The Girl Only Seen In Storms [COMPLETE]

Chapter 7 - Rattled Cages

Nikola closed the journal. It was put on the bookshelf and hidden among the others. Each with their own stories.

The rain began again. It sounded tired, worn out as it worked hard to bounce on the roof. She inhaled, breathing like a fish out of water. She almost dropped the book she was reading.

Putting in the bookmark, she rose from her seat on the bench at the end of the bed and slid it next to Nikola's journal.
Nikola had collapsed in their bed, a permanent frustrated look tattooed on her face. She kissed her forehead and moved to lay down with her.

• • • •

She woke up with a scream, produced by her own mouth.

A nightmare.

"Nikki, are you okay?" She softly asked, hesitant to touch her.
Nikola looked up with a fearful look in her eyes.

"Did- did I wake you up?"
"That doesn't matter, are you okay?"

She shook her head.
"No. I don't think I'm okay."

"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize."
The morning haze was covered with deafening silence.

"I had a nightmare."

Nikola moved to embrace her girlfriend, who almost jumped on her, peppering her face with kisses.
"I love you, Nikki."
"Thank you for loving me."

• • • •

Nikola decided to call her childhood best friend, Leo.

She had to inform him.

She snaked her way out of the grip of her girlfriend, standing up and reaching for her phone.

The phone rung 6 times before there was a click.

"Leo?"

"Nikola?"
"It's you!"
"Were you expecting someone else?"

He chuckled, looking down at his shoes.

"Can you come over?"
"Do you live in the same place?"
"Not exactly. I'll send you the address."

"I'll be there in 10 minutes."

• • • •

Staying true to his word, he knocked on the door soon enough.
Nikola giggled, running over to the door and swinging it open to greet Leo.

"Leo!"
"Nikki!"

He hugged her, squeezing the air out of her and lifting her off her feet.

"I missed you."
"Right back at you."

They shared a smile.

"What have you been up to then, Nikki? Too busy to call me?"
"Not exactly."

His smile dropped, a worried frown replacing it.

"What is it? What happened?"

"My dad, um. It's a long story."

"Nikola. What happened?"

"I'm dating my best friend and she's upstairs and my dad found out and he's homophobic and now he's gone again and he beat up Kirsten and she loves me now."

"Jesus. You serious?"
"Pretty serious."

"Yeah."

"So, you're gay?"
"Something wrong with that?"
"No! No, not at all."
He sent her a comforting smile, returned by a nervous one.

Leo pulled her close to stop her worrying.

"You're okay, Nikki. Nothing's wrong with you."

"Yeah. Yeah. I know that."
"Okay."

They both looked at the stairs, as someone was walking down them and towards the pair. Nikola's girlfriend.

"Hi, Leo. Long time no see."

"You too."

"You guys are dating?"
"Yeah. Yup."

"Okay then. I should go-"

"You can stay, Leo. It's okay!"
"Okay."

Leo's face was decorated with a forlorn smile, at his dreams that were crushed.

He's had a crush on Nikola since middle school.
He looks at the floor, trying not to give away the look of broken hope to the two.

He should be happy for Nikola.
He should be, but he's not.