Long Road Ahead

Chapter 23- Can I be Four?

"What happened to the Nova I knew?" Cole yells. We had a huge arguement after trying to talk rational about the pictures of Garrison kissing me. I cried and yelled most of the time but now i'm trying to stay calm.

"Let me tell you a story Cole, okay?" I say. " there once was a girl who tried to be like everyone else. She tried to fit in . One day, she realized that she was the only one that could live HER life. So she decided to stop worrying about what other people thought and start following her own path. She never looked back." I snap.

"So she decided to be a girl who kissed many guys?" He snaps back. "No she didn't. She didn't plan to kiss anyone but that one guy she loved so much!" I yell. "Well she didn't keep that in mind did she?" He growls.

"She did until she learned the guy she loved was a jerk." I say storming out of the hotel room. I heard him throw a few items letting out a string of words not to be mentioned. Heck i'm not even sure they are even real words. "Hey what are you doing out here?" Drew asks walking up.

So now he decides to show up? "Where have you been?" I ask crossing my arms over my chest. "eating. Why?" Because besides me you know how to calm Cole down." I growl. "What happened did your little boyfriend see the pictures?" Drew asks. I walk up to him and punch him square in the face.

I walk over and down to the car. I can't believe Drew. Cole and I's relationship is important to me and all Drew does is make jokes about it. I might have ruined everything and all he can do is be a jerk.

I look at my calendar and notice our next show isn't for another few months. We all decided not to do every show but only a few ever four months. So in total all we are doing is four shows.

I park outside of the hotel where all the bands are staying and walk in and head up to the room i'm staying in. I walk in and throw my backpack, purse, and jacket onto the unmade bed. Colby must have used this room and left recently.

I look into my bag and see my pictures. I grumble at the sight of Cole and I being the top picture. What happened to us? Why can't we be like we use to be? Maybe we should have never dated. I'm so confused on how to move foward with this. I love Cole but do I love him enough to let him go?

*Zack's Pov*

I watch as sleeping Nova mumbles in her sleep and snuggles tighter into my side. It's been six hours since Nova called me crying. I came to her hotel as fast as I could but she wouldn't tell me what was wrong all she said was she was sorry and lost him. I'm not sure if it's Cole she is referring to or someone else.

Nova grip gets tighter on my shirt and I swear she got my chest hair in her grip because it hurts. I try shaking her awake but it's no use. "Nova?" I ask shaking her shoulder.

She shoots up and screams. "No!" "Wait Nova i'm here." I say pulling her into my arms and kiss her forhead. She looks around and takes in her surroundings. She looks at her and her eyes soften.

"What happened?" I ask. "I-It w-was j-j-just a nightmare." She stammers. "I want to help Nov." he sighs.

She sighs and buries her face into my chest. "When I was seven my cousin died and my aunt went crazy and kidnapped me. She called me by my cousins name. Mom said she was messed up. Mental even. I've had nightmares ever since that. I was locked up in a room similar to mine and only say sunshine through a small crack."

I open my mouth but quickly close it. "I was locked in the small room for three weeks." She cries. "My aunt was locked up in a mental institution not long after they found me." She adds.

"Nova that was over ten years ago you're fine i'm here with you to protect you for as long as I can." I say pulling her closer to me. "I know but i'm scared if she gets out she'll come back for me and I don't want that to happen." She sighs.