"It's been so long, how are you, Niko?"

Her voice is gentle, but it shatters me in the best way. My heart pounds, every beat screaming her name. I tell myself not to hope, not to dream, but hope slips in anyway.

"Good," I manage, smiling back, though inside I am falling apart.

We stand in silence, seconds stretching into something heavy. My throat is dry. My courage deserts me. Girls are braver than me, I think bitterly. Maybe anyone is braver than me.

Before I can ruin the moment further, Amy swoops in, pulling Nia away. I watch helplessly as she vanishes into the warmth of laughter, while I am left clutching nothing.

I drag Sofia into the kitchen with me, unable to hold it in any longer. "I've decided," I tell her.

Her brows furrow, but then she understands. "Bro, are you sure? You'll be breaking the bro-code with Eithan."

"Yeah. I know."

"And you do realize he'll kill you, right?"

"Yeah. I know that too."

I swallow hard. "But this is my only chance, Sofie. I can face anything if it means winning Nia."

She sighs, but her eyes soften. "Fine. Tomorrow at Aster's café, noon. I'll bring the others."

The next day, we sit in a corner booth, four coffees between us.

"You're seriously still serious about going after Nia?" Amy asks, thumbs flying across her phone.

"Yes. I am," I answer firmly. My voice surprises even me.

I have never felt like this for anyone else, never loved anyone with this kind of bone-deep certainty.

Camilla leans in, her tone half-teasing but curious. "So what do you need from us, hopeless romantic?"

"Help me pursue her."

Amy smirks. "We could test her, like when Mom once tried testing Uncle Alex's emotions. See if Nia feels safe around you, if she trusts you."

Sofia nods. "Yes, we start with trust. Then we see if there's any chance of feelings."

Camilla folds her arms. "And then we move forward, depending on what we find."

I stay quiet, but I trust them. These girls know Nia better than anyone. And I know this: I would let them lead me blindfolded if it brought me closer to her.

Finally, we agree. The mission is set: make Nia fall in love with me.

Sofia looks at me gravely. "Today is day one."

By evening, I am standing in front of Eithan's house, pastry box in hand. My palms sweat. I feel like I'm carrying dynamite instead of dessert.

The door opens, and there she is. Nia, curled up on the couch, her purple hoodie draped over her like a shield. That same hoodie from her trip to Switzerland. I know because I saw the pictures online. Yes, I stalked. Don't blame me, I just wanted to know if she was okay when I couldn't be near her.

Sofie runs to hug her, and I watch as Nia lights up. The sight alone makes my chest ache.

Gathering every shred of courage, I walk over and hand her the pastry. She blinks, then smiles, brighter than the sun.

Her favorite choco-chip.

She hugs me lightly before running off to the kitchen to unwrap it. My lips curve without my permission. She looks so happy, all for something so small.

I would give her the whole world if she asked.

Eithan groans beside me. "Hey, dude, what about me? No pastry?"

"What about you?" I ask blankly.

"Strawberry. You know I love strawberry."

"God, you're corny," I mutter, rolling my eyes. "Are you hanging out with Josephine or something? You don't even sound like a Harper anymore."

The room erupts in laughter, but my mind is elsewhere. My mind is still on the girl in the kitchen.

Dinner drags, business talk filling the air, but my first mission is burning in the back of my head: test if Nia trusts me.

Later, I step out onto the balcony. The night is cool, stars scattered across the sky. And then, as if fate itself is teasing me, Nia joins me. She stands beside me, her arms folded, her presence both comforting and agonizing.

This is my chance.

"Hey, Nia," I begin, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep them from shaking. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure," she says, smiling gently.

"Are you okay? Yesterday, when Aunt Jules asked you about meeting someone... you paused. It felt like something was wrong."

The moment the words leave me, her smile falters.

Her eyes widen, panic flashing there. Her shoulders stiffen. Even in the cool night, beads of sweat form at her temple. It is as if a wound I cannot see has been ripped open.

Before I can ask more, Eithan calls us inside for dinner. She mumbles an excuse and walks away quickly, leaving me alone on the balcony.

And my heart breaks.

On the ride back, Sofia asks, "So, did our plan work?"

"No," I whisper.

She doesn't press further. She knows.

Something is wrong. Terribly wrong. Whoever hurt her left scars deeper than I imagined. And I swear, I will find out.

I would do anything for her. Anything to bring back her smile.

If I must burn the world to ashes just to see her happy again, then I will.

But one truth carves itself into me like a blade: she does not trust me.

Not yet.

And that is what hurts most of all.